Is it a good idea for the Democrats to nominate a sex symbol?
Recent history: Back in June, the only comments on the Howard Dean blog that dealt with his appearance were concerns about how he looked on TV -- shirt collars too tight, he needs to smile more, look less uptight in 1-on-1 interviews, etc.
In late August when news of Clark's likely announcement started to circulate, there were occasional comments on DailyKos and other blogs of "Clark's a hottie" and similar notes. Dean seemed to be considered reasonable looking; he didn't get any of the negative comments on looks that Kucinich and Lieberman got.
In the past few weeks, Dean's sexiness has become a phenomena. A Washington Post article noted that two women at different rallies have loudly shouted to Dean "I want to have your baby" and he has simply laughed and continued his speech.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7255-2003Nov22.html
(scroll to the end of the column)
The same article said that a woman flashed her breasts at him at yet another rally. Anyone know which rally this was? Are these sorts of shouts and flashings going to become an increasing pattern? Is this a sign of an appealing candidate or a handicap for a candidate?
When Dean danced with Carol Moseley-Braun at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Iowa, postings on the Dean blog included a number of "[swoon]" comments.
DailyKos members were polled on which presidential candidate they would most want to have sex with, and Dean was the solid front-runner. Comments included his "stamina", his wrestler physique, and how great it would be to hear "you've got the power, you've got the power."
During tonight's debate, people posted on the Dean blog "he looks sexier than ever tonight" and similar remarks. These remarks were posted by both women and men.
So, how has he gone from not seeming all that attractive and certainly not sexy to becoming super sexy? Is it another sign of the Deaniac obsession-- activists working hard for him, seeing lots of photos and video clips, and finding themselves over time attracted-- like when you find yourself attracted to your best friend all of a sudden? Or, are the people he hired to help with his image (clothing, smiling, etc.) very good, and he really does look and act sexier now than he used to?
The Washington Post article noted that he is a happily married man, and I've never heard any claims of infidelity in his past. Nonetheless, are Democrats safer nominating someone who couldn't possibly become a Clinton-type problem? When Dean appeared on Jay Leno, Leno made a joke about how Dean had been a doctor, a politican, and a Democrat-- three reasons that women take off their clothes for him.
Is it more or less helpful to have a faithful candidate who may be a sex symbol and also has a wife who is busy as a doctor and not paying attention to the media? Contrast this with Clinton or Schwarzenegger's wives who campaigned mightily on the idea that their husband should be trusted if their wife trusts them on this issue, and lots of pundits have said this made the issue go away for the election. Maybe the spouse is irrelevant if there are no claims of infidelity despite lots of sudden claims of sexiness.