When it comes to politics, how important is hair?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In Texas, Rick Perry is also known as Governor Good Hair.
In fact, when he jumped into the race just a few short weeks ago, fellow Texan Paul Begala described it as "when Rick Perry threw his hair in the ring."
Say what you want about the current Republican front-runner - love him or hate him - the guy's got great hair.
Maybe it will help Perry make it all the way to the White House.
In any case, it probably won't hurt him.
In recent memory, especially since when you could see these guys on TV, our commanders-in-chief have been blessed with the good hair gene.
In fact, you have to go all the way back to the 1950s and Dwight Eisenhower to find a bald-headed president.
Even if they go significantly more grey while in office, like Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, our presidents seem to have pretty healthy heads of hair.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that many of those aspiring to the office, like Perry, are blessed with good hair genes, too.
Look at Mitt Romney, or even John Edwards back in 2008.
Edwards reportedly went all out for his hair, spending as much as $400 for a haircut. Wait until he sees the haircut he could get in prison, but that's another story.
The point is: In the age of television, appearance matters. I don't expect we'll elect another bald president anytime soon, which is too bad. There are undoubtedly a lot of qualified bald people out there.
Anyways, all this got us wondering if there's something magical about good hair and politicians.
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to politics, how important is hair?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John in Florida:
Look at some of our more popular presidents: JFK, nice hair. Bill Clinton, nice hair. On the other hand look at Eisenhower. Elected in 1952, won a second term, very popular. Not much hair. Just that button. "I like Ike." Maybe we should just settle for intelligence, honesty and someone that can speak to the American people without babbling.
James:
Hair is very important in politics as the voting public attempts to avoid both snakes and lions. How much a particular candidate looks like one or the other is a subconscious determinate for the electorate. The Founders, knowing this, insisted on leveling the playing field with wigs. Wise men indeed to have all the men look like women.
Mike in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
That's a really good point, Jack. If Michelle Bachmann ran as his V.P. on the promise of $2 a gallon gas and Rick Perry promised a cure for male pattern baldness, the White House would certainly be theirs. Sadly, that's just barely a joke.
Tammie on Facebook:
Maybe that’s why Trump decided not to run. He has a bad hair day every day.
Ken in California:
It seems we are asking what is more important: what is on top of the head r what is in the head? What has been coming out of the candidates' heads of late has been quite hair-raising indeed.
Robert in Paradise, California:
Well the last president who had a receding hairline was Ford and he lost to Carter. Yep, it must matter.
Tony:
All I can say, Jack, is that if "hair" is an issue, it's lucky for you that you're not running for office!
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Here's the real choice, an honest bald politican? or a slick backed (hair is perfect) as we are faced with now? So, if its not hair, is it religion? color of eyes? height? weight? What kind of questions are these? Do you think the American public care – oh wait, they do like Donald Trump (speaking of faux hair).
I vote for the best hair.
For me it's not important at all. Cafferty for president!
Apparently very important. You can count the bald guys in Congress on one hand and the place has the largest concentration of toupes, hair plugs, comb overs and helmet heads in the nation.
Theirs or ours?
Ron Paul in 2012...
Hair or the lack thereof can't be too important. Otherwise, Eisenhour, and several of the Founding Fathers would not have been elected
Jack,
What?? This is politics and not a beauty contest. We should vote for the person with intelligence and common sense. Oh wait, that's asking alot isn't it.
Loved the music, Jack. Don't care about hair cuts being an old hippie. I'm concerned with substance not window dressing in our elected officials. Too bad none of them have any of that, so I guess I just don't care.
Why, Jack? You thinking of throwing your hat in the ring and concerned that exposing your scalp to the fickle winds of politics would be a problem with voters?
When Clinton was president, I had to wait on an airport tarmac for 2 hours while he got a haircut on Air Force 1 at the other end of the terminal. It was hot, inconvenient, and gave me a lot of time to think. I wound up thinking I wouldn't vote for him again - and I didn't. So, I guess hair is terminally important
Physical appearance in politics, makes a huge difference, and good looks, combined with charisma, is often all a candidate really brings to the table, to win.
Sad........but absolutely true.
We have no one to blame, but ourselves, however, as no ordinary person can even run for office. Only the wealthy and elite can even get the support to run. Our country is basically so close to being a dictatorship, it is ridiculous, than anyone calls this a free country. It is a dictatorship of the wills of the wealthy and powerful, no matter which political party is in power, and only the wealthy have any real cntrol over how the country is run.
Not at all, or Al Sharpton and Don King would be the kings of this Oligarchy/Plutocracy.
Jack: It has to be neat, and not block the view of the person who isrunning for office. Hair, make nup, and clothing are all part of the total package. They can not look like they slept in their clothes. Hair may get you noticed, but a politican must have something under the hair to win. Be clean, smile, and have the right answer over 50% of the time.
What a Question ? One would hope not at all. Will tomorrows question be; how important teeth or dare we ask something significant like why haven't were heard Obama ever mention another word about ending Scooter Libby Justice, once he was elected or perhaps:: when the Democrats held the House, the Senate and Obama in the Presidency, why did they not eliminate the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthiest 2%. Maybe even really go out on a limb and ask why are we doing nothing in the area of bringing War Criminals to Justice ? Hair is that really the best you can come up with ? The dumbing down of americans, just doesn't belong to Fox News anymore. It's kind of ironic and pathetic that you have to go to the Daily Show or the Colbert Report, to get any intellligent news programing these days.
This has to be one of the dumbest questions ever askd by anyone. Who cares if they have hair or not. The question should be "What are their qualifications to be President?". The US needs candidates with substance over style and shallow answers to complex problems.
Sorry, the line should read "and not shallow answers...."
