Howard Dean's smile

[poppabear36]

Did Gov. Dean take smiling lessons from Steve Forbes?
His smile really creeps me out.
I think he looks very appealing when he's talking - seems very at ease and articulate.
If I didn't like his force of personality, I wouldn't take a second look at him in this race, just because of that. How is he going to come across to the average Joe in a general election, who will only have a short time to get to know him?
Watching him wait on Larry King to finish asking a question brings to mind someone with a toothache sucking on a lemon while trying to keep from farting.
If Gen. Clarke doesn't run maybe he can advise Dean on the right way to come across on TV.

[Room101]

1. Now compare that to * and it will make you feel better

It will get better with time. I think he gave a B+ performce for a first time on national prime time live.

[Jacobin]

58. Good point

I get the feeling that some on this board prefer W's smirk.

I don't need a fucking movie star smile for a president. Give me substance. Give me Dean.

[ibegurpard]

2. Which smile?

The smile I saw when he was taking questions from callers was pretty genuine and lit up his face. I guess everyone has different opinions.

:shrug:

[dajabr]

4. Yes, the "holding pattern" smile is tough for Dean.

It's out of his nature to stick on a fake smile. You can see him kind of wrestling with it, but over time it will become second nature.

But, get him going on the issues or talking to a "real person" and the Dean charm emerges.

[Fridays Child]

52. Exactly, and it was the same thing for Gore. We should be encouraged...

...by Dean's lack of experience in the repuke-dominated game of political insincerity.

[shance]

25. You may not like what he says, but Howard Dean has the SEXIEST damn smile

of any candidate I have ever seen. I cannot think of another leader, save JFK, and even he didn't have a smile that beautiful.
Clinton may have tremendous charisma, but doesn't a smile like that. That was one of the things that drew me to him initially.

I wish I didnt have to say it once again, but this seems to be yet ONE MORE thread to criticize Dean on a trait that will be one of his trademark in days to come, and this appears to be an attempt to diminish its gleam, pun intended. You'll never accomplish that if thats what you're aiming for.

His smile is his most engaging and sexy feature.

[Stuckinthebush]

39. Really?

I love Dean, but come on, that smile is anything but sexy.

Of course, beautiful smiles are in the eyes of the beholder.

[arcane1]

3. lol, your description is funny...

and he does smile oddly a bit, but I cut him some slack, everyone looks funny in those little satellite rooms with the camera in their face

put George on one of those remote linkups and you'll really see some funny faces!!!! Much less trying to defend policies he doesn't even understand, lol!

I'd PAY to see that!! :evilgrin:

[SuffragetteSal]

5. "Creeps you out"?

then I wonder how you must feel about the Bush grin...

I see nothing wrong with his smile and I did not think he came across anything but intelligent and confident tonight on Larry King.

[poppabear36]

8. Too strong

"Creeps me out" is too strong a phrase. Steve Forbes really does, however.
Bush's smile damn near makes my head explode; however, his idiot son, pull-my-finger smile somehow ENDEARS him to the American public!
I agree w/ you, Dean in action is impressive.
However, you Dean folks have to lighten up a bit, please. Or some folks might think you come across like a Scientologist defending L. Ron Hubbard.
The last thing this country needs is a Democratic cult of personality.

[corarose]

21. Alot of people think that Chimpanzees are cute

JR looks like a Chimp and his mouth looks like he is saying OhOhOh.

[madfloridian]

6. This kind of stuff makes me sick here.

Making fun of a candidate's personal looks or shortcomings is just plain rude.

People do it to Graham about his breathy voice, to Kerry about his long face, and to Dean for his smile, etc.

I don't know why so many responded to this as a serious thread.

I repeat, this sentence did not deserve a response:
"Watching him wait on Larry King to finish asking a question brings to mind someone with a toothache sucking on a lemon while trying to keep from farting...."

Not funny, sounds very childish. If you did not like Dean's appearance tonight at least be constructive in your criticism.

It is just getting out of control here.

