Would A Kerry-Edwards Ticket Attract The Ladies In November?

[DrFunkenstein]

I was talking to a lovely lady at a bar last night, and she suggested that a Kerry-Edwards ticket would be easy on the eyes, not to mention Edwards' emotional appeal on the stump, not to mention his moving life story. Edwards would also serve to soften up Kerry's image, and it should be remembered that women are one of the strongest voting blocs for Kerry. Throw two amazing wives into the mix, and I think we've got something.









Can you see them on the cover of People magazine? GQ?

[funky_bug]

1. You insult my intelligence

I will NOT vote for a candidate based on his looks. That is a pathetic, pandering insult. If this is the only thing Kerry and Edwards have to offer those of us who hope for a better president, we're in deep shit.

[Indiana Democrat]

5. Many women will.

[charlie]

6. Limbaugh schtick

He used to blame Clinton's two-term success on soccer moms wanting to bed him.

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Yes, I Said That Looks Are All They Have To Offer

I apologize for my pathetic, pandering insult of suggesting that you would vote for someone based on looks. I am certain that although John F. Kennedy was a brilliant President, his looks (and Jackie's) didn't help him in the least.

[rumguy]

12. Is that Kerry there holding the binocs?

[DrFunkenstein]

17. Total Rushmore Goofball, But Yes

Kerry was dating Jackie's half-sister at the time. Kerry totally worshipped Kennedy as a kid. He was hardly alone, but few got to hang out next to the man.

[funky_bug]

13. This is the same bs argument

I keep hearing about Kucinich. That he's got great ideas, but he's unelectable because he looks like a lawn gnome.

If this is what American women are viewed as - a bunch of horny hunk chasers, then someone please tell me where I can turn in my "chick card" and register as a non-gender voter.

[polmaven]

14. I understand your intensity,

but I do believe this was meant to be more of a light hearted moment...

And yes....I do think I could stand to look at that duo for 4-8 years....I have thought before what a difference from Georgie and Uncle Dickie. And Theresa and Elizabeth will be able to do more than gaze adoringly at their men.

[magnolia]

19. Slow down.....

DrFunk did not say or even imply that good looks were the ONLY thing that Kerry and Edwards have to offer. He simply asked if it would have an effect.

I personally think that Kerry/Edwards would make an excellent ticket regardless of their looks. Keep in mind...the mainstream mentality elected Arnold. If they elect Kerry/Edwards based on looks alone...fine with me!

[rumguy]

2. I agree they would make a striking duo...

The tall gaunt war hero and the sunny sounthern populist trial lawyer (and son of a mill worker)...

What a great contrast to AWOL silver spoon Bush, and the dark lord of energy Cheney...

[girl gone mad]

3. I don't find either of them..

especially attractive.

[smirkymonkey]

11. Maybe not in absolute terms, but

compared to monkey boy and Dr. Evil they are practically supermodels.

Not that that is any reason to vote for them, but I would vote for a couple of mangy dogs if it would get smirk out of office.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Attract the ladies?

Last time I checked it was the year 2004.

:puke:

[smirkymonkey]

7. I agree it would be quite an attractive ticket

from a purely shallow point of view, but I also think it would be the most electable ticket in purely political terms as well. I have seen Kerry in person and close up, and he does have quite a bit of sex appeal, even though he is significantly older than me.

Also, I think Teresa Heinz Kerry would make an excellent first lady - someone who could really make a differnce instead of spending her days in a doped up stupor mindless standing by her idiot clown of a husband. Don't know much about Edwards wife, but I am sure she's better than anything the pukes can offer.

[eileen_d]

8. On one hand, I agree; on the other hand, this insults my intelligence

Now which hand should I chop off? I think I'll just clap.

[Leilani]

9. This is why politics is a joke today

We have people dying in Iraq, & this is the level many people will sink to, when they vote for POTUS.

I'm disgusted!

[MurikanDemocrat]

15. Sorry to say this, but yes I think it would have some effect

[DrFunkenstein]

16. Is It My Imagination, Or Are People Taking This Way Too Seriously?

Or is it just the politically correct squad coming out?

I had no intention of suggesting that woman are stupid and base their judgement on looks and emotional appeals. But it would be totally BS to suggest that both men and women consider the fact that these are the people they are going to be seeing on TV for the next 4 years when they make their judgment.

I seem to recall many detractors claiming that Kerry is boring and couldn't appeal to people because they wouldn't want him to put them to sleep at every press conference.

The fact of the matter is that looks and persona are a factor. In fact, it may have been one of the defining factors in the 2000 election. Lament it, but you can't deny it.

PS - Personally, I think that Kerry and Edwards (AND their wives) would do wonders to make intelligence sexy in America.

[TheDonkey]

20. I refuse to vote (D) unless we have a Kerry/Pitt ticket

Brad will carry the women easily.
;)

Many DUers on this forum are a bit... tense as you can see Dr. Funk.

[Tansy_Gold]

21. the intelligence shown on DU is not indicative of the general. . .

. . . .electorate's ability to distinguish between good looks and good thoughts.

C'mon, folks, this is a visual world, in which images are thrown at us to get our attention. Who would pay any attention to a Viagra commercial featuring Strom Thurmond? Who would pay attention to a Viagra commercial featuring Rafael Palmeiro? Would we pay any attention to a Pepsi commercial featuring Bob Dole if it didn't also have that cute golden retriever?

Blame the advertising agencies for it, but the fact is that we do react more favorably to better-looking people. Teachers treat good looking students better, and employers are more likely to hire good-looking job applicants.

Remember, too, that in the 1960 presidential debates, those who listened to the Kennedy-Nixon confrontation on radio said Nixon was the clear winner, while those who watched on television and saw Nixon's five-o'clock shadow and sweaty forehead declared him the loser. That proved to be a very close election and who's to say it wasn't a few votes for that nice-looking young senator from Massachusetts that gave JFK the White House? (Never mind the senior Mayor Daley's intervention.)

[Native]

23. I think it is a very valid question...

Even my 81 year old MIL said she'd vote for Edwards because he's "so darn attractive." I never for one moment assumed that this was the sole reason for her choice, but looks do seem to play a part in life whether we like it or not. Moreover, charisma, which plays a part in one's attractiveness, is a very valuable tool, regardless of one's occupation.

[smirkymonkey]

18. I don't think you were meaniing to imply that

women were so shallow and uninformed that they would vote for a ticket based solely on sex appeal. Rather, I think, unfortunately, looks in this society play a big part in how people are percieved and obviously being easy on the eye doesn't hurt one's chances in the least.

Face it, this is TV Nation. Even though I and most women on DU and elsewhere care more about a candidates political views, there are still a lot of people out there who are uninformed and choose to remain so. THOSE are the people who may be swayed by the "likeability" and purely physical appeal of a candidate. Just my humble opinion.

[Crunchy Frog]

22. I am voting for the Democratic candidate

in November. My gender has absolutely nothing to do with it.

As a woman, I don't find Kerry particularly appealing, but that is not what I base my voting on, and it is an insulting suggestion:grr: .

[nwstrn]

24. Kerry's height is important

Without commenting on Kerry's looks, I do like the fact that he towers over Bush*. I have an image of Kerry reaching down to shake Bush's* hand before a debate, patting him on the shoulder, as Bush* is forced to look up at Kerry.