Celebs and politics

While it's well known that many celebrities are vocal about their politics, I wonder if it makes any difference? (see 2004's "vote or die" from P. Diddy, "Mosh" from Eminem, plenty of talk from Tim Robbins/Susan Surandon/Ben Affleck/George Clooney, etc...)

I'm not against it, I think it's cool for celebs to voice their opinion.

I do feel that there is a bias towards liberal candidates (usually, but not always) and that the celebs have this impression that they will use their star-power to speak out and affect the vote. But I suppose that's just the nature of hollywood.

I was surprised to learn that some celebrities are conservatives/Repbulicans and at this link they run through 30 celebs who are on both sides of the isle. Kinda interesting:

http://tv.msn.com/tv/galleryfeature/celebs-on-the-campaign-trail/?photoidx=1

They left out The Rock and Bruce Willis for the conservatives though!

I don't think anyone cares. I get annoyed when celebs talk about politics as if their opinion matters.

hahaha

Originally posted by sithsaber408

I was surprised to learn that some celebrities are conservatives/Repbulicans

Me too.

No wait, you elected an actor as Republican and a Body Builder that acts as Republican governor. I did know of this anomaly.

An interesting article from last year (nov 07) about how many celebs are afraid to speak up about conservative values and will deny being a republican for career sake (mandy moore, terri hatcher) or call themselves independent/Libretarian but still vote repbulican (bruce willis, kurt russell, tom selleck, drew carrey) because that's more acceptable: http://www.newsmax.com/hirsen/hollywood_conservatives/2007/11/19/50627.html

Originally posted by sithsaber408
An interesting article from last year (nov 07) about how many celebs are afraid to speak up about conservative values and will deny being a republican for career sake (mandy moore, terri hatcher) or call themselves independent/Libretarian but still vote repbulican (bruce willis, kurt russell, tom selleck, drew carrey) because that's more acceptable: http://www.newsmax.com/hirsen/hollywood_conservatives/2007/11/19/50627.html

Also, funny how all the blacks on that list support Obama.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Me too.

No wait, you elected an actor as Republican and a Body Builder that acts as Republican governor. I did know of this anomaly.

Here's one that I didn't know: Robert Downey Jr.

In a recent interview with New York Times talking about Iron Man he says, "I have a really interesting political point of view, and it’s not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can’t. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/movies/20carr.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2&oref=slogin

Originally posted by Bardock42
Because it's more acceptable or because the Libertarians sadly have only little chance as of yet and there is still a small libertarian wing in the Republican party?

Little? ha

Originally posted by sithsaber408
An interesting article from last year (nov 07) about how many celebs are afraid to speak up about conservative values and will deny being a republican for career sake (mandy moore, terri hatcher) or call themselves independent/Libretarian but still vote repbulican (bruce willis, kurt russell, tom selleck, drew carrey) because that's more acceptable: http://www.newsmax.com/hirsen/hollywood_conservatives/2007/11/19/50627.html

Who the f**k cares? Certain career paths are biased. The military is the other way around. Be happy.

Originally posted by sithsaber408

I do feel that there is a bias towards liberal candidates (usually, but not always) and that the celebs have this impression that they will use their star-power to speak out and affect the vote. But I suppose that's just the nature of hollywood.

Would this be the same bias that the religious figureheads like Dobson who use their sway by telling their congregation who God would want them to vote for?

Anyhow, I rarely listen to a celeb's point of view on politics, I don't think they intrinsically have a better opinion than a gardener, nurse or what have you. Brad Pitt said it best when he said "at the end of the day, I'm just a guy who puts on makeup to go to work. If you want a meaningful answer, ask the experts."

Originally posted by BackFire
I don't think anyone cares. I get annoyed when celebs talk about politics as if their opinion matters.

Nuff said.

Celebs only care about politics when they get media attention.

Same with causes and charity. Got look good for the camera.

Originally posted by RocasAtoll
Who the f**k cares? Certain career paths are biased. The military is the other way around. Be happy.

I care because some of them (the Rock, Bruce Willis, Kurt Russell) are actors that I like.

It's a shame that in a town where people can get on The View and scream about impeachment and that cheney is a terrorist and get applause, a star has to put out this big statement: "I'm NOT a republican" for fear of being black-listed.

In a place that's supposedly about promoting freedom of expression, no less. 🙄

There's a lot of presumption in this thread, specifically that celebrities only care about politics for media attention; how exactly do you know that? All you're doing is assuming someone has no political opinion because they have more money and fame than you, fairly pathetic really.

I don't care what they voice, if I think what they're saying is in anyway wrong, then I will challenge it - just like I would any other public figure.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
There's a lot of presumption in this thread, specifically that celebrities only care about politics for media attention; how exactly do you know that? All you're doing is assuming someone has no political opinion because they have more money and fame than you, fairly pathetic really.

If you're addressing me, that was assumed nowhere. You assumed it's what I assume, so you fail.

My question was: Do they make a difference?

Followed by the point: Most celebs are liberal

And the last point; Conservative celebs are more quiet/afraid to talk about, their political views.

I never said that any celeb (liberal or conservative) "has no political opinion because they have more money and fame."

So take that nonsense elsewhere and comment on topic, thank you.

Originally posted by sithsaber408
If you're addressing me, that was assumed nowhere. You assumed it's what I assume, so you fail.

My question was: Do they make a difference?

Followed by the point: Most celebs are liberal

And the last point; Conservative celebs are more quiet/afraid to talk about, their political views.

I never said that any celeb (liberal or conservative) "has no political opinion because they have more money and fame."

So take that nonsense elsewhere and comment on topic, thank you.

No, I wasn't addressing you. So be quiet.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
No, I wasn't addressing you. So be quiet.

Trying to shut me up like all the other conservative celebs, eh?

Sorry for the misread there, it came after my post so I thought it was directed at me.

Carry on then.

What do you mean "carry on"? You needlessly quoted me, assuming it was directed at you. I've given as much explanation as I need to, I'm not going to give more because of your poor reading comprehension.

Originally posted by chillmeistergen
What do you mean "carry on"? You needlessly quoted me, assuming it was directed at you. I've given as much explanation as I need to, I'm not going to give more because of your poor reading comprehension.

I mean for the convo to carry on with anybody who's posting.

See how easy it is to assume something is directed at you if it's under your post?