Celebrity Endorsements...

Depends upon what you consider a celebrity. I take Colin Powell's endorsement of Mr. Obama seriously because I believe he has a deep understanding of the military and foreign policy and believes that Mr Obama is the better choice. I have no idea who Beyonce for example (sp?) is endorsing, nor would I care.

Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris are damn fine Americans, and they support Romney. I even think if John Wayne was alive he'd support Romney. Anyone those damn fine Americans back must be a damn fine American themselves! Besides I can't support someone who appologized to terrorists...

It just frustrates me! I'm glad you posted this- I often wonder (and worry) that people could be swayed by celebs. I just think celebrities don't exactly have their finger on the pulse of what the average American is going through, ya know? They can't possibly relate, and I could care less what they think! I'm a little relieved that so many don't let celebs influence them.

Well, Honey Boo Boo endorsed Obama..........that says it all.

I love Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack OBAMA!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! Colin Powell, the 65th United States Secretary of State, who has worked with every Republican since Nixon that is. He's only had the most reputable military career humanly possible at his age. So much for Obama being a liberal socialist Muslim kook with no military savvy.

And I love Lindsay Lohan's endorsement of Romney :)

And I like the recent skit with all the actresses ending with Meryl Streep against Romney's womens issues. Because some celebs are rich (and potentially highly taxable), but they still like Obama. woot.

***And no, they don't sway me, I just approve of their judgment or not (except Colin Powell, that would have swayed me if I was a low info voter). Actually, when Clint Eastwood "spoke" at the R convention I lost a bit of (a lot of) the adoration I had for him. And I loooooove all his movies. But, oh well.

Ted Nugent and Dave Mustaine are big Obama haters...and um...yeah. Not so much who I would look to for political advice. And whoever Ann Coulter is for....I'm most likely against once I do my homework.

Celebrity endorsements have no bearing on my choice, probably because I just assume 95% of celebrities will always vote Democrat. I am actually quite surprised when ANY celebrity comes out and endorses a GOP candidate. I do find it interesting when that occurs, but again, it doesn't matter to me in terms of influencing my vote.

If anything, when I look at the types of celebrities who endorse Democratic candidates, and their morally bankrupt lifestyles, movies, etc., I am just further convinced that their guy is in no way in line with my values.

If anything, a celebrity endorsement is more likely to DIScourage me from voting for that person. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some of them are informed, but I still don't trust any of them. :)

I really don't pay attention to any endorsements. Either you like a candidates stances on things or you don't. *shrug*

Yes it does have a bearing on my decision, it turns me off from that candidate. The celebrity usually ends up making themselves look stupid.

Actually, I judge my celebrities by what candidate they endorse! They are just people and most are pretty cowed by the climate in Hollywood. If O. ever is conservative I tend to think they are an independent thinker!

I love Condi Rice. If she were not to endorse my candidate I would be concerned.

No bearing at all.

To me it looks like an immature High School popularity contest when all the rich celebs get involved. And we have a large percentage of our nation wanting to be cool and be in the "in crowd" so they vote what is popular..not what is best for the nation. They read more celebrity mags and watch more reality shows than reading newspaper articles and looking at what is happening in reality. So so sad that many in our nation worship "false god"s in Hollywood rather than a O. true God and try to live his commandments.

No, I don't pay attention in general because that celebrity may not have any expertise in the area. Some celebrities are extremely active and knowledgeable in certain areas because of their charitable work or foundations - climate change, environmental issues, etc. In that case, I might listen to them in that O. area. But otherwise, being an actor or a singer doesn't make them any more informed than I am.

I think they get involved because the campaigns have become so ridiculously expensive that the money to fund them can only come from the very rich - that can be big corporations with a vested interest in a specific policy, "old money" from some historically wealthy families, and "new money" from celebrities.

I DO listen to prominent people in related fields - Colin Powell, for example, because he has background in the military (Joint Chiefs) and foreign affairs (Secretary of State). I listen to people like Gloria Steinem when it comes to women's rights. I listen to former office holders or former appointees (judges, cabinet members, ambassadors, surgeon general, etc.). I listen to people who know something about the way government works. For example, I don't subscribe to the idea that we should always vote out the incumbents and put in all new people who may have such a huge learning curve.

But government is serious business and not something that celebrities are necessarily good at. Elections should never be popularity contests, and people should not vote for someone because they hate the other guy or what his wife wears!

well the first thing I thought about after I read your question was that lots and lots of celebrities are endorsing Obama, and he is eating it up, and having a big party with this. So no, I'm not voting for him anyway, but it would really turn me off if I was. It is like this whole thing is party town, and not the honor that a President should hold. I don't hold much for celebrity endorsements anyway. They are just regular people like you and me who have a high profile job and lots of money.

