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Celebrities and Politics
By AprillBrandon in Pop Goes the Culture
February 28, 2008

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When it comes to deciding who to vote for the next president of the United States, what you really need to ask yourself is "Who is Leonardo DiCaprio voting for?"

Or at least, that's what some A-listers in Hollywood are hoping. Celebrity endorsements for political candidates are as old as the political process itself, but it seems in recent years that the endorsements have become more numerous and more publicized.

Even the city of Victoria is not immune. Yesterday, "Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin came through endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign for president. But even Astin himself (who smelled incredible, by the way, and I'm not saying that to be creepy or anything...he really truly did...like sunshine and rainbows...ask anyone who was there) doesn't think that his political opinion should count more than anyone else's.

"People have said to me before that just because you're an actor, why does your opinion have more meaning or significance than us?" he said to a crowd at Victoria College. "My response? It shouldn't. My voice is no more important than anyone else's, nor is it any less important."

It seems most of the people I interviewed yesterday agreed. Although celebrities might draw in a crowd when they come through town stomping for a candidate, their endorsement has little to no effect on who Victorians are going to vote for.

"I don't think celebrity endorsements help people decide who to vote for, at least I hope it doesn't," Holly Pickering. 29 said. "I hope no one votes for a candidate just because some actor from 'Lord of the Rings' is, which is not to put down what he does, only that people should decide who to vote for based on other things. Celebrities are good for drawing attention to candidates or issues but the decision should be left up to the issues and who is best for the job."

In my opinion, the plus side of celebrity endorsements is like Pickering said. They can bring attention to the political process itself, which in a world where citizens tend to be apathetic when it comes to voting, is a very good thing.

Just make sure you draw the line at lending your support to whoever George Clooney is voting for this year, no matter how hot he is.