Familiar candidate fights fuzzy image

[Feanorcurufinwe]

The rap on Dick Gephardt: A stale presidential candidate left over from the era of Pac-Man and leg warmers; a plastic Washington insider hard-pressed to generate excitement against opponents portrayed as maverick outsiders.

<snip>

People recognize Dick Gephardt all the time. Often, they can't place the face.

Didn't you sell me an insurance policy? they ask. Aren't you that weather forecaster? A father in the Pittsburgh airport once profusely thanked him for being the first astronaut to sign his son's autograph book.

"I didn't say anything," Gephardt recalled. "Didn't want to disappoint the kid."

That fuzzy image is a problem.

Those familiar with Gephardt often see a guy with immovable blond politician hair who ran for president and lost 15 years ago. Or they think of the Democratic leader of the U.S. House who presided while Republicans built their congressional majority.

<snip>

But even in Iowa, where Gephardt has essentially been campaigning for two decades, many voters view him as a bland career politician.

"He just doesn't seem like someone with new ideas or able to excite people," said Ann Klees, a farmer in northeast Iowa who has never met Gephardt and is torn between Kerry and Dean. "I know this sounds foolish, but in his appearance he's kind of washed out, so pale and blond and not distinctive. He seems dull."
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/11/03/Worldandnation/Familiar_candidate_fi.shtml

[alexwcovington]

1. Yup

'bout sums it up fer him