Sure, Michele Bachmann might look a wee bit scary on the Newsweek cover that launched a thousand blogs.
Liberal bias? Maybe. But I've seen that gaze -- like the one my dog has when there's a deer in the yard -- in her own campaign material. And maybe the "queen of rage" thing was a bit much as a cover line. But she does seem pretty upset.
To all those right-thinking Republicans lamenting imagery, I have to say: "Wait a minute. You started this."
When Sarah Palin strode on the convention nominating stage with her tight skirt and traditional values, the fellas on the right said "We're on to something here."
Palin begat Christine O'Donnell, the spectacularly unqualified Senate candidate from Delaware, who begat Nikki Haley in South Carolina, Bachmann and now Kristi Noem, a lushly-coiffed brunette that Huff Post readers named "Hottest freshmen in Congress." Interestingly, Noem's pictures often show that same deer-in-the-yard stare that has the Bachmannites taking up their spears.
Line up their pictures, and it's obvious they share more than their Tea-Party fan-base.
Of course, good looks never hurt any candidate. Reagan, Kennedy, Clinton and Obama lead a long list of candidates where looks and charisma cross over into votes. Mitt Romney rocks the silver-fox thing to perfection. Would Michael Bloomberg's presidential possibilities be better if he were six inches taller?
Appearance and popularity are a connection as old as junior high, but The University of Helsinki actually quantified it. The UK's Telegraph reports that 1,992, photos of political candidates were shown to 10,011 people. Affiliation wasn't mentioned -- just that they were politicians.
The interviewees were asked to rate the photos on a scale of attractiveness and perceived qualifications. For every small increase in the attractiveness rating, there was a much larger jump in perceived competence, trustworthiness and other qualities you might like to have in a public servant
But there is something going on with these Republican women that goes beyond good looks. It's deft packaging.
In the same way a hardened commie-fighter like Richard Nixon was the one to open China, these women are a fascinating vessel for conservative thought.
Take perfect teeth, glossy hair, sparkling eyes, flawless make up and clicking heels. Now combine that with values much more likely associated with a sensibly-shoed audience gathered on the state-house lawn in their Uncle Sam hats and Tea-Party T-shirts. Anti stem cells, anti abortion, anti gay marriage, anti big-city smart asses suddenly have star power. It's a juxtaposition that flummoxes opponents -- like Barbra Streisand supporting assault-rifles.
As Ann Coulter memorably put it: "I am emboldened by my looks to say things Republican men wouldn't." As an '08 campaign button said of Palin, a former third-place finisher in the Miss Alaska pageant: "Hottest VP from the Coolest State."
It's a brilliant formula, although not perfect: Palin became a Tina Fey punch line ("I can see Russia from my house!") and O'Donnell had to assure voters "I am not a witch." But with Bachmann, Hailey and Noem, the handlers appear to be improving on the hot conservative mama prototype. Although there may still be some kinks: Noem voted to raise the debt ceiling.
It's geometrically brilliant because it can be so readily replicated. A little experience and the right positions combined with a pleasing package: It's enough to vault a woman from the backwaters of regional politics to the national stage.
The question is what happens when they get there.
Follow Dr. Peggy Drexler on Twitter: www.twitter.com/drpeggydrexler
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If you wanted an abortion, you had to go before a panel of three judges and convince them that if they did not allow you an abortion, you would commit suicide or go to Mexico for one. It was a very scary thing have an unwanted pregnancy. Do not allow these basic women's rights to change. It is for our daughters and thei daughters. Keep aware! Vote Pro Choice!! Your life may depend on it.
Why not get back to the "citizen legislature" the Founders envisioned?
Frankly, I find these woman's common sense attitudes about all the Washington nonsense rather refreshing. So what if they're not the most polished?
You're "randomlygroping" for a point, as if to be incorrect once publicly is to be forever unfit for public service. There isn't a public figure on earth that hasn't had a public gaffe occasionally. Obama's 57 U. States to Pelosi's "unemployment insurance creates jobs" there's plenty of cement headed leftist comments to pick on. Let's just all have a laugh then get back to the serious debate.
You can carp all you want about Michelle Bachman-------but William & Mary is an elite college & it doesn't give out Masters Degrees to dummies. That is a top shelf school with a top shelf degree program. Disagree all you like with MB---------but be prepared to defend your argument------she ain't dumb.
Ann Coulter is as hot as deep space. I suppose some people find cadaverous blondes attractive, but usually we incarcerate those kinds of folks, or heavily medicate them.
When two women call each other "b!tch" in a bantering manner, yes, they are ok with it. But when a man call a woman that in a spiteful manner, no, that's not ok. Do you understand that? Ok, now, the same word doesn't have the same effect when it's used by a black comedian or Rush Limbaugh. Get it? Ok, now go drink some milk.
But with the cakes, I don't mind if people buy 'em--it's their funeral. With political leadership of the country/free world, little bit of a different matter.
Women voters are not stupid. While right wing women will support candidates who spout their socially extreme views, - they will not vote for someone who represents a step back into the Dark Ages for women who worked so hard to achieve equality in this country. Just substitute 'Bachmann' for 'Palin' in this article and understand that we've seen this movie before:
http://tvnewslies.org/tvnl/index.php/editorial/reggies-commentary/3924-sarah-palin-lemming-hunter.html
Well, yeah - but not the personal ones. It's the policy lies and !nsan!t!es they spout that send a chill down my spine.
and word of the day.
Try having an original thought, not one put there by conservative indoctrination, and
you'll find that you get more respect and people will find you more interesting.
of the far right who act with a callous disregard for the harm they are visiting on those they
should be defending most.
At the risk of sounding sexist, you just plain expect more from women.
Easy.
Their handlers will continue to nurture them in the background.
Bachmann is no proponent of women's rights and it stumps me why Gloria Steinem or NOW would want to defend her in any way. I'm not surprised that any magazine or advertising agency would fall back into an old habit they've been using successfully for nearly a century, though.