Celebrities Running for Public Office?

[Enosekel]

I think I'd go insane if Oprah was my president but I think Luminus might be right (see Oprah thread), she would have a good chance of winning if she ran for U.S. president. Hmm...Luminus is there something you know about that we don't? If she gets elected and maple syrup tariffs go down I'm calling it a Canadian conspiracy!

Anyway...What do you all think about celebrities getting elected for public office just because they are celebrities? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? What does it say about the voters and their grasp of politics? Is it more important to successful government leadership for a politician to be popular among the people due to charisma and celebrity fame, or to have political competence, political connections, and experience in the field of politics? Also is this an "American thing" influenced by how the U.S. economy runs and how educated/interested American voters are, or a worldwide phenomenon?

For people who remember Ronald Regan I suppose there is at least one case that's proof it has work out in the past, but he was politically active and a leader in California before he got elected governor, so I'm not sure it's the same thing. I wasn't even born when he was first elected governor, but I do remember well when he was president and I think his charisma and leadership abilities helped him do his job.

Another thing that makes me want to post this thread is that we have another "local celebrity" of sorts running for Senator in Wisconsin this year:

http://www.russdarrowsenate.com/

What kind of celebrity is Russ? He's a goddamn USED CAR SALESMAN!!!

I admit it's funny and possibly even somehow logical that the guy is trying to move from one sleazy way of making a living (when I grew up the guy's name was synonymous with scuzzball used car salesman, and it still is today) to another. But mostly I'm disappointed that the situation in my state is so bad now that candidates actually have a chance at winning solely because of name recognition, even if they are not at all qualified. As you can see from his web site the most impressive part of his list of qualifications is that "The Darrow family is an example of Wisconsin values (?) leading to success" and he thinks it is important to make special note that both sets of parents and grandparents were "from Wisconsin"...

I would expect a successful businessman to run for a smaller public office, or to be a politician in a small town where they're well respected as a pillar of the community, but going straight from slimy used car salesman to U.S. Senator?

*sob*

I guess it's obvious what my opinion is on the matter - I wouldn't rule out voting for a celebrity entirely because I think leadership skills are very important for politicians, but even then I'm not so sure...shouldn't people at least have a background in politics before they're considered worthy for such important positions?

[Frobozz]

I love Arnold, he's fucking awesome. I wish he was the govenor of Ohio or New York. It's fun to hear a politician say what's on his or her mind, and then actually do what's on his or her mind. (Short of terminatorizing people)

[Lebeau]

Dude! I laughed my ass off when he called his opponents "girly-men"! Then everyone wants to get offended! Where were these PC lawyers when SNL was saying this? Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore? If everyone were subject to PC, there would be no more comedy.

It reminds me of the controversy that surronded All in the Family... 30 years or so after the last episode. They were talking about how offensive Archie was. Yeah, he was offensive. But it was no secret that Archie was a pig-headed, stubborn, racist, closed-minded bigot. And every episode he was proven wrong. He eventually accepted Meathead. He even let Sammy Davis, Jr. sit in his chair which he never let anyone do. In short, get a life and grow a sense of humor. Laughter may just help that case of the hemmorhoids that been growing these past few years.

I got off subject, didn't I? Hmm. Celebrity politicians... They're already famous, for one. Government endorsements and campaign funding is out the window, they're already rich. My thoughts are "This is a guy who is willing to stop bitching about world events and do something about it." I think it's great if they decide to stop flaunting their celebrity status to cram their views down our throats and actually try to make a change. Ah-nold, Ventura and Reagan are intelligent individuals who just happen to be celebrities. The idea wasn't originally to have professional liars represent us in government, but one of us. Since this doesn't work, why not an actor, or a wrestler, or any other celebrity for that matter?

I think that it's the will of the people that determines who should be elected. Political clout, experience, leadership, money, good looks, and name recognition all factor in, without a doubt. I don't think our political system necessarily puts the best man for the job in that job, but at least there's a sense of responsibility. If you vote for this guy, you gotta deal with him for 4 years. The American people aren't that dumb. We won't elect Brad Pitt as the President simply because he's handsome. But we might elect someone who tells a good lie. And isn't that what actors do?