If you vote for some one because they have great hair over job experience then you are the bigger fool than what I thought. You best be looking into their record over good looks & great hair. Look at the loons that are running for office that have great hair, Gingrich, Perry, Bachman, Romney. You get the picture now?
Well the last President that had a receding hairline was Ford and he lost to Carter. Yep it must.
Not much . Just ask Jerry Brown.
None it's what under the hair that counts. All the women running are way better looking then and man out there but we need good problem solvers not democrats or replubicans. Just find good men and women who care for the USA not for any party . Face the problem and fix them for the best of americans. All americans
Not! The Donald proved that.
Will look at some of our more popular presidents. JFK, nice hair. Bill Clinton, nice hair. On the other hand look at Eisenhower. Elected in 1952, won a second term, very popular. Not much hair. Just that button. "I like Ike." Maybe we should just settle for intelligence, honesty and someone that can speak to the American people without babbling. Hay, isn't Barack Obama?
John Thomas Florida Keys
Mr. Cafferty, unfortunately, our nation's population is shallow & mesmerized by good looks, Having said that, if Obama had George Jefferson's hairline & Michelle looked like Weezy, he'd have gotten no farther than the state senate in Illinois.
I can't recall any president being bald, or with a "butch" haircut so I guess a full head of well styled hair is essential both for women as well as men. The key being "well styled". Remember Bill Clinton's runway "do" at the LA airport or John Edwards $400 styling. Obviously the politicians see it as important.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
It seems we are asking what is more important, what is on top of the head, or what is in the head?
It must be important to all those dyed yellow haired cupie doll TV ladies that give us the news, and it may be that way as to politicians. What has been coming out of the candidates head of late has been quite hair raising indeed.
When it comes to politics, the media is more interested in pretty hair than in political history, criminal background or governing philosophy.
Jack, it's very important. Why do you think we Texans refer to Perry as "Governor Goodhair"?
To me it's not. What's more important to me is the quality of what's underneath the hair.
Since we have had good and bad presidents with and without hair, it is not what is on the dome but what is under it that matters. Anyone, from either party, that takes a candidates coif into consideration as to that persons competence for the office they are running for, is not competent to vote in any election. Unfortunately the national IQ has sank to an even lower level then the favorable rating of congress. Perhaps the next poll should ask the question: Does a single digit IQ really hurt?
All I can say Jack is that if "hair" is an issue, it's lucky for you that you're not running for office!
Hair is not as important as overall looks. In the case of Obama, he has a fairly full head of hair it seems. All the Republican candidates do. Ricky Perry has great hair but so doesn't Huntsman, and it hasn't done Huntsman any good. Bachmans hair seems to be equal to Palins. Hillary has a full head of hair but it seems out of control more often than not. Looks and charisma, and voice, do make a difference. But you already know that Jack. I guess you just couldn't resist taking another cheap shot at Ricky. Doug. Pepperell, MA.
Hair is very important in politics as the voting public attempts to avoid both snakes and lions. How much a particular candidate looks like one or the other is a subconscious determinate for the electorate. The Founders, knowing this, insisted on leveling the playing field with wigs. Wise men indeed to have all the men look like women.
Jack I can promise you that right now a bald one eyed Kangaroo could get elected president if he had an easy solution to the economical problems facing America. The last election people voted for a community organizer running on the platform of "Hope and Change". It is now 3 years later and America has yet to see hope and they have received no change so that slogan isn't going to work next time around. Obama promised a working government when he took office. Instead of doing what he promised Obama has divided the government and driven a wedge between both parties so that nothing can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time that will benefit anyone. That is not leadership. That is called incompetence.
Jack,
Well, the Scarecrow from the "Wizard of Oz" cared more about having a brain, and that's all I want for the next President of the United States to have. Instead, all we have is a bunch of bozo Presidential nominees who haven't got a clue that the big issue for the American people is the lack of jobs.
Precisely!
Since when has substance had any bearing?
Only appearance and hair matters!
Why bother?
We in this country are a superficial lot, so it is one of the most important criteria for electing our national leader. Therefore, in spite of his realistic, intelligent, level-headed ideas, Jack could never, ever get elected president.
Hair is very important. It needs to be resilient both indoors and outdoors. While some do's look good indoors and under the spotlight, you give it a stiff breeze outside and the whole demeanor changes in an instant. I think that is the advantage of being nappy headed. But the use of sprays and gels can work if the natural look is maintained. Besides nappy headedness I think tight pony tails work, too. Probably not pigtails, though, although I might be persuaded differently on this. Need to see it to believe it.
Of our 44 Presidents, five were bald, five had full beards, and five sported moustaches. Hair is only an issue for the lady candidates and Donald Trump.
Dear Mr. Cafferty. Hair was important in Germany in the 1930's as in Heir Hitler. As for today, a wise and wonderful bald gentleman state something about grass does not grew on a well used path. i.e. his brain was well used.Mr. Donald Rump must not use his very often. This question is superficial.
"Moderation in all things" (Aristotle)
Too much hair makes politicians look like phonies. I think it's the hair.
Ask Donald Trump, oh he just talks on the F network but doesn't run for office. All talk and no show. He bought all of his TV's from another country but said we need to buy American.
Ron Paul should start wearing a wig. In the republican party hair seems to be very important. The people who have hair seemed to be doing very well, even though they do not have any brains underneath it. Ron Paul the only one that makes any sense out of the group doesn't get the recognition he deserves by his peers or the press. Maybe you hit on something here Jack?
I never trust a man or woman whose hair doesn't move in the breeze. They value appearance over substance!
In this country hair is probably more important in politics than the issues that the candidate represents, and if you were to poll people regarding the issue the hair would win by a landslide.
