The Value of Being Likeable

Fox News.com ^ | 12/17/07 | Neil Cavuto

[DWar]

I heard today that Hillary Clinton's campaign is focusing on her likeability. That she really is likable.

I have no idea.

But on this whole likeability thing, I most definitely have an idea.

It's important. In fact, it's everything.

You aren't likable as a candidate, you're going nowhere as a candidate.

I think the whole appeal to Mike Huckabee is the fact he is likable. In fact, he's very likable.

Now his critics are combing his record to point out he has said and done some very unlikable things. Which only seems to make them more unlikable, not Mike.

That stuff matters............."

[DWar]

Average Americans will rely on whether they like a candidate, to make their voting decision more than their positions on the issues.

[GOPJ]

I don't know if these things are fair, or accurate, or even right. Just that they are. You can say your candidate is likable. But that doesn't make them likable. People know it in their gut. Or they don't. And I'm not saying the best presidents are the most likable. I am saying they'd never be president in the first place if they were not.

It's why Huck's leading the pack...

[Jagman]

I think it depends on how you spell it: Hillary is like a bull; just not likeable.

[roses of sharon]

Sorry, a man who puts down another candidates religion for votes, is not likable in my gut.

[Mrs.Z]

LIKE the Beast!?

I don’t think even the dims “LIKE” her, they just want the freebies they think she’ll be passing around.

[claudiustg]

My feeling, exactly. Very ugly.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Most people recognize that Hillary is a contrived phony, thus the lack of “likability”. People inherently dislike frauds.

[umgud]

It’s hard to beat a reputation for being a ballbuster.

[Aria]

I don’t think he’s likable. I think Fred is likable...and admirable.

[jveritas]

Excellent article. Very simple but very accurate and powerful analysis. Hillary Clinton fatal flaw is that she is the most unlikable and meanest person to run for President in decades. Because of this she is not going to be President. Neither her, nor her husband, nor the media are going to change this fact.

[org.whodat]

Old reruns should be after midnight are when there are strikes going on. Not in the white house!

[JasonC]

Everyone is a juvenile idiot, and no one is living up to the height of the times. It will end in blood.

[olivia3boys]

Very true. As I noted on another thread today, Americans tend to vote for the man they would like to sit down and have a beer with.

[harpo11]

I don't have a need to "like" our president, but I'd rather respect and trust our president.

I can't do either for Mrs. Clinton. Her character is not worth respect and trust nor is it worth liking.

[dr_lew]

... But on that intangible issue of who appeared warmer or friendlier, the president had it down. ...

I think he's missing his own point.

[MHT]

There is a likability poll done the weekend before the general election that has never been wrong. I think it is done by Harris polling. The weekend before the election, people probably sit in front of the tube with a beer and figure whom they would rather watch on tv for the next four years. No matter how nice old Bush and Dole were, Clinton was going to be more entertaining on tv. He would be the more likely guy to go out and have a beer with. Same with Bush. Better to have a cola with Bush than a drink with arrogant elitists like Kerry and Gore.

Huckabee is likable, but he's making so many errors right now he going to end up looking like a likable boob. Romney is cold. McCain is admirable, and likable. We already know that people like to watch Thompson on tv. Humor is needed by all right now and the funniest may end up being the one everyone wants to watch for the next four years.

[Wil H]

The witch has been living a lie in public for so long I doubt if even she knows who she genuinely is. And if she doesn’t know, we the people aren’t going to get the message either.

She must feel that if she isn’t lying, she isn’t shielding herself from her enemies, and is vulnerable. So she lies all the time, even when she doesn’t have to. Her husband is exactly the same.

She comes across as stilted, scripted, cold, condescending and dishonest. There is no warmth, no spontaneity, nothing natural, no empathy, no sincerity, no humility, - which is probably pretty close to the truth.

And then, of course, there is the cackle....

[Marie2]

Although I admired him for his policies, I do think Reagan was elected and re-elected because he was simply a likeable man - a “great communicator.”

[yorkie]

Do a YouTube search on (republican or democrat candidate) “_____________ lies”.

You will find the following number of clips about the following:

Huckabee 39
Hunter 6
McCain 30
Romney 44
Giuliani 58
Tancredo 4
Thompson 12
Paul 294

Obama 41
Biden 19
Dodd 10
Edwards 34
Richardson 8
Clinton 177

Of course this is not a poll - just a little search on what people have posted about the candidates. And also remember - one or two YouTube posters could flood the links. Decide for yourself.

There are two candidates who have the lowest number of posts on YouTube regarding candidates that lie.

Duncan Hunter
Tom Tancredo

[nicmarlo]

interesting!