Do you need to be handsome to be President?

[sithgoblin]

In this day and age of mass visual media, do you think a non-astheatically pleaseing person could be elected President of the United States?

Barack Obama, George Bush, Bill Clinton - they are all good looking men. There have been some exceptions in the 20th Century, like Nixon and Bush Sr, who I don't think looked that appealing when in office... but that was then.

Look at someone like Abraham Lincoln. He is a strange looking man. Look at people like Bill Richardson - a capable man who never had a chance because he is not handsome. During the same election, there was running criticism that Hillary would not age well if elected and "we'd have to look at her wrinkles and sags for the next four years".

What do you think? Could someone who looks like the Toxic Avenger win popularity with today's society? Do we value superficiality over ability?

 

[Excel]

Its not that they're "handsome", its that their not "ugly". Moreso though, is that they all have their own sort of personal charm, which makes them more appealing and "attractive" to voters.

 

[Kurosawa]

For some reason, you have to be clean shaven to win nowadays. It's all really bizarre.

 

[VampElvis]

Handsome and clean shaven? Crap! Another job for which I fail to qualify!

 

[Nivek]

I want Obama to grow a Manstashe, just to bring it back.

 

[Schlosser85]

I don't think George W. Bush is remotely handsome, and I'm not just saying that because of my distaste for him.

Actually, even if he was older, I think Reagan was better-looking than W.

 

[bell110]

Yes, nobody wants to look at an ugly president. Sad but true.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

I remember during history class, my teacher said a big part of Kennedy winning the election was his looks as that was one of the first elections where television played a large role.

 

[BlackestNight]

I want Obama to grow a Manstashe, just to bring it back.

Forget about the manstache. Soul Patch all the way!

 

[BatMatt]

I remember during history class, my teacher said a big part of Kennedy winning the election was his looks as that was one of the first elections where television played a large role.

Yep. During the first televised debate, Nixon had been recovering from illness, and declined to wear any makeup. Kennedy had just been campaigning in California, so he had a wonderful tan going for him (of course that doesn't show up as well on B&W TV as color but I digress). Those that watched the debate on TV said that Kennedy had won, those that listened on the radio had said Nixon won.

 

[voyzovrezon]

Well, looks wouldn't matter to me. I campaigned for Dennis Kucinich if that tells you anything.

Now, I happen to think John Edwards is GORGEOUS! But I didn't support his campaigns either in 04 or 08. I sensed something phoney about him and now I realize my suspicions were correct.

I'd support Alan Grayson if he ran. Again, not the most handsome, but I look at the candidate and his politics.

 

[Thundercrack85]

No, but it sure helps.

Height is an important factor.

I wonder if there will ever be another bearded president...

 

[Paradoxium]

Well Kucinich did land his wife, if anyone ever seen her (aka taller, half his age, feminine). Dude is doing something right t:

 

[bell110]

Forget about the manstache. Soul Patch all the way!

**** that, Cornrows all the way. That would get conservatives a heart attack.

Well, looks wouldn't matter to me. I campaigned for Dennis Kucinich if that tells you anything.

Now, I happen to think John Edwards is GORGEOUS! But I didn't support his campaigns either in 04 or 08. I sensed something phoney about him and now I realize my suspicions were correct.

I'd support Alan Grayson if he ran. Again, not the most handsome, but I look at the candidate and his politics.

It's the $400 hair cut, isn't it?

 

[bell110]

A bearded president would be awesome. I wonder why people don't like beards.

Also, you could not get away with looking like Lincoln now-a-days. He was one fugly guy.

 

[BatMatt]

Even worse without his beard

 

[Kurosawa]

I remember when Gore grew a beard...woulda been badass looking to have a Prez who looked like that.

W looks...I'm not gonna say it.

Just think back to the SNL skit with Dana Carvey as daddy Bush.

 

[voyzovrezon]

Well Kucinich did land his wife, if anyone ever seen her (aka taller, half his age, feminine). Dude is doing something right t:

Political power is an aphrodisiac for some women.

 

[voyzovrezon]

It's the $400 hair cut, isn't it?

Oh absolutely!

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

A bearded president would be awesome. I wonder why people don't like beards.

Also, you could not get away with looking like Lincoln now-a-days. He was one fugly guy.

Makes them look old.

 

[Marx]

I've wondered if we could ever elect a person with a disability again. The last time it happened was in an age of radio and limited tv.

I would like to think that our country would elect the better person, regardless of appearance...but I think we are a little too shallow.

 

[Excel]

Edwards is an example of how looks really dont do that much. Same for Romney. For guys a lot fo early buzz, they have pretty much no influence.

 

[metr0man]

All modern presidential contests are essentially personality/likability contests. Reagan, Clinton, W. Bush, Obama. The only possible exception is Bush Sr. but I don't know a lot about that 88 election as it is.

 

[Excel]

8 was more Daukakis imploding in a tank than anything else.

 

[Kurosawa]

Edwards is an example of how looks really dont do that much. Same for Romney. For guys a lot fo early buzz, they have pretty much no influence.

Romney looks so much like the typical politician off of a tv show it's crazy.