What is a president supposed to look like?

[BlueStater]

I keep hearing from the media that Freddy-boy and Mittens, apparently physically, look like presidents. I don't get this at all.

What the heck do these media people think a president looks like? Is he tall, lanky, and bearded (Lincoln)? Is he small and frail (Madison)? Is he extremely fat (Taft)? Is he young and handsome (Kennedy)? Is he handicapped (Roosevelt)? Is he bald (Ike)? Does he have muttonchops (Arthur)? What the hell?

[az chela]

1. they should be 3 feet tall and green

[MaraJade]

15. Green and diminutive, say you?

Like Yoda?

[Totally Committed]

2. I think they're talking the "charisma" thing.

Ronald Reagan supposedly had it *gag*. JFK definitely had it. Bill Clinton had it. They all radiated "President".

That having been said... Fred Thompson? And, even more inexplicably, Mittens Romney? Not so much.

TC

[napi21]

3. I think they're talking about how a director would chose someone

to play a role. If you think about all the movies you've seen that contain a Presidential role, most of the time the character is a bit older, a little taller than average, & not obese (at least not in recent history). Personally I disagree on Mittens, I think he looks like a fake, but I see how they think Fred fits the bill.

[wuushew]

4. In Taft's defense he was never happy as President

Mrs. Taft was more ambitious than her husband whose first love was law. Depression can result in weight gain.

[FrenchieCat]

5. They are talking about the JFK phenomenon that added to the prior requisite

that the President be a white male.

In more recent history, the "Presidential" look is White, Male, Semi-Good looking if possible, as close to 6FT or taller as possible, a full head of hair is the frosting on top, and being from the south is the ultimate.

That's what makes a candidate "electable" on both sides of the aisles these days.

That's how superficial we truly are as a nation....although some will try to deny it.

[illinoisprogressive]

6. A president looks like whoever is serving at the time....

[Superman Returns]

7. basically,

With the exception of Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact, all actors who've played Presidents in movies have that certain look (and are WASPS) with Mitt being the default: youthful looking fellow with a nice set of hair, or with Thompson being the default: older, graying, patriarchal grandfather figure.

[pnwmom]

8. They look like TV Presidents, who apparently

look like TV prosecutors.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. How about these options??

or

or

or even

[tridim]

10. It's all TV's fault

That said, I look at someone like DK and see "Presidential" for the same reason I DON'T watch American Idol or buy every product I see advertised on TV.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

11. It depends on who you ask...

For example some people think the president should look like.....


.......




...........




...............


This:

[tridim]

12. One of my first memories is of this board game

"Mr. President"


Who does that look like at the podium? I'm pretty sure all the candidates in the game were very white and very male, but it was 1967.

[Grandrose]

13. WASP!

White, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant! Problem is...it's the 21st century and it's time for a change!
Although, I doubt a change will come, the American people are too entrenched by the MSM and deep seeded prejudices to consider anything different!
Just look at the Republic candidates and who the punditry are on your tv screens!:eyes:

[HeeBGBz]

14. Kinda like this