Playboy has published the results from its poll about sex and politics in America - conducted by veteran pollster Frank Luntz.
For those of you who don't want to open the Playboy website while at work (we here at public radio throw caution to the wind), I'll recap some interesting statistics from the article. 51% percent of Republicans and two-thirds of Democrats have watched pornography with their partners. More than half of those who attend church every week consider themselves "sexually adventurous."
Almost a quarter (23 percent) of Americans have had a threesome. Lutz writes, "So next time you're bored during an office
meeting, look around the room and guess which one out of every four
co-workers has crossed a ménage à trois off his or her sexual to-do
list." I'm notorious for skipping meetings (not something I'm proud of) and until I erase this suggestion from my brain, I might continue the trend.
Both parties are losing their virginity earlier: almost a third (31 percent) of Republicans report waiting until they were 20 or older to have sex for the first time, compared with 23 percent of Democrats. So, the majority in both parties aren't waiting until their wedding night.
This is my favorite statistic: only 57 percent of Americans would definitely say no to a one-night stand in the Oval Office with a president they found physically and sexually attractive. In fact, 23 percent of all Republicans and 24 percent of all Democrats would definitely or probably say yes. If I were amenable to one night stands in the oval office, hypothetically... just to play the game here... which president would get my yes vote? Let's see, we can rule out Grover Cleveland and Taft, but Jefferson and Lincoln cut quite a figure. Franklin Pierce was actually quite dashing but is considered one of the worst presidents in history. (That's Pierce to the right, with that come-hither look) Of course, Kennedy. Nixon never. Bill, mabye. The most recent presidents just leave me cold. Like dead cold.
This is good news: "even among 18- to 29-year-olds -- the group in the sweet spot of its sexually active years -- 40 percent rate intelligence as more of a turn-on than physical attractiveness." I'm so cynical, part of me doesn't believe this, but I certainly want to.
The surveyers also asked a series of questions reflecting the seven deadly sins (sadly, I remember these from the movie Seven and not my Catholic school education). They are: gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride and... LUST! Lust actually came in last as a sin people identified with - this should be good for my readership. No guilt reading Culture Lust people.
Michelle Obama, Condalezza Rice, and Laura Bush topped the list of the sexiest women in politics. And it turns out Republicans are more sexually active than Democrats. "Republicans attend church more often than Democrats, but they also have sex more often." What the hell are Democrats doing to lose their edge in this category? I thought they had that one locked up.
So to sum it all up, if you need a break from Super Tuesday results, hop on over to Playboy to see how each party will be celebrating tonight.
aaryn b.
from san diego
February 05, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I'm sorry but...is Laura Bush a woman in politics...?
JW
February 06, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Probalby more so than Michelle Obama, aaryn b.
Well, Angela, you've hit upon the perfect way to meld politics with culture. Kudos to you for the successful effort...a little spice often goes a long way. That said, I don't really find any of the women on the current national poli-scene all that attractive from a sexual perspective – some brilliant, yes, sexually attractive, no (there are some exceptions on a more localized level). And, as for the men...well, that's just a moot point.
However, if a poli-pundit counts as a “political figure,� well then…
Interesting read in any case.
Angela
February 06, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Thanks, John. Hmmm, poli-pundits... my guess is if you start including the likes of Maureen Dowd, Arianna Huffington and Ann Coulter (shudder), the sexy quotient goes up.
JW
February 06, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Ok, I'll play a little. Coulter?...I also shudder! But then there's Megyn Kelly, Kirsten Powers, Becky Quick (ok, she's more business, but still...) and, yes even Maureen Dowd. There, have I demonstrated enough chauvinism?
BTW, a little assumptive, aren't you?
Angela
February 06, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Perhaps I was presumptuous, but apparently not off-base.
Since this topic is sex and politics, I would feel better if we were also talking about the sexual appeal of men in politics - even the poli-pundits.
Don't worry, John, I don't expect you to do it all!
I'll go out on a real limb and say though Tim Russert is not sexy, he is so smart, compassionate, and skilled at his craft that I prefer watching him - any day - to Anderson Cooper, Chris Matthews, et al.
JW
February 06, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Apparently, I need to be careful around you...wouldn't want any trouble of any sort, you know.
Hmm, the men, et al...I totally agree with you about Russert. I also like Mathews, howver, and...dare I say...even O'Reilly. Leanings aside, all three are straight-shooters in my book.
No worries, little gem, have a great day!
Azron
February 06, 2008 at 09:56 PM
O'Reilly is a straight shooter? Really?
aaryn b.
from san diego
February 06, 2008 at 10:12 PM
This conversation has gotten wildly out of control. Then again, it did all start with Playboy...
I'll concede that Michele Obama and Laura "Frozen-Face" Bush are not politicians; however, the former does have a far more impressive resume, and the game has shifted to include some outsiders. Condi is not hot but what of her liberal cousin, Constance Rice? She's cute. And what of Michigan's governor? Jennifer Granholm certainly wasn't absent on the day pretty genes were handed out (Ann Coulter thought she was in line for smoldering eyes, but instead ended up in the queue for adams' apple distribution). As to the men you all mention...Tim Russert??? Chris Matthews??? Bill O'reilly? Good God. If they're considered sexy then I'm going to re-commit myself to battery operated tools.
Oh, and calling any of them straight shooters---yes, ANY of them---well, that's as laughable as implying they have blatant sex appeal.
Angela
February 06, 2008 at 10:18 PM
How can you say Tim Russert isn't a straight shooter? He's the most humble man in journalism. There's not a sensational bone in his body. I mean, how did the man end up on TV when, as they say, he has a face for radio? I'll tell you how he got there...straight skillz, baby. Go Bills!
Angela
February 06, 2008 at 10:25 PM
P.S. Don't think I haven't noticed that you all come out to comment when a little politics is thrown in the Lusty mix. Where were all of you when I wrote about Fences at Cygnet? (Go see it once you've stopped commenting on political blogs all day. It heals the soul.)
aaryn b.
from san diego
February 06, 2008 at 10:27 PM
He may have skillz, straight skillz ...but baby, everyone has their price. Way back in the early days of this endless war, I felt like Russert, spoon fed his audience the lies and lobbed the softball questions along with the rest of 'em. So, he may have higher standards than O'Reilly---certainly he's more humble and more likeable and even (gasp!) easier on the eyes---but I still don't trust him. And don't try change my mind by selling me on "Big Russ and Me" because it just might work.
aaryn b.
from san diego
February 06, 2008 at 10:29 PM
P.S. I comment all the time! But I have to stop myself just in case you start to think I'm stalking you. It's not that at all (well...maybe just a little..it's the lust, you know). I can't help but hang out here all day because I know in my heart that KPBS is Where News Matters.
I'll go see the play.
Wanna babysit?
JW
February 07, 2008 at 12:45 AM
See what you started, AC??
Chris
February 07, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Henry Waxman is considering a run in 2012 in order to get on your Presidential one night stand list....
michelle
February 08, 2008 at 05:50 AM
good news: smart is sexier these days
bad news: 18 to 29 year olds are still hogging the "sweet spot"
