Posted on 07/08/2004 8:26:20 PM PDT by Jenya
Women expected to swoon over veep’s sex appeal
His Ken-doll looks and sex appeal are drawing him comparisons to presidential playboys John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
Though 51, he looks more like a shipshape 35, and is the most recent Beltway boy to be dubbed People magazine's ``Sexiest Politician.''
But while newly minted vice presidential candidate John Edwards [related, bio] may make some women swoon, it's his wholesome, hard-working family-man image more than just his cover-boy face that could sway female voters.
``He's easy on the eyes and he's a good person,'' explains Liz Sporkin, assistant managing editor of People, which is running a candid profile of Edwards in Friday's issue.
``I think his whole story factors into people's voting habits. I don't think just his looks do. That's just the icing on the cake.''
People magazine included Edwards in its 2000 ``Sexiest Man Alive'' issue, in which theNorth Carolina senator was named ``Sexiest Politician.''
Sporkin says the honor is not bestowed every year - and hasn't been since Edwards was feted. Past winners include former Clinton adviser and current CNN host Jim Carville and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh.
``When he came along, we noticed him right away,'' Sporkin says of Edwards. ``He's a very good-looking guy. Handsome politicians have an unfair advantage because there are so few sexy senators and politicians. It's not like Hollywood, where everyone is gorgeous.''
Mary Lou Andre, an image consultant for Organization by Design, says Edwards projects warmly. Where similarly well-coiffed Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] is more rigid and polished, Edwards gives off an inviting vibe - especially to women - with his tousled hair, pearly white teeth and casual demeanor.
``He's very handsome and doesn't look his age,'' she said. ``I think it's really the smile. It's not forced. It's very natural.''
Because of his appearance in celebrity mags like People and the focus on his looks, he's already caught many women's attention in hair salons and doctor's offices, Andre said.
He has a Clinton-like laid-back attitude but is more appealing because of his seemingly storybook marriage of 27 years to wife Elizabeth, who is 54.
Even as the college sweethearts faced the nightmare of losing their 16-year-old son, Wade, in a tragic 1996 car wreck, they turned to each other to endure the pain.
When they decided nothing else could fill the gaping void left by his death, they decided to have more children to join their daughter Cade, now 22.
``We asked ourselves, `How in the world are we ever going to get joy back into our lives again,' '' Elizabeth has said. ``It became clear, the answer was children.''
With the help of fertility treatments, Elizabeth gave birth to Emma Claire at age 48 and John Atticus at 50.
``I think women are ready for someone who doesn't cheat on their wife,'' Andre said. ``He's a fresh face. We're so Clinton-ed out. Even though women are intrigued by Clinton, I think they're also repulsed.''
Ginger Burr, president of Total Image Consultants of Boston, says Edwards' rugged exterior and flashy smile are just the tip of the iceberg.
``He brings a vitality to the campaign that I think up until this point hasn't been there,'' Burr says. ``He's got energy. Vitality. Youthfulness. An energy when he speaks that I think is different from anyone else in the campaign. He seems to make a connection with people and really show that he's listening. He presents himself well.''
Abbie Mohlin, a 21-year-old Boston University student, said good looks are nice but don't matter in the voting booth.
``You have to have a little more than that. I honestly don't care how he looks as long as he can do the job,'' Mohlin said.
Chris Tanner, a 48-year-old teacher from Phoenix, thinks Edwards is ``good-looking,'' but says his stances will determine his true appeal.
``I wouldn't vote for someone just because they're dashing and attractive,'' Tanner said. ``But he's the antithesis of (Dick) Cheney, who I hate.''
For Sporkin, Edwards' ``powerful'' coming-of-age tale is what makes the small town boy-turned-millionaire lawyer an intriguing, viable candidate and worthy running mate for John F. Kerry [related, bio].
``He's an American success story,'' she said. ``He just had that terrible family tragedy. To think he came out of it, changed his life, ran for Senate, had two more children, that's very powerful. He appears to have a real relationship with his wife. Everyone likes a real love story.''
Thanks.. it took me a long time to find the "Barf Alert".
Assuming "Chris" is a guy, have we actually reached the point where reporters are asking men whether or not Edwards' looks would influence their vote?!
Is it just me or do other women find two men touching each other sexy? I realize for some reason men think that about women (weird) but I never knew it to be true the other way around.
Just what we need in a G.I. Joe world: a Ken doll!
'Hair in a Can' does nothing for me. Bill Clinton is no playboy. His nose looks like an irritated penis tip.
barf if you want - but its true, this will be a factor amongst white independent suburban woemn, which is an important demographic. its one of the reasons why Mitt Romney is governor of Mass today.
The only thing sexy about John Edwards is the $152 million he made by suing big business.
LOL! Who was it during the Truman / Dewey campaign that dismissed Dewey as "that little man on the wedding cake"? That was the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned the Ken doll...
Good grief, NO! All of those pictures of John-John give me the creeps.
The fact that the media is pushing physical attractiveness in an election as serious as this one is just dumbfounding to me.
Besides, nothing is sexier than W in his blue jeans working on the ranch. =)
Hello! We have one in the White House right now.
This is a really good argument for why women should not be allowed to vote or serve on juries.
"Besides, nothing is sexier than W in his blue jeans working on the ranch."
Or in a flight suit - hubba hubba
At least Edwards has stuck with the same woman for 27 years, unlike another profligate we know who dumped wife number one for an even richer prize.
Whew! Thanks. I was beginning to wonder what they were trying to say. I think this touchy thing is a BIG turn off to women. But sometimes I wonder if I live in a twilight zone at times.
white independent suburban woemn = morons
Pray for W and Our Shining City
Yuuuooooooooooo. Shiver.
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