Challenge: Non-Hygenic President

There's been at least one conspicuously overweight president.

And for all we know there have been plenty of "unhygienic" presidents. How would anyone have found out if Lincoln never bathed or Hoover had bad breath?

Agreed but of course those were all before World War II. IIRC, the American obsessions with hygeine, grooming, and style in general came about during the war with the beginning of mass merchandising of deodorant.

Also, at one time, being obese was considered a "good" thing; it meant you could afford food, and plenty of it. IIRC, that also changed around WWII. Of course, now with carbohydrates being so cheap they're literally free (food pantries/soup kitchens serve up a lot of sugar and starch), weight tends to be in inverse proportion to wealth.

Although "image" is important, I do believe a "bad" image can be overcome with enough skill and the right message at the right time and place. If someone could do for economics during a depression what Einstein did for nuclear physics in the runup to a world war, he could probably roll around in feces and vomit for all anyone cared. Please note I'm talking about a damn near miraculous amount of skill, close to Strangerverse levels.
 
Yeah, I think the Steve Jobs-type is on the right track. A president, likely from California, who is extremely outgoing and likable, competent, but dresses in jeans and sweaters rather than suits all the way through. He's never going to be dirty or smelly or disheveled but he's always going to be casual. Even so, that might be a tough sell, but if he's showing up downdressed for a debate.
 
Just the idea of having someone in power with the hygiene of Louis XIV (who had to be forced to bathe once a year and had talks with people while going to the toilet) sounds rather unlikely.
 
Just the idea of having someone in power with the hygiene of Louis XIV (who had to be forced to bathe once a year and had talks with people while going to the toilet) sounds rather unlikely.

Isn't forcing the king to do anything a violation of His Majesty's sovereignty?
 
Lets change the rule a little. Lets consider a candidate who maybe a little square, perhaps the behind the times just a bit. Not a fashion plate, but a smart able individual who may not have that "look" but he's a person you could rally around.

Instead of one lacking hygiene...How about we change it to a candidate who is really, really...well..."born in the WRONG time"

I'm talking a man who is really, really square...to the point where "Gee Willikers" is a normal phrase he'd use.

Wrong time huh? what about really 'off' location combined with time? You could introduce someone who dresses with suit styles from the South, so he is still able to 'dress up' for events, but it still always seems off, and has a humongous cultural divide and accent within his speech style and his word choice, but otherwise has great ideas to build off of?
 
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