No matter what media outlet I turn to these days, the topic is always the election. Although it gets a little tiresome, there are interesting new developments everyday. For instance, it's hard to miss the involvement by young celebrities encouraging young voters to cast their ballots this year. But they aren't just telling us to vote . . . they are telling us to vote for Barack Obama. Aside from the positive advertisements and PSA's for Obama, there are also anti-McCain PSA's circulating the Internet. These feature popular actors including Hayden Panettiere and Gossip Girl stars Penn Badgley and Blake Lively.
Panettiere's PSA features her saying "I know I'm hot enough to have your attention for at least 30 seconds." She continues with "there are three things that I think every citizen should do. Smoke cigarettes, vote for John McCain, and don't wear a seat belt." Through the entire PSA with a sense of sarcasm, she sends a message that voting for John McCain is not voting for change, it's keeping things the same.
Badgley and Lively's PSA mocks the typical anti-drug campaign but instead targets parents. "Just because people your age are doing it, doesn't make it cool," states one character. It goes on telling parents to vote in the best interest of their children: vote for Obama.
I think these PSA's have an affect on younger voters but I wonder if it will actually changes any ones decision on who they want to elect. The Panettiere PSA was added to funnyordie.com only eight days ago and has already been viewed by almost one million people. There is no doubt that these are being viewed. It is unfortunate for McCain's campaign that these PSA's cannot be regulated and it is clearly not the type of publicity that he would want. This is just an example of how a public relations tool can be used in a negative way (depending on which side you take).
Just google "anti-McCain PSA's" and see for yourself! Would they change your vote?
6 comments:
I think it is very interesting how many celebrities are coming out and encouraging young people to vote.
I personally think that these PSAs may get people to the polls, but I don't honestly think that people will vote for candidates based on what a celebrity says. And if they do, well then that's their own fault.
I guess the most important thing is that young people, or all eligible people, register and go out and vote. And if celebrities get people to do that, well then that's all the better.
Interesting post! I personally do not support celebrity endorsement of candidates. I understand that every person is entitled to their own opinion, but I feel that it isn't right for celebrities to use their status in this way. Although I support Obama, I do not feel that they should be trying using their name to influence others' vote. Vote for Obama because you support Obama, not 19-year-old Hayden Panettiere.
I love the sarcasm in here. Very funny, but it would not change how I vote. I get so sick of celebrity endorsements. Why should their opinion matter and influence voters? They are not necessarily any more informed than the average voter and the causes they support and not necessarily any more important.
I don't think that these PSAs would change my particular vote, but they could greatly influence people who don't follow politics or are influenced by the actions of celebrities. Some people could utilize these PSAs when making their decisions, but I think it will influence our age group more so than our parents. I mean, I can't really see my mom being influenced by the stars of Gossip Girl.
I think that celebrities who endorse political candidates are funny, yet they don't really affect who I vote for. I think this campaign in particular is featuring several celebs who are speaking poorly of the candidate they are not voting for---it's different from the simple, "Rock the Vote", and their opinions are almost offensive.
Although these PSAs may get people to the polls to vote, it may not be for the right reasons. Young people are very inclined to give into peer pressure, and do what their peers are doing. If a young person sees a celebrity endorsement of a certain candidate, they most likely will be more inclined to vote for that candidate if they like that celebrity. This is not how voting should be. Americans should vote for a candidate in which they share similar viewpoints with, and whom they believe will better the lives of Americans.
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