i was actually comparing his intent and focused gaze to Trudeau's (same age) who always looks like he's on his way to the fair without a care in the world.
There is something kinda vacuous about him. It's odd. The smiling zombie.
In fairness I have a good friend who always looked younger and was never taken seriously although he really was thoughtful and experienced. He grew a beard. I have known several women who were extremely qualified and intellegent. I remember one person calling one of these women a lightweight -- but when pressed could provide no evidence. She actually was extremely good at her job but lacked the look. In her case there was heavy sexism unlike my other now-bearded friend who just had a baby face.
This is something that would be said about Ruth Ellen Brosseau I think. That's if she wanted to run for the leadership.
This is in large part becuase the right look has traditionally meant male or looking as male as possible.
When we consider leadership and appearance we have to recognize the role sexism plays in what we might not think that closely about. I have spent much of my life watching people near me and noticing how the women have to earn every shred of respect that men get just from a shave, a tie, a jacket and good shoes. This is one of the elephants in the room when talking about change and equality and progress.
Younger women in particular often have a harder time -- no matter how accomplished -- getting the respect they have already earned and this is in many circumstances including politics. Younger men can often just look handsome and be presumed to be intelligent.
For the NDP leadership I don't want to indulge in this. I don't mind a leader who on examination has all the right stuff but does not have the traditional establishment look. I am okay with a leader who will earn that respect and I think we can look past the traditional stereotypes of what a leader must look and act like. But we should dig deep for substance and we do have people with it as well as those who look good in a tie or a sweater.
What is important has to be what the person says. And, for this job, how they say it as great communication skills are going to be important. Bilingualism is essential (does not mean no accent but the ability to engage not just read something).