Psychologist Grades GOP Presidential Candidates on Relatability

AP Photo/David Goldman
AP Photo/David Goldman

Licensed psychologist Dr. Tiffany D. Sanders evaluated the GOP presidential candidates and likely candidates to determine which one is the most relatable to the average American.

Dr. Sanders—a Chicago-based licensed psychologist and author and founder of a private mental health practice Sanders & Associates—specializes in treating mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Sanders also appears on HLN with Nancy Grace to offer her expert analysis.

She told Breitbart News that, as a psychologist, she studies body language when evaluating people.

“We assess an individual’s eye contact, gait, rate of speech, tone of voice, pitch, gestures, choice of language, and previous behavior,” Sanders explained. “After reviewing news articles and video available on said candidates, I analyzed all candidates and graded them according to information available on each.”

Sanders gave each candidate a grade between “B” and “F”; only Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) got a “B”—the highest score given to any candidate by Sanders.

According to Sanders’s evaluation, Rubio appears open-minded, young, and is likely to connect best out of the GOP candidates with millennials. Sanders didn’t note any negative characteristics about Rubio.

Sanders awarded a “C” grade to four candidates: former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Sanders found that Bush was confident and experiencee but noted his negative characteristics could be an appearance of entitlement and privilege due to his family’s lineage with both his brother and father being former presidents of the United States.

Sen. Rand Paul’s evaluation was interesting because a characteristic of his appears to be both a positive and a negative. Sanders noted that Paul appears to be a rabble–rouser and gutsy, noting he is willing to take risks stepping outside of his own party. However, Sanders noted his flaw is that he is aggressive and outspoken—labeling Paul’s boldness as both a good and bad trait as viewed by the average American.

Sanders’s evaluation of Carly Fiorina found that she is a blank slate and capable of building an image that is an ally for Main Street America. However, Sanders said Fiorina appears to lack personality and character to build a connection outside of the traditional base.

Sen. Rick Santorum also received a “C,” as Sanders noted he is friendly and experienced; however, he appears too “passive” and not tough enough to hold the position of commander-in-chief.

Six candidates received a “D” from Sanders in their ability to connect with average Americans.

Sen. Ted Cruz received a “D” because, although he appears organized, Sanders said he appears “rigid” in public, lacking personality. Former neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson appears talented, smart, and savvy, according to Sanders. However, she gave him a “D” because, in her opinion, he doesn’t demonstrate enough knowledge of government outside of health care.

Mike Huckabee got a “D” from Sanders because, although he is experienced and confident, she thinks he can be polarizing to the average American. Unlike Huckabee, Gov. Bobby Jindal got a “D” because, although he appears comfortable, he lacks confidence—in that he appears weak, according to Sanders’s evaluation.

According to Sanders press release, Gov. Scott Walker appears “decisive” but “insensitive,” so she graded him with a “D” also. Like, Walker, real estate mogul Donald Trump got a “D” for being smart and having personality; however, he is “hostile,” and “belligerent,” and “inflammatory,” according to Sanders.

Gov. Chris Christie was the only candidate awarded an “F” by Sanders. The evaluation noted that he is “driven” but appears sneaky, suspicious, and to be a bully due to his responses to hecklers and “Bridgegate.”

“In my opinion, there are two candidates that can relate to America,” Sanders told Breitbart News. “Marco Rubio will do well relating to moderates, millennials, and progressives. However, Jeb Bush’s track record and family legacy will help him relate to American people the best.”

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