I would not be tough on her for that, I have lines of my own. I was just comparing her to, say, Amy Klobachar or Lieawatha. Tulsi Gabbard is cute, too, but I understand she's not as good-looking up close. I'd probably detest them both if I ever actually met them.
The media are kinder with their cameras and lighting to those whom they support. Low angle lighting emphasizes irregularities, folds, and wrinkles, straight on lighting washes them out.
They have ever been that way. You can make someone look like an angel or demon just by changing the lighting and camera angles.