Our Political Pop Culture

I'm trying to decide if it's a good thing. I really don't know.

If anything, it moves people to become more informed about candidates. And often, simple videos on YouTube are created out of reverence and passion for a particular person. I think it's great that we live in a society where we can express ourselves creatively and share our passionate feelings about another candidate to the world.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about... mostly Obama btw... (I haven't really seen much from Clinton supporters.) That's perhaps because part of Obama's coalition is the youth vote, and they're the ones who know know about accessing, creating and/or posting viral videos.

I'll put up links so you can view ones maybe you missed:

Yes We Can by will.i.am, Feb. 2008 (4:30)
We are the Ones by will.i.am, March 2008 (3:00)- New
I Got a Crush on Obama by Obama Girl, July 2007 (3:18)
Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl by Obama Girl, August 2007 (3:07)
Vote Different by unknown, March 2007 (1:14)
Hott4Hill by Taryn Southern, July 2007 (2:44)

A lot of our pop culture has even slipped into the way candidates approach their campaigning styles. Check out this Hillary Clinton video that was a parody of the Sopranos series finale. Or how about Barack Obama on Monday Night Football in January 2007 (before his announcement)... it was a teaser.

2008 is going to be an election like none other. We've got the internet, mass communication and scores of young people interested and engaged in this election. I'm just a little nervous about this election becoming too much about our pop culture, and too little about the issues.

But what is Democracy except for entertainment.