It has become common for the famous to get involved in politics (remember that Dixie Chick who really did not like Bush). The most recent endorsement has been Oprah Winfrey's involvement in the Obama campaign. In fact, on Sunday, Oprah winfrey will appear in South Carolina in the Colonial Center with Barack Obama. The Colonial Center is the biggest arena in the state, seating 18,000 people. As of now, all the seats are filled and the lines were so busy that they had to shut down ticket distribution and start a waiting list. This demand for tickets must be a good sign for the Obama campaign. We must realize that here we have Oprah, surely a well-known individual, really impacting the political future of this country. She is using her name to bring new volunteers to Obama's campaign. Her mere presence is exciting thousands of voters and thus giving them the opportunity to learn about this candidate and what he represents. On the ticket for the event, the bottom reads, "With your signature, you pledge to vote for Mr. Obama in the South Carolina primary". This is surely no random "star-citing" anymore; this is an event that is being taken very seriously. Is this a positive aspect of this year's campaign? Is it wise to give so much power to the famous, to allow them to be a reason why the average American citizen is voting for a particular candidate? Whether or not you think so, it is certainly an issue at present and I think it will play a key role in the 2008 election.
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5 comments:
Sarah!
I feel that your post brings up a very interesting point. Many celebrities today like to get politically involved, but I feel like it is rather gimmicky. I feel that Oprah will in the long run benefit Obama, although I believe that Obama will reap the benefits superficially of having a celebrity by his side. Overall, I just feel like celebrities backing candidates is a sign of the times, and what our society values.
I think that Oprah's endorsement of Obama could be very positive. However, the voters should remember that the purpose of these campaign events is not to see Oprah, but to see Obama. As long as the focus is on Obama more than Oprah and the people are truly interested in Obama and what he has to say, this is a good thing.
I wrote about this too, do celebrities have the right to protest their political beleifs publically? Oprah's presence, is changing things whether people will admit it or not. but celebrities influences are just a form of abusing power. Yes your in the public light, but don't influence's politics of the people.
I feel that Oprah will have an enormous effect on Obama's campaign. But I do not think that celebrities have the say or authority to chose a politician and publicly support them. Of course they have the right to their own opinion, but I think that when the publicly endorse the candidate they are changing the mind of America simply because they idolize this celebrity. They may not agree with the candidate whatsoever, but because the celebrity that the love do, they will vote the same way they are being told to.
Oprah, Oprah, Oprah. You gotta love her. Oprah, we love that you set up schools and give away free cars, but politics? As much as I love this TV host, she is just that: a TV host. I feel that getting celebrity endorsement makes the race for presidency a mere popularity contest. A prime example: Chuck Norris for Huckabee? I don't know if it is the multiple Chuck Norris jokes (that I do NOT understand, by the way), but I cannot take him seriously. I think we should be focusing on what these presidential candidates have to offer to our country, rather than who's supporting who because, otherwise, it'll all become a joke.
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