[poppabear36]

9. another mad Floridian

I too am a mad Floridian and I want to make sure we have the best, most electable candidate in 2004, so that what we witnessed in 2000 can't have a chance of happening again. I live near Clearwater Florida and I haven't had a chance to see Dean in person or go to a "meetup."
I have only seen him on TV, as has been the case with the other 8 declared candidates. That will be the case for most Americans right up until the election in 2004.
How someone looks and comes across on TV is VERY important.
My wife, who is relatively apolitical, happened to catch Dean on the infamous MTP fiasco. She had never seen him before. Watching him squirm through a few questions, her exact words were "What does that guy have up his butt?"
I read this board several times a day but I don't post much. I have been here for probably 4 months though.
I don't have a horse in this race yet. Dean may be the man.
But seriously, having watched these 4 months how you Deanophiles handle even the lightest jabbing of your man, you have to realize in the end that your promoting a man, not a saint.
The guy has a weird looking smile! Not the biggest issue in the world, but next to Clarke or Edwards or Graham or especially Mosely Braun, it jumps out at you as a peculiarity.
I'm voting Democratic down the ticket and I see it. You don't think that this very obvious peculiarity won't be twisted and manipulated by the Repukes?!

[madfloridian]

12. Well, actually, I am also a Grahamophile.

I think your calling me a Deanophile is calling names. I am a Dean supporter, not a phile.

Actually you are not coming across very convincingly.

[poppabear36]

17. I apologize

I meant it in the sense of a Dean supporter, which is, literally, I think, what it means.
I will just shut up now and try to make nice points with my fellow Democrats and especially fellow Floridians.

[chimpymustgo]

35. Poppa's wife: "What does Dean have up his butt?" That's it.

Dean looks like he has a horrible case of hemmorhoids. Which would also explain the phony smile.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

43. Hitpiece

_cmg___Dean_

[DemLikr]

62. Howard Dean has a sexy neck.

Look how thick it is...he looks like a small linebacker.

And you know what they say about thick necks...

[Rose Siding]

10. It is amazing

There are hundres of thousands of American troops around the world facing varying degrees of increasing peril, schools shut down early for lack of funds, vets wait 6 months for a dr appt but Bush's answer is to close hospitals...

That's just a soupcon of dozens of civilization busting crises we face. How a smile or a hairdo can be suggested, straight faced, as a criticism I just don't understand. Let the repubs throw spitballs.

[poppabear36]

22. Not a criticism

Meant as lighthearted, attempted humour comment.
However, how a candidate plays on TV is a very important, substantive topic.
Dean's passion and policies may swing a clear thinking progressive into his corner.
But what of Kucinich's progressive politics. I've seen him as the most passionate speaker enunciating those politics a number of times. And yet, why is he not taken seriously as a top tier candidate?
Why - because he's ethnic looking, he's relatively short, and he's stranger looking than any other candidate save Lieberman.
If you line Dean up against Kucinich on policies and passion why does Dean come out ahead. No other reason, except Dean is more whitebread, more "American" looking, more like we think our leaders should look.
Because of the corporate controlled media, our candidates are going to have relatively few shots at primetime.
We need Ready For Primetime Players. And we need to be realistic about areas where our favorite candidate could better appeal to the fencesitters.
You mentioned about 1/1000th of the f-ed up things that are happening right now.
I know too much about all of it. But the revolution starts with getting our man(or woman) elected to the Presidency.

[bearfartinthewoods]

36. making fun of him?

if i wanted to i could make fun of his looks very easily with a reference to a magazine from my youth. same with Kucinich.

ignoring or trying to dismiss the value of a candidate's TV appeal is silly. have you seen the TV ad that Dean produced to air in texas during bush's vacation>

if it was meant to disturb bush, i'm afraid it's not going to fulfill it's mission. i haven't been as nervous about our chances in this election than i have been since i saw that ad. you never get a second chance t make a first impression and my gawd....with all the free airings that ad has received, it was a total waste of a golden opportunity.

and he even says i approve this ad or o support this ad or some such foolish line. please somebody, wake me up when this is over.

[StandWatie]

53. because unfortunately it matters

in a sane universe it shouldn't but it does, I don't believe anyone shorter than the other candidate has won since TV was invented.

[MODemocrat]

60. Oh, if we could all be so perfect

What is up with so many people that they think they have to have a president with movie star looks. If a smile would hold one back from voting, then, I'd guess they hadn't intended to vote democratic anyway.

