Does physical appearance play a role in who you would vote for?

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   pagesvoiceposted 9 years ago

   Does physical appearance play a role in who you would vote for?
   
   Naturally, there are several factors in our decision making process when we go to vote. We look at a candidate's voting record, their philosophy on a host of topics and sometimes even who is financially backing them. However, what about a candidate's looks or habits? Many people complain about Hilary Clinton's hair and pant suits. People were bothered by Mitt Romney's stiff body posture. Others make comments about Chris Christie's weight. For me,(yes, I'm being superficial) Marco Rubio constantly licking his lips reminds me of a lizard or serpent. Am I being shallow in my thinking?

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   lovemychrisposted 9 years ago

   No--some people just give you the heebee jeebee's. For me, it is Ted Cruz. I would put a dress and make-up on him, and call him Teresa!
   Such an every man?? He went to Hahvahd and his wife is at Goldman Sachs.Pullease. Pass the arrugula! Oh wait: it's only elitist when Obama eats it, right? LOL

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Cruz reminds me of the old salesman, hawking elixirs of snake oil from his horse drawn wagon. Then we had Sarah Palin who has a voice like the sound of nails down a chalkboard.

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   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   I don't know if they'll let me keep the link here but the show "brain games" did a great segment on picking winners and losers in political races based on appearance. There are scientific reasons, beyond vanity, why we tend to do this - a person's facial structure tends to send subconscious cues that we pick up on as being trustworthy or not.  I can tell you right now - not a single choice of those running appears trustworthy at all so far.  Here's the link if it gets snipped look up "brain games + politics" on Youtube it's a fun segment.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsXcFvGiCs8

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for the video link. I picked 100% of those elected. First impressions really do make a difference.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting video clip! I guess politics is not for the "butt ugly" types! LOL! I also noticed those who were comfortable smiling seemed to win more often than those who appeared to "force" their smiles.

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   chuckandus6posted 9 years ago

   As a non voter (gasp) I know it is unheard of not to vote,but I have seen many people I know voting upon looks in the past,also age.I personally would vote more on the basis of Their campaign.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I did gasp regarding you not voting. A complacent society is one destined for doom. I hope you reconsider your position and go to the polls.

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Dennis, while I grow weary of voting for the "lesser of evils" not voting is not an option. We have a duty to participate in society and apathetic people are how crooked govts. take hold as we have witnessed in the past few decades.

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   3. 69

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Although I vote I understand those who have voter apathy. Some are frustrated because "their person" never wins. However if the loser garners enough votes regarding a particular issue it can lead the winner to address it.
      A landslide doesn't.

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      chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I understand what you mean on the importance but to me it seems like even the president in running with the best of intentions do not have the final say,so I don't see a lot of difference between candidates.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I understand what you are saying, I still believe voting is the most important right we have and  exercise in this country. I vote for school board members, town, county, state and federal elections. I feel I am honoring a veteran in doing so.

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5. 69

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   In all honesty I do believe people vote for a "whole package".
   Back when JFK defeated Nixon who at the time was considered more qualified to be president after serving as VP to Eisenhower.
   Many folks attributed Kennedy's win to his youthful appearance, beautiful wife, oratory skills, and the fact that Nixon sweat like pig during a nationally televised debate. I believe it was the first televised presidential debate.
   When people were asked who'd they'd rather have a beer with; Al Gore or George W. Bush? Most people polled chose Bush.
   Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had a folksy charisma that connected with people. It came through that they (enjoyed) pressing the flesh.
   Some politicians come off as arrogant mean spirited elitist. Generally speaking people want to "like" the candidate they vote for.
   The same holds true for buying products from a salesperson. If people don't "like you" it's nearly impossible to win them over.
   People also for the most part want their president to be married, have a family, and state they believe in God.
   It's unlikely we'll see a serious contender for president who is an eligible bachelor and openly atheist or a 5'4" bald fat man get elected regardless of their stance on issues or their proposed solutions.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Your points are all valid and I remember "Tricky Dickie" sweating like a prisoner being interrogated. Personally, I know within a matter of minutes, sometimes seconds, if I like someone or not. My gut usually doesn't let me down.

