BY RANDY GOLDSTEIN

In print | Published September 9, 2004

There is no question that politics, in its own way, has become a sort of show business. Anyone who paid attention to the recent Democratic and Republican National Conventions witnessed not an exercise of political discourse, but rather an elaborately choreographed, carnival atmosphere fraught with high-profile political figures and gaudy stage decorations. In a time when visual media is unquestionably the most effective way of conveying political messages to the American public, such spectacles are an unfortunate but necessary component of the democratic process.

It is perhaps due to this shift of political parties to Hollywood-style publicity that members of the Hollywood and other entertainment communities feel they have the right now more than ever to stump for the candidates of their choice. For celebrities to come out of the woodwork in an election year, however, is an exercise in arrogance and irresponsibility.

Celebrities’ fame should in no way hinder their freedom of speech. Yet by that same accord, fame ought not be a tool for amplifying the political ramifications of any single person’s opinions. The general public puts an irrational trust in Hollywood celebrities. Though grounded solely in their acting abilities, this trust can be used as a tool for the political manipulation of the movie-going voting public. Democracy is well served by individuals’ voting for candidates based on political views, not the endorsements of A-list celebrities.

Regardless of whom they know in the political realm, celebrities read the same newspapers as the rest of the country. The primary difference between their lives and ours, however, is that they live in what is essentially an isolated dream world. It is hard to imagine that between the glamorous parties, posh charity events and casual globetrotting that these people could have any real sense of the issues that affect the ordinary public. Regardless of his impressive performance as President Jeb Bartlett on the West Wing, Martin Sheen has spent the last forty years in this dream world. Yet his political activism influences the opinions of ignorant voters who, based on a television show, would like to see him make a real run for the White House.

Not only are celebrities poor political role models, but they also come from an environment that tends to breed poor personal role models. Can we really expect a community that has historically demonstrated questionable family values, drug use and violence to light the way to a better political future? Whoopi Goldberg recently took the stage at a Kerry fundraiser and, rather than advocate Kerry’s proposed policies, used her time to draw an analogy between President Bush’s name and a certain part of the female anatomy. It is a scary thought that voters may actually be influenced by such a lewd comic reference devoid of any substantial content.

Finally, by muddling the performing arts with politics, celebrities have isolated certain segments of the audience that helped them achieve such status in the first place. Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and REM are all playing nearby concerts in the upcoming weeks. Though I am a fan of all of these groups, I am discouraged from attending the events because they are being marketed not as rock concerts but as political events advocating the removal of President Bush from the White House.

To be fair, this is not a partisan problem. Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears are among the guilty celebrities on the other side of the aisle. Nor is this a new problem. During the Vietnam War, Jane Fonda traveled to North Vietnam, meeting with the United States’ Communist enemies and posing for photographs atop a gun used to kill American pilots. Would the attention given to “Hanoi Jane” have been so great if not for her celebrity status?

Celebrities have every right to political advocacy concerning the issues in which they are involved. But for these individuals to use their fame to manipulate voters away from making rational, educated voting decisions is unconscionable. It is a sad thought that I might never again be able to see Bruce Springsteen without having to make my own de facto political statement.

Randy Goldstein is a senior. You can reach him at rgoldst1@swarthmore.edu.

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