According to Liza Figueroa Kravinsky, creator of a documentary about beauty, Sarah Palin's physical beauty may be either a helpful factor or a hindering factor in her efforts to win votes in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
Kravinsky's film, "Beauty: In the Eyes of the Beheld," interviews various American women who are considered beautiful and asks them what it is like to be a beautiful woman. The women whose lives she followed include
former beauty pageant queens, a physician, an entrepreneur, a real estate agent, an exotic dancer, and a musician who worked with famous rock star Prince.
"Ms. Palin's looks helped her get a job as a sportscaster. Theresulting fame may have helped her win an election to public office. Those are good things. But it's a double edged sword," said Mrs. Kravinsky in a press release.
"When beautiful women reach a certain level in their careers, perceived competence becomes an issue. Just listen to all the jokes you hear about her being a 'hottie.' How would you like a 'hottie' for a potential commander in chief?"
The common concern expressed by all of the women in Kravinsky's Documentary is that beautiful women are often stereotyped as being conceited, superficial, dumb people who rely on their looks to get everything they want in life. Such a perception is not at all helpful for someone running for Vice President of the United States.
"Good looks help men win elections, but that issue is more complex for women," said Kravinsky.