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   Bassman54posted 9 years ago

   Unfortunately, it plays more of a role than it should. People are easily distracted by a "pretty face" than by a candidate's stance on major issues. People don't want to do the homework to see if a candidate is truly who they want representing them. They'll swallow whatever the corporate controlled media feeds them. We, as a country, have been lulled into a false sense of security about politicians, mainly because of laws like Citizens United. As long as there's money in politics, it doesn't matter who is of substance; the media will tell the lazy majority who they should be voting for, and those media are controlled by big money.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're right about the money in politics and it is obscene. I usually know in a matter of seconds or minutes whether I have a good feeling or not when first meeting someone. That applies to candidates, as well.

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   Lady Guinevereposted 9 years ago

   It does not for me.  One of the reasons that I love the internet is that you cannot judge others by their looks or voices or economic status, UNLESS they want it known.  Then agains, as you state in your question, there is Body Langage and that also tells lots about a person.  There was a hub on here that talksed about certain body language people use and don't know it.  I don't know if it is still up or not.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry I missed the Hub you are referring to. Subconsciously we may be making judgments about others without even realizing it.

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   feenixposted 9 years ago

   For me, Hillary Clinton's appearance matters, and that is because I really do wonder why so many of her pants suits resemble the outfits worn by Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-un?

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Is it just Hilary's pantsuits that make you think of communist and dictatorship leaders or does that apply to all women in pantsuits? So, I guess a dress would make everything better.

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      feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Dennis Page, you're trying to run the old liberal trick of playing the "sexist card" on me. But anyway, H. C. is a communist, regardless of what she wears. And you know as well as I do the reason why she always wears pants suits; her elephant legs

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Your response is repulsive and sexist.

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Dennis, those are the typical kinds of responses you get from those who parrot right wing talking points without any actual knowledge. Are you surprised really? I wasn't I think this kind of ignorance is just getting started sadly.

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      pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately, I'm not surprised. People of his ilk bring down the entire nation on the world stage. Others look at the blind hatred and disrespect here and shake their heads in bewilderment.

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      feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sander, Page, it is because of liberals like the two of you, and liberalism in general, that "my people" (blacks) are suffering so many disproportionate social and economic problems. Ever since the 1950s, liberalism has been destroying black society.

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Love the "victim mentality" blaming liberals.  I see more liberals pushing back against police brutality and obvious racism in current society, but ok, it's our fault. whatever.

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      feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sander, it is because of you liberals that much of America, especially blacks, has a "victim mentality." Also, I and other "thinking blacks" could not care less about liberals' current straw men, police brutality of blacks and "unchecked racism."

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      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! just - wow.... nothing else to say to that lack of logic, but wow...

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       feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Yeah, Sander, you will NEVER understand, 'cause it's a black thang.

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   11. 72

       pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I neither have the time nor the inclination to go through semantics of views with you. I'm just as entrenched in my thinking as you. Of course, you probably want to argue about that too. You must have loved Bush drawing a line in the sand. -ugh-

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       feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       And you must love the fact that Democratic president, Harry Truman, gave the order for two powerful nuclear bombs to be dropped on thousands of innocent "people of color."

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   13. 72

       pagesvoiceposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Bullying those with dissenting views is typical behavior with members of the Greed Over People Party (GOP). You feel a need to have the last word so go ahead and leave your boorish response because I'm done with you.

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       Lady Guinevereposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       feenix, some of us wish that UR kind would leave the past in the past, where it belongs.  Today is a different world and IMHO I don't cae if you are purple with pink polka dots.  Ur ignorance shows in UR words, not ur color of skin.

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       feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Debra Allen, when it comes to cruel and inhumane treatment of vast numbers of people -- such as the mass enslavement of blacks, the nuclear attacks against Japanese civilians and the Holocaust -- there are no statutes of limitation. "NEVER FORGET."

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   16. 65

       Lady Guinevereposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       NEVER let others grow up?  hmmm how's that working for ya?

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       feenixposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Debra Allen, based on your logic G.W. Bush haters should stop talking about all of the "waterboarding" that took place during his watch. But no, that is not going to happen because liberals play the game based on selective and self-serving rules.

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       Lady Guinevereposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Ok, I am also done with your prejudice of peoples you have no die what the hel* you are talking about.  I am ME, nothing else What you call me is what you see in teh mirror.  Nig04 is not a color, it is an attitude.  Have a nice Day!

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