Friday, April 17, 2015

2016, a Shallow Perspective, Part I

Woo hoo!  Another Presidential cycle is upon us!  Great.  

So far, we've got four confirmed candidates, with about 4 more waiting to jump in.  We've got plenty of time to analyze policy, throw mud, and lie about how awesome people are.  With that in mind, I'm going a different route: to review the current candidates from a shallow perspective. 

While yes, it is shallow, it is also important.  John F. Kennedy won his election in 1960 in large part because he appeared more "presidential" on the televised debates than did Richard Nixon.  Bill Clinton won in 1996 because, among other reasons, he was more appealing, looks wise, than his opponent.  Same was true in 2008.  It should be clear: how candidates present themselves is as important as what they say or what they've done.  So, that being said Part I:

Ted Cruz  Sen. Cruz was the first to announce.  His announcement speech was impressive, from a shallow point of view.  He didn't use any teleprompter, he spoke with passion, from the heart, and he spoke fluidly.  He knows what he's talking about.  He looked at ease and natural.  It should be obvious (but its not to many) that Cruz will be a formidable campaign opponent, simply because it won't be easy to best him in a debate.  However, from a completely shallow perspective, he's got some downfalls.  First, his voice...I'm not a big fan.  Second, he looks like he's slouching.  Not very presidential.  He's also not the most attractive of candidates.  He is, however, younger.  Younger is more appealing to voters: who wants a president that will croak mid-term? Overall, Shallow, Part I Grade: B.

Rand Paul Sen. Paul was the second to announce.  Like Cruz, he spoke well, and intelligently.  He's not a natural speaker, like Cruz, but he's a good one.  He's at ease with prepared remarks and off-the-cuff remarks.  In terms of looks, he's more "presidential" than Cruz.  He stands more straight, which is appealing.  His voice/sound is appealing in that it isn't hawty and he doesn't speak down; it has a "normal person" feel to it to make him more appealing to "everyday Americans".  His hair, though, doesn't help his cause.  Consider JFK, Carter, Ford, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush 43 all had hair that at the VERY LEAST didn't stand out.  I'm not sure Rand's mop passes that test.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: A-

Hillary Clinton Sec Clinton announced third...via video.  It'd didn't go over well.  I found it staged, not really genuine (it didn't help that she used people's images without their permission).  I found her voice less than appealing.  Historically, Sec Clinton has had issues concerning likeability, so much so that staffers and campaign personnel have been trotted out to say that what you see when she speaks, or interacts with people isn't really her...she's really the "life of the party".  Her voice is, shall we say, less than appealing.  She's got this mean, edgy side to it...like its really hard to think she actually cares about the people she's trying to woo.  I'm also not a fan of her trademark pantsuits, plus, she hasn't aged well.  She was a relatively attractive first lady, and wasn't ugly as a Senator.  However, as Sec. State, and as a candidate, any physical appeal she may have had doesn't seem to be there.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: D+

Marco Rubio The fourth candidate to announce, Sen. Rubio has a lot going for him.  Unlike Sens Cruz and Paul, he's a natural politician.  In fact, I see a good many similarities, from a shallow perspective, between him and Bill Clinton in 1992: they're young, they're attractive, they relate well to the people, they have appealing stories to tell, and they interact well with the media.  Clinton was so well liked, that even Rush Limbaugh said he'd like to play golf with Clinton.  Rubio, to an extent, has the same feel.  Like Clinton, he speaks well, and can play a crowd.  His voice isn't annoying, but it isn't his strong point either.  It is, however, somewhat commanding, in that simply the way he speaks demands that he, or his opinions, should be heard.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: A-

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
 
Dr. Ben Carson  Very intelligent, and speaks well on his feet.  He carries himself well, which is always appealing.  He's younger and and generally good looking.  On a stage of world leaders, he would most certainly look like a world leader.  His voice, though, is weak.  If I'm in a cabinet meeting discussing pretty important policy issues, his voice doesn't have the oomph! to command respect.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: B+

Carly Fiorina The former CEO of Hewlett Packard has a lot going for her from a shallow perspective.  She's attractive, she's well spoken and thoughtful when she speaks, and carries herself well.  There is a reason she was a CEO.  Her voice is strong, and she exudes leadership.  Strictly in terms of "looks", she'd be an excellent first female president.  She looks strong, exudes confidences, yet seems approachable.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: A+

Elizabeth Warren Unlike Sec Clinton, Sen Warren is not off-putting.  While most certainly not a spring chicken, she doesn't look old.  She doesn't seem as rehearsed as Clinton. I'm not a big fan of the professorial aura, though.  I don't want a professor as president, I want a leader.  She doesn't look like a leader.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: B-

Martin O'Malley Gov. O'Malley, in terms of looks and only looks, has a strong "presidential" feel to him.  I haven't really heard his voice, so I can't testify to that.  I don't really like his mannerisms, though. Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: A-

Chris Christie Gov. Christie is a fat blowhard. No one wants a fat blowhard for president...although he makes for good TV.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: F

Jeb Bush I don't like Gov. Bush as a candidate on policy reasons.  He's not bad, though from a shallow perspective.  Sure, every other president since Carter looked trim and fit, while Jebbie is on the chunky side.  He speaks intelligently on almost any issue, and he does present himself as a leader.  His voice is "normal" in that it doesn't stand out as either annoying (Hillary) or outstanding (James Earl Jones).  I don't like his hair though...it borders on Rand Paul territory.  Overall, Shallow Part I Grade: B-

As time goes on, maybe things will change.  Heck, the way it looks we'll a boatload of candidates.

Yeah fun.