Reply #2: sure, you're included

[amazona]

The majority of Democrats are not particularly glamourous or beautiful. It is a very inclusive party. Most politicians are going to be gregarious and extroverted, regardless of party affiliation, because they have to be people who can handle having other people's demands pressing in on them all day. Don't confuse what people look for in a celebrity spokesperson with what they look for in a voter or an activist or a letter writeror even a politician. Was Paul Wellstone physically beautiful? I think not. The party of putting up empty designer suits happens to be the GOP.

As a white southerner myself, I have experienced the prejudice you describe against white southerners. It sucks, sure. But, you know what, the Yankee (sorry if any Northerner here is offended by the term but it seems to fit) who assumes all southern accents is stupid is just as likely to be GOP as Democrat. Go to a party or function sponsored by the dark side, and you will see that I am right. Or -- and I find this even more offensive -- the dark sider will start spewing all their anti-black, anti-gay crap at you, just assuming you will go along because you are from the south. I hate that!

Neither side is perfect but, as we have a two party system and the Democrats have done far more for the little guy than the other side, then I believe we need to overlook the prejudiced individuals and work with what we have.

And I agree with you that we need to pay more attention to our loyal African-American voters. I personally believe it's time for an African-American presidential or vice-presidential candidate.

For the record, while I can pass as a normal human being if pressed, my nature is to be extremely introverted. I am not however "mousy," as I like high fashion, and I suppose could be viewed as "flashy." But I've never heard anyone say I shouldn't sign a petition or vote for a candidate because my blouse hurt their eyeballs...mousy is the default, and I think most people prefer it, but if someone wants to be prejudiced because you're not a blonde, well, tell them to go do themselves. I've been blonde, brunette, redhead, and other...it really doesn't and shouldn't matter. Hillary Clinton must be more conservative in her dress and manner because she is a politician but there is no reason that a regular woman-on-the-street progressive should dye her hair blonde unless she darn well feels like it!

On Edit: I'm real short, too, and it stinks, but I don't think Democrats have any monopoly on patronizing short people. We can't all be Swedish, if we were, I guess we'd be in Sweden now!