Not Cute

[poliphilo]

When you become a senior politician (not to mention President of the United States) there are certain things you forgo. And one of them is cuteness. There is no way you can hold the fate of millions in your hands and be cute.

It doesn't matter how wise and beloved you are or how devious and hated. Abraham Lincoln and Richard M Nixon are equal in this. They are neither of them the least bit cute.

Cuteness is bound up with being small and helpless and vulnerable and pretty. Cuteness and power don't mix.

Which is why George Bush talking to his doggies in the Oval Office is so utterly embarrassing.

Comments

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I dispute your premise:

"Cuteness is bound up with being small and helpless and vulnerable and pretty. Cuteness and power don't mix."

My board chair (male) is very powerful in the Philadelphia cultural and heritage community. And he's cute as a bug. Sometimes cute as two bugs. so there.

Well maybe it's the only thing about Bush that I DO like!

[mummm.livejournal.com]

You know... I don't think I have ever known a president who has not been shown with their dogs/pets at some time or other... The only one I found offensive was LBJ picking his beagle up by the ears!

Gosh... even Winston Churchhill was known for having a very spoiled pooch! The Queen has her Corgies! I could go on...

Nixon had a black cocker spaniel I believe...

[beentothemoon.livejournal.com]

do you think that none of Clinton's appeal was cuteness? I think his gosh-aw-shucks, puffy-lipped puppydog looks played a big part in his personal likeablility.

[dadi.livejournal.com]

I personally have always thought of Bill Clinton as cute. Before Monica Lewinsky, that is.

[philtration.livejournal.com]

I wish that George Bush talking to his doggies in the Oval Office was the most embarrassing thing that he does.