Mild and friendly suggestion to Kucinich people on DU

[WilliamPitt]

Dennis got a haircut. A good one. He looks sharp now. He looks like a Hobbit in these sig pictures I've seen here (see above). It's a rotten thing to say, but image means a lot in American politics, and Hobbits tend not to win elections.

Suggestion:



This is meant with the best of intentions.

[molly]

1. Yea - he does look much better!

[Az]

2. He may be a hobbit

But thats our hobbit dangit! :bounce:

[diamondsoul]

21. *grins*

Ya know, the first time I heard Kucinich speak, I developed a minor "crush" of sorts. To the point where he is actually an attractive looking man, bad hair-cut or not. One exception to that perception- when he's completely disgusted or fed up, he has this look that's just down-right creepy! A frown as deep as any I've ever seen and it makes him look like an evil troll. Now, being a supporter, it strikes my funny bone a bit, BUT others it's liable to creep out to the point of turning away.

[Cheswick2.0]

36. And a Hobbit shall lead them

Let's think about this. If DK is a Hobbit he must be Frodo. And who would Gollum be?

[MuseRider]

3. I personally think Hobbits are cute

but you are right, Hobbits don't get elected (but Chimps get selected). He does look better in that photo.

[Kahuna]

4. Will, you just ain't right!

:P

[WilliamPitt]

8. No no no no!!!

I got to meet Dennis three different times on my tour. He looks COMPLETELY DIFFERENT now than he does on the buttons, and on these sig pics. He looks damned good, frankly, like the sharp operator he is.

[Kahuna]

39. I was jo-king...

I suppose my smilie should have been }( instead of :P.

Dennis does look a lot better. I of course observed and commented on that MONTHS ago :P

[Kahuna]

40. I was jo-king...

I suppose my smilie should have been }( instead of :P.

Dennis does look a lot better. I of course observed and commented on that MONTHS ago :P

[pansypoo53219]

5. i was thinking

Alfalfa or Moe H.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Oh I don't know, I like that first picture

He looks like Barry from the Rutles.

[RichM]

7. We Hobbits are fed up with anti-Hobbitist snobbery & discrimination!!

Hobbits & Leprechauns, Unite! We have nothing to lose but our chains! (& weird little outfits & hairdo's)

[Dirk39]

9. I'm not from the USA and I had the same impression...

I didn't knew anything about him. The first time I saw him was in those sig pictures and I just thought - I'm as ignorant as everybody else sometimes I guess - he looks somehow ridiculous. Till one thread here made me curious and I saw one vido with him and was more than impressed. He really should use another picture. This one doesn't look like him at all, it looks like a 8 year old boy. He really really impressed me, but this picture shouldn't be used anymore. I don't vote in the USA anyway - I would just wish we had someone like him here in Germany, but I fear a lot of people will react on this photo like ignorant stupid me did.
Greetings from Germany,
Dirk

[Rhiannon12866]

54. Greetings from the U.S.

Yes, Dennis Kucinich has some great things to say. I just don't think he will get the nomination, which is too bad, because he would probably be my first choice.:-(

[Az]

10. Is this the nation people fought and died for

Picking a candidate on looks rather than ideas? I understand the current mantra of winning is most important but I have to admit it truly disgusts me. I truly makes me ill to think that we fought and died to vote for a suit and a haircut. You know what I mean? Where is the fight to make things better? Where is the fight for progress? I want the ugly little guy or gal with the bad hair to win based on the ideas they fight for. Where the heck do I find the country where they vote based on ideas instead of glitter? </rant off>

[WilliamPitt]

11. Welcome to America

Deal. Kennedy. Clinton. Image is important. That's politics. Deal with it or find another hobby. (/reply rant off)

[Az]

13. Oh I'll deal, but

I'm gonna be kicking some dirt everyonce in a while. :mad:

[WilliamPitt]

14. Good

Good good good. Don't ever stop.

[Az]

16. Don't know how to stop

Never figured that one out.

[diamondsoul]

18. Az, it's not really that simple.

People look at Kucinich and see that "pissed off Keebler Elf" thing. It makes them not listen. Right now, that's the goal, get people to see him as a sane, reasonable, and intelligent choice. To do that he has to look somewhat appealing and until recently he didn't.

The press doesn't help by taking the most unflattering photos imaginable and putting them out there. You can't believe the trouble I've had getting permission to use privately owned photos for the sake of the campaign. Fortunately, HQ doesn't have as much trouble and they're working on it steadily.

