Politics: the new entertainment

Never before has such an upcoming primary buzzed so much media coverage. A CNN and Univision televised special of a Clinton/Obama debate is set to take stage here at the University of Texas on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Attendance is expected to be limited to a select lucky few who are on an invite only list. Despite this, weirdly enough, other people who do not normally find themselves following the primaries, students being my main target, are tuning in. Why? Who cares? It is just the nation’s future. No biggie. This year’s celebrity endorsers and viral marketing are proving to be more successful in spreading a candidate’s message to a younger demographic than the candidates’ public appearances and debates. Magic Johnson and Barbra Streisand are some of the big names endorsing Clinton and Obama has received endorsements by the big dog, Oprah Winfrey, and had a catchy, inspirational music video using his “yes we can” speech that, in its short lifespan, has already got well over 3 million views on Youtube. Past political agendas have consisted of pounding long political laden speeches into the ears of the financially involved while the rest of the proletariat tunes out using selective hearing super powers. The 2008 election will redefine political public relations techniques and will crumble previous voting demographics. A stork is coming bringing with it a new political revolution that will allow you to jam the new hit for your politician of choice on your iPod while on the way to class or keep tabs on which of your favorite celebrities are hanging out with the next up and coming senator. So be happy. Political marketing tactics are getting a face-lift and you are the guinea pig for the beginning of a new political entertainment revolution.