Speak softly and carry a big stick, eh? I agree there has to be a certain conveyance of power for an ideal candidate.
Let me ask you a question, assuming you are actually a woman, CajunGirl. You mentioned Haley Barbour’s weight and Jindal’s height as hampering qualities for them to achieve higher office. To what extent does the physicality of a female candidate influence their electibility? I am asking if its an issue for you or for others. I don’t see that it is for me, but does that impact female voters at all?
By the way, McCain is very short (5’7” - in heels - vs Obama who is at least 6” taller than McCain)...to what extent do you think that played in the appeal of the candidates?
For me, its more more in the way they communicate.
I think it has an enormous impact on women and men. I could vote for Haley or for Jindal, more for Haley. Soft, small, weak handshaking men leave me really cold and suspicious. For women, I think it has to have an effect. Hillary looks neat and well groomed so she could have a go but a really fat blowsy woman, no deal. I think we distrust people who cannot control their bodies,,i.e. Gore. Pretty good looking people do better in all kinds of situations. I have a gorgeous daughter who drives like a ding bat. She never gets a ticket tho she gets stopped. She looks at the lane of cars next to her and men let her cut in. No matter what she does, she gets a break. I am old and wrinkley and get no breaks except in the south where old people are treated with great respect.
Palin is gorgeous, I think it helps her but she needs to back off the high boots. It didn’t go well on Condi and doesn’t on professional women. I like her heels, her dress, her hair. I think it helps her a lot when you pair it with all those kids,,you just can’t help but respect a good looking fashionable woman who has a passel of kids,,it just has an admirable quality. ANd somebody like Madeleine Albright,,not a prayer. Thatcher had great presence, not beauty and she did fine.
Just rambling here.