The thing is, he has to look as sharp as he thinks for people to really be inspired to listen to him the first time. It's ALL about first impressions, you see? Those of us that listened in spite of the first impressions got past that quick, some others don't recover that easily.

[Az]

24. Oh I am very aware of human nature

But I can dream can't I?

Unfortunately communication is largely a visual medium. And much of how we size up an individuals words is going to be based on our visual impression of them. Add into the mix all the psycho/social issues attached to alphamale impressions we use in selecting leaders and visual impressions make a very strong impact.

There was a time where a person's ideas spoke for them. When most communication of ideas was conveyed by print it was the ideas that spoke for themself. Now it is soundbites and photo ops. We are lucky if we get a combination of brains and photogenic features. What direction do you suppose the nation will go as long as charisma and telegenic features are the basis of choosing leaders? What happens if someone realises that the man in the suit doesn't matter as long as he can get elected and be controled from behind the scenes? The clothes have no emperor.

[diamondsoul]

33. Honestly?

I think Kucinich is more photogenic than people believe. I've seen a huge number of extremely good photos of him since March when I first discovered the Dynamo from Cleveland.*grin* This crap of putting out bad photos is deliberate, as far as I'm concerned. If he's too attractive, the corporate powers running the media KNOW he'll get the nod and then they know he'll win. If that happens they're screwed.

And he IS attractive when he smiles!! Gawds when that man smiles, or when he speaks with the fire in his gut, he's incredibly magnetic!

That's where Will is dead-on right. It's up to his supporters to find those photos and show him in the best possible light. It's a sad statement to be sure, but we know it's also a true one.

[diamondsoul]

12. Oh ICK!

Not the picture I would have chosen, but you're absolutely right about his appearance pre-haircut. I'm working on getting some better ones out, and the campaign should be bringing out some better ones very soon, too.

[JI7]

15. i always thought that pic was cute

i always thought he looked cute in that pic. i'm sure the new cut looks good also.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[diamondsoul]

19. Jeez, Q

kinda harsh considering that Will has had nothing but good things to say about Kucinich.

What's the real problem because something as minor as this can't be it.

[WilliamPitt]

20. Don't bother

Q's just pouring salt again.

[Az]

26. Or he is right

Recognizing the truth does not mean having to like it. A candidate without a telegenic presense is fighting an uphill battle. I will fight for a candidate based on their ideas but tactically we cannot ignore the hobbit factor. It has buried too many candidates to dismiss.

[imhotep]

22. suggestion to Kerry people

If you are going to be shallow, worry about your boy first.

[WilliamPitt]

23. But he has good hair

:P

[diamondsoul]

28. *LOL*

I have to see Kerry some more, but my own perception- he reminds me of Lurch. Some of that may be lighting at the events but he kinda looks dead sometimes. Walking dead guy. Much creepier than evil troll, I think. }(

[twilight]

55. you got that right!!!!!

Kerry really doesn't look well at all to me. I hope they cured him of the cancer, that is all I can say.

I think that DK is AOK & I support him 100% whether he got a haircut or not. I frankly DO NOT care!

:kick:

[Az]

30. This is the Dilbert theory of management

It seems to be true too. In the corporate world there is this hair type that seems to dominate the executive level. If you don't have exec hair you are going to hit the hair ceiling. I have seen it in action. Those with exec hair get fast tracked while other linger behind. Scary stuff.

[diamondsoul]

25. DAY-UM! People, what's with the defensiveness???

Aside from personally backing another choice, I'd call Will a very distinct friend to Kucinich and his campaign! Jeez, I even quoted his statement from the Veterans For Peace appearance to the volunteer board because it was just very COOL of him!

Someody want to tell me what's wrong with Will making a constructive observation about Kucinich, and especially when it's one I KNOW plenty of supporters have worried about along the way?!

[WilliamPitt]

27. imhotep is generally a sunbeam

I've no idea what got into him.

*cough*

[Rhiannon12866]

56. I agree with all that you said

I caught Will's talk, as well, and he was very supportive of Kucinich and, obviously, likes what he is saying and his ideas. He may prefer Sen. Kerry, but that certainly doesn't mean he dislikes Kucinich.

I also agree that appearance is very important. Perhaps it shouldn't be, but it is just a fact that it is. Jack Kennedy won the 1960 presidential election based on this. When he went up against Nixon in the first televised debate, Kennedy looked healthy, relaxed and confident. Nixon, on the other hand, had recently been ill. He had lost weight and his clothes looked ill-fitting. He appeared drawn and pale and refused to wear makeup, which Kennedy did not, making the contrast even more striking. Also, just before airtime, Nixon stood up suddenly and cracked his head on an overhead microphone. So he also appeared a little addled. The American public saw this difference between them and chose the candidate that inspired confidence.

