Comments on: You must be 'this tall' to be president?

By: Mary, Beaver, PA

Mary, Beaver, PA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:07:20 +0000

Travis and Rob: I wrote: "Tall presidents have always been the rule rather than the exception." No one (I hope) consciously votes for a president, based on height, but what is impressive when you review the heights of our 43 presidents is that MOST of them were taller than average. It is unfortunate that height should be an issue at all.

By: Billy Montgomery Waynesville, Missouri

Billy Montgomery Waynesville, Missouri — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:54:33 +0000

The height of a leader does matter to the public. When world leaders gather the public actually compares height first and for some unknown reason height does matter to the public. Call it stature, credibility or just the idea of command prescence but height does matter to them.

By: R. Roger Beck, Scottsdale, AZ

R. Roger Beck, Scottsdale, AZ — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:31:15 +0000

Earlier today, in this space I posted that in the last 50 years only one President ended his term with higher approval ratings than when he began. I failed to attribute the source of that analysis. The article appeared in the Wall Street Journal online edition and covered the years from 1945 through 2005. The Gallup organization appeared to have supplied the raw data and the WSJ appeared to have performed the analysis. If anyone wishes to verify, the link is: http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-presapp0605-31.html

By: Ann, mid-Michigan

Ann, mid-Michigan — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:57:48 +0000

I am taller than half the candidates, and tower over Sentator Clinton so I guess I will be the first female president. Send me money so I can start running ads with me standing back to back with each candidate!!

By: R. Roger Beck, Scottsdale, AZ

R. Roger Beck, Scottsdale, AZ — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:20:00 +0000

The post was interesting, but useless. A more meaningful analysis would be one conducted not long ago. It shows that since 1956, there was only ONE President who left office with higher approval ratings than when he came in. Only ONE. It wasn't Ronald 'Gipper' Reagan. It wasn't Richard "I am not a crook' Nixon. It wasn't George H. W. 'Read my lips' Bush, or even Gerald 'Oops!' Ford. That's right folks! The ONLY President since 1956 to leave office with higher approval numbers was William J. Clinton! Take that, right-wingers!

By: Mike Smith, Reno,Nevada

Mike Smith, Reno,Nevada — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:06:33 +0000

Shorty Bloomberg would be an excellent addition to the mentally short field of Democrats.

By: james, miami,ok.

james, miami,ok. — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:47:25 +0000

Are you trying to say height is now one of the qualifications to be U.S. President-or do you mean a tall idiotcan be President?

By: Mike Fahy

Mike Fahy — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:20:47 +0000

One question. On CNN when they did this report, they said that Romney was 6'2", and that Obama was at least 6'1". So why does Obama appear to be taller in the picture?

By: Mary, Beaumont, CA

Mary, Beaumont, CA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:16:18 +0000

Who cares?

By: Tom, New York NY

Tom, New York NY — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:45:10 +0000

"Hitler, Mousilini and Tojo were little guys, as was Napolean" -yes, but Winston Churchill was shorter than all of those guys (except maybe Tojo). It's funny that when people give examples of short world leaders, they always pick the "bad guys". Also, the new president of France is 5'5".

By: Charles, Manassas, VA

Charles, Manassas, VA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:44:04 +0000

Ridiculous. I would hope that your political commentary will be more substantive in the future. If you wish to be taken seriously, act serious.

By: Chris C.

Chris C. — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:21:27 +0000

I'm dumber for having read this column.

By: Mark Gardner, High Point, NC

Mark Gardner, High Point, NC — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:03:28 +0000

If you ask me, if you go by his stature in terms of achievements and accomplishments, W is an inch off the floor!

By: jd,md,ca

jd,md,ca — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:58:05 +0000

There is never a black president, maybe not just height matter but also race and the color of a persons face. And if height determine presidency, not many women will be president or there will never be any.

All these comes to the questions and wonders of hey how about models, can fat people be models? This is one reason it drive women in our society to depression and ideal perfection.

