HDTV and the 2008 Presidential Election

Will HDTV affect the upcoming United States Presidential election? It is very possible. With a technology that delivers a crystal clear picture, the candidates will be up close and personal with all Americans. There will be no more hiding the lines and spots and unsightly blemishes.

Some experts are skeptical about the effects that HDTV could have. Recently history has shown that the American people do care about the looks of their President – how ever petty that may sound. (In the Kennedy – Nixon race, it was the first televised debate that swung the win over to Kennedy who looked much nicer and more put together on the screen.)

The quality of the HDTV format is most likely to hurt the female candidates – specifically Hillary Clinton. It may be unfair, but people are more forgiving to men about their looks. Senator Clinton has to be concerned about how appearance could steal her chance at the White House.

Politics may be harsh, the clarity of the HDTV is even more so. It will be interesting to see how the United States Presidential candidates handle the pressure of having the world so up close and person. Make up will only be able to do so much.

Let the race begin, and let the HDTV do what it can to expose the candidates for who they really are.