Schwarzenegger and the celebrity factor

[Kanola]

IMHO there is such an awe of celebrity that permeates in our culture, what tactics can we use to combat this? In this society name recognition outweighs the person's fitness for the position. It is conceivable that Schwarzenegger could be elected as Governor even though it remains very unclear what his policies are and how he would enact them. How do we encourage the public to pick someone who is well aquainted with political policies versus a celebrity with no substance but big name recognition?

[rock]

1. Actually, I think thats what's great about this country

You can vote for anyone you want for any reason that you want. Incidently, I caught Terminator 3 last night. I liked it rather well, although not as much as the other two. I love watching Arnie, but wouldn't vote for him on a bet.

[Kanola]

2. How is that relevant?

This is part of the problem, getting sidetracked on an irrelavent side issue that he was Terminator 3. How does this tie in that he would make a good Governor?

[David__77]

3. People are emotional, are superstitious, are not master strategists...

But hopefully their prospective leaders will encourage them to develop in a better direction. I think that people like attractive people with pleasant personalities. And with many voters only making a nominal commitment to the direction of the republic, these things really count. That's a strength of Clinton. So, we have to cover all of our bases. There are people who could make great statesmen but poor candidates, and we shouldn't recruit them and support them. That's how we counter the "celebrity factor." With genial, likeable candidates with a grasp of the issues.

[ArkDem]

4. If you don't feel the people are competent to vote then

you don't beleive in democracy.

[Bandit]

5. Vote & if you don't like the results then push for recall ~ real democracy

Is that the part of Democracy you like so well? Keep voting until you get the results you want. Isn't that exactly what the GOP accused the vote recounters of doing? Recount until you get the results you want. Okay lets start the recall petition right now against Ahnold. We need to keep voting until we get Carrottop.

[ArkDem]

7. I wasn't talking about the recall.

I was talking about democracy, in general. Looks to me like Bustamante will be the next guv. Arnold is an idiot and I think people will see that eventually.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. How "competent" are they ArkDem???

They cannot see that this is not Davis's fault, they cannot see that it is the fault of Energy Deregulation and ENRON and BUSH then maybe then, YES ther are INCOMPETENT and maybe shouldn't vote!!!!

[Kanola]

8. As a Californian and someone who does believe in Democracy

I concur that there are voters in this state who blame our woes on Davis (he is bland and almost chilly personality), and are not willing to take the time, be critical, and look at pertinent policy issues facing this state. I remember Sonny Bono winning a seat in congress, and he was not even able to articulate answers on policy when asked by the press. It was embarrassing to watch, but because of name recognition he won.

It is very frustrating as a California voter who voted for Davis in a small voter turnout know that people who signed up for the recall more than likely did not even bother to show up for the polls in the first place.