Of Beauty And Politics

Libby Spencer – with whom I had a civil exchange about one of her posts (and thanks to both Libby and Cernig for keeping it civil even if we disagree) - has admitted that she was not aware that the term "trophy wife" is generally considered insulting. I believe her when she says she did not mean it that way. But she still thinks that the good looks of Jeri Kehn are a net negative for Fred Thompson. That, I think, is not the case.

For myself, despite my initial reaction, which I already admitted was colored by personal experience of having been dumped for someone my daughter's age, I tend to agree with Jane Galt, who takes a neutral stance, but with one caveat. I don't think among informed voters, Jeri will make a difference. I've got some serious problems with her politics, but I don't care at all that she's young and beautiful. However, we don't really have an informed electorate.

With a media that devotes umpteen news cycles to such trivialities such as haircuts and sweaters over substantive analysis, our candidates are chosen on such shallow issues and appearances define a potential nominee more so than policy. It's not so much the age difference as that it's so visually apparent. Fred looks old and Jeri looks younger than her years and yes, very hot. Worse yet she flaunts it.

Libby makes a good point about some of the more crude response, incidentally. They are crude and ultimately demeaning. On the other hand, I'd be curious to hear Libby's reaction to this particular bit of news:

So I’m in New Hampshire for the Democrats’ debate Sunday, watching on two huge screens. The instant Hillary appears, the woman behind me whispers, “Oh look at Hillary. She’s had work done!”
 
I put the question to WBZ’s political guru Jon Keller: Notice anything about Hillary? “Botox,” he replied, not missing a beat. “But it’s time for Botox to win one.”
 
He was referring to John Kerry and Botox. And elaborate dental work. And chin reduction. Google our senator, before and after.
 
Hillary’s new glow was all the talk on “The View.” This was when we needed Rosie O’Donnell to cut to the chase and bellow, “Did she get an eye job? A face lift?” Sadly, Rosie’s gone and nobody else dared admit what they were thinking.

But speculation reigned elsewhere.
 
In the offices of dermatologist-to-the-stars Jeffrey Dover of SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill, a visiting “anchorwoman,” said Dover, noted Hillary’s “flawless, almost dewy” appearance and wondered if it was spectacular makeup or Botox, or perhaps fillers or microdermabrasion.
 
Here’s the good news, ladies. “Hillary could’ve left an event in Washington at 9 o’clock,” said Dover, “had all this done and been back on the campaign trail next morning.”
 
And if she didn’t want to tell, no one would know, not Bill, staff or the Secret Service.
 
Oh, the debt we aging boomers owe to medical miracles! Plus, if this is true, the debt we owe Hillary! I mean, who’s got more substance, stature, brains and gravitas? If even she submits to the knife, the injection needle, whatever, does that not validate the rest of us mere vain mortals?
 
“Anybody should do whatever they want,” says TV commentator Callie Crossley. “But I would feel bad if she did anything to respond to somebody who said she’s ugly.” 

The pictures accompanying the article show the difference. It certainly looks like she had work done – or has a makeup artist with magic powers. Because that would take an awful lot of makeup.

Do I care? Only in an amused sort of way. Will it make a difference? I don't think so. I happen to think a lot of voters are a lot better informed than some folks realize. I suspect that they'll shrug off a Hillary facelift (or whatever), the same way they'll shrug off Jeri Kehn's good looks. (It seems to me there was some criticism of Jackie Kennedy as being too glamorous to be a first lady, too. That didn't quite turn out to be the case, did it?)

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  By Foghorn Leghorn, June 6, 2007 @ 10:06 am

  Why hasn’t Fred Thompson criticized Joe Scarborough for insinuating his wife is a stripper? Just what kind of man is he anyway?

  A Southern man’s dignity has been besmirched and his lady has been dishonored! Either defend your wife sir or suffer the righteous, I say, I say righteous wrath of an angry nation! Ol’ Fred, pistols at dawn is your only recourse! Teach that scaliwag a lesson with a bullet between the eyes! No Republican appointed judge would convict you! Cuz as we all know – while frowned upon – dueling was still sort of, kind of legal when the constitution was written.

Other Links to this Post

1. BeldarBlog — June 5, 2007 @ 3:38 pm

2. Maggie's Farm — June 7, 2007 @ 3:45 am