It is the same with Kucinich. He should look as ``presidential'' as possible. Will has a good point. Appearance, whether we like it or not, does definitely count.:shrug:

[JI7]

29. hehe

i like kerry with shorter hair also. i remember when he got it cut, i thought it was better and would be better for his campaign.

[0rganism]

31. What's wrong with hobbits?

Our problem isn't whether a hobbit, elf, dwarf, or ent carries the ring to Mt. Doom, it's the bunch of Nazguls running the place right now. Mr. Kucinich can get his hair spiked and dyed shiney purple, for all I care, just so long as he beats rhetorical shit out of the rightwingers.

[WilliamPitt]

32. In order to get the chance

people have to listen to him. Rhetoric doesn't work in an empty room. Image helps this. Sad but true.

[diamondsoul]

35. ROTFLMAO

OMG, way to appeal to the young voters! YES, Dennis with spiked purple hair, that's the answer! Me=:+

I couldn't help it, I'm having fun tonight. I like Will, and I LOVE Kucinich. Two good guys in the same thread can't really be a bad thing.

[Bushknew]

34. He looks like a Hobbit/LOL

It really is so sad that appearances are so important to Americans, itÕs so fucking high school.

[Kanola]

37. I am a Dean supporter

But I think Dennis is a sincere and articulate candidate for the nomination, and will vote for him if he gets it.

[leftofthedial]

38. Maybe it's just me, flame me if you want to, but

I think campaigns should be run on the basis of baby pictures.

preferably showing the bare bottom and that goofy baby grin

bear skin rug optional

It should be projected prominently behind the candidate at all debates and other official campaign events.

call me crazy, but that's my $.02

[VermontDem2004]

41. I guess looking like a chimp...

is the image to have in American Politics?

[Mairead]

42. What's the motive for the kidding, Will? That's not Dennis.

This is Dennis:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

43. Will thanks ,but, i like my pic much better it has better energy for me

[Northwind]

44. No criticism of Kucinch on this

But his photographer should be shot. Even with the moppy former haircut, the old pic looks better. The lighting and close-up used in the new one is extremely unflattering. Someone write him and tell him to get a new one!

[Capt_Nemo]

45. Remember Will: the future belongs to the Hobbits

I think it was Galadriel who said it...

(not that I take things from those snobbish elves at face value) ;-)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

46. hows about this one?

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:RiYEa-86P4IC:

[revcarol]

47. I like the one on the Minnesota DK site,

with him in his shirtsleeves.

Am I now forgiven for my remark to the Albuquerque Journal reporter?

[Mairead]

51. Oh hell yes you're forgiven!!! :-)

[LWolf]

48. You are correct about the public impression

he makes. While it grieves me to say so, looks are high on the priority list for people as a whole. When you are hoping to win millions of votes, you can't meet every voter in person. They won't all get to see what you are really like, and the fast impression carries weight. We've been discussing this in a DK support group lately.

That said, I can also say how sad, impatient, frustrated, irritated, and disgusted it makes me to know that people often value looks before substance. I've been on a lifelong quest to find people who will value me for who/what I am, not for what I look like or what role I can play for them or what services I can offer them. I'm still looking. I got a haircut a couple of weeks ago; I walked over to a salon on my lunch break, told them to cut it off evenly, no layering, with enough length left to get it in a ponytail in the summer heat. No flash, no styling, just a practical necessity.

Ever since, I've been listening to variations of, "Oh, your hair looks so cute!" It doesn't really look cute. It's just hanging there; I brush it before I leave in the morning. What I hear when people say this is "Your hair looked really bad before." Or, "I don't relate to you on any level, so let's talk hair." I guess this is why I'll never make it in politics, huh?

;-)

[wheresthemind]

49. check out my new banner

you can take your electability and shove it up Bush's ass.... *just cause he deserves it more then any of us!* : )

[ElsewheresDaughter]

50. love your banner and dennis just emits nothing but GOOD ENERGY!

look at that spirit and face:loveya:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

53. i stole your banner

[tokenlib]

52. Hair versus substance...

Could be an interesting thread... Do people see "good hair" or substance? Does substance in a particular candidate trump their "good hair"? The stuff of a new thread perhaps?