Beauty in Politics
 

Beauty in politics.

does it really affect the way people vote?

are policies the criterion or is visual appearances more important? we've all seen how ballots are swayed when a good looking politician comes onto the scene. the latest example being Palin. it happens in all countries and is not specific to any nation.

sure, Palin is a bad looking woman. not my type, but she is attractive and i can see how people can be attracted to her looks. but should we be voting and basing our vote on the way we visually feel about someone who may be the future president of the USA? Ive heard her being referred to as a MILF and other such names, so her popularity is riding on her looks.

would you vote for her based on her looks? or politics? would you vote for those same policies if she was a bat-ugly hag?

obviously being an aussie, i cant vote in the US elections, but i personally would never vote for anyone would i thought did not have the political and economic capabilities to run my nation, regardless of how they looked.

Some people will be drawn to her because of her looks and people want to associate with that instead of what she's really all about. It's a natural reaction. I think one poll showed that she was more popular with men than with women.. this could be a response to the beauty question.

However, look at Hillary Clinton.. she's hideous, but I'd vote for her because of her policies compared to Palin or McCain. In fact, I think the Dem's nominated the wrong person, a Clinton Obama ticket would have been nice..but an Obama Clinton ticket not as nice..but that's perhaps a different thread.

Back to the OP, people always have funny reasons for voting. One of the problems with the vote itself is people don't pay attention to who or what they are voting for. They vote for a party simply because they align with that party or they vote for someone because that person holds a similar religious belief or they vote because that person is a certain race or gender.. so yeah beauty could be lumped into the same thing.

For me, I like to look at all the stances and the records and decide for myself who I think would make the best choice, not only for me but for my children as well.

People vote for all kinds of crazy reasons, but I guess that's what the USA is about.

Some vote because of their perception of the candidate's personality or a sound byte they've heard, some vote based on gender, race or ethnicity and some vote based on party alone. We all rationalize our tendencies one way or another.

And then there are those who feel their method of choice is righteous ...

I hear that beauty affects the way some people vote. I understand the social value of looking good, but I vote on politics, history, record, and so forth. If I dont know enough about candidates in a particular race, then I leave my ballot blank there, I dont vote in that arena (such as some local judiciary). When I asked tpop what he thought about McCain's pick, the first thing out of his mouth was that she was good looking. I didnt tell him, but I lost respect for him and wondered if he had a brain.

Zapatista Bella Abzug!

here are some pictures of my u.s. rep. I'll be voting to reelect based on her...um...policies. Well, I actually do support her politics in general but it doesn't hurt that she's kind of a fox.
http://arizona.typepad.com/photos/un...ed/ang_big.jpg http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/photos/...13/26046-1.jpg

so do policies trump looks for you?? if she wasn't such a fox would it matter?

do i personally care about looks? no. but sadly, jewels summed it up...people vote for all sorts of nutty reasons.

Yeah, I think that's exactly what I said in my OP.

actually no.. you said it didn't hurt she was a fox.. which could mean all sorts of things. anyway...

Barack Obama does have a friendlier appearance than John McCain, and Palin has looks over Biden. I'd be really disappointed in someone that voted based on looks, though.

Let's face it: this thing is a popularity contest held on national television. It's like the Miss America pageant, but the winner gets to control nuclear missles. Being telegenic is a critical part of being elected President, and has been ever since Nixon sweated through a debate with JFK on national TV.

Up until this week I would have agreed with you.. now I think it's starting to actually shift towards policies.. especially on the economic front.

Well, that maybe true. Put America in enough pain and it might actually start to think about how to get out of it.

Yes, I believe that beauty plays a significant role in the outcome of elections. But I don't know what to say about its influence on 'politics'.

I can think of very few cases where a demonstrably less-attractive candidate defeated a much more attractive one.

Beauty influences everything. The more attractive a person is, the more likely they are to be healthy, wealthy, and popular. The primary affect of beauty is not a conscious response, so I can say with relative certainty that even those who believe they aren't swayed by beauty are just not aware of its affect on them. It's been studied over and over and over again, beautiful people are even more likely to be helped in the street if they drop something.

It affects everyone, whether they're aware of it or not. I won't be voting for her because of her inexperience and her Presidential running-mate, because it's an intellectual decision. If this were a simple popularity contest which didn't address intellectual topics (politics), I'm almost certain that Palin would win.

Regardless of politics and elections, people subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) favor attractive people. Simple as that. Imagine you don't care for Palin, for example. Now imagine she were the most repulsive crone you can imagine. It's a little worse now, yeah?

This is nothing new and not restricted to the USA. People have done this for millenia. It's not just beauty either, charisma and presence plays a large role. It's part of being human to be drawn to beauty etc.

We voted JFK, Harding, Reagan, on their looks and charisma. George Bush was so worried about his height compared to Kerry he demanded that his step be raised and that he and Kerry would be far apart at the televised debates so he wouldn't appear so short. So yes, looks are an important part of it. It seems there is an abundance of people voting for Obama based on his looks too. He is young, hip so many girls love him and will vote for him based on that. Also he is perceived to be black so many will vote on him looking black.

Now I'm seeing that looks can also be good for foreign policy. Pakistan's president tells Palin she's 'gorgeous' - CNN.com

Pakistan's president tells Palin she's 'gorgeous'
From Peter Hamby and Wes Little
CNN
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Pakistan's new president called GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin "gorgeous" when the two met in New York on Wednesday.

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin meets Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Wednesday.

Palin has been in New York meeting international leaders in town this week for United Nations meetings.

On entering a room filled with several Pakistani officials Wednesday, Palin was immediately greeted by Sherry Rehman, the country's information minister.

