Originally Posted by ijusluvit

Let's not forget how critical media driven image is. Folks voted for Adams and Taft before superficial image was everything. I'd speculate most citizens had never seen a full-body image of either before they voted. Teddy was a Rough Rider, so it was ok that he got a little pudgy. The tailored suits made up for it. The fact that people so quickly mention Christie's physical size is testimony to the horrible fact that superficial image is now almost everything. For most of our lifetimes, perhaps we could say the major reason R's and D's have been elected was simply because they 'looked good'. Once the favorable media image is broadcast, the money rolls in. Those who pay real attention to what the candidates believe in are becoming scarce as hens' teeth. (my mother's old saying, meaning: 'really rare', or 'an honest politician').