text: does anyone here think that bush is really very charismatic? quite frankly, i don't think he's got a lot of charisma. he definitely doesn't have as much as clinton or reagan. i remember that when he and gore were running for the presidency in 2000, it didn't seem that we had any great picks. and not only that, but even after he got to the white house, he didn't seem to stand out in any way. he only began to stand out after the 9/11 attacks. for a while after the attacks, he had the support of a lot of people. however, after he decided to invade iraq, things began to go in the opposite direction. either way, the only time he's ever been able to stand out in any way is during a time of conflict. and not only that, but charismatic figures are usually very popular, and since the beginning of the war, he's made himself very unpopular both in the us and elsewhere. i think you're right.  but he did win with his charm, which i guess is different from charisma.  it's what was called that "aw, gosh" appeal.  he seemed like a regular guy, in contrast to that over-practiced, slick style of gore in the 2000 presidential race.  i think that's why gore lost to the underdog, bush.  i think it's the simplest explanation for bush's victory, since there was no way to judge his fitness for leadership, other than his governorship in texas, which most americans knew nothing about.