Hair has been important ever since the first televised presidential debate. Height and general appearance are also increasingly important. We seem to be hard-wired to want strong virile leaders and being good looking certainly helps with the woman voters. A fat guy like Taft or a short bald guy like Martin Van Buren couldn't get elected after universal suffrage was passed.
Do we need to search any further back than Ronald Regan? His Hair and Smile got him elected twice...Rick Perry has the same hair and disposition and the uninformed electorate loves a personable good hair no substance president..
Rick Perry can be a showman that is for sure. As for his hair is it his color or not? Only his barber knows for sure because he would never go to stylist. That wouldn't be manly at all. He is in strong support of states rights in some cases is good but in many more is bad. I think his real goal is for Texas to withdrawl from the union. Look at some of what he has said in the past. "I do not want Texas to part of the Socialist States of America". If he gets in somehow his hair will start getting lighter within the first year. Being President has much more stress than being a Governor of even one of the biggest states.
Jack,
We're involved in two foreign wars (unfunded), the economy is in the toilet and being flushed down the drain, unemployment is still high, we have the widest disparity between the haves and the have-nots since the 1920's, there are no or few regulations, making it easy for corporations to ride roughshod over consumers, the economy, and the environment, we have a Republican Congress that believes the only goal worthy of their time is to do everything possible to disparage, hurt, and bring down the President, even if it means rejecting their own ideas and not doing anything at all about the economy (they have the power of the purse), and you're talking about HAIR?
I guess it just goes to show how superficial the media and the public are. I don't care if the next President is bald or has hair long enough to rival Rapunzel, so long as whoever it is has more than half a brain in his/her head and is prepared to work to tackle the many problems facing this country.
If people are that shallow, that they would vote for someone based upon his/her looks, then maybe what is needed is to invite actors and models to run for an office of "fake" president. They won't be required to have any brains, just beauty. Then perhaps we can focus on electing a smart person to lead the country.
Jack, Its doesnt matter whats on top of your head. What matters is whats in your head to run the country. The only hair i see in both houses is grey hair. Whats up with that??
Terence , NJ
hmmmmm....you should be asking McCain, Giulliani and Fred Thompson that question maybe???
Hair is very important to Republicans. Trent Lott could be the poster boy for the importance of hair in politics.
His hairdo doesn't mean squat to me. He doesn't seem to have anything inside of the head, like a brain. That is what it takes to run our country not hair. He sounds and acts like a Redneck Hillbilly with little education. We can do better than him by keeping the President we have now.
Yul Brynner was the King of Siam, Jack. They had about 20 kids, so his wife and Deborah Kerr didn't seem to mind his
shiner.
Unfortunately Americans don't elect people on their skills and talents, we elect them based on appearances and who lies the best. In the end it doesn't matter anyway because the President of this country is a figurehead and the Congress does what they, and the lobbies that pay them off, please. Rob in NC
Are you jealous Jack?... I am.
Jack,
Hair in politics is symbolic of what is completely wrong with our society. Everything is about IMAGE, with little about issues and substance. We live in one big world with "NO EXIT."
Joe, Binghamton, NY
In our American "looks is everything" culture it is pretty important. Sadly, the American voter doesn't seem to care one Big Woop about what lies under the hair.
I guess it's pretty darn important.
In the case of Rod Blagojevich, the jailed former Gov. of Illinois, can you honestly name ONE other possitive attribute he possess's ???
Regardless of how much body hair they posess, politicians still prove to be hairy experiences to their constituents. How much hair can a hare-brain support?
During biblical times, as you recall, Samson's strength diminished as he lost his hair so there might be something to it.
I guess bald is beautiful but not in politics. If you think about it a President is just another celebrity, so yes, I guess more hair would be good in this case. I just hope people don't think that hair is more important than brains though.
With Perry, Romney and Bachmann now the leading GOP contenders it's obvious that political success and good hair go much more hand-in-hand than political success and brains. Trump had no choice but to drop out. Anyone else notice that Perry's hair gets darker by the week? Kinda creepy...
The fact we are even asking this question, shows how shallow and gullible we all are. I hope someone gets elected President, who, upon his first day in office takes off his high-end toupee, shocking us all. It would serve us all well in the long term. Where's Donald on this matter?
Jack, hair may not create brains where there are none (especially in Perry's case). But having a full head of hair suggests vigor, youth, and decisiveness. Other factors outweigh hair - probably hair is low on the importance list - but it certainly does create an impression. Otherwise, who would bother buying Rogaine?
Gray hair by the end of their term is the only reliable quality of a politician.
As a nation, we have sunk to a new low. Hair as an indicator of leadership? Please, in Illinois, our recently convicted governor had a great head of hair and nothing underneath it. I long for a time where we look for leaders with substance, not appearance.
If I'm not mistaken, President Eisenhower didn't have a coiffed do when he was in office. Besides, is Rick's hair real or is it Memorex?
How important is hair in politics? Just ask Blago.
That's a really good point, Jack. If Michelle Bachmann ran as his VP on the promise of $2 a gallon gas and Rick Perry promised a cure for male pattern baldness, the White House would certainly be theirs. Sadly, that's just barely a joke.
I hate to break it to you, Jack, but you'll never get the nomination - of either party!
Unfortunately, physical appearance has become far too important in politics as well as entertainment. It's a crying shame that really good, smart people aren't perceived as highly because of baldness, weight, or just because they are not pretty or handsome.
Americans have become far too shallow overall. Just read the vitriolic postings in the CNN columns to see disgusting ad hominem attacks because of peoples' opinions.
Jack,
I'm saddened to say that in America people actually do pay attention to trivial qualities like hair. Therefore it should come as no surprise that we have people serving in our government who lack the intellect to realize the implications of defaulting on our debt, you get what you vote for.
