Nixon would have easily won reelection if not for the advent of political debates being televized. Kennedy was so charming and charismatic next to Nixon’s sweaty and brutish appearance that his poll numbers skyrocketed. I would argue that is the likely beginning of the ‘beauty contest’ as we’re claiming it. Unfortunately it’s for good reason. In global politics, charisma and physical beauty or charm plays into negotiation. Whether people like it or not, physical attraction is a guiding force in our natural selection and social psychology.
I’m gonna have to stop you right there. Abraham Lincoln was ugly as fuck. Possibly the greatest president of all time. But he didn’t grow that beard until some little girl said, (paraphrasing) “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi, you ugly. [clap clap] You ugly.”
Either Lincoln or FDR is probably the greatest president and both of them had to overcome a major disability. FDR had polio and was in a wheelchair and Lincoln without a beard was so ugly, you could have pressed his face in dough and made gorilla cookies. And I suspect that’s why they both had the resoluteness and empathy required to be a truly great leader. (And probably why Lincoln was so buff. He was getting no hoes with that craggy visage.)
Trump looks like he gets groomed and styled by Florida beauty school dropouts that do it for the honor of serving their savior (for free, with whatever products they have lying around or can get on the cheap). Probably can’t go to a regular barber anymore with his reputation of not paying for services rendered.
I mean. Reagan was literally a movie star. Kennedy wasn’t exactly hideous. Clinton was charming. (Bill, not Hilary.)
Lincoln had a sort of ruggedly handsome look (and to be blunt he was buff as hell- a skilled wrestler, he was known to toss townspeople. For reasons…)
And there’s Obama.that dude will rock a tan suit like nobody’s business.
In fact, the only president of recent memory I would say was straight up hideous was Trump. But even that is part of his “brand” or something.
(Though seriously. Dude can afford a tailor. He should look one up.)
Edit: I’d ask where Bernie has been the last few hundred years, but I guess someone has to actually do their job in Washington.
Nixon would have easily won reelection if not for the advent of political debates being televized. Kennedy was so charming and charismatic next to Nixon’s sweaty and brutish appearance that his poll numbers skyrocketed. I would argue that is the likely beginning of the ‘beauty contest’ as we’re claiming it. Unfortunately it’s for good reason. In global politics, charisma and physical beauty or charm plays into negotiation. Whether people like it or not, physical attraction is a guiding force in our natural selection and social psychology.
I’d suggest people were always concerned about attractiveness. Pre-televised debates they used radio broadcasts.
I imagine if you sounded like a goose being strangled, you would be disadvantaged to some one with that golden voice.
I’m gonna have to stop you right there. Abraham Lincoln was ugly as fuck. Possibly the greatest president of all time. But he didn’t grow that beard until some little girl said, (paraphrasing) “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi, you ugly. [clap clap] You ugly.”
Either Lincoln or FDR is probably the greatest president and both of them had to overcome a major disability. FDR had polio and was in a wheelchair and Lincoln without a beard was so ugly, you could have pressed his face in dough and made gorilla cookies. And I suspect that’s why they both had the resoluteness and empathy required to be a truly great leader. (And probably why Lincoln was so buff. He was getting no hoes with that craggy visage.)
And Lincoln knew it.
Trump looks like he gets groomed and styled by Florida beauty school dropouts that do it for the honor of serving their savior (for free, with whatever products they have lying around or can get on the cheap). Probably can’t go to a regular barber anymore with his reputation of not paying for services rendered.