The face of power

BACK in June, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton took the stage for a Democratic debate with a visage so flawless it started a flurry of Botox and plastic surgery rumors. In October during a Republican debate, Mitt Romney proved once again that he'll never show up with a hair out of place and always exude an enviable degree of perfection. And earlier this month, during the most recent televised exchange among candidates, Fred Thompson, the real-life Hollywood actor who should know better, appeared with bags under his eyes so noticeable you'd think he hadn't slept since the first season of "Law & Order."

By Adam Tschorn

January 20, 2008