Editor's Note: (Jeff Yang is a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and contributes frequently to radio shows, including Public Radio International's "The Takeaway" and WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show." He is the co-author of "I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action" and editor of the graphic novel anthologies "Secret Identities" and "Shattered." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.)
(CNN) It's the first week of 2016, and that means two things. The first is that many of us are headed to department stores to return holiday gifts given to us by earnest but delusional relatives. The second is that, with less than 30 days left until Iowa, the presidential race is going to really heat up.
These two things have more in common than meets the eye.
You see, I'm what you might call a Shorter American. At 5-foot-7, I'm a full 3 inches below the height of the average male in the United States, which means I've had to deal with an array of indignities in my life: Sitting in restaurants on chairs where my feet have dangled off the floor, standing on tiptoe to use public urinals hung at a level more appropriate to be used as drinking fountains and regularly receiving gifts of shirts with 3 inches of extra cuff and pants that could double as footie pajamas.
I'd like to think that it's because my well-meaning family and friends see me as taller than I am because of my oversized charisma. But the reality is that a world where men's clothing is sized in crude categories such S, M, L and XL makes for many a pain in the neck, waist, butt, arms or legs, depending on which aspects of my anatomy I actually want to fit. Hence, the annual post-holiday trip to the mall.
But if being vertically challenged gives me a headache, it's a far bigger challenge for those who seek to become our commander in chief.
There's a notion that that America likes its leaders tall, especially in times of crisis or uncertainty.
The preference is real and based in evolutionary biology, according to Gregg Murray, associate professor of political science at Texas Tech University, who suggests that atavistic instincts lead us to turn to "physically imposing" individuals for leadership.
His research shows that the taller candidate has won the presidency 58% of the time since 1789, and that the average height of American presidents is 5-foot-11 -- about an inch above that of the norm.
Who's running for president?
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders,
Businessman Donald Trump
announced June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has made a name for himself in the Senate, solidifying his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on the GOP's establishment. He
announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination in a speech on March 23.
"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant."
Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.
"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University.
Hillary Clinton
launched her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates.
"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires.
"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26.
What's true for the Oval Office also seems to be true for the boardroom: 58% -- there's that number again -- of Fortune 500 CEOs are over 6 feet tall. And even when you're on the way up the career ladder, being taller has benefits: It's been calculated by multiple studies that men earn as much as $1,000 more in salary per inch over 5-foot-5.
That helps to explain why, after my pediatrician predicted I'd top out around 5-foot-5, my mother went to such extreme lengths to ensure that I maximize my potential stature, putting me through a regimen that included lots of swimming and hanging upside down ("stretching lengthens the body") as well as the consumption of a horrible height-enhancing brew consisting of chicken soup made from freshly terminated roosters and a set of herbs so foul that the rest of my family left the house when it was being prepared.
When asked what it was made with, my mom would always respond: "it's made with love." To this day, she still points out a hard-to-contradict truth: "It worked." Well, sort of.
People's 'Sexiest Men Alive'
People magazine dubbed John Legend the "Sexiest Man Alive" of 2019. He joins this illustrious list of past honorees ...
British actor Idris Elba was People's 2018 "Sexiest Man Alive."
Country star and "The Voice" coach Blake Shelton earned in honor in 2017.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was the 2016 title holder.
Soccer player/model David Beckham snagged the title in 2015.
Chris Hemsworth was viewed as in tight competition with the "other Chris," a.k.a. Chris Pratt, when Hemsworth snagged the title in 2014.
Keira Knightley and Adam Levine found love in "Begin Again" in 2013 and "The Voice" coach found himself dubbed People's sexiest man alive.
Channing Tatum (with Alex Pettyfer in "Magic Mike") stripped down and won the honor in 2012.
Bradley Cooper made fans laugh in "The Hangover Part II" in 2011, and swoon as the sexiest man alive.
In 2010, "Buried" star Ryan Reynolds became the first Canadian on the list.
Johnny Depp (seen here in "Public Enemies") was a suave choice in 2009. It was his second time on the list.
Hugh Jackman brought the sexy in "Australia" and on the cover of People in 2008.
Matt Damon had a hit with "Ocean's Thirteen" in 2007 and sexy bragging rights.
In 2006, George Clooney starred in "The Good German" and became the second man to grab the title twice.
Alright, alright alright!. 2005 was Matthew McConaughey's year of sexy. Here, he is seen in "Sahara."
"Closer" was Jude Law's starring role in 2004, but he made more buzz with the People pick.
Johnny Depp starred in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" in 2003 and on the cover of People's sexiest man issue.
"Daredevil" got mixed reviews for Ben Affleck, but even critics couldn't argue with his 2002 sexiest man selection.
Pierce Brosnan (seen here with Jamie Lee Curtis in "The Tailor of Panama") was the pick for 2001.
In 2000, Brad Pitt appeared with Julia Roberts in "The Mexican" and made one of two appearances on the sexy list.
1999 was a good year for Richard Gere: He reunited with "Pretty Woman" co-star Julia Roberts for the film "Runaway Bride;" he turned 50; and he was named sexiest man alive.
