Does shallowness play a role?

MassiveDelta

*Disclaimer* This could step over a rule line so please be careful in your response.

This is strictly about how a person looks and your assessment of them visually. How they act, how they stand, their weight, fitness, height, age..etc. Please dont talk about their views or ideals

When electing leaders like President, or congressional seats how much of a role does their appearance affect your decision?

Does a fat guy lose your vote? An ugly woman? a Pretty woman? A smoker? Did you vote based on ethnicity? (meaning you give a vote strictly because of ethnic background). Its well known that ever since Televised debates started. Generally the tallest candidate wins, but not in every case.

Assume you haven't heard them say anything.

Go

McKayMachina

While I think Barack Obama is, by FAR, the most handsome president we've ever had, I would have voted for him regardless. I voted for John Kerry in the first election I could vote in and that guy's funny lookin'. XD

_Ben

With this initial post, there is nothing against the rules, at all.

What you are saying is absolutely true. In psychology its called the beautiful people syndrome. Studies have shown people view better looking people as more intelligent, wealthy, trust worthy, better speakers, more enjoyable, and better leaders. The opposite also seems to test as true aswell.

Infact many historians argue that one of the main reasons JFK beat Nixon was because the debates were televised (one of the first to be televised), and even though these historians argue that Nixon had a stronger platform, his presence on TV was terrible, and this signifcantly helped JFK win the election.

But this isnt necessarily a bad thing. While the president job is to help decide on legislature and other things, he (or she I guess) is also an ambassador for the people of the United States. If we assume the beautiful people syndrome effects everyone throughout the world, we want the rest of the world to view our leader as confident, strong, and intelligent, so that we can enhance foreign policy, and benifit our country as best as possible

adjones5

There have been studies conducted which have shown that in general people think that attractive people are more capable than unattractive people so I wouldn't be surprised if level of sexiness had an influence on voters.

adjones5

Ben is right.

fteale

The only thing that matters to me in voting for a leader is what they stand for, and their ability to communicate that effectively.

Clearly that isn't the case for everyone, as the trend for younger, better looking politicians who put in polished performances at every public event shows.

Lizzy_Sunflower

frankly the people who "look Perfect" scare me away.

I don't need a slick politician. I need someone real, who is in line with MY values

Just_Dot

Warren G. Harding was the first president elected after women were allowed to vote (I think) and he apparently was thought of as a "looker" back then. It's thought of (by some scholars...my 8th grade SS teacher, for one) that the number of women voting helped him win the election, because he was handsome.

Now, I don't think that holds true these days. I think Obama is attractive, but that's not why I voted for him.

k2quiere

Hey, even Perot got votes, and you can't get much funnier looking...just saying

servilia

What Ben wrote is totally true. It's human nature and basic psychology and people are prone to do this whether they are aware of it or not (in fact most of the time it's subconscious). Obviously we're not zombies though, and it's not strong enough of an instinct to totally defeat rationality. But unless there is some strong rational reason to go against instinct, looks will play a huge role in decision making. Sorry if I'm all over the place, I need another coffee pronto.

CaptainGordo

Many believe that Lincoln would never have been elected in the modern era because of his appearance.

It's sad that discussions about the viability of Chris Christie as a presidential candidate always includes discussion of his weight. I seem to recall someone once saying something in a speech about being judged by the content of our character, and not our outward appearance. Oh well...

I will vote for the best person, regardless of his/her appearance.

lloydrt

I wonder if the governor of New Jersey re evaluated his run for president because of the issues that were being brought to his attention about his weight........Think his name is Chris Kristy.......not sure ,but hes the governor who is heavy and is prettty frank in his manner

I thought about it and yeah, gotta say I would be a little concerned.............(.I thought Cheney was a ticking time bomb ,with his poor health, bad heart and his weight , of which he has lost plenty as of today.). ...........also, this same New Jersey governor had to be rushed to a hospital in July because of an asthma attack, that was in part caused because of his weight..........Hes acknowledged the fact that yes, indeed he knows hes " fat"

good question though, and hopefully youll get some good replies................Lloyd

note about J. F Kennedy, ........after going to France and seeing how loved his wife Jackie was so popular, he had her give more stage presence in different countries that they went to.........She spoke French and Spanish, and the countries, both France and Mexico fell in love with her, her ability to speak their language and her looks............gotta say, Jackie was a looker.................

voluptuous_veggie

I dunno. I mean, George W. straight up looks like a monkey, and he got voted into office...twice! I don't think looks always have to do with it.

AtticusFinch

Politics should never be a beauty contest - most of them are ugly f*ckers whose mothers were slapped by the midwives after delivery.

It should be based on intellect and ability to do the job. Statesmanship plays a role too, after all you don't want your leader to look like a *kitten* with all the others do you?

The US sometimes forgets this and elects leaders like GWB and Mr Nancy Reagan

dmpizza

Politics should never be a beauty contest - most of them are ugly f*ckers whose mothers were slapped by the midwives after delivery.