[silverweb]

7. I love HoHo's smile.

:)

[ibegurpard]

11. Howard Dean's smile

Judge for yourself:

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ibegurpard]

14. Umm, I support Dean but these phrases kind of scare me:

"Dean is perfect, do not criticize him" and "He's our only hope"
You did better with this one, I think: "we can't afford to carp and ankle-bite over petty things like whether he has a nice smile."
:-)

[MODemocrat]

63. Haven't seen the phrase "Dean is perfect" on here

and what's wrong with believing that he well may be our only hope?
I, personally don't think he's our only hope of beating Bush, which is our goal, but he sure is among the best.

[Exultant Democracy]

15. joke right?

[not systems]

18. I agree with you about cheney and the boy king.

But a good natured talk about Deans looks
seems in line to me.

I am a Dean supporter but he can get better
on the TV.

I watched his Texas ad and think it looked OK.

Much better than the SC debates where he looked
hyped up.

He has a great speech giving style but is not
as good at cross table talking. I think he has
improved some already.

I hope he improves before the next debates.

[haymaker]

26. Another great

contribution. This newbie doesn't know if he is serious or sarcastic.

[bearfartinthewoods]

41. and the chanting begins

Dean is perfect, do not criticize him
Dean is perfect, do not criticize him
Dean is perfect, do not criticize him
Dean is perfect, do not criticize him
Dean is perfect, do not criticize him

[ibegurpard]

48. You do realize

that you are quoting an OBVIOUS disruptor who was BANNED last night for posting FLAMEBAIT like this? I'm sure you do but it suits your purpose... :eyes:

[janx]

49. Was that the guy who posted the first limerick? Because I

was waiting for his ban to happen.

[ibegurpard]

51. yes

banned because he posted a SECOND completely, obnoxious purposeless insulting limerick after the first one was locked. And, NO it was not an anti-Dean ditty.

[janx]

16. His smile? Well, all of his expressions are rather intense!

It's just the kind of guy he is.

I hope his handlers don't try and change it. From what I've seen, he smiles a lot habitually, and if anything, he has to work NOT to smile.

But to answer your question--no, it certainly doesn't creep me out. Quite the opposite in fact. It makes ME smile.

And it's such a refreshing contrast to a SMIRK, wouldn't you say?

[corarose]

19. Talk about creeping you out how about that UGLY face of Dumbyas?

The Dumb piece of shit doesn't even own any lips and he is butt ugly. Then again the whole Bush Crime Cabal are a bunch of ugly f*ckers aren't they especially Barbara aka George Washington Bush.

Come to think about it ALL REPUBLICANS ARE UGLY!

[poskonig]

20. Dean's smile looked fine to me.

Overall Dean looked a somewhat nervous, with the lips and the blinking. But once he started talking about Afghanistan, Lieberman, the economy, et cetera, he caught fire and appeared more relaxed. The response to the meetup caller looked very sincere.

[Shanty Oilish]

23. Dean can look goofy, but Forbes...

Forbes, whom I've seen up close, is in a class by himself.

I'm not a Dean supporter, and I don't approve of looksism. However, many people do factor looks into their judgment of political candidates. Psychologists say this is just human nature. Or maybe it's because you can't give too much credence to their words but you can believe your eyes? :shrug:
Dean looks fine until he smiles, then he looks like he's coming home late and tipsy.
I've got bigger issues with Dean, but I remember Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow did him no good.

[haymaker]

24. Why I even respond to these

such obvious simpleton posts is unexplainable. I must have some deep-seated need to crack back on the chronically shallow in hopes that they may one day dive into the deep end. Naaah. I just think that they think they can get away with it, so I must set them straight.

Nice try. Go collect your GOPoints.

I check you next time when you post more brilliant, noteworthy babble.

[shance]

33. You rock Haymakahh.....!*****

That was some kinda good reply****I like the way you think!

[Merlin]

27. Seems like he has some kind of problem with his jaw.

Wonder if he has dentures that he's afraid will work loose? Seems like he feels the need to keep his jaw in a fixed position when he's talking. Anybody know anyone with similar behavior? As a supporter, I do indeed worry about this characteristic.

[Melinda]

28. You want Presidential? Bushie's got yer pResidential right here!

THAT thing drops reichwing wimmen folk to their knees in adoration -- and we should worry about Howard's smile?!?

Boy, you sure know how to PICK a winner!!