Justin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Guys with good hair look better are more attractive and get more votes, and lots more from women. Reagan is prime example. If he had been bald he would never have made it to the Whitehouse. Look at US Senate. How many bald heads?? Look at the Governors. Full head of hair for most of them.
"Hair" today...gone tomorrow. Not too much between the ears of any of 'em anyway.
When it comes to Rick Perry it is not important at all until a strong gust of wind blows it off!
Hair doesn't matter, but Rick Perry is not a good choice for President. He would dismantle the environmental laws, which are all important and he would use his religion in deciding if people can have free choice in their private lives. Scary.
There's a saying that grass doesn't grow on a busy street. Think about for a minute. You'll get it
Apperance is everything Jack. I defer to the Dukakis tank helmut incident.
Jack: great minds think alike. WSJ ran an op-ed piece today about "looking presidential" and wondered if the people of today would choose Neville Chamberlain over Winston Churchill because Chamberlain was tall and had a full head of hair.
For a second term President, gray is good.
The candidates with the nicest hair would be Perry, Bachmann, and possible candidate Palin, so how important can hair be other than if these three are the measurement of good hair versus intelligence needed to be President, then hair would be the cause of America's doom.
Hair is probably as important to as many voters as is religion, height, weight, ethnicity, income, style, and so many other irrational reasons voters use to put someone in charge of our country. A dumb vote counts as much as a smart one.
I'm really tired of selecting our politicians on their looks rather than their brains and abilities. Hair means nothing to me, nor does height, age, gender, etc. As I'm listening to the usual political drivel I am reminded that Abraham Lincoln could not be president today, nor could Franklin Roosevelt because we are obsessed with the trivial and ignore the substantive. We need a Lincoln or a Roosevelt and we need to let them do their job. Hot looking? ... that's a big risk when there's nothing but air between the ears. I'm from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a thoroughly Republican wasteland where independent thinking is endangered.
Apparently it's important. Should Obama start sporting a fro?
Going by President Obamas' changed appearance since being in office–I think voters need to decide which one of the canidates hair is going to look great with a lot more grey in it.
Their hair is the only important thing of their head. What is below the hair is useless.
Jack-
Every politician with over-the-top hair gets indicted or ends up enjoying the company of underage male companions in airport bathrooms. Stick to the guys without helmet hair and we'd have a brighter political future.
Hair does not mean decent or smart. In fact, I'll take a bald-headed, knowledgeable, Eisenhower anyday compared to the pea-brains that are campaigning now. Hate to clue-in the Republicans, but we need a realistic American to clean up the mess and get this country back on track. Someone that truly loves this country and it's people is what most people are counting on as president.
The NO, NO, NO, guys are not only hurting the President, they are selfishly destroying this country and the working taxpayers. What a mistake that would be to repeat the down-fall that started twelve years ago.
Putting a bald-headed, toothless, ugly guy in office, as long as he/she is honest, decent and willing to fight for what is good for all, might be a good choice.
Ruby (Louisiana)
Just like in the Bible, Samson's hair is representative of strength, virility, and connection to the divine. Cut it off and they all suffer from impotence. But come to think of it, most of our federal politicians with hair or not are impotent in more ways than one. Rick from Baltimore.
There's a saying that grass doesn't grow on a busy street. From the height of you forehead your's is busy indeed.
As long as it looks good it doesn't have to run good.
With the GOP, hair is as important as religion and far more important than coherent policy. Again they're catering to the vanity products corporations now.
I have long contended that guys with great hair get farther in politics...take a look at most current politicians – many have great hair and oddly enough many also have the same hair cut! John McCain didn't every really stand a chance did he?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally find his haircut odd. It is a haircut which is often seen on a man who might wear too much cologne or jewelry, smile too much, or stand too close. Maybe the fact that he's a Republican is clouding my judgement...
Hair Jack? Come on man, you are kidding right? Remove the makeup from the female contenders and tell me it doesn't hide ineptness underneath....what a dumb question.
LBJ, Gerlad Ford and Richard Nixon didn't have good hair. Neither did George H. W. Bush. This story is pretty much bull
It's pretty undeniable that Americans want neither a bald nor fat person in the White House, for better or worse. In Perry's case, to paraphrase Texans, it's all hair and no cattle. What lurks under those prodigious follicles? Just about nothin'. The man has an abundance of dead cells, most of them in his brain.
As much as people disdain stereotypes, I honestly believe people think there is something "off" with men who are bald. Other than Gerald Ford, there has not been a bald (or the politically correct term "balding") president in my lifetime.
Perhaps it wasn't Ford's vice presidency under Nixon that prevented his election, but rather that he showed more scalp than Carter.
It was a great musical stage show that helped changed the American landscape.
Otherwise, it is irrelevant even if none of the current Republicans can say, "I like Ike."
Superficially it counts a great deal, unfortunately, it is what is under that hair that counts. Our last President did not have much under the hair, our current one has more there, but doesn't use it.
Hair isn't important in how a president runs a country. But it is important in if they get elected. Many times the American people want someone who is young looking, and looks like they won't keel over once they get into office. I would have to say this goes back to when debates were held on television for the first time. People chose JFK over Nixon because he was younger looking and probably because of his hair. So......hair to get elected, yes......hair to run a country....not needed.....using Rogaine to get your hair back....priceless.
Like most windbags from Texas, under the hair "Ricky" has nothing but an empty jug.
TW
Seriously, Jack. Hair? What, slow day in the newsroom? I'm not voting for anyone based on their hair. Though I'm sure it's important criteria for Perry supporters, they're not exactly a brainy group.
Hopefully what is beneath the hair by way of brains and character is more important. These days we need subtance not show.
A beautiful mane of hair is extremely important in today's politics... the Farah Fawcette effect if you will. Maybe if our politicians wound spend as much time conditioning and grooming our government as they do their own hair then maybe we would not have a Senate and Congress with split ends!
