The Online Reflector

By Nicki Crisci
Opinion Editor

It’s getting more common now to have entertainers back their favorite presidential candidates. For instance, Dave Matthews did a concert in Bloomington to rally support for Barack Obama. What does all this really do politically, though?

If the celebrities’ purpose is to skew the audience’s view of the candidates, then that may be an accurate understanding of their support. After all, what candidate wouldn’t want someone behind them who could boost their image?

If some adamant fan of a musical group or actor sees the celebrity support a certain party, then the fan might fall in line and support the candidate based not on political appeal, but on celebrity favoritism. It won’t necessarily matter that the fanatics have no real clue who he or she is voting for, just as long as they agree with their idols.

Are we supposed to gauge the celebrities’ support as some sort of credibility? Since when would we think that Keith Richards is the wisest or sanest person to give advice!

Americans can’t think of musicians or other celebrities as running mates or politicians. Celebrities have the same general knowledge of the candidates as the public does. They have no omnipotent understanding that we are lacking. Do we have to vote the same way as Hollywood votes?

While I believe that Americans are smart enough not to stoop to voting for celebrities supporting the candidate, rather than politicians, it is important to note that the possibility is out there.

While people may say that celebrity endorsements encourage and influence the younger generation to vote, the motives are still unknown. This is not to say that because you are young you are going to pander to the whims of celebrity opinion, but just general experience with politics should be used. When I reached voting age, I wasn’t comfortable or knowledgeable about politics (maybe I’m still not). It would be sad to see a person switch political parties or turn from Obama to Clinton because of who their favorite star supports.

The campaign race all boils down to publicity. America’s thirst for celebrity gossip and news helps to financially fuel the campaign trail. By publicly announcing who the stars want to vote for, celebrities gain airtime for themselves and a bit of free publicity and donations for the candidates.

Behind everything, celebrities seem to be running the show. Obama and Clinton receive donations for primary elections from the celebrities who can dish out the most money. For instance, according to the CNN Web site (www.cnnpolitics.com), Ben Stiller donated $6,900 in support of Hillary Clinton.

Hollywood and politics shouldn’t mix. The stars need to stay on their stage and not get on the soapbox with the politicians.

Hopefully when primary election day arrives, people will vote for their candidates, not their favorite celebrities. I know I’m not voting for Dave Matthews.