By: philip, nashua, nh

philip, nashua, nh — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:55:58 +0000

Indeed size does matter in today's standard because appearance plays on the minds of voters, but this was not so in the yester-years–when visual mediums were limited. We don't want to admit this superficial side our social conscious, the truth hurts in this case.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:58:54 +0000

The recently elected president in France (Zarkosy) I thinks is about 5'7".
We will have to see if like Napoleon(also not very tall), Zarlosy does a good job...he did very good as minister
If he does maybe size does not matter..

By: CW Moore College Grove, TN

CW Moore College Grove, TN — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:34:21 +0000

Well, the minute I spent reading this innane story is a minute I'll never get back. The 30 seconds I've spent typing this message is another wasted amount of time!

By: Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:29:26 +0000

STUPID IDEA!
SMALL PEPPER IS MORE SPICY. BRAIN, EXPERIENCE, POLITICAL CAREER,
FAMILY ROOT, FAITH AND COLOR WILL MATTER MORE THAN HEIGHT.

By: DENNIS, POCATELLO, IDAHO

DENNIS, POCATELLO, IDAHO — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:53:56 +0000

Size matters. You have to be at least 6 feet to have a reasonable chance. 6 1 3/4 Obama will beat 6 2 Romney!!

By: Joshua Stone Mountain Georgia

Joshua Stone Mountain Georgia — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:56:01 +0000

I think it is bull it wrong ok theirs a myth that if your not tall that means your not weathly and you are poor and mulnurtation.

By: Jared Markowitz New York, NY

Jared Markowitz New York, NY — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:33:06 +0000

Is this some sort of joke? Correlation does not imply causation. Further, are we seriously wasting our time reading a news article about this? Is this what our mainstream media has come to? You, right there, the one reading this sentence, close this window and go read something from which you can actually learn.

By: Philippe, Los Angeles, CA

Philippe, Los Angeles, CA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:24:16 +0000

Is this really what we are polluting our minds with? Well, I'm not losing any sleep analyzing the idiotic trend of presidential height, even though I am 6ft4 and could state that taller is better, but that's not the case. What voters should do first is analyze who they relate to based on candidates policies, voting trends, party affiliation and other important things to weigh in when picking the next leader. Actually, the first thing voters should do is register, and secondly, GO AND VOTE, because it seems to me that many people hopped on the Michael Moore bandwagon and rallied against Bush the last time around (and by all means, I don't blame them one bit), but when election day came around, they were "too busy." Well, thanks to all of those whose apathetic stance cost us "four more years" of war-ridden deficits, lies and endless corruption on all levels of government. This time around, MAKE YOURSELVES HEARD, and not only in the anti-war rallies or in arguments with co-workers, neighbors and friends but when it counts: in November.

By: Alix Weill, West Palm Beach, FL

Alix Weill, West Palm Beach, FL — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:02:33 +0000

I found it interesting

By: Steve, Ottawa, Ontario

Steve, Ottawa, Ontario — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:34:16 +0000

Actually, and oddly enough, height does matter in a Presidential race. We live in a media driven society that makes snap judgments on personal appearances. The Kennedy Nixon debate proved that. A candidate with a good stature will have an edge and more likely impress both in public and on TV.
Americans want there leaders to be tall and fit. I would guess that 5'11" would be the minimum that could command respect and anything above 6'3" should probably just stick to basketball.

By: John Schow-Chicago, Il 60611

John Schow-Chicago, Il 60611 — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:21:21 +0000

Why should height be a factor? Afterall, we currently have a President that was born without a brain. Compared to having a moron in office, a short President would be a dramatic step in the right direction regardless of whom it may turn out to be. Maybe we should make sure that it is a requirement that any candidate from this point on is able to read, write, and enunciate most words in the English language.

By: Larry, LA, CA

Larry, LA, CA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:19:47 +0000

The size of the heart matters, however it seems like when comes to stupidity there are no limits. I'm thinking of the current president.

By: J. Thomas, Preston, CT

J. Thomas, Preston, CT — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:18:39 +0000

Height doesn't matter, but looks certainly do. I think that Mitt Romney will go far, not based on his views, but because he looks the most presidential of all the candidates.