Depending on whom they endorse, it actually just makes me respect the celebrity less.

I get irritated when celebrities use their name as a political platform. I like to research the candidates myself and make the decision based on my facts and research--not on who's voting for who.

Amy said what I was going to say.

I have to vote on what my needs and my family needs are. I know who my people are and how I was raised. And so I need to vote and stand with the candidates that have my values and my goals.

Gen. Colin Powell s a person I have always admired. When Pres Bush was pushing for his war and Gen. Powell disagreed, I knew, the war was not something we should start. Gen Powell knows about the military and could care less about the politics.

I knew that Pres. Bush was a frat boy, who had a wealthy dad that bailed him out of a lot of trouble..I have no concept f this type of life. I was taught we take responsibilities for our own behaviors.he had shirked his military duties, he was known for not being a very good student, actually did not do very well, even though he had opportunities that were purchased for him.
He was not a person I could vote for.

Mitt Romney also comes from a family I have no concept of...like Donald Trump, these are not self made business men. Their fathers gave them substantial money and these men made more money. Sure nothing wrong with this, but again, these are not my people. Mitt Romney has some frat boy behaviors in his past. Bullying, using his fathers money and position to get him out of scrapes and poor behaviors.. I just have never associated myself with these type of people anymore, because I realize, they have values that are more self serving..

And so I do not care if a celebrity votes for a candidate, because they are not my people either. I do find it interesting..as to the reasons they vote the way they do, but it is in no way a reason I make my choices...

Celebrities are still citizens so it should not matter, but it is interesting to see and to note WHY they vote/endorse the candidate they do. Tells alot about their vision and how it impacts their decision. It should also be a clue as to who people chose to idolize them.

It does not influence me. Sadly, my husband was influenced. But, not by the celebrity. He loved that celebrity, now he dislikes him very much for endorsing a certain candidate. So sad.

Celebrity endorsements just make me mad. Why they think we need to know their opinions on anything, especially on the candidates, is beyond me! So they can act, or sing, or whatever..ok I'll give them credit for their talent. But just because they have talent makes them an expert on politics, nah. I wish they'd keep their opinions to themselves :)

It's sometimes interesting to see who the celebrities endorse and why. Endorsement by someone I admire (not as a star but as a person with morals and integrity) holds much more weight with me than a celebrity's endorsement. If I was seriously on the fence and someone that met the above criteria, they could be a deciding factor but they would not otherwise sway my choice.

This is especially true right now because I love Bruce Springsteen. He is not only an incredible entertainer (for which I have always admired him) but also as a person. He does good things and has good values (not saying he's perfect) and I admire that he has chosen the rock & roll life but also chose to stay drug-free. Four years ago he endorsed Obama, which I disagree with but after four years in office, he is once again supporting him (although it does seem to be with less vigour). I have not supported Obama, ever, because as much as what he says may sound good and he is convincing in his speeches, I don't believe he is sincere when he says the things I do agree with. I know Bruce supports him, and he has his reasons. I know Bruce has made his choice with the best intentions based on some of the things that have been said( which do sound like good ones if Obama was sincere). If Bruce can't sway me, no other celebrity can! Besides, if something happened to President Obama, we would have Joe Biden as President (that would be scary too)!

I'm with Michelle S. There are certain celebrities whose movies I refuse to watch or music I refuse to listen to due to their political beliefs and/or endorsements. Likewise there are some celebrities that I respect more after finding out who their endorsements go to. However their opinions do not have any effect on my own political stances.

nope doesn't affect me much at all. But then I try not to let anyone's opinion celebrity or not sway me. I do my research ask for opinions when I am confused or need more info. and then make my decision. This goes for politics as well as any other topic. Often celebs are being paid to endorse things, so you can't really count on them actually being truthful about their opinion. I worked in the biz and yes you are paid to endorse or promote products. It is just a part of it. If you don't like it you don't do it and get out. To most it is a job, a stepping stone to something else or a much needed paycheck. But basically nope celebrity endorsements mean very little to me. I don't know them or trust them and they are not having a personal conversation with me. I trust people on here more as they have no other motivation than to help in most cases. Endorsements come from a place of alternative motivation.

nah! But as O. mama pointed out--Why does it seem that more celebrities tend to endorse Democrats? Celebrites are rich!

Yes, it influences what I think of that person.
No.
Can't think of anyone in particular.
Does what make a difference?
I guess sometimes it is interesting, depending on what's being said and how.

Nothing in particular comes to mind--sorry.

Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig are the worst. They seem to forget that these celebrities had personal trainers and chefs, not something the average person has access too. So, their weight loss process is different.

I've never been swayed by a celebrity endorsement.