According to the Washington Post:
If you believe the polls, it would appear there is one big factor standing in the way of Mitt Romney being elected president: Americans don’t like him as well as they do Barack Obama.
That was confirmed again in a new USA Today-Gallup survey in which respondents gave Romney higher marks on the economic issues, which voters say they care most about this year. But President Obama crushed Romney — 60 percent to 30 percent — on the question of which of the two was more likable.
In April, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found an even larger gap, with 64 percent of those surveyed describing Obama as the friendlier, more likable candidate, and only 26 percent saying that about Romney.
“We’re not going to win a personality contest. It’s not an election for class president. It’s who can best solve the problems of the country,” said Romney’s pollster, Neil Newhouse. “Likability isn’t fixing the economy or helping the middle class make ends meet.”
In part, the disparity reflects a natural reserve, even an awkwardness on Romney’s part. It also reveals a sensitivity to the fact that there are upsides and downsides politically to defining himself through his biography — his Mormon faith, his spectacularly successful business career, his wealth and his stint as the governor of a liberal state.
When has it NOT been about likability? I believe that unless a person is really a politician junkee, most people vote for who they like, rather than their political beliefs. Let’s work backwards.
2008 Obama McCaine
2004 Bush Kerry
2000 Bush Gore
1996 Clinton Dole
1992 Clinton Bush GHW)
1988 Bush Dukacas
1984 Reagan Mondale
1980 Reagan Carter
1976 Carter Ford
1972 Nixon McGovern
1968 Nixon Humphrey
1964 Johnson Goldwater
1960 Kennedy Nixon
I expect with ultra rich white male, aged 65, who belongs to an organized strict religion, Mitt Romney is very well liked. The problem is, none of us, the people, are ultra rich, looking for a likable white religious male. It sounds sort of like a father complex. Mitt Romney is a good looking man. However….so is Obama.
As I made up the chart, I thought about 2008. No contest. Young and vibrant vs. old. (note to self: don’t get any older)
2004–seriously. who would you rather have a beer with? George W or Kerry? A stuffed shirt or a party boy?
2000-that gets a little tougher. Al or George. Very close race also. Same age, nice looking up to a point.
1996-no contest
1992-no contest Bill mesmerizes a room. Yes, its about popularity and pure old animal magnetism.
1988- tough, but I would chose George HW Bush. Barbara didn’t hurt his cause either. He is a grandfather type with a little class.
1980, 1984 In both cases…The Gipper. Look at his son today. He is just delightful. Totally a personality guy.
Jump back to 1960-looks and personality.
So why is this a surprise? We vote for who we like more than our ideals. Yes, it is a popularity contest. Our media is different. The game changed with JFK and the use of TV. It hasn’t slowed down since. Maybe we are just a sueprficial people.
I like Mitt, he seems like a decent guy, I don’t like his philosophy of government.
I thought all elections were a popularity contest.
I wouldn’t want to have to sit down and talk to him. I don’t think we would have anything in common.
Ivan, I think they are but maybe they shouldn’t be about likeability. Let’s face it, we aren’t going to have to personally interact with a president.
We do watch them interact with others. Mitt sort of blew it.
Looking back, the more likeable people have won the presidency in the past–at least in my opinion. I would far rather have to sit down with George Bush then John Kerry, even though politically, I would prefer the politics of Kerry.
I changed the title because of what you said. You are right.
Interesting that it becomes a likeability contest as their policies are pretty much the same.
Just keep thinking that…..