Friday, February 05, 2016

The Problem with Ted Cruz

Cruz is a guy I would love to stick in the White House without having to worry about his electability. 

There is something in his manner and facial expressions that scream "fake" and "creepy" and it makes me want to shake him and say, "Ted... You come across like a very poor high school drama student."

I have read two articles from two very different sources that comment on the way he emotes.

In Psychology Today Richard Cytowic M.D. writes, "It’s hard to look at Ted Cruz’s face. He’s a brilliant orator with a sharp legal mind. But his expression unsettles me. I know my reaction is visceral and automatic, but as a neurologist it is my business to notice things out of the ordinary and probe them. The Senator’s atypical expressions leave me uneasy.

And then there is that open “O” of the Senator’s mouth that photos capture over and over. I don’t know what to make of it. But he makes it when he overtly emotes—shows us as well as tells us that he is determined, irritated, or above it all—whereas speakers who are angry, indignant, or rhetorically displeased push their mouth forward in a pout. He doesn’t. Google “Ted Cruz smiling,” and judge for yourself. For the record I am not a Democrat. I’m at a loss to verbalize what unsettles me so when I watch the freshman senator. But it leaves me cold."

Of the Republican field, I think Ted Cruz would make the best president.  But I work with little girls who are in their twenties and thirties who are as conservative as I am, but don't do politics... And when they tell me that Ted Cruz is creepy... I know Ted has a problem with his image.

And that needs to be considered, because we have to win this election.

....

2 comments:

Christina said...

I agree. He is who I want as president, but there is something weird about his looks that is....off-putting.

I wish we could go back to the pre-television days when you had to listen and not judge on appearances. It's shallow, but then so are most of the electorate these days.

I think this year might give me an ulcer...

Grammy said...

And this is why Marco Rubio could be the better choice. I would skip to the polls whistling a happy tune to elect Ted Cruz, but prettiness matters when it comes to elections. The only updside to the Cruz creepiness factor is that he only has to be less creepy than Hilary or Bernie.