Friday, September 7, 2007

Frederick of Hollywoood: He Looks the Part

One of Fred Thompson's attributes as a Republican presidential candidate is his Hollywood-honed acting skills. In plainer language, Thompson gets political credit for "looking presidential."

Just yesterday, for example, Time magazine's Washington bureau chief Jay Carney noted that on his video announcement of his presidential bid Thompson "sure looks like a president (at least, he could play one on TV)."

Similarly, CNN chief national correspondent John King said yesterday that his presidential look is part of Thompson's appeal. King went on:

Don't undervalue the idea of looking the part, if you will. Fred Thompson is known for his roles on TV and in Hollywood in the movies. He now wants to look the part of the president and appeal to a conservative Republican base….

We could be wrong, but isn't there a tiny bit of difference between "looking presidential" and actually having the skills, knowledge and temperament to be an effective president?

3 comments:

Jeff Shaw said...

In my poly-sci class, we discussed all of the "asthetics" involved in politics. Its actually quite interesting. You really have to pay attention to what candidtes say, instead of how they look.

The media doesn't help, what with all their shallowness.

You also have to pay attention to where their money is coming from. Good post.

Alternative Tulsa said...

Thanks. We appreciate your note.

Savage Baptist said...

...isn't there a tiny bit of difference between "looking presidential" and actually having the skills, knowledge and temperament to be an effective president?

Of course there is. But if any of the people you cited said that Thompson does lack those, you didn't cite that part.