Throughout history, many of mankind’s greatest leaders in political and military strategy, rational thought, and respectableness have worn beards. There’s Abe Lincoln, General Custer, Col. Sanders, Ulysses S. Grant, and many, many more. The list simply boggles the mind.

It was with this idea in mind that I’ve decided to take an unconventional look at the candidates for 2008’s US Presidential election as they stand now. I’ve taken the most-viable two (as the radio host and callers I listened to the other day decided) candidates from both the Republican-Americans and the Democrat party and examined them for beard-worthyness. In theory, the one with the best beard will win.

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First up on the Democrat party side: Senator Barack Obama.

As you can see, his beard is quite distinguished, giving him an air of authority and the look of a debonair attitue. Just a hint of gray to show how wise he is; very well-kempt.

Not bad, Barack. Not bad at all.

First up on the Republican-American side: Governor Mitt Romney.

Mitt has his work cut out for him if he wants to overcome the negative stigma that most Americans give to being a Mormon. From the looks of his beard, however, Mitt is in very good standing. Nice coloration gives him a statesmanly appearance, with only the slightest hint of crazy. (In these uncertain times, I believe that we could really use a bit of crazy in a leader.)

I think he’s ahead of Barack at this point, despite his Latter-Day Saint background.

Next up for the Democrat party: Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton-Brimley.

Being a woman would typically count a contender out of both a beard contest and a Presidential election, but Ms. Clinton has made some incredible inroads this election cycle. Americans are slowly coming around to accepting her vision of the future, and are rather impressed with the amount of growth she can achieve—both in her poll numbers and her facial hair. Sure, her beard isn’t quite up on par with that of a man’s, but I think that in light of her not being one, the beard is the least of her troubles.

She’s done better than I would have expected, but she’s currently trailing behind both Obama and Romney at this point.

Lastly, we have Senator¹ John McClane for the Republican-American party:

As you can very clearly see, despite his reliance on headwear, Senator McClane comes out head and shoulders above the rest of his competition. His beard is incredibly distinguished, very becoming, and has more than enough crazy in there to get the job done.

I’m currently calling the 2008 Presidential election in favor of Senator John McClane. Sure, he’s a Republican, but if a member of the Democrat party comes forward with a better beard, I’ll gladly throw my vote their way. Nearly every day someone new suggests that they might be throwing in their hat (and/or towel), so we’ll have to see how it goes.

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1: I was as surprised as you to hear he was a Senator, but in all the talk on the radio I heard the other day, everyone kept referring to him as “Senator John McClane.” Who am I to argue with people who clearly know more than me?

I try to avoid politics as much as humanly possible, but today heard some speculation about possible Republican candidates. One in particular jumped right out at me as a particularly great choice, and I immediately decided to back him.

Unable to find any campaign materials online, I decided to make my own.

Click to embiggen

Please feel free to print out the larger version should you want to show your support as well.