how about this quote:
"Other Gender Factors in 2002 Elections
First, all should note the way Mit Romney, candidate for governor of Massachusetts, has explicitly featured his sex appeal in commercials. While one certainly can find examples of male candidates understanding that female voters might find them attractive, the extent to which this advertising campaign is exploiting sex appeals stands as noteworthy. What this means for masculinity in campaigns remains to be seen. Perhaps the standards of attractiveness long applied to women will begin to figure prominently for men as well."
from this article:
http://www.apsanet.org/~elections/duerstlahti.html How is it that I am a liar, just because I am referring to this trend? it took me all of 30 seconds to find this with google, there are many other articles on this (not written by me obviously).
There is a difference between candidates trying to play up their attractiveness and women voting for them because of it.