Politics and celebrity endorsements
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
October 21, 2008 9:35pm CST
Since the polls are starting to show Obama with a lead it is amazing how many celebrities are rushing to jump on his bandwagon and get some publicity for themselves. Every day there is at least one "new" celebrity openly endorsing him. The politicians are to be expected since they are trying to "ride on his coat tails" and get a few extra votes themselves. But, we have musicians, actors and actresses, athletes, etc. who are making sure they get their PUBLIC endorsements in the news and some are claiming if he doesn't win they "will leave the country".
But, do celebrity endorsements "really" help a candidate or do they just help the celebrity?
What does a musician, actor, athlete, etc. REALLY know about politics, economics, and world affairs? Do you really trust the judgement of a person who has a history of repeatedly making bad personal decisions about their own finances, personal relationships, alcohol, drugs, attempted suicides, etc., etc. etc.
While I may repect their ability on film, on stage, or in their chosen sport; AND, I might trust their opinion on a fitness routine, makeup, and fashion; these people are actually living in a fantasy world that is nothing like the REAL life that millions of other people face every day.
The average person is worried about keeping their job and their home; not about whether that new $2,000 purse will match an existing outfit or whether they need to go shopping for a new one. The average person is worrying about the cost of fuel for their car and for heating their home this winter; not about whether that cute new lamborghini will fit in the garage with the rest of the vehicles. The average person is worried about getting their kids new clothes and school supplies and MAYBE saving a little towards college; not about which foreign country they should adopt a child from and how best to publicise the adoption while keeping the nanny in the background so people will think that THEY are the ones actaully caring for the child.
Most celebrities do not live in the same world as the rest of us; so, why should we believe they KNOW what is best for us and the entire country - "No dear, don't worry about paying the mortgage this month; you deserve a little treat so why don't you just go out and get a little botox. You deserve it." "What's a couple more trillion dollars added to the national debt; a new bridge will cut a few minutes off my drive time to the club."
Personally, unless I know that the celebrity in question really has a lot more "on the ball" than the average celebrity; I would vote exactly opposite from whatever and whoever they are endorsing.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@philjas (1134)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Actually I don't think they're trying to ride on Obama's coattails or just jumping on the bandwagon now - most big stars in Hollywood are Democrats, and it's been that way for many years. I don't know why, as a group they're probably the wealthiest people who support Democratic ideals as opposed to Republican ones.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
22 Oct 08
It is puzzling since they're taxes will certainly go up more than anyone else's if the Bush tax cuts are done away with. I know the anti-celebrity, anti-Hollywood people on the right won't accept this, but it seems to me that some of these people are concerned about things other than their own bank accounts.
Annie
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
23 Oct 08
The ones I said were "riding on his coattails" are the politicians. Recently many mayors, representatives, etc. have suddenly jumped on his bandwagon. If they really supported him; you would think they would have come out publicly in his favor at LEAST during the Demoratic convention if not sooner.
Many of the stars in Hollywood will be the first to admit that even bad publicity is better than no publicity. At least getting your name mentioned is better than having people forget who you are.
Appearance is everything for many (not all) of them and they are "expected to be Democrats and support various liberal causes" very publicly. Whether they truly support either candidate or are just doing what their managers and agents tell them to do is anyone's guess. But, yes, it is definately ironic that they are supporting a candidate that wants to tax them even more. Of course, he is considered to be a liberal and thier lifestyles are definately extremely "liberal".
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I do not pay attention to celebrities. So many of them have low morals. I make my own decisions.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
29 Oct 08
That is exactly the point I am trying to make. If they make such bad decisions in their personal lives; how can any one trust their judgement in other areas.
@evanslf (484)
•
22 Oct 08
I don't know why these celebrities get involved, they are not politicians as you say. But perhaps celebrities are perrennial attention seekers and providing an endorsement gets them some extra publicity time (after all, without the oxygen of publicity, they wouldnt' be a celebrity!).
Does it affect my vote. No, I'll make up my own mind having looked at the candidate and their stance on a number of issues that are important to me.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
23 Oct 08
If they have an honest interest in a candidate and truly want to support them there are many ways they can do so. They can write a check (always appreciated), loan vehicles (planes, tour buses, etc) or places to stay while the candidate is on the campaign trail, work in local campaign offices, etc. But, this "celebrity endorsement" business seems like selfish self-promotion; AND, it can end up influencing others to vote in support of a candidate when they REALLY have no idea what he candidate stands for.
Intelligent voters don't really pay attention to celebrity endorsements; they make up their own minds based on the facts. But, some people are prone to take the "easy way out" and say "if so-and-so supports them that's good enough for me". And, after every election, these are the same people who later say "how could I have ever voted for such a jerk in the first place".
