We tell ourselves we vote on policies, but in reality it has almost always been personalities since we could view our politicians on tv screens..
JFK vs. Nixon. The folks listening at home on the radio thought Nixon won the first televised presidential debate, because they liked what they heard. Those watching tv saw a sweaty upper lip and preferred the suave, cool appearance of JFK.
But that handsome young man that went on to become President died in office…and did democracy falter? No. 1/2