Hair is unimportant.
I'm sure hair can sway a lot of voters. But if Perry really wants the office, he'd better stock up on dye because the presidency is known for turning hair white!
I don't care about hair, I care about the brain beneath it. Dunces have great hair too, just ask Sarah Palin.
If the American people really elect people on the basis of their hair...then they deserve the idiots they get.
It's not, it shouldn't be and this question is ridiculous. When was the last time a red-head sat in The Oval Office?
My husband won best hair at our "Class of '55" reunion, nobody and I mean nobody would vote for him as President. These pretty boys are nice to look at but when I need a job...
Thank you Jack for sticking to hair. Picking on hair is much better than religion. Let's do one on middle names. Truman with his S (no period). Nixon with Millhouse. Do middle names matter? Go for it.
There is an old saying :"grass doesn't grow on busy streets", meaning of course the more intelligent the less hair or the more you worry the less hair. None of recent Presidents seem to worry about us very much. Mid crisis George W. Bush took to the golf course. Mid economic crisis Barrack Obama goes on a vacation. So if Perry gets elected he will fit in. Even if they are attacking us he wno't worry so he can keep his hair..
Jack – It's probably important to Perry because that is about all he's got. I wouldn't be at all suprised if he has a wig – so many of them do.
I worked for Hair Club for Men and that was actually a fact I learned during my training- there hasn't been a bald president since the age of television! I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or not, but men with hair IMO have a better appearance. Not a dig to bald men at all, there certainly are a lot of attractive ones, I just like hair better, personally.
That's part of the problem today, Jack. Too many people being concerned about a candidate's hair! Shouldn't where they stand on an issue be a bigger priority?
If their lips of a politician are moving the hair is of no importance.
Now that many balding men of all ages are wearing their hair clipped very short or even shaved off, I predict that having a full head of hair will become less important in future years. I sure hope so, as nothing is sillier than caring if the president has a lot of hair or not. It's what's inside the skull that matters. And for the record: I think that Perry's hair looks fake. It looks dyed to me. Yuck! I would never vote for such a right-wing loon, anyway. Obama/Biden 2012. (And yes, they WILL win.)
Didn't work for Rod Blagojevich.
From Illinois.
It's what's under the hair that makes a difference. Perry would make a great televangelist.
How important is hair? I thought that height was the proven factor in winning a presidency. And I don't mean height of hair, I mean tallness in stature. Either way, I'd vote a short, bald man with bad skin if he had the best plan to get the economy back on track.
You're losing it Jack. After Ike, perenial bad hair-day presidents include Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Bush I. You may disagree, but any disagreement from you woukd presumably be due to the state of your own pate. No insult meant. Good Hair theory would also have predicted a Dukakis and Kerry wins. And Romney and Edwards lost, remember?
If good hair is what we worry about when we vote for President & things like literacy and common sense don't matter, we get what we deserve.
I guess...........JFK was noted for his boyish hair................Reagan CLAIMS never to have dyed his hair..........and if hair importance is the case we have some balding politicians who are in deep trouble. You can include our friend from NYC.
Probably helpful in Perry's case, because it might insulate some of his right -wing, extreme thoughts from being exposed to the American people too soon.
What a silly and irrelevant question!! Rick Perry's hair style and color has nothing to do with his fitness for the US presidency any more than John Edward's $400 haircut, color and style. Edwards has great hair for all his money and it did absolutely notthing for his campaign for the Presidency. What matters is brains and political ability. The ability to formulate sound and practical public policies, to solve problems and to govern responsibly. Neither Perry nor Edwards possess the above attributes for POTUS.
I can't recall a bald President although Eisenhower came close. A "Butch" haircut - never. Remember Clinton getting a trim in an airplane on the LA airport runway or John Edwards' $400 cut. In politics having nice hair is as important as not being ugly. After the movie "Gone With the Wind" Clark Gable could have probably beat out Roosevelt for President.
Only problem being, pretty people with nice looking hair are usually shallow, ego oriented losers. Give me a bald, ugly candidate and he or she has got my vote. (Will be sorry for the "she").
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
If we are picking our leaders based on their hair, it is no wonder why this nation is in some much trouble.
Jack, if we elect a country's president base on hair on his head not on brains inside his head we are screwed. Perry won't make a good president in my opinion. I think it is a stupid question to ask in the first place.
Fayetteville, AR
If it is important to us in any way, then shame on us! Many look at the current state of Washington politics in despair, but this must be of little surprise when we allow ourselves to be so easily distracted by such things as a politicians facade!
Rick, Gov.Good Hair, probably pays $700 for his hair cuts. While he cuts the Texas budget by laying off thousands of teachers.
Jack, this is really a tough one. I was going along humming to myself and thinking of the problems of the middle east, our own stagnant economy, those hurt by Irene, etc., and you pop up with this hairy question. You of all people should know that the lack of of dome hair doesn't retard talent, intelligence or ambition. Anyone who votes exclusively for pretty or cute deserves what they get.
Hair, really Jack. I'd vote for you!
I guess this means that your aspirations to be president are over, Jack. But, baldness is the consequence of using your head. To bad that there is no evidence of that in the current group of presidential candidates.
In accord withn Perry...Let us pray: Hair today. Gone tomorrow.
I suppose Doc Brown in Back to the Future said it best, "No wonder your president has to be an actor, he's gotta look good on television."
Why not hair, we've essentially lost all focus and professionalism in the last few years so it might as well come down to nonsense.
As a (near) future baldy, I resent these good looking men with great heads of hair who get to be president. Even in my own organization, I am just stuck at VP level!
