by George McNaughton
Member since:
April 30, 2006

Campaign 2008: What is this "likable guy" issue.

December 05, 2007 02:29 PM EST
views: 28 | rating: 8.2/10 (5 votes) | comments: 9

I keep hearing this issue that candidates like Huckabee are rising in the polls because people view his as a "likable guy."  Are we now considering electing people to the most powerful office on the planet because they are "likable guys?"  Didn't Republicans wind up pulling down upon us the wrath of a huge percentage of the nations on Earth because the nominated a person who they thought was a "likable guy?"

Exactly how does that meld with being the principal instigator of public policy?  And aren't the "likable guys," also likely to be one of the good ole boys?

Isn't it about time American voters tried doing the hardwork of thinking about the policies that candidates are promoting -- and not just abortion and gay marriage?

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Comments: 9

Kitty Lone Hawk Dec 5, 2007, 2:52pm EST
Good points....I think people equate "likable" to "like me" and that is FAR, FAR from the TRUTH....anyone can be "likable" if they want something FROM you and anyone can be "likable" when the entire worlds cameras are aimed at them....heck even the Ice Queen herself looks "likable" to me.
paul w. Dec 5, 2007, 3:03pm EST
George, I think that "likability" is only one factor in the mix. I think Huckabee is rising because there are a lot of Republicans who were dissatisfied with all of the frontrunners. They were hoping Fred Thompson would be the answer, and most found that he isn't. So, Huckabee is seizing that moment and comes across with a package that a lot of them "like".

That said, you can make the argument that "likability" is an important quality for a President. The last President that didn't have much in that department was Nixon.... So, maybe we're still scarred by that.
Clarke M. Dec 5, 2007, 3:21pm EST
I think Huckabee's main appeal is the same as that of Ron Paul: he isn't perceived as playing a role as the rest of the candidates are. "Moral values" has appeal in Iowa, of course, as did Bush's "compassionate conservativism," but Huckabee has addressed substantive issues in clear , undemogogic or "sound-byte" ways that insult the people's intelligence - which the other Repubs certainly have not ( as with his Fair Tax and foreign policy statements). Also, he has a record as practising what he says and has been rated as one of the five top governors (by TIME). He has been travelling to the Middle East for 35 years and he has a good sense of foreign policy.
I wouldn't want to see him as President, but I see much worse ones among the candidates. .
Carol Lloyd Dec 5, 2007, 4:15pm EST
I dont plan to socialize with a candidate for likeable isnt an issue.
Elizabeth Madrigal Dec 5, 2007, 4:54pm EST
Hallelujah, George! What a novel thought. To see past personality and be willing to put someone with a brain in office!

If we Americans really want to improve our quality of life, restore our civil liberties and that of others in countries around the world which we affect, we need to start thinking, reading, listening and then voting with something to back it up.
Rex T. Dec 5, 2007, 7:12pm EST
That's the state of the art, George. I often hear Romney called "presidential looking" whatever that means. That's fine but if he were to be elected his only legacy may be he takes a nice photo. It's sad, but in our celebrity infatuated society, looking good and being "likeable" are practically absolute prerequisites. Remember what P.T. Barnum said?
Rocco s. Dec 5, 2007, 7:45pm EST
Likeability? I don't want to date the President, I'm looking for him to run the damn coutnry. To uphold and defend the Constitution, to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Since when did the race for the White House get reduced to a beauty pagent? Next we will be having a swimsuit competition. Likability? Give me a break...
George McNaughton Dec 5, 2007, 8:33pm EST
Well, I think Kitty may have hit the nail on the head when she said, "I think people equate "likable" to "like me" ". If that is what it means, it is a scary notion. I don't want somebody like me as President, I want somebody smarter, more intimidating, and better at explaining things and negotiating. I sure as heck do not want someone who is only as smart as your average Southern Evangelical -- we have had 8 years of that and the country and the English language have taken major hits as a result.
Zachary M. Dec 24, 2007, 4:32pm EST
I really don't like any of the candidates..... I wish Chuck Norris were running! but I would rather vote for John Stewart,..

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