It should be based on intellect and ability to do the job. Statesmanship plays a role too, after all you don't want your leader to look like a *kitten* with all the others do you?

The US sometimes forgets this and elects leaders like GWB and Mr Nancy Reagan

You don't think Clinton or Obama won because of their looks? Be serious.

lloydrt

hey, speaking of looks..............anybody seen Hilliary Clinton lately? ..........(ouch)

AtticusFinch

You don't think Clinton or Obama won because of their looks? Be serious.

I'm rarely serious on Mfp. Clinton and Obama were 2 of your better decisions, not just pretty boys

liftingbro

For me it's not a deal breaker (that would be a stupid way to vote) but I think that an obese person is much more likely to have health issues. A fit person looks more like a leader and on visual basis only would appear to me to be more motivated, physically stronger, and more likely to be respected by other national leaders.

Now, I know that there are a lot of good and bad on both sides but based an appearance I would have to give a more fit person more of the benefit of the doubt than an obese person.

However, if the Fit Person's politics were opposed to mine and the obese person was similar to mine, I'd probably still vote for the obese person.

MassiveDelta

Politics should never be a beauty contest - most of them are ugly f*ckers whose mothers were slapped by the midwives after delivery.

It should be based on intellect and ability to do the job. Statesmanship plays a role too, after all you don't want your leader to look like a *kitten* with all the others do you?

The US sometimes forgets this and elects leaders like GWB and Mr Nancy Reagan

A few posters before just suggested GWB looked like a monkey now this one suggests he belonged on a Naked fireman calendar.

McKayMachina

I dunno. I mean, George W. straight up looks like a monkey, and he got voted into office...twice! I don't think looks always have to do with it.

I'm going to assume you're using the term "got voted into office" loosely, here.

:laugh:

AtticusFinch

A few posters before just suggested GWB looked like a monkey now this one suggests he belonged on a Naked fireman calendar.

No - I'm suggesting he was an embarrassing arsehole

lloydrt

Hey, you wouldnt go to a dentist who had bad teeth, would you?

MassiveDelta

I think it play a much bigger role in todays society then it has in the past. If a candidate is visually appealing then they get moved to the top of the list and whatever filters through about those view then they make a decision based on that. Todays society is much to shallow to and busy to do any real digging its much easier to just go with the popularity contest winner who is currently leading.

I think Health and fitness play a role in deciding these things. Many people made question of Reagans age going into the last election. People have commented about Chris Christy. I think its very important but its a secondary factor in a decision. You dont necessarily want to elect a guy who is one cheeseburger and an order of onion rings from kicking the bucket. His weight I think is major issue for him as a presidential candidate.

I also think some women are turned off by attractive women candidates.

MassiveDelta

I dunno. I mean, George W. straight up looks like a monkey, and he got voted into office...twice! I don't think looks always have to do with it.

I'm going to assume you're using the term "got voted into office" loosely, here.

:laugh:

Careful *shakes finger*

CaptainGordo

Hey, you wouldnt go to a dentist who had bad teeth, would you?

That would be a reflection of his neglect for his craft.

How does a politician's weight or appearance reflect on his/her craft as a policy maker?

vim_n_vigor

Don't mistake charisma for looks. Charisma can add to the 'attraction factor' of the politician as well. The first time I heard Obama talk I knew he would make a run for president - that was years ago, and I didn't think it would be while he was still so young. I don't think he is attractive at all. I didn't think Clinton was good looking either. Clinton definitely has the charisma factor though too.

McKayMachina

I also think some women are turned off by attractive women candidates.

I find Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann to be wholly terrifying but not because I'm intimidated by their looks. lol

If there were a hot, smart, competent female politician whose stance aligned with mine, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat!

MassiveDelta

I also think some women are turned off by attractive women candidates.

I find Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann to be wholly terrifying but not because I'm intimidated by their looks. lol

If there were a hot, smart, competent female politician whose stance aligned with mine, I'd vote for her in a heartbeat!

someone like say...McKay?

Slimithy

I'm a Ron Paul supporter... so I clearly don't care what the candidate looks like... LOL.

That said, I actually had a professor I respected tell me not to bother taking the foreign service exam (I wanted to work overseas for the State Department). He said "Rob, it doesn't matter how well you do on that exam, they will not hire you." I asked why, and he said "Rob, you're very smart and would do a wonderful job for them; but the other part of the responsibility of working for them is to represent America to those overseas. You're smart, but not very pretty." He then pointed to a student I was teaching (I was in grad school at the time) and said they would take her over me any time. She was of above average intelligence, but more importantly, she was attractive.

It's not fair, but looks matter.

maidentl

Not at all. I am passionate about politics and my views are based strictly on the candidate's stance. I would never, ever base it on looks at all.

ItsCasey

If it wasn't already clear to me why America is in such sad shape, it would've been made clear to me by reading this thread.