Smilin' for the Cameras

Obama and Edwards: Beefcakes!

by Mary F. Patel

It's a sad commentary on the state of the 2008 presidential elections when beefcake photos of two of the Democratic candidates simultaneously grace the cover of a pair of national men's magazines. Mediabistro.com's FishbowlDC feed reports that a reader in a Detroit airport observed Barack Obama posing with a seductive smile on the cover of GQ while John Edwards postured on the cover of Esquire, without his jacket, hand on hip, gazing dreamily off into space. Not that either of these men are unattractive, but if they were, it's unlikely they would get such publicity. Can you picture underdog candidate Dennis Kucinich on the cover of either mag? Not likely.

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That brings up the issue of presidential candidates not looking that presidential, appearing like actors rather than the men running for public office that they are. At least for the moment, Hillary Clinton has the good taste to appear only on the cover of Fortune, which is hardly in the same vein as GQ and Esquire. But is it only a matter of time before she lands on the cover of Glamour or Elle? Her new blond highlights may be a hint that she very well may, particularly if her high poll numbers drop.

Is the era of serious candidates over? Have looks and money become more important than issues?

Unfortunately, today's high-profile candidates often make few decisions themselves and are heavily managed by their campaign staff. "Politicians have teams of people, an army of consultants and spin doctors and all these people behind them," says Sreenath Sreenivasan, professor of journalism and new media at Columbia University. "Politicians have focus groups, they are heavily debated in mock sessions, and they use a variety of tools."

Magazine covers are part of this toolbox.

No Zoning Defense

The Citizens' Business, a newsletter produced by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, recently announced the results of research into the city's archaic zoning code, which was written in 1958.

Seventy-nine percent of voters in last May's primary election, along with the real estate community, approve of updating the zoning code, clearly indicating a grave dissatisfaction with the current regulations.

The report suggests that time and money is needed for the reform, but the new Zoning Reform Commission can learn from Chicago's zoning code reform.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley worked with City Council to lay out a plan to bring the city's zoning code into the 21st century. The plan included improving the quality of life in neighborhoods while stabilizing home values and keeping housing affordable, mandating public green spaces and providing public transportation and a vibrant retail area.

Savvy and brilliant leaders are needed to move this idea forward and the task of finding them will fall to the next mayor. Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Nutter and Republican candidate Al Taubenberger both support zoning reform.

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The report quotes Nutter: "I will take on the development challenge that has stalemated mayors for over 40 years. I will revise the zoning code."

An outside consultant would be useful, as well as adequate funding. Last June, City Councilman Frank DiCicco introduced a bill to provide $500,000 to the Zoning Code Commission but as the report says, more funding will be needed. Open books are also important and public input is crucial.

This and That

U2 frontman Bono will receive the 2007 Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center next month. Bono and the DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) nonprofit he helped organize, will be honored — and receive a $100,000 award check — on the center's front lawn on Thursday, Sept. 27.

This is a bit of deviation from last year, when past Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton jointly received the medal for helping raise more than $1 billion for disaster-relief efforts.

Demonstrating that he can be a bipartisan team player, state House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, a Republican, has appointed Democratic state Rep. Cherelle Parker to a national legislative committee on law and criminal justice issues such as civil rights, capital punishment and juvenile justice.

(rcpatel@aol.com)