Palin

[Joe]

Looks have little to do with politics, but quite a bit with electability. The sad truth of our appearance driven society, is that there's no upside to being ugly. Being ugly hurts when you are in, what is to large degree, a national popularity contest.
Say, average looks = 100%, meaning their looks have little to do negatively or positively with respect to electability. Two gray-haired men in their 60's look almost the same - looks are not an issue in this instance, but throw in a cougar like Palin, and things change.
A candidate with below average looks will suffer some loss because people do discriminate based upon looks. So the physically unappealing candidate will suffer, they will typically lose some votes and have a quality factor of less than 100% - they may come in at .98 or maybe less.
Conversely, other factors being even, a candidate with above average looks will typically garner 100% of the people that vote on issues or party lines, plus the people who vote on 'appearance and feeling.' They may have an appearance advantage that results in them garnering, 1.02 or 2% more votes.
When an ugly candidate runs against an attractive candidate, it's really bad for the less appealing candidate, as they get hit on both sides of the equation.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Joe

When an ugly candidate runs against an attractive candidate, it's really bad for the less appealing candidate, as they get hit on both sides of the equation.

Jesus, what did Henry Waxman's opponents look like that he was ever able to get elected ????

[buckman]

Originally Posted by scottw

Jesus, what did Henry Waxman's opponents look like that he was ever able to get elected ????

I think the same thing every time I see him.
But then again, it's a fact that conservatives are better looking then liberals

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by buckman

I think the same thing every time I see him.
But then again, it's a fact that conservatives are better looking then liberals

Now you're the one bringing up race.

[basenjib123]

if Sarah was not such a babe....I probably would not be very interested in her.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by basenjib123

if Sarah was not such a babe....I probably would not be very interested in her.

Exactly what my point has been. If she didn't look the "soccer mom" part, then she never would have been chosen as McCain's running mate. She was a horribly failed attempt at picking up female independents and trying to appease hardlined conservatives.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by basenjib123

if Sarah was not such a babe....I probably would not be very interested in her.

IF you think she's hot, that would be the only reason to be interested in her