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September 7, 2008 7:15:27 PM CDT

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A Lefty Will Be President

Posted Jul 4, 08 8:07 PM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – No matter what happens in November, a left-hander will take the White House. In fact, five of the last seven presidents have been southpaws. While left-handedness has been taken as a sign of everything from artistic talent to brain damage, ambidexterity may be a desirable quality in a leader. Left-handedness expert Melissa Roth tackles the topic for the Washington Post.

Science appears to favor Barack Obama, who is a mixed-hander, which some behavioral psychologists credit for imparting an understanding of different viewpoints. John McCain is a strong left-hander, having survived school pre-1950, when “correction” of lefties was in vogue. Being left-handed "allows you to see the world differently from other people," says a Harvard researcher, "and that can be a strength."

Source Washington Post

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., eats lunch using his left hand at Luis's Taqueria in Woodburn, Ore., May 9, 2008. When eating finger food, the southpaw uses his right hand.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain,left, gestures using his dominant hand during a press conference in Cartagena, Colombia, Tuesday July 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
John McCain autographs a photo of himself after speaking at a campaign rally Friday, April 11, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., signs an autograph on the tarmac before he boards his campaign charter plane in Las Vegas, Tuesday, June 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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John McCain  • Obama 2008  • McCain 2008  • psychology  • lefties  • left handed


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