By DORY MacMILLAN – Viewpoints Editor
In the 1960 election, Sen. John Kennedy, D-Mass., won a close victory over Vice President Richard Nixon.
The reason for Kennedy’s slight victory is debated, but one popular idea is also perhaps the most simple: Kennedy was more attractive.
In the first televised Nixon-Kennedy debate, Kennedy began to edge out the vice president. He was polished and appeared attractive the millions of voters, unlike his haggard, coarse opponent. Nixon did not resonate with females, and a vast majority felt he was unattached to their issues.
It certainly did not hurt that Kennedy’s mother, Rose, also held teas for women voters.
As a result, Kennedy won a majority of voters, specifically working to win over female constituents.
It seems that eventual Republican nominee, former governor Mitt Romney, R-Mass., will be the Nixon candidate: he appeals less to women. They can’t relate to him.
In a senatorial race in 1994, Romney lost to his own Kennedy, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. Kennedy carried the women vote two to one.
Today, with the 2012 election looming, a poll conducted by ORC International on April 13-15 concluded that Obama was more popular than Romney with female voters.
According to the survey, Obama holds a 16 point lead over Romney in gaining women voters.
We’ve gathered that Romney does not resonate well with women, which could negatively affect his campaign.
This could also be an important reason why Obama now holds a nine-point-lead in the campaign; he’s also considered more likable and personable.
In this situation, both men are polished. They both have straight teeth and dress well. As a female, Obama does seem more likable. I trust him more. He seems more human, and not because of his appearance.
In this situation, both men are polished. They both have straight teeth and dress well.
It’s coming down to their characters and their ability to appeal to women voters, and Obama is becoming increasingly more popular.
I’ll be expecting an invitation from Ann Romney soon for a tea party.
