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Experts: It's Alfred E. Neuman vs. Sen. Kerry

By Lauren Beckham Falcone

Friday, October 1, 2004

Note to George W: Next time, lose the blue tie, drop the folksy double talk and stand up straight.

That's the advice from local image pros who watched Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] and President Bush [related, bio] duke it out in Dade County last night.

``Bush's folksy platitudes fell flat,'' said Tobe Berkovitz, associate dean at Boston University's College of Communications. ``His pleading tone lacked power, and staying on message only works if the message works.''

Julie Foley, a certified image consultant and founder of The Consultant of Style in Weymouth, said while Bush's lighter grey suit and blue tie conveyed warmth, Kerry diminished Bush's style by sporting a very presidential dark suit and red tie.

``Red is power,'' she said. ``Kerry dressed like a president and has stately body language. The president also slouched terribly. He was leaning on the podium, and I know he's a relaxed guy, but I can't believe he didn't stand up straight. I think his mother is going to be all over him.''

Comedian Tony V, who, at 10:15 p.m. was ``still as confused as when they started,'' admitted he liked the president's down-to-earth demeanor.

``George Bush sounds like someone you want to talk to,'' he said. ``I read somewhere people choose a president they'd like to have a beer with. Me, I'd rather choose a president and go out with people I like. I feel bad. He reminds me of Fredo in `The Godfather.' I can hear him saying: `I'm smart. I know things. I'm not stupid.' ''

While Berkovitz and Foley both faulted Bush for sighing a tad too much, Tony V didn't mind. He was much more distracted by the really important issues.

``I can't get it out of my head,'' he said. ``George W. looked like Alfred E. Neuman. And Kerry looks like he was born with a suit on.''

© Copyright 2004 by the Boston Herald

http://news.bostonherald.com/election/view.bg?articleid=46894