I've seen so many questions regarding Obama's "wrinkled clothing", Hillary's gender, and Edward's hair cuts, I'm wondering how these things will affect they way they run the country.
I'd appreciate honest, well thought out answers. This isn't a partisan question (although I did use Dems as an example), so there's no need to be rude.
2007-08-20 07:56:46 · 12 answers · asked by katydid 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Because America is getting dumber. They cannot carry an idea in their heads. Because children have been brought up by the television when their parents flopped them down in front of it to "babysit" them. Because education is not valued here. Because our society has become ever shallower, ever more vapid, ever more insincere.
*sigh*
I blame bush.
2007-08-20 09:13:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think that one reason why such flaws are brought up is because they sort of provide a golden opportunity for the opposition to ridicule those particular candidates. That being said, though, it has been shown that physical appearance does play a major role in politics. For example, in 1960 the first televised presidential debates were aired. John F. Kennedy wore makeup and looked very polished, whereas Richard Nixon, who had recently been ill, refused to wear makeup and looked tired and weary. As we all know, JFK won that year's election, and it's been said that the way he looked in the debates played a major role. I think it's at least partly because voters want a leader who seems to exude confidence and strength, and that's one reason why looks are so important in politics. It may be unfortunate, but it's true.
2007-08-20 09:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by tangerine 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the cult of celebrity is a useful propaganda tool. It would ruin everything if people ever listened carefully to what the Candidates say.
Republicans discovered the value of it after the first televised Presidential debates in 1960, when Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow turned what should have been the crowning moment of McCarthyism into a narrow defeat.
2007-08-20 09:16:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because we have become famous for judging books by their covers. How someone chooses to present themselves in such a high-stakes position is important. If you knew Edwards spent $400 on a haircut, would you think he would be more likely to waste your tax dollars too? If Obama's clothes are wrinkled, do you think he's too lazy to iron them, or maybe he'd just rather get to the business at hand than worry about a few wrinkles. There is no way I would have voted for Thompson, because that brown rug on his head clashed with his natural gray hair and he looked ridiculous, like a clown who can't make serious judgments. Being electable has a lot to do with oration skills, demeanor, and general presence.
2007-08-20 08:06:17 · answer #4 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because we have a society obsessed with physical appearance. How many people do you see on tv today that aren't appealing to the eye unless they are just funny. You could be the best fit for a job with the correct education and experience but if you look like Stephen King you will be passed up for someone with less experience.
2007-08-20 08:05:37 · answer #5 · answered by nashua_princess 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Could you imagine if Abraham Lincoln was running for president? He'd get like.......now where today.
Our society is superficial, it's a house of cards.
It only works if you look good, sound good and have an excellent marketing strategy.
GW is the perfect example of that shell. A puff of wind indicates entirely no substance to the shell.
2007-08-20 09:21:44 · answer #6 · answered by Jackie Oh! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A large portion of american voters base their votes simply on the appearance of the candidate. As an example: Mitt Romney, he is leading in the straw polls even though other polls show that his positions are not the most popular.
2007-08-20 08:08:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cousin didn't vote for Kerry because he didn't "look presidential enough."
As sad as it is, people judge other people based on their looks. It's a simple but incorrect paradigm that's stuck in our collective consciousness: pretty people good; homely/messy people bad.
Ask the people of Texas. They voted for "Govner Good-Hair" because he looks like a movie star. Now, he's done nothing but sink Texas further down into the swampy miasma of radical conservativism.
No rudeness intended.
2007-08-20 09:35:21 · answer #8 · answered by Acorn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
democrats are guilty of this too however (i'm a democrat) bush's language for ex. or the "chimp" thing
2007-08-20 08:03:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know it shouldn't matter except maybe to editorial cartoonists.
2007-08-20 08:02:22 · answer #10 · answered by Brian 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