Voting for someone because they make you feel all warm and fuzzy is how we got Obama x2.
Balog, Obama is an empty suit. He never so much as governed a lemonade stand.
Reagan ran the Screen Actors Guild and was governor of California, which is more experience when he was sleeping than President Emptysuit ever knew in his life.
I didn't coin the term "great communicator" for Reagan I borrowed it. Reagan took Carter's recession and turned it around into a time of prosperity, he went up against the Soviet Union and was instrumental in bringing down that evil system.
To try mention him in the same breath as Obama is sacrilige. I ought to hunt you down for it -- I won't 'cause we're friends and all and you've made many intelligent points on this site, but you STEPPED in it this time, buddy.
And just what the **** is that stupid line drawing supposed to be anyway? Two space aliens?
There's a story about Abraham Lincoln. He didn't always have that beard, you know. He had a rather sallow face, and a serious visage; it made him look a bit harsh. A young girl once sent him a letter suggesting he grow a beard as it would soften his looks, make him appear more wise and genial. You know, he did grow it, and it worked!
Sure the beard didn't actually change who he was, and didn't add a point to his IQ.
Whether you like it of not there ARE superficial reasons why we vote for candidates. Go back and examine the 1960 Kennedy vs. Nixon race. Escpecially the TV debate. Those who watched the TV broadcast usually credit Kennedy as winner while those who only heard the radio credit Nixon as winner. It is known Nixon was sick and refused TV make-up, while Kennedy was in top form physically, though perhaps not so much as a debater.
Anyhow, Nixon lost, but got his chance eight years later notwithstanding having a teleprsence that always reminded me of a sweating bulldog.
It's important for voters to go beyond the superficial, for sure. But don't kid yourself the superficial will always be there and will be best exploited by those for whom it works best.
That's politics.
Reagan was a serious contender....
Obama was, is, and will die, an empty suit.
We get the government we so richly deserve.