Harrison Ford and Anne Heche appeared in the movie "6 Days,7 Nights," in 1996 and he also snagged the title and cover.
George Clooney (seen here with Michael Gough in "Batman & Robin") was both the caped crusader and the sexiest man alive in 1997.
In 1996, Denzel Washington (seen here in "Courage Under Fire") became the first and only African-American to nab the title.
Brad Pitt got gritty in 1995 in the psychological thriller "Se7en," but it was his good looks that landed him the sexiest man cover that year. Good thing, too, as fans were thirsting given that there was no selection in 1994.
The magazine didn't name a sexiest man in 1993 or 1994. Instead, they went with Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere as the sexiest couple alive in a two-for-one deal.
Nick Nolte won accolades in 1992 for his acting in "Lorenzo's Oil," as well as the nod from People as the sexiest man.
"Dirty Dancing" made him a big star, but the late Patrick Swayze was still riding high in 1991 with "Point Break" when he earned the honor.
Tom Cruise (seen here in "Days of Thunder") was a hot selection in 1990.
He may have been almost 60 in 1989, but that didn't stop People from finding "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" co-star Sean Connery sexy.
The late John F. Kennedy Jr. (seen here with then-girlfriend Christina Haag circa 1988 in New York) was neither a movie nor TV star, but his dashing good looks earned him the title in 1988.
The jury ruled "L.A. Law" star Harry Hamlin was the perfect selection for 1987.
Mark Harmon was the quintessential '80s hunk and 1986's winner.
Before he was known
for getting mad, Mel Gibson's fame from the "Mad Max" films led him to be named People's first sexiest man alive in 1985.
Mom's determination wasn't wholly focused on my future career, however. Even coming from Taiwan, where the average male height is 5-foot-7 1/2, she was aware that dating as a shorter male is difficult -- meaning that finding a mate and reproducing is that much harder and meaning she'd be that much less likely to have grandkids.
The brutal truth is that even short women seem to prefer very tall men. Research on online dating sites by Duke University professor Dan Ariely has shown that for every inch below 5-foot-10, a man has to earn $40,000 more to be seen as equally appealing to women.
So what's a shorter dude to do? As Hall of Fame basketball coach Red Auerbach allegedly said: "you can't teach height." But there are things that can offset the so-called height premium.
There's self-confidence. Studies have shown that dating candidates who were perceived as being "more confident" (and even arrogant!) were seen as more attractive than those with milder personalities. Having a sense of humor: 84% of corporate executives perceive employees with a sense of humor as "doing a better job."
And there's always the value of being well-groomed and suavely dressed. After all, it works for celebrities who aren't exactly tall in real life.
Some of the biggest stars who fall short of the 5-foot-10 American average include Kevin Hart (5-foot-4 and $833 million in collective box office), Elijah Wood (5-foot-6 and $1.9 billion in collective box office), Josh Hutcherson (5-foot-5 and $2 billion in collective box office), Hollywood Napoleon Tom Cruise (5-foot-7 and $3.6 billion in collective box office) and of course, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega, the male leads of record-breaking blockbuster "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," who measure in at 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8 respectively. Personal style (and magically precise framing and lighting) keeps these height-deprived hunks looking larger than life on the big screen.
The Hobbit premiere in Wellington
Director Sir Peter Jackson emerges from from a Hobbit house before delivering a speech at the
world premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in Wellington, New Zealand.
Fans crowd in along the red carpet to catch a glimpse of the stars of the film.
Actor Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum, speaks to reporters on the red carpet.
Actor Stephen Hunter, left, receives a kiss from actor William Kircher on the red carpet of the world premiere.
Actor Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo, arrives for the world premiere.
Actress Cate Blanchett speaks to reporters upon her arrival.
Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," is seen at the world premiere.
Actor Martin Freeman, left, is greeted by director Peter Jackson on stage with other cast members at the world premiere.
While most of us don't have stylists on call, we're starting to get some serious help.
Entrepreneur Steve Mazur, 5-foot-6, and partner Eric Huang, 5-foot-8, recently launched online apparel retailer Ash & Anvil with the goal of building the "ultimate off-the-rack brand for shorter guys," based on the recognition that even small sizes of most men's apparel lines don't fit or hang well on guys 5-foot-8 and shorter.
Meanwhile, 5-foot-8 Tony Award-winning producer Peter Manning founded his clothing line for "not-so-tall men" in 2013. Manning may be his own best advertisement: This year, he claimed a coveted spot on Vanity Fair's international "best dressed" list.
Let's hope the tyranny of tallness will fade away. Globalization is changing the definition of "average" stature across countries. Digital communications have made physical differences less important as well; hey, we're all the same height on the Internet.
And even the "presidential height index" may be confounded this year. 6-foot-3 ball of bluster Donald Trump indeed has a sizable lead over the GOP horde. But erstwhile heir apparent Jeb Bush, also 6-foot-3, is well back of the pack, behind 5-foot-8 Ted Cruz, 5-foot-10 Marco Rubio and even 5-foot-7ish Rand Paul.
All of them are running even at best with 5-foot-7 Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. The bottom line: Politics, long associated with tall tales, may finally be ready to tell a short story.
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