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In recent weeks, a wide range of media outlets have highlighted celebrity endorsements of presidential candidates. This makes me question if celebrities influence people to vote a particular way, especially in our own generation.
I hope my peers are voting for the candidate they believe in and share similar views with, rather than the candidate that has received the most money from Paris Hilton or George Clooney.
In 2004, P. Diddy backed a political service group called Citizen Change. The group’s main focus was educating young people about politics and the power of voting. The campaign’s slogan appeared on T-shirts that read “Vote or Die.” Throughout the entire campaign, Paris Hilton acted as a promoter for the message. Come election day, not only did she not vote, but she wasn’t even registered.
Hilton is not someone I want to base my vote on. She obviously doesn’t take elections seriously.
Another endorsement that was highlighted in just the past week was Sen. Edward Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama. This endorsement is seen as a huge blow to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is both a senatorial colleague of Kennedy and a friend of the Kennedy family. In a campaign where Clinton has trumpeted her experience over Obama’s call for hope and change, the endorsement by one of the most experienced and respected Democrats in the Senate is a particularly dramatic takeover for Obama.
Obviously, money is important, especially for those running for the presidential candidacy. But is it necessary to emphasize which celebrity is supporting which candidate? I personally don’t see the significance and when November rolls around I will be marking the box of the candidate I agree with and feel can lead this country, not the one that was given the most money by my favorite celebrity.
I think that with the education our generation has we can elect the right president, without the help of any celebrities. To say we are influenced by Hollywood undermines our intelligence and individuality.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center proves our intellect and shows a celebrity endorsement of a presidential candidate does not influence the choices of the majority of voters, according to a report by the Washington Times. The study found endorsements from celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Jay Leno and Donald Trump made “no difference” for 75 percent of the people surveyed.
This survey is an example of a step in the right direction. There is no need to know how much money was given by celebrities and to whom, because it doesn’t affect our choice.
When voting day arrives, take a stand. Make sure you are registered and vote because you want your candidate to become the next president of the United States of America.
Meghan Hayward is a fourth-year journalism major.
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