Washington DC is actually located in Hollywood, CA

The politicians, their aides, lobbyists and others Inside the Beltway do not want the general public to know this. Or do they?
On the Media, a weekly radio show produced by WNYC, New York Public Radio, explored the fundamental impacts that Oprah’s ‘endorsement’ of Barack Obama might have on this next presidential election. 8 and half million people view Oprah Winfrey’s television program and 2 million people buy her magazine. (1, 5) Oprah has repeatedly given Barack kind words in public, but the most powerful may have been this past week’s party held at her California home for Barack. "I haven't been actively engaged before because there hasn't been anything to be actively engaged in. But I am engaged now to make Barack Obama the next president of the United States," The party drew celebrities, politicians, and the elite raising over 3 million for Barack’s campaign.
According to Steve Ross, a USC Professor interviewed for On the Media, Barack has become ever more powerful because of the backing of Oprah. He believes that Barack has found a person that can galvanize the voting public. He also mentioned, “If Oprah can get 1 percent of the net voting population that does not vote, and thinking about the last two elections and how close they were, those votes could swing the vote.’ (1)
This has not been the first celebrity filled gala that Barack has seen. This past February, a gala thrown by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffery Katzenberg and attended by George Clooney raised over $1 million. Barack is being courted and he is doing the courting in this political back and forth game. (3)
This celebrity and politician relationship is nothing new, but one can be sure that with TV and the multitude of magazines present, we as a public is being inundated with it more.
In 1912 Mabel Normand, a silent movie star, backed a Socialist. Louis B. Mayer, a production company owner eventually becoming part of MGM, hosted politicians frequently, setting up photo ops and meet and greets with the politicians favorite actors. One night, John F. Kennedy visited Harry Belafonte, a famous singer. JFK received Belafonte’s endorsement after JFK agreed to meet with Dr. Martin Luther King. (1)
Ronald Reagan was an actor prior to his governorship and presidential responsibilities. Our present California governor was a body builder and actor in some weird previous life. Charlton Heston endorsed Nixon. I am up for further research but if this didn’t deal with the NRA and its rights, I have no clue why Heston would say, “Nixon is a great guy.” The jury is definitely still out on that one.
In today’s world, it seems that more and more celebrities are getting involved in politics. George Clooney, Sean Penn, the Dixie Chicks, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, and now Oprah.
Politicians have always sought out the beautiful, glamorous, and publicly popular Hollywood celebrities. In today’s media world, how we are perceived in the media is a strong influence on voters, young and old alike.
Hun Yul Lee mentioned a great example of the power of the media. Sean Penn is chastised in the media, but is highly involved and participates in the democracy of the US. Who wouldn’t want Sean Penn to be chain smoking and saving you off a rooftop in N’Awlins after the hurricane? What about socialism and visiting Chavez in Venezuela? Isn’t that about relationships, communication and participation? Well, participation and knowledge are two key points of democracy and Sean Penn has them down. It is unfortunate that Penn is perceived as the bad guy. Speculation of his falling out with the media may be his reclusive nature towards the paparazzi, his attitude towards them, or even his low amount of cigarettes for the day.
In a study about voting habits for young or emerging adults, musicians and celebrities were given top billing on how influential they are concerning politics. Doesn’t everyone want to vote for whom Bono endorses? Wait – he’s Irish. What about voting for whom Diddy (Sean P. Diddy Combs) endorses. Speaking of Diddy, not only is he a musician, a producer, a media and business mogul, but also a politically active citizen who writes books. Whether he wrote this next passage for the book Crossroads: The Future of American Politics while wearing his ‘Vote or Die T-shirt’ is still up in the air, I am expecting an email soon. ‘The problems is that there’s no one to vote for. Republicans and Democrats speak a good game – when asked about what they’re doing to appeal to young people they’ll spit chapter and verse about their record on education and social services – but in reality, politicians have given up on the kids. And so, in return, kids have given up on them… (2)
This is a powerful statement from a celebrity that has been seen hob-knobbing with politicians before.
Do celebrities make politicians sexy? Appealing? Well, if the old saying, “ You are who your friends are” is true, then celebrities and politicians are of one mold.
No one can deny the allure of relationships with people of the power elite – whether they are politicians or celebrities. Elites tend to commiserate with those being socially alike. The tendency towards financially alike gets included in the social realm in a capitalist society.
A few other things, I do not think we can fault politicians for looking pretty with the celebrities. They are trying to associate themselves with people that are popular for their abilities, looks and association with the perception of the general public. However shallow it may be, they are getting involved themselves.
I also do not think we can fault the celebrities for getting involved in politics. In a democracy one has a duty to participate, to be socially and politically active. If the celebrities are doing this through glamorous parties and massive amounts of donations, then so be it. They are participating. It is up to the general public to look through the smoke and mirrors of Hollywood and DC politics to see the facts and the platforms represented.

(1)
http://www.onthemedia.org/episodes/2007/09/07

(2)
Eisner, Jane; Taking Back the Vote, Beacon Press, Boston, 2004, pg 47.



(3)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/06/movies/awardsseason/06holly.html?ex=1328418000&en=bf9affa61c90fe04&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

(4)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003871130_oprah06.html


(5)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/549017,CST-NWS-sweet09.article

(6)
http://cbs2chicago.com/nationalpolitics/politicsnational_story_244114256.html