Swanni's 2008 HDTV Presidential Forecast!, Part Two

News Feature
Swanni's HDTV 2008 Presidential Forecast!
The candidates are off and running, but how do they look in ultra-real High-Definition TV?
By Phillip Swann

Continued from Part One.

So here's Swanni's HDTV 2008 Presidential Forecast!

The Democrats:

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
In HD, the 58-year-old Mrs. Clinton looks much older than she does in still photos and analog broadcasts. Her face is well lined and a bit saggy around the jowls and eyes. But, overall, there are no serious issues here, certainly nothing that would hurt her in debates and high-def appearances.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
You never know which John Kerry you're going to get.

Kerry reportedly received Botox injections during the 2004 campaign to look fresher on the trail. However, in HDTV (the 2004 Democratic National Convention), his face seemed to be in disagreement, as if it was performing a facial "flip-flop" rather than a political one, which he's often accused of. His eyes, where the Botox allegedly was directed, looked like the eyes of a 45-year-old. There was just a slight puffiness under the eyes and the surrounding area was very smooth. However, his jowls and cheeks were sagging badly, a common problem among the post 60 crowd.

In analog TV, the contrast was minor, but in high-def, it looked very odd.

However, during President Bush's 2006 State of the Union speech, Kerry's face looked more normal -- except it appeared that he hadn't shaved since morning. His 5 o'clock shadow looked like it had kicked in at about 3.

Some analysts say Kerry wants to run in 2008 to save face for losing in 2004. But you have to wonder if he'll be able to pick a face before running.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.)
Like Mrs. Clinton, Edwards looks older in high-def; no one would mistake him for Kerry's son instead of his running mate. (This could be a plus for the youthful-looking Edwards who has been accused of lacking gravitas.) But Edwards' face is smooth and largely unlined and his blue eyes sparkle in high-def. HDTV should be a big advantage for the 2004 vice presidential candidate.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.)
Biden reportedly has resorted to hair plug treatments, but in high-def, it looks like he's plugged his finger in a wall socket. His hair is unnatural looking; there are stringy strands floating above his forehead, looking more like fallouts from an Angora sweater than real follicles.

And his teeth are so white that you'll need sunglasses to watch him in high-def. Yeech.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Former Gov. Mark Warner (D-Virginia)
Warner is red hot in the party these days because he was elected in a 'Red' state (Virginia). But his face might be red with embarrassment when he's seen in high-def. Warner's cheeks are covered with acne scars, which are quite visible in HD. His teeth are also a bit yellow -- and I don't mean Yellow Dog Democrat. Before announcing for president, this D will need to visit a few other D's -- dentists and dermatologists.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

The Republicans:

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
McCain has had surgery on the left side of his face to remove some cancerous growths caused by the sun. (Perhaps looking to head-off comments, McCain has already joked about his appearance on the campaign trail.) However, in high-def, the surgery makes McCain's left cheek seem puffed up, as if he's chewing tobacco. He looks like he's about to spit at anyone who would oppose campaign finance reform.

It seems unfair to even suggest that McCain could be hurt by this. But this is a superficial nation and history shows that voters tend to favor the better looking.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.)
Allen's face is a bit ruddy, but the son of the former Washington Redskin coach looks fine in high-def. He has an easy smile, which he flashes often. But unlike Biden, it doesn't appear that his teeth have been bleached more often than Gwen Stefani's hair.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
Giuliani is a rare individual who looks almost the same in high-def as he does in analog; not better or worse. He's no beauty but he's very authentic looking, particularly since he abandoned the comb over.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
Frist? Hiis name should be Frost. The senator's face looks frozen in high-def; he rarely gives up an expression, whether it's a smile or a frown. Why is he always so stiff? His face looks tighter than a pair of jeans on Kirstie Alley.
Swanni's HDTV Rating:

Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.)
Well, I haven't seen Romney yet in high-def. But political analysts have commented on his good looks and charm. Sounds like he might be a force in the high-def debates.

Swanni's HDTV Rating: To be determined.

Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

And click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.