By: Andrew, Arlington, VA

Andrew, Arlington, VA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:15:00 +0000

Ridiculous. James Madison was 5'4", not to mention 100 lbs.

By: Ariel Gonzalez

Ariel Gonzalez — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:03:46 +0000

Napoleon!

By: Howard, Joshua Tree

Howard, Joshua Tree — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:52:26 +0000

Yes height does matter, playing a factor just as great as looks, personality, and character.

By: douglasawh

douglasawh — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:34:52 +0000

Somewhat interesting, but certainly bordering on stupid.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:17:01 +0000

How about we ask this question, does skin color matter in running for presidency?

By: Jeff, Pa Furnace, Pennsylvania

Jeff, Pa Furnace, Pennsylvania — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:07:48 +0000

I'm 5'10, my best friend is 5'5, and my brother is 6'2. We're all men, we're all political moderates, and we'd all be a disaster as president. 'Nuff said.

By: Jen, Salisbury, MD

Jen, Salisbury, MD — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:59:46 +0000

Perhaps height matters in the back of our minds, but the truth is that not many Americans get to see the presidential hopefuls in the flesh. Height only truly has an impact when one is right there to feel the strong presence of a man or a woman who is over six feet tall.
Furthermore, let's hope that the people that are voting based on height/physical appearance will opt to stay at home on election day and read perezhilton.com all day.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:45:03 +0000

I think that size doesn't matter because it is showing that then James Madison would have had a very bad chance. Sure looks tie up everything but, people want what you are going to do for the country. As John F. Kennedy said,
"Find what you can do for your country, not find you can get for your country.

By: Kolby Hanson, Stanford, CA

Kolby Hanson, Stanford, CA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:33:16 +0000

Very few people would claim that height plays in consciously to a determination of worth as a candidate.
However, it is undeniable that height does subconsciously color the public's view of a person, just as race, gender, and religion do. Numerous studies over the last few years can attest to this fact. This was shown in politics when Dukakis had great troubles in 1988 overcoming the image as a weakling. His short stature certainly did not help him.
This most likely would not be an issue, however, if the media did not address it so extensively. Most do not know of Tom Cruise's height, and he is as spotlighted as any presidential hopeful. The very fact that this type of story appears damages the objectivity of the American public.

By: Joe Rogers, Chino Valley, AZ

Joe Rogers, Chino Valley, AZ — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:22:47 +0000

A normal height has the greatest chance of seceeding that some one at the extrems. James Madison as the shortest president was known as "Little Jimmy". In the world of management the person slightly taller then normal has the big edge. Historicaly Abe Lincoln was way outside the normal height of his day. He either slept in specially made beds or slept caty-cornered across the bed. Abe's times were unusual so a very tall president became president (mainly because the democratic vote was split by more the one cantidate (north-vs-south). It all comes down to who appears to be the most successive in how they are portrayed. Medium height will win!

By: Jake Y., Rocky River, Ohio

Jake Y., Rocky River, Ohio — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:15:49 +0000

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland defeated Ken Blackwell in the 06 election. Blackwell was at least 4 inches taller and much bigger than Strickland. Strickland won by 23% of the vote. The main issue was the GOP corruption and I am sure height had no impact on the election. Furthermore, fmr. Senator Mike Dewine is a meager 5" 5' at the most and won twice in Ohio. Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell do not appear that tall either. And theyre head of their respective parties in the Senate!

By: Steven R

Steven R — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:01:15 +0000

Height does not matter. It has nothing to do with one's potential fitness as a president. Many people only THINK it matters. We are genetically predisposed to consider height a value because our caveman ancestors required physical characteristics, such as height, far more than we do today. Nowdays, who cares? Unless one is a professional basketball player, or some other athlete requiring height, when does one's height give anyone a true (rather than perceived) advantage? It has nothing to do with actual skills required involved for nearly all managerial-type professions.

Oh, and isn't it ironic that the wealthiest among all the candidates (Bloomberg) is also the shortest?

