Have A Beer With Me! Candidates Battle Over Their Own "Likeability"

Perhaps Charlie Gibson started this war when he asked Hillary Clinton about the "likeability issue" during the last Democratic debate. Her response to the suggestion that people simply like Barack Obama more resulted in her response that, "in 2000 we, unfortunately, ended up with a president who people said they wanted to have a beer with." And at Clinton's appearance at a high school last night, acting as though that issue was settled, she made very little attempt to charm and befriend the voters gathered before her, but instead fired off detailed policy and tough talk to people asking her questions about everything from the housing market to college costs.

This afternoon, speaking to voters outside the State House in Concord, Republican frontrunner John McCain took up the issue, alleging that a less-than-willing-personality has established his credibility and effectiveness in Congress. "I was not elected Miss Congeniality in the US Senate again this year, I'm happy to say," he grinned, poking at independent voters that they could vote for a tiara-wearing sissy like Obama, or a gloriously un-charming man like himself.

While Obama could have left Gibson's assessment to hang in chilly air surrounding tomorrow's vote, he instead made the case for likeability as a crucial element of Presidential effectiveness. This morning at a rally in Lebanon, near the Vermont border, Obama wore a broad white smile and professed the advantages of "walking into a room with a sunny disposition" He said that a key to working across the aisle is to start off with an agreeable manner," dismissing his disagreeable opponents on both tickets--namely Clinton and McCain--whose remarkable bipartisan work has happened in spite of their refusal to spread joy throughout the halls of congress.

In fact, while Obama was basking in his own charm, going practically Bobby McFerrin in front of his euphoric crowd, Hillary was tearing up speaking to voters across the state at a Portsmouth diner. "We are happy warriors for change," he said, as supporters were asking her how she could bear to get out of bed in the morning. "We are cheerful at the prospects of taking over our government."

One hopes that a presidential election will rise far above the popularity contests that most of us remember from student government elections in high school. In New Hampshire today, questions of likeability rose from a vague notion of downing a few Buds with a candidate to veritable questions of political science.

Check out HuffPost's comprehensive on-the-ground New Hampshire coverage here.

Comments

[NABNYC]

Charlie Gibson is an ass, and his questions were ridiculous. But, the pols should have expected it.

What should Hillary have said? If she was a person with principles and scruples, she could have said: "Well, I know many Americans who like me because I opposed this barbaric war in Iraq which has the deaths of so many." "Well, I know many Americans who like me quite a bit because I have stood up to George Bush, and stood on behalf of the people fo this country to defend our constitution, and I have stood against kidnapping and torture and murder."

If only.

Does it occur to anyone that people don't like Hillary because she's done nothing? Because she's one of the leaders of the do-nothing Congress, the collaborators with Bush and Cheney, the useless corrupt traitors in Congress who routinely get lower ratings than even George W. Bush?

And why is Hillary blamed? She's one of the leaders of the Democratic party. She grabbed the title, and now she wants to pretend she had nothing to do with any of this. The entire period of Bush's presidency has been Hillary's opportunity to do something of value. And she has repeatedly refused, selling out the people of this country, in trying to advance her own political interests.

At least that's why I don't like her.

[RAVEN13]

We voters allow the media to shape our percep-
tion and distort reality. Is "Change" a mantra
exclusive to one candidate? Or have we not heard it before in previous elections? Is there a collective voice that does not want to give weight to the importance of experience; discuss Al Queda without saying "politics of
fear". Did they disband? Many in the MSM from
the start have set against Sen.Clinton's
campaign, some churn books replete with the
right's distortion's. Despite this, she has
gone on to wage a successful bid for the White
House. The MSM couldn't just cover the campaigns and let them play out. Clinton has
gotten worse coverage than Gore.
I'm not looking for a president to deliver poetry. It'll be great to have one who can speak well...smile. I'm looking for competance
in leadership. The vision that will take our
country in a new direction. Depth of knowledge
and a level preparation that no other brings
to the office: Sen.Clinton is the best.

[OhgReaTone]

Likeability is the wrong word. It is important that we feel comfortable with the candidate - but there has to be more. Something about Obama transcends mere likeability.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/01/09/the-fresh-innocense-of-obama/

[Trittydi]

If the press were doing their job - they would NOT be focusing on Huckabee's "likability" - rather, they would be focusing on his political and personal record that show him to be a calculating, deceitful and dangerous man.

Why is he being given a pass? In much the same way that Dumbya was given a pass?
*

[PeteBogs]

I'd have a beer with any of them, if it were a Guinness...

[paixa3]

SCREW Likebility, I want EFFECTIVENESS !!!!!

[LeftRight]

I'll say the same thing that I said in 2000 regarding this issue. I WOULD NOT HAVE A BEER WITH ANY OF THE DAMN CANDIDATES!!! STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!!!

Thank you for your time

[RDixon]

Likability is a desirable trait for a US president to possess.

Unfortunately for the people of the USA and the entire world, we haven't had a president with that quality since Friday, November 22, 1963.

[thinkbig]

I'd consider voting for the 'beer candidate' if there was even a chance I'd have a beer with them. Baring that I'll stick with the issues. God (or some approximation thereof) help us all.