Celeb visits to Obama White House are a "striking contrast" from that of his predecessors

[ClarkUSA]

One of the best aspects of the Obama presidency is his openness to what he calls "good ideas" that come from all sorts of people from all walks of life.

The bold-faced visitors who have marched through the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. over Obama's first 100 days make for a striking contrast not only to his predecessor's White House – which was by no means A-lister friendly – but from that of Bill Clinton as well.

The celebrity-politician dynamic has changed since Bubba schmoozed – It's not just fun and games and snoozes in the Lincoln Bedroom anymore, says Brookings Institution Vice President Darrell West, author of the book “Celebrity Politics.”

“Celebrities used to be considered vacuous people who didn’t know anything,” says West. “And I think in response to that, the celebrities who are getting involved politically are actually boning up on the issues and developing expertise.”

West notes that “the celebrity engagement under Clinton centered on fundraising,” while “Obama seems more open to using celebrities for policy formulation and getting ideas.”

It's interesting to see how celebrities have become valued as much more than walking ATMs over the course of time. I'm glad to see how many of them are trying to make a difference now. The article goes on to explain what celebs have visited with Pres. Obama and what their policy interests have been.

[lunatica]

1. BREAKING NEWS! Celebrities are people who care about everyday things!

And some of them even think!

[NYC_SKP]

2. Celebrities have enormous influence and potential to influence public opinion.

True, many don't care to use this power, but to the extent that they can, I'm very pleased that the president may use this to advantage.

Thanks for the post, ClarkUSA.

Recommended!

:patriot:

[cliffordu]

4. I know Paris Hilton has inspired me to toss all my underwear...

[Arugula Latte]

3. This is odd:

"Last Monday, golf great Tiger Woods dropped by the Oval Office while in town to promote June’s AT&T National. Tuesday brought the country singer Toby Keith. On Wednesday, while Barack Obama was in Iowa, R&B singer Usher swung by the premises to talk with administration staff about fighting malaria. Thursday was quieter – maybe just the lull before actor Forest Whitaker’s visit Friday.

Toby Keith?

I know he says he's a Democrat, but ... :wtf:

[ClarkUSA]

6. Toby Keith is a political junkie who has expressed interest in running for governor someday.

He was a Wes Clark fan in 2004, too.

[nsd]

11. Toby Keith's apparently not a Democrat anymore.

http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1596198/toby-keith-registering-as-independent-voter.jhtml">link

Apparently he's a Palin fan:

"Keith said he will probably vote for McCain because Palin is his running mate.

"I've never been a huge John McCain fan," he said. "I appreciate everything he did for this country. But at the same time, the wackos are hammering her so hard, that they're gonna make that ticket win. They can't get out of their own way. They've got a chance to win it ... and they're gonna blow it by hammering her."

Keith predicts that Palin is going to do well in Thursday night's debate with Biden.

"Palin's about the least political-looking, acting, resembling person that's ever run for office," he said. "You look at her: All the housewives are gonna love her. All the women in America can relate to everything she's done. She's real normal. Her kid is pregnant, she hunts, she snowmobiles, she's backwoods. I just think a lot of women are going to appreciate her and feel that they have to vote for her."

[calimary]

12. That last paragraph there - WHOA Nellie!!!

All the housewives are gonna love her? All the women in America can relate to everything she's done?? She's real normal??? Her kid is pregnant... ????????

STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!

MY daughter isn't pregnant. We DON'T hunt, we DON'T snowmobile, we're NOT backwoods. And neither my daughter (a woman, too, last I noticed) NOR I appreciate palin or feel that we have to vote for her. Proud to say that neither of us did!!!

toby keith obviously has his head sufficiently far up his ass that he can only see shit. I guess that's why he recognizes sarah palin...

:eyes:

Dear God, I feel sorry for ANY woman in toby keith's orbit, if that's how he sizes up women politically. He sure was spot-on about the Dixie Chicks, wasn't he?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. Celebrities are a bunch of know nothing imbeciles

unless of course they run for office as republicans or share republican opinions.

[wyldwolf]

7. yeah yeah.. like...

Martin Sheen! And Janeane Garofalo! And... well... Ed Asner!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. Huh? nt

[wyldwolf]

9. eh, sorry. I get so used to seeing the sarcasm tag ...

... I miss sarcasm when there isn't the tag there.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. Ah. nt