VOTING FOR A PRESIDENT
HAS COME DOWN TO THIS; LITTLE KNOWN FACTS IN WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEADER... Ties? Smile?
We now have
a "SMILE" and the "Fashionality Tie" barometer that will
allow voters to choose a President...No longer will qualifications be a
requirement. As attested to in the 2008 election of Barack Obama.
1. ‘SmileFactor’ Could Sink Obama in 2012
When
candidates square off in presidential elections, history shows that the winners
are those whose smiles convey a positive message that inspires rather than
irritates voters, communications consultant Jon Kraushar maintains.
He
cites research by UCLA Professor Albert Mehrabian indicating that non-verbal
communication — including a speaker’s smile — can be even more important than
what is actually said.
And
that could bode ill for President Barack Obama’s re-election chances in 2012,
according to Kraushar.
In
an article for Fox News, Kraushar examined the “smile factor” in several recent
elections:
In
2008, Obama’s grin and his “hope and change” message trumped John McCain’s
grimacing warnings about the economy.
In
2004 and 2000, George W. Bush’s smirk and cocky smile overshadowed the
“terminally serious and insufferably pompous” John Kerry and Al Gore, Kraushar
observed.
Bill
Clinton’s “jaunty smile” and confidence defeated the “scowling” Bob Dole in
1996 and the “strained” smile of George H.W. Bush four years earlier.
But
Bush’s “frenetic grin” was positively endearing in 1988 against the “mechanical
smile and robotic messaging” of Michael Dukakis.
Ronald
Reagan’s smile and sparkling eyes were unbeatable in 1980 and 1984 against the
“dourness” of Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
“In
a presidential contest, whoever appears more upbeat is victorious over whoever
seems more uptight,” according to Kraushar.
As
for the 2012 election, he writes: “Today, President Obama looks and sounds
uptight. An air of desperation has crept into his face, eyes and body language.
“To
beat Obama in the general election, Republicans must select a candidate with
both a verbal and non-verbal message that by comparison with Obama’s, packs the
power of a smile — and puts a smile on the faces of a majority of voters.”
2. THE
FASHIONALITY TIE FACTOR
MITT ROMNEY
The
ex-Massachusetts governor tends to favor a light blue tie with a subtle pattern.
It’s the safe, boring choice.
“Blue
looks good on everyone,” says stylist Lisa A. Kline. But last week, Romney
broke out diagonal stripes that distinguished him from rivals. Mitt Romney just wants to be noticed.
RICK PERRY
Gov. Rick Perry wore a bright, solid
red tie — the iconic color of the Republican Party — four times consecutively
Fashionistas
say the Texas governor’s style is typical of a self-made man. “The flashy ties,
the French cuffs, the feathered hair, that big ring he wears—Perry is proud to
tell the world he’s made something of himself,” says Tyler Thoreson of Gilt
Groupe.
HERMAN CAIN
The
former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza is the only candidate who’s not a
politician—and his neckwear shows it. Cain wears a gold tie to every debate,
calling it his “power color.” Stylists say the color is flattering, but can
come off as ostentatious. Former pizza honcho Cain sports a signature flashy
gold necktie at every
GOP debate. His campaign spokesman, J.D. Gordon, said the bold choice is a
significant part of the candidate’s image. “Mr. Cain is a firm believer in the
‘Gold Standard,’ ” said Gordon. “His selection of ties reflects that
philosophy.” Herman Cain is
eccentric
NEWT GINGRICH
The
former speaker of the House has a reputation for thinking he’s the smartest guy
in the room—and that guy doesn’t have to catch headlines with his sartorial
flair. Newt Gingrich is conservative.Gingrich has
sported an unremarkable maroon tie at the nine debates so far.