"And how does one keep looking that good when one is that busy?" Rehman asked Palin, drawing friendly laughter from the room.

"Oh, thank you," Palin said.

Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, entered the room seconds later. Palin rose to shake his hand, saying she was "honored" to meet him.

Zardari then called her "gorgeous" and said: "Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you."

"You are so nice," Palin said, smiling. "Thank you."

From what little I see and hear, she's not my "type" but she's not unattractive, either. First time I heard her voice it grated me...I still don't like the sound of her voice. Since then, I've also been turned off my most of what she's saying.

i agree. its more of a popularity contest than anything else.

its like ameican idol. or some pop musician. usually the good looking ones end up winning or making the most sales

sadly this thing doesnt just happen in america. we had a politician lead the democrats a few years ago. she wasnt too bad looking, ..young..blonde..but not the greatest but definately attractive. since she left politics, the democrats have never fared so well

I can't remember the last time we voted for an attractive president.

History has shown that the VP choice doesn't matter.

bill clinton wasnt a bad looking bloke. he was a favourite with the ladies. so was JFK. you cant say they didnt have some popularity because of their looks.

if McCain goes to meet St Peter, the then VP will matter.

Abe Lincoln was hot in a planet of the apes kind of way. And what about that Maggie Thatcher?

I never knew you went for the chiseled lean look. :surprised:

I suppose if a guy says another guy is hot... it tends to look suspect. However, being comfortable in my hetero ways, I'm not afraid to be "honest" about old "Abe". You have to admit Mr. Lincoln certainly had that Geico magnetism.

This thread demands more Diesel Sweeties:

http://www.dieselsweeties.com/hstrips/0/2/1/0/02106.png

When you let people make decisions for themselves, you have to accept as a consequences that some of the decisions they make will be stupid ones.

But does this nicey-nice chit-chat transition to a direct benefit when trying to, for instance, broker an agreement with Pakistan to allow US forces to pursue objectives within their territory?
That remains to be seen....

JFK, Clinton, Harding to name a few. Obama will be the latest "hot guy" if he gets elected.

I think this is where McCain/Palin have their main advantage. McCain can "talk", but wouldn't hesitate to apply financial or military leverage when appropriate. I think Palin has these qualities as well.

I'm afraid Obama will want to "dialog" all the "nuances", then over-react when faced with actions that were promised not to happen... (ex: Iran saying they're not developing nuclear weapons while they really are, then using them). Then he'd get all LBJ on their asses and proliferate a larger conflict.

I have a feeling Palin would be more the type to smack them around, then give them a cookie with a glass of milk to help stop the shaking... only when appropriate, of course. :)

otto...it sounds like you prefer the "bullying" approach to diplomacy.

You can be tough and respectful of the process and your adversaries at the same time.

I dont believe MCain demonstrates that quality....when he doesnt get his way, he pouts, he drops f-bombs, he makes it personal and assaults the character of his adversaries, and, in the most extreme case, leaped across a table during a diplomatic discussion and physically attacked a member of a foreign delegation.

I'll talke the more thoughtful person with the more measured temperament over the loose cannon anytime.

Palin? She would get chewed up and spit out, or at the very least, completely marginalized, in a matter of minutes on any stage with world contemporaries.
-----Added 26/9/2008 at 12 : 05 : 52-----
Since this is about beauty.....temperament is a beautiful trait in a person.

One candidate has it...one doesnt.

Harding?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._June_1920.jpg

Huh.

I guess I'd have to leave it to het women to decide if Clinton is attractive. He was on the chubby side, has rosecea, and just basically looks like a bubba. Chelsea however, rowr!

Lincoln was told at a campaign appearance that he was ugly. He told the woman he couldn't help what he looked like. She replied, "I know, but you might stay inside more."

Isn't beauty subjective anyway? I never found Clinton attractive. JFK was handsome, but not my type. Now Mr. Kissinger wasn't your typical male stud, but I thought he was really sexy.

Obama is the 'most "eloquent' member of Congress and a "show horse" and a "hunk"....McCain is a "friend to lobbyists"

Washingtonian's Best & Worst of Congress

I should renew my subscription to the Washingtonian.

Boy, I don't think we could be much more opposite in opinion on that one. :)

Now dc... I believe I mentioned "when appropriate" at least twice. Am I going to have to send Sara after you with some cookies mister? :rolleyes:

No... I prefer the walk softly and carry a big stick that I intend to use if you break the deal. Remember, others carry sticks as well and we should also try not break our deals. Sticks can be made of money, cooperation, alliances, military force and more. The best thing to do is always make the right deals first.

If you always deal in gray, what are you prepared to do when it turns black or white. I prefer pragmatic, fair, and decisive. I believe (like Carter) Obama will too often churn in the gray until it's too late to be effective. He can't vote "present" or wait to let congress contact him in times of crisis.


we all know what happened to Pastor Matthew Collins...

Did she serve the cookies and milk during her recent speed dating with foreign leaders? I want what they got!

if you send Sarah after me I'd prefer a blowjob.. maybe I can change her conservative thinking? :lol:

actually, maybe that's her foreign policy plan.. we want cheap oil..she looks good..

See... we're all in much better humor now!

Cookies and milk, blow-jobs, what ever makes you guys happy.

However, I really don't know what to make of this...

http://www.glennbeck.com/images/news...092608pod1.jpg

dc, when you mention Palin's recent speed dating with foreign leaders, did that include extraterrestrials?

:oogle:

anything to shut her up and avoid hearing that voice?

Just for you, dlish. You know you love it.

god nooooooo!!!!

she does have cool glasses though.. ive always loved a classy office woman in glasses and stockings