Swanni's HDTV 2008 Presidential Forecast!

In 1960, Democratic Sen. John F. Kennedy defeated Vice President Richard Nixon in part because the latter failed to shave in the first presidential debate. Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow made him look unfriendly, if not downright sinister.

In retrospect, the impact of Nixon's faux pas is remarkable when you consider that the debate was broadcast in a grainy black and white.

Can you imagine if it had aired in color? Or, even worse for the non-telegenic Mr. Nixon, in crystal-clear High-Definition TV? In fact, one could argue that the former president would have never even been nominated for high office if the voters had first seen him in high-def.

Well, in 2008, HDTV could actually help determine which candidates are nominated -- and ultimately which one goes to the White House. The high-def picture is so clear that the candidates' facial flaws and aging signs will be dramatically visible in debates and other campaign appearances broadcast in HD. The so-called HDTV effect could influence the voters, which include a growing high-def audience.

So, which candidates will benefit from HDTV and which ones will suffer?

I have assessed each party's likely top candidates in 2008 on how they look in crystal-clear high-def. To read the Swanni HDTV 2008 Presidential Forecast, click Here