[poskonig]

29. LOL!

:beer:

[imax2268]

30. Well,

I think that he did look a bit nervous, but that's cool. I like what he had to say, we needed a voice...and damn if we didn't get one...!!!

I'm am really starting to like this guy...

[ibegurpard]

31. Another Dean smile:

:loveya:

[demnan]

32. Did ya'll see the Onion

about Kerry being an "adorable" candidate. I think that article pokes fun at such superficial commentary about the candidates.

http://www.theonion.com/onion3929/adorable_democratic.html

[Kahuna]

34. When he talks...

his lips move like a duck's bill. I can't concentrate on what he's saying for imaging, "quack quack quack quaaack." His smile creeps me out too. He is most unappealing to me.

[chimpymustgo]

37. Howard the Duck?

He should maybe do radio ads. The tv spots are laughable.

[burr]

38. I haven't figured it out yet....

in townhall meetings and in front of a podium he is loose, funny, and witty. On talk shows...namely Larry King and MeetthePress he freezes up and you see a cross of a someone gritting his teeth while thinking, "get me the hell out of here!"

My diagnosis is, a case of severe claustrophobia, which you have not experienced until you have had a large and bright camera right in your face in that small of an area.

[JNelson6563]

40. Wow! I didn't realize

we had as many shallow fools on our side as the right has! Shocking!!

Julie

[Eloriel]

44. Boy, howdy.

It's discouraging, isn't it?

These posters really don't have a clue how they undermind their credibility on everything else.

Eloriel

[chimpymustgo]

45. We also have as many cult-like followers as the right.

Who see NO wrong in their candidate, who will brook NO criticism. And can't see why that's a problem.

[ibegurpard]

46. Oh get a grip!

You'd be all over a thread criticizing Edwards. Your lack of introspection is really quite unattractive.

[chimpymustgo]

47. LOL. Back at you, ibegurpard.

nt

[JustJoe]

55. The nicest insult of the day...

"Your lack of introspection is really quite unattractive."

[hippiechick]

42. Noticed on Larry King ...

There seems to be a big difference between Howard's 'media smile' - tight lipped, forced looking - and his 'real smile'. When a caller stated she would be attending her first Meetup this week - he broke into a huge, dimpled, perfect-toothed grin.

That's what we need to see more of, IMO.



:hippie:

[depakid]

50. 'Nother Dean detractor

another low post count- and little of substance.

I guess we'd better get used to this. It's only going to get worse as the season wears on.

[janx]

54. That's exactly what I said last night.

.

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. You call this smile creepy? This is a man smiling and looking good

while doing it.

[Redleg]

57. Yeah, I won't vote for him because of his fucking smile.

Just kidding! Will his smile be a detriment to his campaign? I don't know but there are a lot of knuckleheads out there who are more concerned about style than about substance.

[MODemocrat]

59. Dean does not slouch and appear to be drunk

He's so far and above Bush, I don't mind that he does not have the perfect smile. He suits me just fine.

Go for it DEAN, I believe in you.

[chomskyite2]

61. howard dean is a pimp.

my pimp.

[hedda_foil]

64. You mean this smile?

[dajabr]

65. Yep. And 4 out of 5 dentists...

Dean wins ‘primary’

Politics is the art of getting people to like you, and a high-beam smile is generally regarded as a major asset in the process. On that basis, Los Angeles dentist Dr. Harold Katz has concluded that another man of medicine, Dr. Howard Dean, one of nine Democratic candidates for president, is the winner of “the nation’s first smile primary.”

Though Dean recently confessed that he could be “brusque” at times, Katz believes his smile more than makes up for it.

The contest involved a comparative study of facial musculature, dental hygiene and overall appearance. “Most importantly,” said Katz, the former Vermont governor “shows both his upper and lower teeth, an undeniable sign of confidence and strength.”

Katz’s specialty is the treatment of bad breath. No word yet on when on that primary will be held.

http://www.thehill.com/open_secrets/080603.aspx

[maggrwaggr]

66. Fake smile = bad. Real smile = awesome.

He needs to just lose the fake smile. And quit glancing at the monitor.

If you watched the other guys on last night, Steve Kroft for one -- no smile, just this serious penetrating look. And Graham, same thing. These guys know what works for them.

Dean just needs to learn (or be coached -- Hello Rob Reiner) what works for him.