"Look at Ron Paul, he doesn't even look like he would last 4 years!"
Should politicians with graying hair dye it to
achieve the 'Presidential look?'
This comment made by my mother while watching the GOP debate reminded me of the idea of 'posing for presidency'. As mentioned on page 199 of the Graber text, columnist Marquis Child noted that, “candidates no longer ‘run’ for office, they ‘pose’ for office. The term “television-age recruits” is referring to the fact that in the television age, the most important factor for candidates is to look presidential. This has paved the way for many television actors and media friendly individuals, like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sarah Palin, to assume office. The obvious problem with this is that this is the worst factor on which to base the selection of a president. The media campaign strategies of today are structured around the ability to generate and regulate extensive positive media coverage. Everything candidates do is timed to garner the most media attention possible. Vying for coverage has also become the main part of a media campaign because the amount of media attention usually dictates the amount of votes.
What would you classify as the presidential look?
For women:
White men: have to look young and competent.
Black men: have to look nonthreatening and some would say they have to look Caucasian.
LOVE YOU RON PAUL!!!
I agree with your assesment. Look at all the attention that was given to Rick Perry before he got in. It is obvious that if people looked into his record, conservatives would not have been as batty in aniticipation of his entry. I do have to say that there is one outlier thought and that is Chris Christie. talk about a guy that really does not look presidentia yet he was strong in the polls when the possibility of him getting in was still real. But still, odds are that the appearance theory would hold up if Christie actually did jump in the race. he would have done poorly in my estimation. Nevertheless, good topic..
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