By: L. Larson Bismarck, ND

L. Larson Bismarck, ND — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:57:01 +0000

I hope height does not become a factor in the upcoming election. I worry though; in the last two elections Americans voted for a man they could feel comfortable having a beer with. A man of less intelligence then most of them, look at what happened! We elected the “Village Idiot.”

By: P Shah, NY

P Shah, NY — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:51:32 +0000

It might be the consideration with men, but I don't think its the same consideration with women- for e.g- all powerful women in the US are not too tall (Fortune 50 most powerful women)..so Hilary is safe here.

By: Trevor W., Viroqua, WI

Trevor W., Viroqua, WI — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:44:50 +0000

Although i am of short stature myself, i do not believe that height plays a considerable role in the presidency. Its just an excuse used by people to explain why they were beat out by their taller competitor(s).

By: Bruce, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Bruce, Winnipeg, MB, Canada — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:37:48 +0000

Not only height matters but also the shape of the face and the letter the name begins with. Better to be tall, have an oval face and have your surname start with a letter that comes earlier in the alphabet. Short people with round faces whose name starts with S and later in the alphabet do not have a chance to get elected. It's sad but true that people vote for candidates for reasons other than who is the best candidate. These factors make a good impression, even if it is misleading. Just look at Geo. W.

By: Jeff, Columbus, Ohio

Jeff, Columbus, Ohio — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:32:50 +0000

Do you have any idea how discriminatory and insulting you are being to short people? Any at all? Like I said before, replace "tall" with "white" and "short" with "black", and tell me what you read. Did any of you ever stop to consider that the reason you think being tall matters is because that's what you were taught by your parents, and them by your grandparents? How is this preconceived notion of superiority based on height at all valid? Have you ever met a short statured adult whose level of confidence caused you to take a step back, or better yet, forward, perhaps to follow them as you seem to think everyone wants to follow you? Have you ever considered how ridiculous it is to judge people solely by their physical attributes, as if life is just a beauty pageant? How would you like it if you went somewhere and were discriminated against for being too tall? Heightism is no different than racism and sexism. Each of these three serious maladies in this country are based on incorrect, preconceived notions handed down from generation to generation, feeding a superiority complex built up to make people feel good about themselves at other peoples' expense. And yet you think nothing of it, because you're conditioned through years of self-affirmation of your elitist attitude. Wake up and realize what you're saying.

By: Chris, Portland, OR

Chris, Portland, OR — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:16:02 +0000

Maybe short people are just bad people. Is there truth to the "Napolean Complex"? Or is it just bigotry?

By: Andrew, Washington DC, USA

Andrew, Washington DC, USA — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:06:29 +0000

Ridiculous. Height doesn't matter – people are people.

It's silly that height and gender are even considerations nowadays.

By: Withheld, New York, NY

Withheld, New York, NY — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:04:07 +0000

Someone I know was reassigned from Bloomberg's campaign because he was too tall next to the mayor. He was 6'5" and made him look too short.

By: O. Amaro

O. Amaro — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:01:38 +0000

As made evident by our current president, intelligence is not a requirement for the office. Neither should height.

By: Kenneth Nguyen

Kenneth Nguyen — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:54:40 +0000

Yes, I think it matters.

Look back at Michael Dukakus, a short guy from Massachusettes some two decades ago. The US would be embarrassing if we see Mr. Dukakus standing next to either Mitterand or Chiraque of France.

Just like we have been saying "Dress for Success" great images of a US President do count.

I can only wish that someday there will be a minimum requirement of a US presidential candidate, that is "he must be at least 6 feet tall" or "she must be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall"

By: John, Boston, Massachusetts

John, Boston, Massachusetts — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:45:55 +0000

Many short men are insecure. How many "alpha" males do you know that are short-statured.

The last thing we need is an insecure president that feels compensates for his height by trying to show his power. Look at Kim Jong Il of North Korea. His diminutive height certainly factors into his actions.

All short men aren't insecure. It's just that the majority of the voting public discounts the shorter guys. Look at Kucinich – few take him seriously and largely it's because of his short stature.