Have presidential elections become a part of fashion as well? Celebrities set the trends for fashion like what clothes are in and what clothes are out. Are these celebrities also setting the standard of how we should think and make choices?We have just overcome a presidential election recently and celebrities have taken a stance on whom they support. Celebrity endorsements for McCain and Obama are showing up all over the place, but is this a good thing or is it a negative?
On one of the ads on T.V John McCain was saying that Barrack Obama is the biggest celebrity in the world. He showed pictures of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears along side with Barack Obama. As a response to the advertisement that McCain made, Paris Hilton made a combat by making advertisement to make fun of McCain. This made political analysts to think she helped the republican side in a way. She is showing that any press is good press. McCain is also being endorsed Heidi Montag. Even before, Hillary Clinton was endorsed by celebrities (Bardsley).
Oprah Winfrey openly supported Barrack Obama (Roseberry). Oprah is one of the most influential women in the world. She has been hitting the campaign trail with Obama by helping him give his support in Iowa. Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith and George Clooney have also endorsed Obama in Hollywood. Barabara Streisand has shown her support for Hillary Clinton. Madonna, Janet Jackson, Barry Manilow and Merle Haggard have also shown their support for Hillary (Roseberry).
Forbes.com says that endorsement by Oprah, Jon Stewart and Tiger Woods will positively impact candidate’s images but Tom Cruise, Madonna and Donald Trumps endorsement will send the numbers of supporters to drastically increase.
My view of the whole situation is that voting is a personal choice. Our choice on who we want to vote for should be based on our morals and our beliefs. Our vote should not be pressured by what our favorite celebrity wants to vote for. Senior Brad Snow says
“I don't respect a person who would vote for Obama or McCain just by what celebrity likes that candidate. For a shallow-minded person, endorsements will help. I don't care who Britney Spears likes, I'm voting clearly on who I think will do the best job (Roseberry).”
I agree with this statement and I think it should apply to all of us. But there are still others that base their view on what their favorite celebrity would pick. Celebrity endorsements should not be making such an issue. You should go for what you believe in, not another person. I am not against celebrities endorsing candidates but we should be the smarts ones to choose for ourselves rather than letting someone else make our decision for us.
References
Bardsley, Garth. "50 Cent, Dave Matthews, Perez Hilton, Others Endorse Candidates For Super Tuesday." MTV. 2 Feb. 2008. 11 Nov. 2008 http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580971/20080205/50_cent.jhtml.
Roseberry, Amanda. "Celebrities endorse presidential candidates." Ottawa University The Campus. 7 Oct. 2008. 9 Nov. 2008 http://media.www.thecampusnewspaper.com/media/storage/paper1117/news/2008/10/07/campaign2008/celebrities.endorse.presidential.candidates-3442377.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines.
