A Lefty Will Be President

Dissecting 'handedness' in politics
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 4, 2008 8:07 PM CDT
A Lefty Will Be President
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)

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." (Read more left handed stories.)

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