Yale newspapers and magazines recently turned to international students to find out our perspective on the U.S. presidential campaign. After all, it’s easy to run out of fun material over the course of a 1.5 years long presidential campaign. We are supposed to have a fresh outside perspective.
When I started my freshman year, the presidential campaign was already going on, so I have been exposed to it as much as most Americans. After I found out I had to pay taxes in the US, I have been obsessively following the tax policies of both candidates. Like most foreign Yalies I know, I watched presidential and vice-presidential debates. So much for the fresh perspective.
So I asked the real outsiders — my friends who live outside the US.
The vast majority of my Russian and Ukrainian friends and acquaintances — the younger crowd — would vote for Barack Obama if they could. But in general, the older Russians get, the more they like McCain. An average Russian man hardly lives to be 60, so a 72-year old candidate is an inspiring role model to many. “I wish my husband was so lively” — my friend’s grandmother said of her 72-y.o. husband. “What foreign policies? I don’t care what those capitalists are doing.”
I quizzed my 20-something Obama-favoring friends on their rationale. In a surprising correlation with their college majors, they explained what aspects of the democratic candidate’s tax, education, healthcare, and foreign policies they favored to those of McCain. And then something else came up: Obama is oh-so-glamorous (“a он ничего такой, очень гламурненький”).
Russia is all about glamour. What is known as ostentatious in other countries, is every-day wear in Russia. Mini skirts and high heels are equally worn to class, work and parties. Some restaurants have special side tables for the It Bags. Several haute couture brands have more boutiques in Moscow than in London or NYC. Books that teach girls how to marry an oligarch are bestsellers. And politics has been becoming more glamorous, too.
Our President’s recent video blog post (and yes, he has one!) spurred demand for the stylish Mac laptops: he clearly prefers them to the good ol’ PCs. He was even spotted playing with his iPhone before they became legally available in Russia. Our ex-President-turned-prime-minister has video of him doing judo all over YouTube (and pictures of him with a naked torso that show off his muscles; he is in a great shape). The Ukrainian prime-minister is known for her hairstyle and fancy outfits as much as for her policies.
No wonder Barack Obama with his tall and slim frame, well-fitting outfits and an elegantly-clad wife is a favorite with Russian women.
To be fair, Sarah Palin is also perceived as glamorous. A stereotypical Russian woman wears stiletto boots and furs in the winter, and Palin gives off an image of someone who could totally pull it off. Her recent $150K worth of a shopping spree is definitely approved by the Russian women (she even managed to do it with someone else’s money, a dream of a stereotypical glamour girl). She is in a great shape and wears fashionable clothes. Her four — or is five? Most Russian women lost track (or lost Track. Ha!) — kids raise some well-waxed Russian eyebrows. But of course, a true glamour girl has a glamorous reason to have kids — “Ah, I get it — she had so many fashionable pregnancy clothes that she wanted to become pregnant again and again to be able to wear them!”
If Barack Obama wins, as most my friends hope, they will take great pleasure in praising his and his wife’s looks at the inauguration and beyond. If that happens, Sarah Palin shouldn’t give up. She should simply move to Alaska’s behemoth neighbor. Her glamorousness guarantees a huge success. After all, we all know she is already an expert on Russia.
Paulin is a hottie isn’t she! I wouldn’t vote for her, but she is SEXY!
It’s interesting that they don’t care about American’s Foreign policy and want to Vote for McCain since McCain basically wants to start another Cold War with ANY country that doesn’t sympathize with our Oil Plight. (Pretty sure that includes Russia?)
Putin is hugely Popular, but aren’t there Term Limits on How long you can be President? I keep hearing that he’s trying to become President again. Russia doesn’t need another Dictator…it would destroy the Luxurious lifestyles you’ve been enjoying and plunge you back into the dark ages. America’s Military would probably LOVE that though. The CIA probably wouldn’t bother him until he’s already taken complete control, then they’ll Say he’s a monster blah blah blah, even though they didn’t do anything to stop him.
It’s been like that since for a long time. The CIA had a hand in turning Russian Policy against Religion because they know that statistically all countries fail without a moral compass to guide them. It’s like Sociology 101.
Hello Anna,
I am glad to see that you are alive and well, and found the time to blog a little. I hope it’s all straight A’s and sunshine in New Haven. It’s cold as whiz here in Northwest Carolina, the hub of the redneck universe.
Just when I was beginning to think Russian women were all about true love, devotion, and thrift, you come along and tell me otherwise. I want to say, “tell me it isn’t true, Anna.” In my mind President-elect Obama is an extraordinary person. He managed one of the best campaigns in American history, and he and President Bush have the transition hitting on all cylinders, so all is well so far. Incredibly, he’s done it all despite the fact that he only owns six business suits, and his shoes are all worn and frayed.
