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In reply to the discussion: The Rising Tide of Populism in the Dem Party Spells Trouble for Hillary [View all]calimary
(81,220 posts)He was a male bimbo if ever there was one.
And I was insulted when I heard that ghwb, in picking quayle as a running mate, thought his looks would be a big asset. As I recall, his words were - "one for the ladies."
Frankly, I find Hillary Clinton to be an extremely attractive older woman (AND she was quite pretty as a younger woman) and I'm a lot more sensitized to that as I myself move into "older woman" age. I'm not that far behind her, actually. And I've posted before about men who are described by some as being attractive (remember how many times we all heard that romney looked most presidential of anybody in the GOP clown car last time?) who I consider rather ugly because of the ideas behind the pleasant face.
And yeah, it's sexist. Maybe I stand up on my high-horse too often on this. Always did have a complex about physical looks - especially since I always found myself to be such an under-achiever in that particular game. When I was working, I watched how many intelligent, informed, charming, capable, and articulate females were passed over for the little cutie-pie who was usually younger, blonder, thinner, and photographed better, even if she was as dumb as a post. Many wound up in on camera jobs while those with the much maligned "face for radio" stayed behind microphones. And I wince when I have to see the parade of bimbos on Pox Noise with their blonde hair and tons of makeup and tight sleeveless dresses with the obligatory bare arms and high hemlines. Look at our dear little lara logan of the botched Benghazi pseudo-scandal coverage on "60 Minutes." She'll get a pass basically because of her looks. The rumpled, elderly Dan Rather and his plain-Jane producer Mary Mapes got the heave-ho for far less than the deliberate agenda-driven hatchet job logan worked so hard to drive onto the air.
And superficial? You're correct AGAIN! Unfortunately that's reduced far too much information brokering to the gutter where the gum is that you step in by accident and get on your shoes. And unfortunately, most of America processes information visually. Looks, makeup, wardrobe, hair, sets, stylists, implants, Botox, it's all so damn much about the physicality. And yeah, I fall into it. I just wish so many people weren't able to get ahead - just on that. sarah palin got as far as she has because of her looks. VERY little behind it, and nobody bothered to look that much deeper because the packaging was good enough. I am always rather hyper-aware of the packaging. Perception is EVERYTHING. For good and bad. I don't like it. And I don't like having to play on that playing field. But unfortunately, there it is.