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NewJeffCT

(56,848 posts)
3. Agreed - we need a candidate with Charisma
Wed May 3, 2017, 11:03 AM
May 2017

I've posted similar several times since the election - I have been saying that at the presidential level, the more charismatic candidate always wins.

In 1980, Ronald Reagan was the smooth and optimistic former actor, one of the most charismatic Republicans of the 20th century. Jimmy Carter, while smart and extremely competent, was portrayed as stiff and indecisive. Reagan wins big.

1984, Reagan swamps Walter Mondale, a smart and competent, but low charisma candidate.

1988 featured two low charisma candidates, but Mike Dukakis took blandness to epic levels. Bush wins on Reagan’s coattails.

1992 featured the young and charismatic Bill Clinton against low charisma George HW Bush. Clinton wins handily.

1996 was Clinton again versus stern and serious Bob Dole. Clinton wins handily again.

2000 featured “down home” regular guy George W. Bush and out of touch and overly serious elitist Al Gore. Bush ekes out a win.

2004 featured Bush again against smart and competent but bland John Kerry. Bush wins.

2008 was young and charismatic Barack Obama against stern and serious John McCain. Obama wins.

2012 was Obama again versus the elitist and out of touch Mitt Romney. Obama wins.

2016 was Hillary Clinton – very smart and competent, but not the most exciting person versus Trump. Donald Trump was a train wreck, but he had that smarmy con-man charisma that sucked up all the media attention. Trump ekes out a win.

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0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

How about focusing on 2018 first. Yavin4 May 2017 #1
I agree, however, there are so many posts worrying about what Sanders, Warren Pisces May 2017 #16
Agreed! This isn't a Rocky comeback movie arfcorps May 2017 #2
And NO Oprah! hamsterjill May 2017 #5
Absolutely not! Pisces May 2017 #14
Hell to the no! She should stay quietly on the sidelines. oasis May 2017 #28
"The teachings of Jesus" in a stump speech to unify Americans? Nope. bettyellen May 2017 #19
Agreed - we need a candidate with Charisma NewJeffCT May 2017 #3
heck let's just bribe Trump and run him. He will switch sides delisen May 2017 #7
I don't think you could outbid Republicans. n/t PoliticAverse May 2017 #27
Corey booker oozes charisma. I like kamala Harris La Lioness Priyanka May 2017 #25
It's unfortunate, but true. We are living in a reality show world and if we really want smirkymonkey May 2017 #45
Joe Biden has charisma NewJeffCT May 2017 #4
Texan Beto O'Rourke dem in texas May 2017 #9
Julian gave a very good speech at the DNC in 2012 NewJeffCT May 2017 #10
Al Franken? I think he could appeal to many people. Pisces May 2017 #13
I love Al NewJeffCT May 2017 #15
But Trump is a mean circus clown NunnesBuznat May 2017 #34
His followers loved his mean, racist NewJeffCT May 2017 #35
I'm saying that it refutes the abovementioned statement that Franken couldn't win because he's funny NunnesBuznat May 2017 #53
Not a good choice in my opinion, people either love him or hate him frankieallen May 2017 #49
... Javaman May 2017 #6
65,853,516 voted for Clinton DrDan May 2017 #8
Yes, I was one of those votes. I can still clearly see that she should not be our candidate in 2020! Pisces May 2017 #12
your own words - "We need a candidate that . . . people want to vote for" DrDan May 2017 #17
I don't think that's a reasonable conclusion to draw. Mariana May 2017 #21
you know what they say about assuming DrDan May 2017 #23
Exactly. It's foolish to assume Mariana May 2017 #38
As opposed to your assumptions? mythology May 2017 #48
Hillary had her chance, she will not generate the excitement needed frankieallen May 2017 #50
Every vote for every President in history standingtall May 2017 #40
Already starting a new primary fight? You miss the last one already? Iggo May 2017 #11
That's not true @ Bernie actually. New Harvard Study Shatters Myth of White Bernie Bros Arazi May 2017 #18
That's true about literally every democrat out there, LOL. If you cared about these voters bettyellen May 2017 #20
The irony to that study's findings is that Bernie does LEAST well w/whites... PotatoChip May 2017 #33
Problem with this survey is standingtall May 2017 #41
We have a good deep bench. No need to settle on some one La Lioness Priyanka May 2017 #22
If Bernie had a problem w/minorities in the past, he definitely does not now. PotatoChip May 2017 #24
I don't agree that Bernie will be too old to run but I do think he has shown less appeal StevieM May 2017 #31
But I thought Bernie was "not a democrat". At least that's what I've been told... PotatoChip May 2017 #36
It is the same principle. He is a politician who is left to left of center. (eom) StevieM May 2017 #39
Agree! get the red out May 2017 #26
Yeah no. NunnesBuznat May 2017 #29
Franken and Biden TNLib May 2017 #30
I like Franken, too janterry May 2017 #51
Are we more interested in a progressive, moderate, or conservative Democrat? Nevermypresident May 2017 #32
I want a 50 state strategy always and a young leader carrying an old message. Blue Idaho May 2017 #37
How About . . . peggysue2 May 2017 #42
Yes, I think he would be a great candidate! Pisces May 2017 #43
Joe Kennedy III. WinkyDink May 2017 #44
Seth Moulton (D-MA) smirkymonkey May 2017 #46
He's cute janterry May 2017 #52
Gavin Newsom. Warren DeMontague May 2017 #47
If the current climate.... Yorkist May 2017 #54
One person's "charisma" is another person's "zero appeal." Sparkly May 2017 #55
I think many would agree which politicians have charisma crazycatlady May 2017 #56
won't matter, as long as we have the EC and hackable voting machnes. nt TheFrenchRazor May 2017 #57
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