One Thing Politicians Can't Fake
Barack Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him from complete unknown to media darling. Now he and Hillary Clinton are frontrunners for the Democratic nomination. But Barack was born with something that Hillary lacks. No, it's not in his jeans; it's in his genes.
Obama's charisma is rooted in his biology. In Breeding Between the Lines: Why Interracial People Are Healthier and More Attractive, I explain how genetic diversity leads to beauty and symmetry.
All animals, including humans, ideally develop symmetrical bodies. Those with mixed DNA get closer to this ideal. Symmetrical individuals are healthier, more athletic, and live longer than their more lopsided counterparts. Because symmetry is such a potent indicator of virility, it's a very attractive trait; both men and women find symmetry sexy. In fact, symmetrical men have 2-3 times as many sexual partners over their lifetime.
Symmetry may not just help us pick out our mates, but our leaders as well. Studies show that people can correctly predict the outcome of an election 70% of the time just by glancing at photos of the candidates. Just a few seconds is long enough to get an impression of the candidate's leadership ability. One of the traits people respond to most strongly is symmetry.
Bill Clinton was the first Democratic President since FDR to win re-election. And despite multiple scandals and an impeachment, he left office with a 65% approval rating, the highest of any President since World War II. What is it about Clinton that makes him so appealing? Symmetry.
Computer analysis of Bill Clinton's face confirms it. He is incredibly symmetrical. In fact, Clinton's symmetry rating actually places him in the same category as male models!
A recent UCLA study found that interracial people, like Barack Obama, are significantly more symmetrical and more attractive than people of one race. America isn't just responding to Barack's speeches, we're responding to his symmetry.
Political pundits have speculated that Obama's interracial heritage may prevent him from reaching the Oval Office. I say, on the contrary, Barack's mixed genes are his greatest asset.