My Response to the American Presidential Election

I believe it’s massively publicized. The dominant focus of the news on the campaign steers viewers away from world-wide crises. Has anybody wondered where President Bush has been in the last couple of months? What genocides, wars, famines are occurring which require the attention and participation of viewers? Most of our attention is currently centered on the glamorized American presidential elections. Unfortunately society and the media isn't as centered on the principal goals of each candidate, we are more preoccupied with their personal lives than on what each candidate is capable of doing. For instance, John Edwards and his extra marital affair openly placed his private life into the limelight. His campaign manager stated that "Thousands of friends of the senator's and his supporters have put their faith and confidence in him, and he's let them down," "They've been betrayed by his action" (CBC, par. 24). The public support and affiliation with Edward’s was diminished by his affair regardless of whether his abilities as a presidential candidate were positive. It’s almost as if his previous accomplishments are worth nothing to America.

However, this isn’t the only issue in American politics. The emphasis of celebrity endorsements has caused the presidential election to become an arena of entertainment. According to USA TODAY, celebrity endorsements have a minimal effect on voters, statistics indicated that “just 8 percent of adults said Winfrey's backing made them more likely to support Obama. Ten percent said it made them less likely to support the senator” (Edward Ross, par. 13). Although there are minimal effects on the voters, the trends of celebrity endorsements will continue on and after all, American politics is just another form of entertainment.

“John Edwards admits to affair, but denies fathering child.” 04 Oct. 2008
< http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/08/edwards-affair.html>.

Ross, W., Edward. “Celebrity Endorsements of Presidential Candidates.” 04 Oct. 2008.
<http://www.ewross.com/Celebrity_Endorsements_of_Presidential_Candidates.htm>.