Who Cares About Likeability?

(CBS)  Sunday Morning commentator Mo Rocca wonders if the way we chose our president is effective.

---

The competition is underway: Candidates expected to demonstrate excellence, but also expected - and this crucial - to be likable. Eventually a winner will be selected.

Of course I'm speaking about "Dancing with the Stars." But I could also be talking about the presidential election.

Last year Emmitt Smith won "Dancing"; George Bush won his last two contests. Neither man demonstrated the best command of their issues: During the 2000 campaign Bush had trouble naming major world leaders; Smith's samba was simply not on par with Mario Lopez's paso doble. But both Bush and Smith were supremely likable.

And yet, in politics at least, are we a little "over" likeability? This time around, do we even want to see candidates bowl, clear brush, flip pancakes, happily devour Big Macs?

Bush was famously nice to the press that covered him in 2000. Being nice is, well, nice. Nothing more. It's not the same as strong character.

The emphasis on likeability, this cult of niceness, hasn't always hung over elections. It's hard to imagine Eisenhower riding a motorcycle onto the set of "The Tonight Show," or FDR playing dress-up with Regis.

Yes, I know that candidates have always tried to project the image of the common man - the manor-born William Henry Harrison telling voters he was raised in a log cabin. Candidates will do anything to convince us they're just like you and me. Well, they're not like you and me.

This election I'm going to do my best to focus and vote for excellence. In '08 I don't care so much about likeability. I want the candidate who's got something like ... ability.

Of course I wouldn't mind watching them all attempt the Argentine Tango.

[katg21]

knyghtwolf,

This is the last time I am going to respond because quite frankly it's getting old. The plain and simple fact of war is that there are going to be casualties. Has there ever been a war with no blood shed? My brother-in-law is with the army national guard and has been deployed now for 2 years, believe me I understand, first hand, the nature of this war. He signed up to fight for his country and is very proud to be doing so. So you go on and continue bashing me, our country and our President. While doing so you can be assured that along with my brother, many other proud americans are fighting for your right to do so. The ONLY reason I read these posts and respond is because the hatred and disrespect is maddening. I simply can't contain myself. The discussions should never be one sided, we all have our opinions and should be able to voice them. Good day.

[knyghtwolf]

katg21, how much proof do you need? How many more young Americans are going to have to be sacrificed to the endless appetite of the bush war machine? I have yet to see any proof of bush NOT doing anything wrong, I met the man when I was going to college in Texas when it was firing up its campaign to the presidency, it was an idiot then, and even bigger one now. It is virtually Howdy Doody in real life. Respect of the presidency is ONE thing, respecting who is in that position is another. bush has proven that it is not worthy of holding any sort of a political office short of dog warden in Big Spring, Texas. At what price do we all have to pay to continue sacrificing OUR sons & daughters to this megla-maniac? The guy lies like a cheap rug from Wal-Mart. I get the sneaky feeling you LIKE fake supporting bush here on these posts just to get rise out of people and thats too bad because IF thats all your life is worth to you in entertainment, I truly feel sorry for you and you do have my sympathies, but there is therapy for you available if you just pick up that telephone and call someone whom can help.

[katg21]

The idiot (bush) needs to just quit, go back to Crawford, because it has committed CRIMINAL OFFENCES, both nationaly and internationally. What are YOU going to do if the United Nations decides to bring it up on charges in a world court, along with d i c k (less) chain brain and the rest of the administration?
Posted by knyghtwolf at 06:08 AM : Apr 03, 2007

IF the UN brings Bush and Cheney up on charges then your point is valid, isn't it? IF it happens I'll eat my words.

