The Politics of the Face

I’ve read a lot of absurd political commentary. In my years writing on this blog I’ve seen everything from conspiracy theories about 9/11 to President Obama’s jobs bill.

Suffice it to say, I have seen a lot of absolutely ridiculous shenanigans.

But the recent study by the Tufts Department of psychology has to take the cake.

According to the study:

Republicans were perceived as more powerful, while Democrats were perceived as "warmer."

[Link]

I'm perfectly fine with the comparison, but, I think the analysis starts to fall apart when one compares the faces of actual politicians. Take the recent election in New Jersey for example.


I think it can be objectively stated that Chris Christie (left) looks like the warmer politician in the Garden State. He came a cross as a New Jersey ‘bubba’-type person with whom one could grab beer. Corzine (right) looks every bit the austere, former Senator via Goldman Sachs.

Maybe it’s an isolated case…

Regardless, this Republican hopes that his public relations feel comes a cross as warmer rather than ‘more powerful.’

The former is actually true, while the latter is a false perception no one actually has.