Whos got Charisma...Clinton or Dean.

[TheBigGuy]

Howard Dean is being called alot of things. One of the things hes' being called is ....as charismatic as Clinton.

Although Dean has alot going for him I just dont see the charisma part.

But Id like to get a sense of DU on this issue...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Clinton is more charismatic

I didn't agree with many of his policies, but he has more charisma in his little finger than most people have in their whole body. My parents saw him in person and said that he was magnetic and charming.

[dajabr]

2. There are 3 politicians who have gotten me...

To jump off the couch like my team just scored the winning touchdown during a speech. There are 3 politicians who have gotten me choked up during a speech.

Clinton
Gore
Dean

Is that charisma? I don't know, but it's something...

[KC21304]

12. I will not comment on Dean, but

I worked for Gore, voted for Gore and love Al Gore, but charisma ?

I'm sorry, but I never saw it. He is one of the most decent human beings on this planet, but I never thought of him as charismatic. I don't think a President needs to be charismatic, but in this television run campaign age it may be necessary.

[carrowsboy]

3. Whos got Charisma?

I do!

[jpgray]

4. Clinton; no contest. Even if you hate him, he's got it (nt)

[charlie]

11. Clinton

Real quote:

"I melt when I'm around him."
-- Newt Gingrich

Now that's some frighteningly irresistable charisma.

[West Coast Democrat]

5. I don't think you can really compare the two personalities

they're much too dissimilar.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

6. I think Dean is definately up there.

After 8 years in office Clinton had mastered the TV appearence. Dean's relative lack of experience in this arena is something he is going to have to focus on in the coming months.

Other than that, I have NEVER seen a politician who can inspire people in person as much as Howard Dean.

The guy is simply amazing.

[JI7]

7. john edwards is a better comparison to clinton

john edwards is charismatic like bill clinton is. howard dean is not charismatic , certainly not the charmismatic that clinton and edwards are. dean looks stiff and uncomfortable usually.

[West Coast Democrat]

8. I Agree. Edwards has the Charisma Factor.

Dean has other qualities.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

13. But John Edwards hasn't inspired people the way Howard Dean has.

[tjdee]

20. Yet.

We're months out from the first primary, which is part of the reason I also don't understand the "Dean is just like Bill Clinton" thing. Bill Clinton didn't take off nearly as quickly as Dean has...didn't he rev up in the fall?

If Edwards can't inspire people like Dean has, that's the nature of politics, fine.

But I, LOL, being an Edwards supporter, think it is a little too premature to start packing his Senate bags.

[quinnox]

9. I voted

No charisma. I don't see it. So he is angry and blunt and acts like a know-it-all, I don't call that charisma.

In my opinion, comparing Clinton and Dean in charisma quotient is like comparing Robert Redford and Ben Affleck, it is a one-sided contest. And to be clear on what I mean, I think Affleck shouldn't be in movies.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

19. Of course you did.

[janx]

10. A lot of this depends on your definition of charisma. A lot of people

think charisma is nothing more than some guy who looks as if he stepped off of a page of GQ Magazine.

The derivation of charisma comes from the Greek charism, which has more to do with grace and talent than physical appearance.

[West Coast Democrat]

14. Dean isn't particularly graceful though, is he?

Kerry or Edwards have more charisma going for them.

[janx]

18. No, Kerry has style, granted--a very east coast kind of style.

But he just doesn't motivate me at all, maybe because I'm a westerner. I'll vote for him if he's nominated, but he doesn't have the talent to really connect with me. And Edwards has CHARM, southern boy charm, but that's still not charisma. I think that Edwards, given some more time, might realize his charisma. For now, like Gephardt, he seems to be relying more on his poor boyhood to gain votes. While it is laudable that he had fine parents and worked hard, that's still not enough. There has to be a little more there to obtain a charismatic connection.

For the record, initially I found NO charisma in Clinton. By the time he was running in the general election, though, he had become comfortable enough to let it shine. And then it was everywhere!

I think a lot of charisma has to do with a candidate's comfort and confidence, but above all, the ability and passionate desire to genuinelyrespect and enjoy many different kinds of people. Politicians fake this all the time, but charismatic ones don't have to: they're gifted and talented in this respect. Once they get comfortable enough with the process, the travel, the cameras--it just blooms.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. Dean has qualities

but saying he is as charismatic as Clinton is like saying Vlade Divac is as good a center as Shaquille O'Neal.

[davidinalameda]

16. I don't know but I saw Dean's picture in the new Time

when he was at Harvard with the dark curly hair.

All I can say is YUM!

much cuter than Dumbya

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. Better Looking Than Chimpy

That's damning with faint praise.

None of the Bushes are particularly attractive people cept maybe George P Bush and the twins.

[Kanola]

21. I think Clinton has a big edge on charisma

He just loves talking to people and he emanated such warmth and is very personable. I see Dean (he has a great smile when unforced) more like Harry Truman. Blunt, direct yet engaging. I think they have different styles but each has and audience that loves them.

[Blue_Roses]

22. Clinton has the charisma

and the patience. Dean seems to get flustered easily.

[Gringo]

23. He has a little less charisma, but makes up for it with passion, clarity

and competence - and I'm sure he can keep it in his pants for 4 years.

Dean, Kerry and Edwards all have roughly the same amount of appeal, IMO, each in different ways. I'm just betting that Dean is the best one to reach the mainstream voter.