The Associated Press

Schwarzenegger and McCain, political twins.

Featured Topic | Posted 31 weeks 2 days ago

Who is winning the celebrity endorsement primary?

John McCain has the Terminator in his corner. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed McCain for president this week, saying the Arizona senator "has shown over and over again he is reaching across the aisle to get things done."

In a 24/7 media-saturated environment where style often supersedes substance, Hollywood buzz has been key for some candidates. Oprah Winfrey's appearances for Barack Obama in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina drew thousands of onlookers at campaign stops, helping validate his campaign. Chuck Norris kick-started Mike Huckabee's campaign, from his first TV ad to stops in early primary states.

But does the endorsement of celebrities matter? Should it?

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Ben likes: The value of the Schwarzenegger endorsement

Alan Katz/The Alan Katz Political Blog

Interestingly, the Governor’s endorsement could have greater influence with voters outside of California whose opinions are unsullied by news coverage of his problems with other Republicans back home.

Yet the greatest value may have nothing to do with voters casting their ballot based on Governor Schwarzenegger’s recommendation. Instead it may stem from the Oscar-worthy coverage the endorsement has generated. And when you’re running against a well funded opponent like former Governor Mitt Romney, that of kind nationwide free publicity is worth millions.

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Joel likes: Politics as blood sport, or why the GOP rules

Rex W. Huppke/The Chicago Tribune

Studies have tried to debunk the value of celebrity endorsements, as if a nation deliriously hooked on entertainment could never be duped by Hollywood. But seeing as we've now elevated our presidential hopefuls to celebrity status -- people turn out for an Obama rally like Jersey girls to a Bruce Springsteen concert -- it seems only fair to weigh their chances based in part on the company they keep.

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Thoughts

celeb endorsements

Submitted on February 2nd, 2008 by Lioness

The fact that Oprah endorsed Obama was enough to make me decide to NEVER vote for him. Celebrities have NO clue what it's like to be out here in the real world struggling to make it, and Oprah is the worst of the bunch. When I hear the real people around me "endorsing" a candidate, I'll give that person a serious look - but celebs don't live in the real world, so their endorsements lack meaning for real people.

Pat Sajak is right

Submitted on February 1st, 2008 by Ben

"This is America, and we celebrities have just as much right as anyone else to speak up about any issue. The problem is that more attention is paid to what we say because we’re well known. But why should that matter? O.J. Simpson is one of the world’s best-known celebrities, but I can’t imagine anyone following his lead in a voting booth."

A wise fellow, that Sajak.