Beauty in politics
According to a paper released today (pdf) by Andrew Leigh and Amy King, better-looking election candidates receive slightly more votes than unattractive election candidates.
Being good-looking is not, however, always a benefit in politics. In the beauty ratings, Ross Cameron did considerably better than most other male politicians. Unfortunately, perhaps, this also made him attractive to women other than his wife, eventually leading Genevieve Cameron to chuck him out of the house during the 2004 election campaign. Julie Owens, rated as OK by the beauty panel, took his place in Parliament.
It’s hard to imagine too many women throwing themselves at Australia’s least-attractive MP, Labor’s Dick Adams, which should save him from at least one type of political scandal.
December 7th, 2006 08:19
As to Dick Adams, our raters really didn’t like beards. Those whiskery founding fathers of Federation would’ve been scored very badly in our analysis.
December 7th, 2006 09:02
What breed of heartless mongrels were surveyed for this study? They’d stone Santa Claus in the street if they couldn’t warm to Dick Adams jolly smile.
December 7th, 2006 12:25
……despite my politics I’d rather have a beer with Dick Adams any day. And Cameron looks smarmy in the photo provided !
December 7th, 2006 13:16
I think Cameron looks a bit nerdy (no offence Andrew!!). I used to think John Anderson was pretty suave. And Julia G is not looking too bad these days, although she seems to change her hairstyle thrice daily.
December 7th, 2006 13:28
Julia G can be quite fetching, actually. However I think that has nowt to do with the reason she is Deputy Opposition Leader !
December 7th, 2006 14:02
“And Julia G is not looking too bad these days, although she seems to change her hairstyle thrice daily. ”
Apparently her boyfriend is a hairdresser
December 7th, 2006 14:05
[...] The ANU media release - including a list of the
December 7th, 2006 14:07
Trackback.
December 7th, 2006 19:40
I’m surprised Cameron rated so high. His lips are too thin. I know women tend to go for juicy lips. Thin lips make a man look cruel.
December 7th, 2006 19:43
actually I’ve always thought Julia G looked good. Pity about her hard left politics.
But the hottest pollie in Australia isn’t in Federal Parliament … yet
http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news.asp?pgID=1930
December 7th, 2006 20:54
Does this mean that Hajnal Ban is a shoe-in for the electorate of Forde?
December 7th, 2006 20:55
Bugger, Jason had beat me to it.
December 8th, 2006 11:15
Forde is a South East Qld sunshine coast seat and will vote liberal if the candidate is halfway credible. But we should wish Ms Ban well, nonetheless.
December 10th, 2006 23:32
If I used a correation like this in natural sciences, I would be ridiculed right away. A classical example of dubious research, in my view.
December 10th, 2006 23:56
“It
December 11th, 2006 06:49
“Where women are attracted to prominent male politicians, it is usually related to their power, influence and status rather than appearence.”
Well, as a Labor backbencher Adams should be pretty safe on these grounds as well.
December 11th, 2006 09:14
Forde runs from Eagleby to Beaudesert south of Brisbane. The National Party won’t win it - it’s a Lib versus Labor seat and is currently very safe for the Libs.
December 11th, 2006 16:47
Sacha
I stand corrected. But you are right, the Nat’s have no chance in Forde.
Rural socialists
December 11th, 2006 18:56
On the state level, the Nats of course do very well in Beaudesert and Labor does well in the north of the electorate, but Federally, it’s liberal all the way.