Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2008) -- Continued from Part One of this article.

The Republican Candidates:


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 or say the surge in Iraq isn't working.

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.

However, in debates thus far, McCain's campaign team has cleverly positioned the candidate so his left cheek is rarely visible to the cameras; you usually see only his full face or the right side of his face. This has helped soften the overall appearance and it could help him if he has to face the more telegenic Obama in the general election.

On the plus side, McCain has a nice smile, which looks good in HD. And, other than his neck, which is, frankly, a wrinkled mess, his face is relatively unlined for a 71-year-old. Not unlined -- just relatively unlined. He also comes across as authentic in high-def, as if you're seeing the real thing. A plus.

McCain's HDTV Rating:

  
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (D-Mass.)
This guy is a dead ringer for Warren Beatty in Bugsy, right down to the slick, black locks combed back for effect. (Beatty is in the picture below.)

However, in high-def, Romney's hair appears a bit thinner than in standard-def. He also looks closer to his age (60) in HD, although he could easily pass for a 50-year-old.

But there's no denying that Mitt Romney is the looker in this race. However, I have to say that his smile sometimes seems forced, the eyes show little joy when he's smiling. It's as if his eyes are taking a different position than his mouth.

Well, he has been accused of flip-flopping so maybe even his eyes and mouth are in disagreement.

Romney's HDTV Rating:




Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas)
I'm not the first to say it, but you can't tell me this guy isn't really Jim Nabors from the Gomer Pyle Show. Okay, maybe the nose is different, but not much else. (Gomer is in the picture below.)

Huckabee looks okay in HD, except for his neck which looks like the neck of a 300-pound man, which he used to be. The ex-governor lost more than 100 pounds several years ago. His face shows the weight loss, but the neck doesn't; it's one big turkey neck, folks. I haven't seen a turkey that big since Thanksgiving. It's an odd effect in HD.
Huckabee's HDTV Rating:


Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas)
Other than he looks like he should be wearing a Texaco outfit in an Amarillo, Texas gas station (with "Ron" stitched above the shirt pocket), I don't have much to say.

Paul's HDTV Rating: Barred from this contest for poor performance in primaries.

Comment on this article!

___________________________________________

____________________________________________

Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.

© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________

Swanni (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.

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