Presidential politics parse a man or a woman’s fitness for elected office, but I propose that there is also presidential physics. While the physical body may be the top quark that is on display, it is the je ne sais quoi — the soul, that inspires. We cannot see “soul” therefore, do not know much about it, so we depend on the body, mind and emotions to make evaluations about others, inclusive of many factors.
The candidate meter: Here is a list to size up the candidates. Who will be the nominee of the GOP? For an answer we must consult Heloise’s famous checklist (see The Meaning of Oprah) to figure out how hot is the candidate. Let us count the ways:
Tall—check.
Dark—check.
Physically fit—check
Handsome—check
Gender—male—check
Full head of hair—check
Wealthy—check
Lawyer—check
Elected to high public office—check
The “I care” factor—check
Family factor—check
Experience—check
Race—WASP (big) non-WASP (small)—check
Both parties have candidates that would score points, but only a few would move the meter to red-hot. Romney and Edwards come to mind, followed by Obama and Huckabee. Despite the polling fact that the Republicans are less satisfied with their candidates than are the Democrats, both will nominate someone. Democrats tend to nominate (and elect) the best looking of the field, while the GOP tends to nominate the best connected of the field. So, which party is the party of the people or the Populist Party? Probably neither one is even close. While the Democrats have the best looking field, this time and last, they are up against Republicans, who collectively have more public office experience, and that’s key. The “I care” factor however, seems deficient.
The frontrunner is the good-looking Mitt Romney (YouTube clip). Where were you Mitt 8 years ago? I predicted early on that Romney was going to be a front-runner or the choice of the GOP. He ranks high on Heloise’s checklist. He compares with Ronald Reagan in many ways. Name wise, both begin with an “r” and have six letters in last name, and both were governors. Romney is a clone, rather than an innovator. He “feels” the Bush doctrine.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RJ
Romney and Edwards are the pretty boys of this campaign. Both are rich, have great hair, and have somewhat limited experience in high elected office. Both are also trailing in the polls for their party's nomination.
I believe it's worth mentioning that the three people polling better than Romney for the GOP nomination - Rudy, Fred Thompson, and (shockingly) McCain, are all bald or balding. And when was the last time we elected a bald President? Eisenhower?
2 - RJ
Wait - does LBJ count?
3 - REMF
"Romney and Edwards are the pretty boys of this campaign."
Any particular reason why you're interested in "pretty boys"...?
4 - Clavos
I like pretty people (male or female) much better than ugly people.
My wife says I'm a "lookist," and she's right; I am much more attracted to good-looking people.
5 - handyguy
I used to think Romney was just bland, standard-issue political hypocrite. But lately his rhetoric has turned nasty and offensive [always accompanied by that million-dollar smile, eew]. He is the scariest and most despicable of a very scary and despicable lot of war-mongering creeps.
6 - Christopher Rose
Clavos, are you a handsome bastard or an ugly bastard? :-)
7 - Clavos
My wife says I'm just a bastard, but she's always been too kind.
8 - RJ
Any particular reason why you're interested in "pretty boys"...?
Well, yes. After all, I'm a flaming homosexual. Just don't tell my girlfriend, or any of my former girlfriends, okay? Thanks. I know you'll do the classy thing, REMF. As always.
9 - Ray Ellis
No matter how anybody, left or right, dem, or pub, wants to spin it, Pakistan is not our friend. They are good at talking out both sides of their collective mouth, however.
10 - Dr Dreadful
I'm thinking that on that basis, Clavos won't be voting for Uncle Rudy or Uncle Fred...
11 - Heloise
Ray wins the prize: Pakistan is NOT our friend, but a phony ally.
Heloise
12 - handyguy
Indeed he is, REMF.
And there is a dumb news story today about Mitt getting a question concerning his sons' [lack of] military service while Dad sounds the militarist drumbeat everywhere, and Dad's replying that the boys are serving their country, by working to get him elected [groan]. Even his snarky way of handling this nonissue [it's a volunteer army, no reason his sons have to excuse their nonservice] is offensive and ridiculous.
13 - Clavos
Of course he's snarky! He's an effing republican!!
And if he's going to be a warmonger, his kids should be in the military and on the front lines, volunteer army or no.
Fuckin' republican chickenhawk.
Vote Ron Paul and NOBODY will ever have to serve again!
14 - Dr Dreadful
#12: Hmmm...
Anyone noticed that no matter what we happen to be talking about here on BC, certain commenters will always change the subject to their pet obsession?
For example:
MCH aka REMF: The invalidity of anyone's opinion who has not "served", particularly but not exclusively conservative chickenhawks.
moonraven: The stupidity of Dave Nalle and Clavos, and how everything they say and do is an attempt to compensate for inadequate penis size.
Arch Conservative: The godhead of Mitt Romney, and how he will sweep the 2008 election over any !@#$%%*&^%ing liberal piece of $^%@#$%@ moonbat one cares to ^%$&*#ing name.
Dave: The rationale for every horrendous and/or outrageous act perpetrated by the Bush administration.
STM: How any given country would benefit from having a little Union Jack in the corner of its flag.
;-)
15 - Clavos
I never shoulda let her measure it...
16 - Clavos
Doc,
Write some articles.
Please??
17 - Dr Dreadful
Oh, all right, Clavos, I'll drop Eric a line. I had been under the impression that one needed to submit some example articles to him for review first, but that's just if you don't have your own blog.
I do have a blog, but I don't link to it yet because it's still in its infancy - "under construction", as the expression goes.
So I'll write him and see what I need to do.
I'd say "watch this space", but I suspect MR would immediately turn that into some kind of sarcastic comment...
18 - Clavos
Doc,
They let me write.
Don't worry!
19 - gonzo marx
"the final frontier...."
or i will....
heh
Excelsior?
20 - gonzo marx
blast you Clavos..ya messed up my Jest...!
"watch this space"
then...
"the final frontier...!"
bah...
Excelsior?
21 - Clavos
No wonder I couldn't figure it out!
Sorry, gonzo.
Some of us are just quicker on the draw...
22 - Dr Dreadful
Phasers on stun, pardner...
23 - gonzo marx
the crystals cannae handle the strain!!
but i digress...
as long as i ain't wearing the red shirt...go for it, Doc
Excelsior?
24 - RJ
Great YouTube link, gonzo. Thanks! :-)
25 - STM
DD: "So I'll write him and see what I need to do."
Do you think you could stick to the Queen's English, though, when you do?
You've been in heathen territory, what, 18 months and you're already saying: "I'll write him".
Fair dinkum DD - remember your prepositions.
And don't fall into that other hideous and grating American grammatical trap regarding use of the word couple.
It's not "a couple beers", but "a couple of beers".
And watch out for, "I could care less". It doesn't make sense. Proper usage is, "I couldn't care less".
Just a couple of tips, mate, from Down Under regarding your current circumstances.
If you need any other help, write me.