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Physical Traits of Presidents
By Lisa D. Tossey
When Americans head to the polls, they vote for the presidential candidate who best represents their positions and who has the integrity needed to lead a nation, right? Perhaps. But history shows more superficial qualities appear to matter to voters, too, including candidates' heights, ages and facial hair. 1. According to a phenomenon dubbed the Presidential Height Index, since the advent of television, the tallest candidate has won the presidency in all elections but two. Which two U.S. presidents defeated those taller rivals?
John F. Kennedy and
Ronald Reagan 2. If the Presidential Height Index is taken into account, which candidate for the Democratic nomination would be best suited to defeat President Bush in the 2004 general election?
Wesley Clark 3. Who was the last president to have a mustache?
Teddy Roosevelt 4. Who was the youngest president to be elected to the White House?
John F. Kennedy 5. Who was the shortest U.S. President – a man whom Washington Irving described as "but a withered little apple-John"?
Martin Van Buren 6. Which president contracted polio at age 39 and used a wheelchair throughout his presidency?
John Quincy Adams 7. Which president is “often remembered for his muttonchop sideburns and expensive wardrobe,” according to the Smithsonian Institution?
Warren Harding 8. Who was the last president to be left-handed?
Bill Clinton 9. Charles Dickens described one president as looking “somewhat worn and anxious, and he might well be, being at war with everybody.” Which president was he referring to?
Andrew Jackson 10. One president’s image has been on more covers of Time Magazine than any other. Who holds the record?
Ronald Reagan Copyright © 2004 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism Top of Page | Home Page |