It’s a shit show here in California. I can’t wait to move my family out of here this summer. Caitlin is a joke with her own agenda. Coz and his bear may be worse.
Is celebrity status the way of the future? As absurd as it sounds, should Democrats simply turn to celebrity figures to run in swing states? With the devolution of the GOP as a party of purported principles and the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation, it seems that celebrity (presumably because of name recognition) is the only variable that might reach low information or low turnout voters.
A fame driven campaign is certainly the model that Matthew McConaughey Ashley Judd, and, to a lesser extent, Alec Baldwin propose for Democrats. Having their own platform is a powerful thing in a world where less people are watching and reading local media. In retrospect, the 2003 recall is clearly a major national tipping point for modern celebrity candidacies (after Reagan).
Newsom won in a landslide in 2018 and has rebounded a bit since the French Laundry. I tend to think he's a tough target. That's also what I am hearing from folks on both sides of the aisle who are watching this.
I'm not worried about Newsom. The French Laundry was a foolish misstep, and there were issues with Covid, but he'll win the recall. In national races, however, name recognition is the key. It's unfortunate, but we saw what happened in 2020 when Schumer ran 'great-on-paper' unknowns against incumbent GOPers, not to mention his failure to counter GOP lies about Democratic positions on police reform, immigration, taxes, etc. The Democrats should run every centrist/center left celebrity they can find. It's a ridiculous way to run a country, but better that than free falling into autocracy.
I wonder how well fame can work nationally – for Democrats or other Republicans. People tend to underestimate just how famous Trump was. The apprentice did huge ratings in its heyday and it was on forever. He was hanging out in the cultural consciousness for like 40 years before running. McConnaughey is maybe close. Oprah is probably bigger. I do wonder if you need that A-list fame to make fame work in a presidential.
It may depend on the state. It's amazing that Lyndsey Graham could win a library card, he's a terrible senator and a worse person, but he's reelected time and again. I don't consider JD Vance to be an A-lister, but he's likely to win his Senate race. Bloomberg easily won the NY mayoral race but fell flat on his face after spending $1B in the presidential primary.
Fame/celebrity campaigns have definitely worked out at the local level. Couple athletes come to mind as well as Kane from the WWF. He was a mayor IIRC!
Matthew McConaughey and, to a lesser extent, Alec Baldwin seem to be proposing this model for Democrats. In retrospect, it's hard not to see this race as the major tipping point in that regard.
It’s a shit show here in California. I can’t wait to move my family out of here this summer. Caitlin is a joke with her own agenda. Coz and his bear may be worse.
Most of the GOP folks I talk to think Faulconer has the best shot. But at least here in DC, they're openly pretty doubtful about the chances.
Is celebrity status the way of the future? As absurd as it sounds, should Democrats simply turn to celebrity figures to run in swing states? With the devolution of the GOP as a party of purported principles and the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation, it seems that celebrity (presumably because of name recognition) is the only variable that might reach low information or low turnout voters.
A fame driven campaign is certainly the model that Matthew McConaughey Ashley Judd, and, to a lesser extent, Alec Baldwin propose for Democrats. Having their own platform is a powerful thing in a world where less people are watching and reading local media. In retrospect, the 2003 recall is clearly a major national tipping point for modern celebrity candidacies (after Reagan).
Newsom won in a landslide in 2018 and has rebounded a bit since the French Laundry. I tend to think he's a tough target. That's also what I am hearing from folks on both sides of the aisle who are watching this.
I'm not worried about Newsom. The French Laundry was a foolish misstep, and there were issues with Covid, but he'll win the recall. In national races, however, name recognition is the key. It's unfortunate, but we saw what happened in 2020 when Schumer ran 'great-on-paper' unknowns against incumbent GOPers, not to mention his failure to counter GOP lies about Democratic positions on police reform, immigration, taxes, etc. The Democrats should run every centrist/center left celebrity they can find. It's a ridiculous way to run a country, but better that than free falling into autocracy.
I wonder how well fame can work nationally – for Democrats or other Republicans. People tend to underestimate just how famous Trump was. The apprentice did huge ratings in its heyday and it was on forever. He was hanging out in the cultural consciousness for like 40 years before running. McConnaughey is maybe close. Oprah is probably bigger. I do wonder if you need that A-list fame to make fame work in a presidential.
It may depend on the state. It's amazing that Lyndsey Graham could win a library card, he's a terrible senator and a worse person, but he's reelected time and again. I don't consider JD Vance to be an A-lister, but he's likely to win his Senate race. Bloomberg easily won the NY mayoral race but fell flat on his face after spending $1B in the presidential primary.
Fame/celebrity campaigns have definitely worked out at the local level. Couple athletes come to mind as well as Kane from the WWF. He was a mayor IIRC!
Sacramento had an ex kings players as the mayor a few years ago.
Sigh, I keep forgetting what an uninformed country we are at all levels.
Matthew McConaughey and, to a lesser extent, Alec Baldwin seem to be proposing this model for Democrats. In retrospect, it's hard not to see this race as the major tipping point in that regard.