Changing the subject, I would love to hear your thoughts on the recent Washingtonpost.com article “Behind the Bluster, Russia is Collapsing”, Sunday, October 5, 2008; B03 by Murray Peshbach. I know you are facing exams, so I don’t expect anything anytime soon.
Study hard, and watch out for those oligarchs. Take care.
Sam Ogilvie
Sam — the finals have been extra exhausting, and I had to finish things earlier to go home (had some family stuff going on). So sorry for a late reply. I was actually going to blog about that article, but never did that, either. I might do that later — I have quite a few things I want to write about, given that I spent my entire break trying to figure out what is actually going on in Russia.
As for President Obama’s wardrobe, he might have only six suits (does he really?), but he looks good in them. For men in politics, it might be better to have fewer clothes, but the more fashionable and well-fitting ones. Plus, he is in a great shape, which always helps to make those suits look terrific. And mind you, his wife is quite a dresser. Her black-and-red sheath dress she wore when the results were announced is now supposed to be one of the biggest fashion moments of 2008.
I believe that Palin was perceived as extra fashionable and glamorous because there are only a few women like that in politics in Russia. There are very few women in politics anyway, but the well-dressed ones are even more difficult to find. In Russia, where people are often obsessed with looks and fashion (see my new post), people talk about things like that — A LOT. This is not to say that I would ever vote based on the candidate’s fashion sense and I hope that no one would, either. But I have seen many Russians watching the news on TV discuss clothes of the politicians rather than what they said/did. Vladimir Putin, of course, is perceived as quite the hottie of the Russian politics.
I saw many many posts on various forums praising how he is so handsome and has in a better shape than Sarkozy or Obama. But then once again, even if he were out-of-shape and clad in sackcloth, people would still approve of his every move. Good looks are only an accessory to political choices.
Hi Anna,
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Thanks for your reply. I hope all is well with your family, and that your trip home wasn’t too distressful. You are absolutely right, style has proven to be every bit as important for politicians as substance. Historians always point out the fact that John Kennedy’s handsome appearance matched perfectly with televison, and that Nixon suffered accordingly. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed, but President-elect Obama appears to be a fine and equal blend of style and substance. According to the media, he does own just six business suits, and his wife buys more off the rack clothes from pedestrian mall stores than anywhere else.
Speaking of Russia, I am well aware of the pain the drop in oil prices is causing there. Tragically, and unfortunately, the Western world’s gain is Russia’s loss. I am all for win-win situations myself. I hope our countries will find a great deal of common ground in coming months and years. The world doesn’t need more of our tired ways.
Returning to the subject, being a red-blooded, southern male, I appreciate stylish, attractive women as much as anyone, though I appreciate substance more and more with each passing year. I’ll take competence, personality, and good morals over style any day of the week.
Good luck in New Haven. I hope you’ll continue to blog, and knock down those A’s.
Hey Sam –
Once again, I cannot emphasize enough that I think people should not base their electoral preferences on the candidate’s looks. Yet, I know that it is often an important factor. I have no idea if anyone actually voted for McCain in this past election because of, say, his wife’s haute couture pieces. But in the countries where the division between parties and candidates is not so obvious, to project the right style helps gain votes.
It is interesting that you mentioned Michelle Obama’s off-the-rack wardrobe. It seems that these fashion choices simply reflect who she is, not what her political consultants picked. But what a great statement does it make in these times of economic distress! Unlike Cindy McCain’s extremely expensive outfits, those of Michelle make her appear much closer to an average American. And I don’t even want to talk about Sarah Palin’s infamous shopping spree(s). Her political boat was sinking already, but that story didn’t help.
Now, back to Slavic women. Google image Yuliya Timoshenko. She is currently prime minister of Ukraine, and is believed by many, myself included, to be the next president. She really has a striking appearance, with her signature hair style and designer clothes. It is remarkable that I recently heard a lot of criticism from her supporters based on her wardrobe, not her political choices. When she began her rise to political stardom, people admired her looks, especially against the backdrop of the few female politicians with boring Soviet styles. Ukraine appears to have been hit harder by the crisis than Russia, and there is more criticism about her expensive clothes now. It is harder to appreciate your prime minister custom-made clothes one one is unemployed. Simply put, it annoys people. But with the unpopular president, dysfunctional parliament, and disoriented opposition, she can afford losing a few admirers to her Louis Vuitton outfits.