re: Rand Paul's way-too-early path to the GOP nomination.

quote:

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He is also good looking (sad to say this matters)

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No doubt.

Good looks started to be a major factor IMO with Kennedy. I wasn't alive, but I have seen the videos of the Nixon/Kennedy debates were there was a close up of Nixon's sweaty upper lip. Some people cite that as the beginning of Nixon's fall against Kennedy albeit Kennedy was a good looking especially compared to Nixon. His good looks probably carried him to victory despite his inexperience.

You can look at every presidential election since Kennedy/Nixon and in general the better looking candidate wins. When I say good looking, good looking also includes charisma.

Reagan had it in spades.
George Bush 1 didn't have it but compared to Dukakis...lol
Clinton had it.
GWB has more than stiff Al Gore and Lurch Kerry.
And of course Obama's had it over McCain and stiff Romney. (It's not that Romney isn't handsome, he's just not cool like Obama).