In the battle of power ties, the first debate of the 2024 presidential campaign brought out a sea of red neckties among Republican candidates. Except for Nikki Haley, who opted for a different color, every Republican in attendance sported a bold red tie that contrasted against their white shirts and dark blue suits. The effect was reminiscent of Betsy Ross’s design prowess.
However, amid the political spectacle, some viewers were more interested in a different aspect of the candidates’ appearances. Specifically, they were curious about whether Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida and a top contender for the Republican nomination, wears shoe lifts to appear taller.
Height and hair have long been identified as factors that influence voters’ perceptions of candidates. Just think of iconic hairstyles like John F. Kennedy’s forelock or George W. Bush’s Texas barbershop special. Even Donald Trump’s striking blond hairdo defied explanation and gravity. And now, the focus has shifted to Ron DeSantis, whose thick, matinee idol mane seems to exude power and vitality.
While DeSantis’s hair has captured attention, questions about his height have also arisen. This issue has lingered since he entered the political arena. Viewers have speculated about how he appeared shorter than interviewer Piers Morgan in a photo op.
When candidates campaign in different settings, such as standing on daises or boxes at state fairs, they can manipulate their surroundings to appear taller. However, the stage of a debate offers no such opportunity. Onstage, all contenders seemed to be of the same height, making it difficult to gauge their true stature. Vivek Ramaswamy, who stands slightly taller than Nikki Haley, seemed as tall as Chris Christie, who is a towering 6 feet 2 inches.
Some candidates, like Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, have attempted to enhance their stature. Burgum, who is of average height at 5 feet 9 inches, wears cowboy boots with elevated heels. This choice not only adds a populist touch but also distracts voters from the fact that he is a tech billionaire.
Now, one may question the significance of all these appearance-related discussions. After all, there is no clear scientific evidence linking height to political success. Yet, it is an established fact that since William McKinley’s victory in the 1896 election, no man shorter than the average height has been elected president. The average U.S. president has consistently been taller than the average American man, with Jimmy Carter being the exception.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the importance of optics in the political realm cannot be denied. In an image-driven world, nonverbal communication holds great sway. The way politicians are perceived in photographs often influences how voters ultimately choose their leaders. A picture truly speaks a thousand words.
Lauren Rothman, a political image consultant based in Washington, D.C., highlights the significance of visual communication in today’s culture. With the sound turned off, debates often become background noise, and voters form impressions based solely on visual cues.
In the end, the group photo following the debate may hold more weight than the rhetoric exchanged on stage. As voters, we are increasingly aware of the power of images, and they may ultimately shape our decisions at the ballot box.
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