Eisenhower, the bald, was also the last good Republican President we've had. You've forgotten about Lyndon Johnson, the last bald Democrat President. Since Perry is a Christian and takes great pride in his hair, I wonder if he and his zealous supporters would be impressed with Jesus' hair. If depictions of Jesus are correct, he looked like a hippie and we know he preached love and peace... definitely would not have gotten the Bible belt vote if he were alive today. Makes you wonder what Christian means.
Of all the Presidents, the best hair award goes to President John F. Kennedy. If you ask the people over 60 years old who was the greatest President, many will tell you JFK. So the better the hair, the better the President. This country could use another great haired President. So why isn't Sean Hannity running?
It does when the shallow American Idol crowd decides to vote. We would be better off if they decided to stay home and crack another beer. Idiots in the voting booths produce idiots in office.
Would rather have a president with a well rounded and developed brain, then well developed hair.....
Let's face it, Jack. Running for, and being, President of the United States is a hair-raising experience.
Joe in Delray Beach, Florida
I disagree with your assessment of Rick Perry's hair (the guy's got great hair). That not quite a side or center part makes his hair look like a toupee. It also looks like he spends a lot of time maintaining it which for a man always comes across as vain and narcissistic. He reminds me of a slimy televangelist and frankly he gives me the creeps.
Two words: John Kennedy....good hair is extremely important.
Unfortunately Jack, looks seem to trump substance in electing our political figures lately. Yet, for some reason we end up wondering why we have political figures as informed about this countrys problems as 2007's Ms. Teen South Carolina. Maybe it is time to re-evaluate our priorities.
This is why he is known as Governor Goodhair in Texas
I would say hair is important but so is overall appearance. It's no coincidence that the two GOP "frontrunners" are the 2 most attractive ones. If brains came first, then Ron Paul would be the frontrunner.
Hair? Who cares about hair? How about the brains underneath that hair (or absence thereof)? How about ethics, integrity, honesty, honor - oops - those are oxymorons in politics....
I don't trust anybody with good hair. Don't worry, Jack, you don't have anything to worry about.
Perry, Bachmann, and Palin all have gorgeous hair, and always will as I believe their hair reserve fills the empty void in their skulls. So is good hair and a hair reserve a prerequisite to being a Republican politician, I would have to say yes.
When applying for a job the better looking you are the more likely it is you'll be hired, regardless of skill or knowledge. Why should it be any different in politics?
Hair, is important to those who's opinion of someone is based off superficial indicators.
The honest simple truth is. If you don't know what you think, you guess based off what you feel.
Appearance is everything, if you know nothing else.
Want an example. You wake up in a strange room, it's dark, and someone you don't recognize walks in. You don't even have to see this person, to be concerned if not outright scared.
Good looks, must mean you are otherwise "good". Unless you know better for some other reason.
Of the 94 freshman members of the House of Representatives 11 are women (who rarely "go bald") leaving 83 men. Of those 83 fifteen are completely bald or very nearly so and several more–about a dozen by my count–are experience hair loss in various stages of progression. When it comes to races decided at the congressional district level where well-heeled partisans rule, policy and politics decides the outcome. At the national level, where fair-weather voters numerically dominate, Americans have frequently chosen beauty over brains.
I personally don't care if they are bald just as long as they do what they promise to when they get the White House.
Hair is important in politics, hell, everything these days is about looks.
Why do you think Obama is embracing grayness, it makes him look experienced, yet he dyed his hair in 2008 to look young to attract the young voters.
If the politician is Samson, very important, If the politician is competing in modeling hair may have an appeal, but if we want a politician who is smart, who will not act like a child, who will put the country ahead of his personal interests and seat, then hair has absolutely no value, what's under that space is.
Not just hair, but height and weight. Who has time to read all the issues? Who reads? Judging candidates by the way they look is much faster and easier. Most Americans just wait until its time to vote and go for the candidate that looks "presidential", i.e. best looking.
Jack,
Hair is important for scalp protection from UV rays. Smarts, honesty, integrity, and the drive to do whats right for everyone, not just certain groups, is what is important in politics. I hope beyond hope that the American people finally get this and stop falling for gimmicks. The GOP field is full of people who know how to talk the talk, but they can't walk the walk.
-Matt, San Diego, CA
Jack
My father always told me- Kid what is truly important in life is not to be good at what you do but to look good. He went bankcrupt twice.....real american values.
Gray Hair? Does it matter? Where's the beef? That's my question. Show me substance, not fluff.
Politics Hair = Donald Trump
Hair??? I couldn't care less if the next president is bald. But apparently some people judge a book by its cover. I just want someone with common sense.
Jack, as far as I'm concerned, Ali Valshi can run for President and his head wouldn't make a difference for me. Take care Jack.
Hair doesn't mean anything to me, Jack. If you run for the presidency, I promise to vote for you. But only if you have Blitzer as your running mate.
I would like to see a bald Sarah Palin in the White House. . . as a guest.
Does hair matter? No. But for perry, it's more so the lack of brains under the hair.
as they say, if you dont have a hair on your (fanny), the presidency is PROBABLY not the job you should be seeking.
fact check: Cafferty just said Eisenhower was the last bald occupant of the white house. Remember Gerald Ford???
Hair is by far the least and should always be least important factor in deciding who will be a good president. What people should realize is that the gray matter under the hair is more important than anything else!!!! On scale of 1-10 hair is negative 10.
Jack, Eisenhower was not the last President with his dome showing. What about Gerald Ford?
The old adage Grass doesn't grow on busy streets says it all
You're LOSING it Cafferty! And I DON'T mean HAIR!!
Nick. N.
Pasadena.
CA.
Let me know when a person without the good stuff (hair) runs for election, and I'll let you know!!
As I see it this GOP field is a bunch of hair brains.