[knyghtwolf]

Well, katg21, why bother moving to Canada or France, if it (bush) has its way, our armed forces will be invading those countries as well. You don't get it, do you? The so-called "man" lied from DAY 1, and has not stopped since. The facts of his lies and the proof of his lies are there, in plain sight, get it through your head, it thinks we work for it, when it should be the other way around. If you or anyone else like you wishs to test this theory, go to work, cause your employer to spend more money, steal from all his or her's accounts, tell them that YOU are the DECIDER, storm around and demand that you show up whenever you want, threaten him or her with force, military or otherwise, and see where YOU wind up spending the next couple of decades. The idiot (bush) needs to just quit, go back to Crawford, because it has committed CRIMINAL OFFENCES, both nationaly and internationally. What are YOU going to do if the United Nations decides to bring it up on charges in a world court, along with d i c k (less) chain brain and the rest of the administration? What we have here is the EXACT same scenario of cause & effect that the DECIDER invaded Iraq, and you call people tratiors? Get a grip, get a clue, & grow up & see our great country is now pretty much up for grabs, when the problems fracturing the world now, come home to roost on OUR doorstep, we will be in for a ride like no other American has ever seen before. We have not yet suffered as other countries do, our turn is coming soon.

[katg21]

To: katg21

You clearly are in love with Georgie Boy...

Now... when all of the Republicans spent 8 years in hate of Bill and so many of our legislative resources for a consentual affair ... I guess that was okay as "He deserved it?"


Yes, I respect our President and the office and until his term is up I will support Bush's decisions as they relate to the security of our nation. Democrat or Republican, whomever should win the next Presidency, will receive the same respect from me. That's what makes me a Great American.

Clinton disrespected the office for which he held, he deserved to be impeached. He lied under oath and straight into the camera to you and me. He received sexual favors as he sat at the desk of the President. You or I would be arrested for much less. He does not deserve respect.

[sjw1253]

I meant incompetence and "IGNORANCE"... but ... I guess we could double the INCOMPETENCE... (and it would still be understated)...

[sjw1253]

To: katg21

You clearly are in love with Georgie Boy...

Now... when all of the Republicans spent 8 years in hate of Bill and so many of our legislative resources for a consentual affair ... I guess that was okay as "He deserved it?"

Get real!!! Just because people recognize the incompetence and incompetence of our current President - does not make them treasonous or any other anti-USA - term you would like to use as a label...

MHO

[sely2]

This is what I%u2019m hearing: Now you Journalists out there, pay attention!

I blame all the News Journalist for not investigating Bush. I use to believe what I heard them report was the facts.
Posted by stick130 at 01:13 AM: Apr 02, 2007


I'm not sure we the public even have a fair chance to determine who is most qualified or has the best leadership abilities in a national election anymore
Posted by fredgrad2000 at 07:12 PM: Apr 01, 2007

Reporting on ability and the issues is a media duty. At least, it used to be.
Posted by sesanders1 at 01:41 PM: Apr 01, 2007

I want someone to vote for that has some answers.
What would he/she do about the mess in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the mideast? Not what they dislike about Bush's plan but what would they do?
Seems like everyone running is bashing others but not saying what they would do.
How about some answers?
Posted by bill1fj at 05:02 PM : Apr 01, 2007

I agree with all of the above. The problem is the journalists wanting to keep their jobs, instead of protecting the public right to know the truth. We want answers not all the hoopla of who%u2019s got more money, who%u2019s the most popular. Who has the answers and what are they planning to do, that is what we want to hear. Let me compare whom I agree with and whom I don%u2019t by giving me that information. Otherwise articles like this, for me are a waste of time.

[katg21]

I blame all the News Journalist for not investigating Bush. I use to believe what I heard them report was the facts. Never again!
Posted by stick130 at 01:13 AM : Apr 02, 200

What do you blame them for, not being able to find anything on him? Why is it so hard for you to believe anything, unless it's bad, about Bush? It is people like you with your hateful words about our country and President that cause other nations to dislike us. Your collective stupidity is what is destroying this great nation of ours. You don't deserve the protection of our men and women fighting for the cause. You don't deserve to call yourself an American...MOVE TO CANADA OR FRANCE YOU TRAITOR!!!

[californiar]

You know what likeability is? It's what sociopaths posses. Sound crazy? Google "sociopath" You'll see Bush displays all of the characteristics. He's only been protected by his family. Don't believe me? Look at it for yourself.