ND NEWS

Neither one of my parents is all that involved with politics, yet they both keep up with the major news headlines of the day. For this reason I often like to quiz them (both are self-described independents) on the hot political issues going down from time to time. It is uncanny how often their opinions run parallel to the national opinion polls. I swear CNN/USA Today pollsters could save countless dollars and hours if they just hired my parents as consultants and said screw all this polling of 1,001 people.

Over the Memorial Day weekend I bounced a hypothetical question off my mom. I asked her who she would vote for if Gov. John Hoeven were to challenge Kent Conrad for a North Dakota senate seat. Here's the transcript...

Me: So Mom who will you vote for if Hoeven decides to run against Conrad in '06?

Mom: Ummmmm, I suppose I'd have to vote for John Hoeven.

Me: Really? Why so?

Mom: He's much better looking than Kent Conrad. Yeah definitely.

Me: (Laughing and shaking my head) Okay.

Mom: (After conferring with my aunts on John Hoeven and Kent Conrad's beauty.) Yeah he'd definitely get our vote.

I guess we all have our own reasons why we vote the way we do; national security, the economy, education, moral values, beauty. While it may seem like a silly point to make, appearance and general overall likeability can and will play a role in elections. Remember all the liberals whining after the 2000 presidential election that voters would rather have a beer with George W. Bush than Al Gore and that is why Bush won?

Kent Conrad's overall likeability is very low. He comes off as somewhat nerdy with his look and the nasal-whine in his voice doesn't do him any favors either. I think Hoeven's general likeability is probably moderate/good. He keeps things very business-like and upfront, not a lot of schmoozing.

On a related note, I met Norm Coleman a couple of times campaigning in Minnesota last fall. Definitely the most likeable politician I have ever met in my life. That probably explains this.