It's not just the hair, Jack – it's overall physical appearance. The voters in this country are very superficial, after all. It's my own belief that presidential campaigns and the history of this country, and the world changed completely when Nixon's makeup ran on national TV.
Dear Jack,
I noticed that all of our elected leaders had full heads of hair long ago. I often wondered, are there NO qualified, bald people out there? I think it just goes to show how fouled up our country is, when a full head of hair, is now a requirement, for running our nation.
Are you kidding me , Jack? Do you remember the words? Sing it with me..."Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair. Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen...!
It's all about the hair, Jack. It's all about the hair.
This one answers itself, Jack. Where do you think all these hair brain ideas come from?
Does hair matter? No. But for Perry, what matters is the lack of brains under the hair.
Dustin- St. Louis, Missouri.
I don't believe that hair itself gives political candidates a leg up. The larger point is the fact that research has proven consistently that those who are rated more attractive are more likely to land a job and it is no different for politicians. The more attractive candidate is more likely going to win the race.
Good hair doesn't mean anything, especially with this guy.
Very important, particularly when it nicely covers a brainless idiot politician.
Jack,
Maybe it is time to go "bald" in the White House. My father was bald and he always said, "You can't have hair and brains too". Maybe he knew something that most politicians do not!
If a candidate could fix this economy to the point that an honors college graduate such as myself could actually find gainful employment, he could have a mohawk for all I care.
From New Jersey
Jack: Here is the answer....has a hair ever solved a math problem? has a hair ever solved an economics problem? has a hair ever solved a hunger problem? has a hair ever participated in a discussion? has a hair ever solved a religious problem? has a hair ever solved a global problem? has a hair ever solved an energy problem?
Hair can only be associated with ego and vanity......PERIOD!
Jack, It should be obvious but it is not the hair. It's a smidgen below the hair. It's called the brain. The president has a brain. The majority of Republicans certainly do NOT!
Tucson, AZ – Appearances have been as important as substance in Presidential elections since the Electoral College itself became elected instead of appointed. Warren Harding, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan all got elected essentially on their looks. Eisenhower's opponent, Adlai Stevenson, looked even more bald than Ike looked. If Sarah Palin had the looks of Golda Meir, she would probably not be of any interest as a candidate today. In fact, if you are good-looking enough, you can get elected repeatedly while having the brains of a canary, i.e., Michele Bachmann. Of course hair makes a difference – but so do 30 second sound bites and credible attack ads.
Hmm hair vs. brains. Jack Cafferty for president.
I dont care if my president has good hair
i just want him to have balls
I prefer bald men like James Carville, he's sexy and he's smart.
I don't care if Rick Perry has great Jim Morrison hair, I wouldn't vote for him under any circumstance.
That is retarded. What is news coming to? Who cares how good their hair is. What does their hair have anything to do with fixing the economy or anything political for that matter? Let's stop the retarded questions and focus on what's important. Man...these presidential candidates are the best we got,..good hair and charm, huh? Well, another 4 years of retarded politics it is, then.
Find the next Telly Savalas, put him on the ballot, and i think he could get the GOP nomination. You aren't gonna win against Kojak. Lol
Jack I think you've hit upon something here, only bald canidates for President! I'd give my eye teeth to have a bald intelligent honest man like Eisenhower anyday, than full hair buffons like Rick Perry! I'd vote for James Carville today!
Gee, I think you're on to something, Jack. Someone like Eisenhower might be just what we need right now. Do we have any bald retired 5 star generals out there, ready to bring back the 1950s?
How important is his hair? Maybe if he was running a beauty shop which I'm not sure he would be good at because you need some kind of brains to even do that. Could we stop asking such silly questions Jack and ask something like "When will the Republicans grow up and stop acting like spoiled children?" I would like to turn everyone of them over my knee and give them a good spanking.
While we are generally thrust into situations where appearance out weighs mental prowess? I am reminded of an old adage used when referring to balding men! "GRASS NEVER GROWS ON A BUSY STREET!" In the case of Eisenhower, truly a busy street there! When will Quality over rule Quantity? Your guess as good as mine! A Libertarian for OBAMA! jaf2
You are more right than you realize. Dwight Eisenhower may not have had much hair, but he had a lot more than his two time opponent, Adlai E. Stevenson.
The hair which shows how deep and thoughtful we are.
Jack,; Seems like another case of "Hair today, Conned tommorrow"! If what's beneath is merely a hair support system, then woe is us! What if one of them has a " bad hair day "? Global Meltdown or just a " fluff and dry "?
What's between a candidates ears no longer matters since there's no matter there so I guess it's what's up top that matters.
It is as important as their shoes! Shiny shoes (like shiny heads) are associated with high priced lawyers and bankers while scuffed up shoes are more associated with the working man. The right amount of hair must not lean to much toward one or the other. That's why we have presidents that happen to be balding during their presidency.
How many bald presidents have we had? Maybe that's the problem? Vote bald!
If a candidates hair is indeed a factor in the voting box, with our economy tanking and Congress collectively staring at their respective navels, then that would be a new high in the dumming down of the America.
I should have be in politics, that might have saved my very bald head. If they all have great hair we should have a have a Bald-O-Meter. Every time the polls get to a certain level, they say dumb things or don't listen to the people that put them there they will find a pile in there sinks. Most of them would be as bald as I am by now.
From what I've seen from our elected leaders their brains have been used as fertilizer for their hair
Come on Jack. Down through history the men with the longest, thickest hair were usually the smarmiest sleezebags. I will take a nice, humble bald man any day when it comes to trust issues. The long hair usually equals big ego and big jerk. Same goes for men with hair pieces. Look at Trump. Look at Strauss-Kahn. Look at Liberace! Big hair? Yucko!!
