Where Each Primary Presidential Candidate Stands on the Basic Issues

As the race for president looms ever closer, there is one phrase prevalent in society that makes my skin crawl-"He/she looks presidential." I heard this loudest when Fred Thompson threw his hat into the ring. When I ask what this "presidential looking" politician stands for, I am more often than not greeted with a dumbfounded silence.

When the curious find out who I support, I am always given the same response. "[Candidate] may be one of the more honest and [candidate] may even have the better record, but [candidate] does not look the part. [Candidate] won't win." Now, I am not angry at the fact that so many do not believe my candidate will win. There are several others in the running I will support if my front runner does not make the grade. What angers me is the reason for defeat. So many believe my candidate is the most qualified, but think this person will lose because the right physical attribute is absent.

An article in the December 2, 2007 edition of the New York Times entitled, "The Oprah Party Wants You" by Katherine Q. Seelye, speculates the import of the powerhouse known as Oprah. She claims the political world takes serious the potential Ms. Winfrey has to sway voters. This mega-power-house, who has changed lives of authors and field experts by merely mentioning their names or works on her show, catapulting relative unknowns into overnight sensations, has publicly endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time, "bestowing her blessing on Senator Barack Obama."

Robin Toner, in his article entitled "Feminist Pitch By a Democrat Named Obama," also in the December 2, 2007 issue of the New York Times, quotes Barack Obama as stating, "I'm not somebody who believes that [Oprah Winfrey's] endorsement, or anybody's endorsement, actually secures me votes." I hope his confidence in the voting public is well founded.