The first couple of paragraphs look like F12, F3, shift+F10, F10 from your jingoism library. Blah blah blah...

"You'd be amazed at how little I go by visual perception." Actually, no, because I'd expect you to be wilfully blind to the emotional signals conveyed by the combination of physical appearance and "body language", for fear of becoming contaminated by all that irrational emotion. Trouble is, those are the things that make charisma, or the lack thereof; and emotional signaling is a crucial part of effective communication.

Every Republican Presidential candidate aspires to be the avatar of Ronald Reagan, "The Great Communicator". People across the political spectrum agree that Reagan was indeed a very good communicator and persuader, and part of his effectiveness was his imposing personal presence and manner. I've told the story before of my second wife's visit to the Reagan White House, and how simply standing beside the man evoked tears of awe.

Thompson mumbles, his responses are lackadaisical and lack affect, he has a very passive manner overall that conveys a lack of passion about, or sometimes even interest in, his own beliefs. He doesn't have what it takes to be another "Great Communicator".

Jst as important is the fact that, while you may have the freedom to cover your eyes to avoid gazing upon Thompson's visage, if he becomes President he'll be dealing face-to-face with other world leaders and with domestic political leaders and in general people with above-average ego and arrogance. His appearance and demeanor matter greatly if he's to project a convincing sense that he really is the President. If he doesn't impress American voters, how can he impressively represent the United States?

You know that I'm nonpartisan in making this kind of judgment. I think that the same problem, a lack of personal credibility as the global alpha male (or in judging Hillary, "male"), makes Edwards a weak choice. And Kucinich induced laughter instead of respect, and that's unacceptable in a President. The President is the celebrity spokesperson for the American brand, and if people laugh at the spokesman they'll laugh at the product.