Celebrity Endorsements and Their Impact
Dennis AuBuchon
October 27, 2008
This election year there seems to be many celebrity endorsements of candidates. Celebrity endorsements are great for the candidates but do they really matter is the question. This question can be a matter of opinion but this article will attempt to put this activity in perspective. To begin celebrities are individuals just like us. We all have opinions on the issues and we all support certain candidates for office.
The news media regularly report when celebrities endorse candidates for office. I feel that while it may be a newsworthy item, it does not warrant the continued exposure they receive in some cases. While I think, it is great that celebrities want to be involved in politics their opinions should not carry any more weight than others we talk to about the issues such as our neighbors. Celebrities are people just like us except for their popularity. I respect many celebrities based upon their character and community service but they still do not influence my voting decisions. I am not discounting the fact that sometimes fans place importance on celebrity support for specific candidates. We need to ask ourselves why the celebrity made the decision. This may not always be possible but in some instances but in others it may be obvious.
The definition of a celebrity is a famous or well-known person. In this perspective, celebrities are not just movie stars but can be any famous or well-known person. They can be in politics, private industry or any position that makes them well known. They may even be authors. I feel that celebrities sometimes have the opinion that others will vote for their chosen candidates simply for the reason they endorse them. This should not be the case.
We as voters must make up our own minds as to our voting decisions. Celebrities should play no major part in that decision. It is good to get input from other individuals to consider different perspectives. This helps us to make decisions that are more informed but we must also consider the source of the opinion. News organizations sometimes present their own perspective on candidates and we must consider this when listening to the information presented. Many well-intended individuals qualify as a celebrity. Some will try to influence your vote or opinion and others merely present their viewpoint, which they have a right to do. We must understand it is simply an opinion.
Our country is great and our freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. We all have a right to voice our opinion and today there are many avenues for us to do so. With the technological advances we currently have today and those, which we may have in the future, the opportunities for voicing our opinion are endless. It is how that voice is presented and who is voicing it, which carries different weight. We must also be careful in voicing our opinions as to not present facts on which our opinions are based if they are not validated to be true. Many times people make statements, which are not based on accurate information. When celebrities voice their opinions, they must remember that their opinion may influence others and it is important that any statements made be based on accurate information.
In closing, it is good that celebrities are getting involved with politics. Opinions are great but we must consider the source, accuracy and/or perspective from where the opinion is being presented. Opinions are just that and celebrity positions of various candidates for office should not be the deciding factor in the choices we make in this election year. It is good to interact with others. It not only can impact our decisions but it has or has had a part in defining who we are as individuals. Various news organizations present the news from their perspective but it may not be the perspective we have come to accept. I feel the coverage of all the candidates by news media is beneficial for voters and we should listen to various sources to get a better understanding of all the issues and the candidate´s positions on them. In this way, we can make a more informed decision as we analyze the information presented and form our opinion.
The news media regularly report when celebrities endorse candidates for office. I feel that while it may be a newsworthy item, it does not warrant the continued exposure they receive in some cases. While I think, it is great that celebrities want to be involved in politics their opinions should not carry any more weight than others we talk to about the issues such as our neighbors. Celebrities are people just like us except for their popularity. I respect many celebrities based upon their character and community service but they still do not influence my voting decisions. I am not discounting the fact that sometimes fans place importance on celebrity support for specific candidates. We need to ask ourselves why the celebrity made the decision. This may not always be possible but in some instances but in others it may be obvious.
The definition of a celebrity is a famous or well-known person. In this perspective, celebrities are not just movie stars but can be any famous or well-known person. They can be in politics, private industry or any position that makes them well known. They may even be authors. I feel that celebrities sometimes have the opinion that others will vote for their chosen candidates simply for the reason they endorse them. This should not be the case.
We as voters must make up our own minds as to our voting decisions. Celebrities should play no major part in that decision. It is good to get input from other individuals to consider different perspectives. This helps us to make decisions that are more informed but we must also consider the source of the opinion. News organizations sometimes present their own perspective on candidates and we must consider this when listening to the information presented. Many well-intended individuals qualify as a celebrity. Some will try to influence your vote or opinion and others merely present their viewpoint, which they have a right to do. We must understand it is simply an opinion.
Our country is great and our freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. We all have a right to voice our opinion and today there are many avenues for us to do so. With the technological advances we currently have today and those, which we may have in the future, the opportunities for voicing our opinion are endless. It is how that voice is presented and who is voicing it, which carries different weight. We must also be careful in voicing our opinions as to not present facts on which our opinions are based if they are not validated to be true. Many times people make statements, which are not based on accurate information. When celebrities voice their opinions, they must remember that their opinion may influence others and it is important that any statements made be based on accurate information.
In closing, it is good that celebrities are getting involved with politics. Opinions are great but we must consider the source, accuracy and/or perspective from where the opinion is being presented. Opinions are just that and celebrity positions of various candidates for office should not be the deciding factor in the choices we make in this election year. It is good to interact with others. It not only can impact our decisions but it has or has had a part in defining who we are as individuals. Various news organizations present the news from their perspective but it may not be the perspective we have come to accept. I feel the coverage of all the candidates by news media is beneficial for voters and we should listen to various sources to get a better understanding of all the issues and the candidate´s positions on them. In this way, we can make a more informed decision as we analyze the information presented and form our opinion.
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