Jack,
My dad was a pretty smart guy but was bald and he always said “Bains and hair don’t mix". Go figure could that be the answer?
Sonny
Bottom line is an election is a popularity contest, we all know the talking points and they don't vary much from candidate to candidate within a party. So all things being equal Ken and Barbie will win the election as long as they can remember their lines. A short fat bald man would have to be a charismatic genius.
I don't think hair has anything to do about running for the White House. But it does seem to think that the more the hair dye the more the liar they are. Haven't you heard the old saying "Grass doesn't grow on a beaten path." I think James Carville should run on the Indpendent ticket. He would win, and disprove this theory. Andy, Jackson, TN.
Just ask John F. Kennedy
Hair? Isn't there any more important news topic to report on??
As mentioned in an earlier post, we see rampant "toupees, hair plugs, comb-overs, helmet heads" and may I include, very obvious usage of hair coloring by many male members of Congress. Hell, these guys are more vain than the ladies in the senior choir at church! Anytime I watch C-SPAN I am truly amazed and amused at the sight of these prima donnas. They obviously think "hair" is very important in politics.
Simple mathematics. There are more women voters than men. Women will first pick the man that has the best looks before a man that's not so good looking. Hair, even though doesn't make a better or stronger man, makes an ALLUSION of a man that is viril and strong. Women vote for a man that is stronger, or looks stronger, than a man that doesn't have the looks of a stronger man. They do this when they look for a husband. They want a man to be able to take care of them and their family.
Being the Jedi hairdresser from Dallas that I am, I will offer my expert analysis. It comes down to our basic, primate instincts. Hair either represents beauty, in regards to women, and strength with men. (See Sampson and Lady Godiva) Like I tell my clients, hair is the most important thing you wear. So to answer you question, if you look good baby, things are good.
I guess that all depends. On one hand, you have President Obama, who apparently doesn't have any hair on his posterior when it comes to dealing with Congress. On the other hand, you have Michele Bachmann, who continually proves that she's dumber than a sack of hair.
Of course the fact that Perry is tall and has great hair will help him win the Pube primary. It has always been so for the last 40 or so years. But last that I heard, even Karl Rove is afraid of Perry running, in case he should win. Horrors if the the rest of the electorate should wake up and not buy his matinee looks and white skin. Yes, I'm a Democrat. And BTW, that nickname was given to the Governor by the late, great Molly Ivans. Columnist for the the Ft. Worth newspaper and available online. She was a great and funny writer and sadly missed.
Diane in Dogpatch
Jack This is a no-brainer. Only his hairdresser knows for sure....
Cookie Romero-Kirvan
Palm Coast FL
Jack:
It is not the hair on their head but the brain that matters i.e. it did not matter to G W Bush as pres he put this country in economic hock and the current pres with good hair and the brain that match cant get the Tea Party hostage takers of the Republican Party to get things right ( pun intented) to get this country back on track if their life depended on it: rather see the U.S. fail than allow the 1st African American pres and the country to succed, hair doesn't matter its a pres who has the guts to stand up to the Tea Party Wackos, pres Obama brush your hair and brush the Tea Party Wackos out of office in the up coming election, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ya know, we all talk about good hair & bad hair
no matter your looks, i'm a believer of good hair
i spend at least 150.00 for good hair & it does wonderfull things for my frame of miind
so thumbs up to good hair
Donna D
New Castle, DE
Hair on a president is not as important as height. As you mentioned Jack, a bald candidate can be elected (Eisenhower) or even Mr. Trump is he wasn't such a wack job. Who knows if we'll ever see say, a short. Jew. I'm 5' 4" and wouldn't stand a chance.
Stephen Handley
Bristol, VT
Jack, if hair were important in politics, we would've voted in Fabio years ago.
Hair is absolutely not necessary for politics or TV. If you don't have enough, just wear a wig like so many of the anchors on FoxNews, male and female.
Unfortunately hair is important. Looks have become more important than the message the candidate is sending. This says a great deal about our American society. We've become more interested in the looks of the candidate than what they actually say and believe in. If people would actually listen to some of these polititions talking points most of them wouldn't be in the race.
Sorry, I don't think it's such great hair. It looks like a wig.
This is an intriguing point because it has been a while since we've had a bald president. That being said, I don't think it's out of the question, Giuliani while he ultimately lost miserably in the primaries was really politically quite popular in polling until it became apparent he was too liberal for most republicans. Also John McCain came close, and I think probably had a real shot of winning had he not proven his lack of executive decision making skills by selecting Palin as his VP.
our eleventh president james knox polk isn't talked about too much. his looks and receding head of hair didn't matter to anyone. he worked harder and accomplished more in four years than any president i can think of in that amount of time. he died in his 50"s months after not seeking a second term. it is because we are allowed access to what a candidate looks like from television etc. that voters might not think clearly.would abraham lincoln stand as much of a chance at being elected?? think back at his accomplishments!!!
So his hair qualifies him to be president? cmon people this guy is disgusting.
What foes that say for Palin? Bachmann?? Maybe we coul use a bald president. One less thing he can hide under.
The hair didn't do Gov Blogo any favors
In business, good marketing of bad engineering beats bad marketing of good engineering every time. If that were not true, then companies like Microsoft and IBM would never have made it. I don't see any reason it would be any different in politics.
Politicians and revival preachers, gotta have the hair! And since he kind of both...well, he's got it. Just hope we don't!
Bald men are disadvantaged in every arena that involves image. How many bald musicians make it big? How about bald actors? The only ones I can name are the ones who went bald as they aged and somehow managed to hang onto their fame. But there are few of them. I'd hate to be a young musician with big dreams who never gets the recognition he deserves simply because he doesn't have hair.
Let me just say that if President Obama had looked like Dick Cheney, it would be President Hillary Clinton calling the shots now.