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A Leftist Conspiracy: Disproportionate Number of U.S. Presidents Are Left-Handed

By Alex in Politics on Jul 16, 2008 at 2:36 am


It must be a conspiracy: for the fifth time in the last 35 years, Americans will elect a lefty to the White House. No, not necessarily a Leftist liberal – rather, a southpaw:

Both major party candidates are southpaws, contributing to a largely unexplained phenomenon that has vexed researchers and historians — and drawn notice from a federal judge destined for the Supreme Court. Though left-handers comprise just 10% of the population, they are dominating presidential politics.

Their recent success transcends ideology. Since 1974, presidents Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton have all favored their left hands, while President Carter and the current President Bush are righties. The trait is also not exclusive to winning candidates: Vice President Gore is left-handed, as are past presidential contenders Robert Dole, John Edwards, Bill Bradley, and Ross Perot. A prominent New Yorker who flirted with a White House bid, Mayor Bloomberg, is a lefty.

Link – via Gerry Canavan


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COMMENT
  1. Polx
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 3:31 am

    I don't know the statistical likelihood of this but I am the only right hander in my family.

  2. Ger
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 3:36 am

    We only had one lefty in our family, we sold her off to the circus tho....well at least she didnt have an outy!

  3. Anthony
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 3:39 am

    Left-handed people write with their left hand.

  4. Larfin Jackarse
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 6:22 am

    Obviously a sinister plot!

  5. Adam Stanhope
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 8:31 am

    But can they curl their tongues? Is their earwax greasy or dry and flaky? These are the questions that need to be answered!

  6. Laurie
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 8:31 am

    statistacally null, it's only been coupla centuries snce left or right have been relevant.. I'd like to know how many world rulers in history have been left handed before I make a 'wow' decision eh?

  7. Polx
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 9:35 am

    Larfin Jackarse

    nicely played sir.

  8. RM
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 10:28 am

    What are you talking about Laurie?

  9. Neatoramawontsendmeapassword
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am

    Is Bob Dole really a lefty? I mean, was he born one? His right arm was injured in war, so obviously he's a lefty now.

    Still, this whole phenomenon does make you scratch your head.

  10. bean
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    It makes perfect sense to me. Left-handed people tend to be dominated more by their right brains, causing them to be more creative and communicative. A good leader isn't hyper-analytical the way left brain dominant people tend to be.

  11. ted
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    Larfin - very nice.

  12. Orjan Morjan
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    There's no such thing as a dominant brain half.

  13. Alex
    Jul 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 am

    Props to ya, Larfin. Props.

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