It's not clear exactly how the process works, but early signs are that people tend to make a snap judgment, viewing baby-faced politicians as inherently less competent than rivals with more mature features.
In Massachusetts, we all agree that there are two very competent, appealing rivals.
The real core of what Clinton was attempting to communicate is that she is more competent than her rival, because she has greater policy expertise.
Researchers who possess competence with respect to a given theoretical approach will have to assign an opportunity cost in time and lost productivity to the task of becoming competent with respect to rival approaches.
Despite its lower point of entry and more workaday nameplate, the Murano – particularly the top-drawer Platinum model – feels every bit as opulent, fastidiously assembled and dynamically competent as its prime rival, the Lexus RX350.
There's no doubt its rivals are competent and rewarding to drive, but there's nothing like pushing a Jaguar that little bit too much on a wide A-road.
Instead, all Gingrich will be able to do is argue – as he did recently – that his ex-consultant rival is just a "competent manager," whereas he's a true "change agent".
He will also tell colleagues that they must be neither right nor left but ahead of their rivals, "more vocal, more competent, more authoritative, more imaginative and quicker on our feet".
Voters, particularly women and easterners, tend to find the relaxed, punchy Mr Schröder more likeable than his earnest rival, but Mr Stoiber is considered more competent on jobs and the economy.
Jomo Kenyatta was Kenya's first president and Oginga Odinga his great rival; neither of their sons could be described as either competent or charismatic.Such men are rarely held to account.
