Here's the George Lopez commercial with President Obama that I mentioned during today's discussion.
In class, we talked a lot about the significance of appearances in the media, especially in the context of political campaigns. We focused on Nixon and Kennedy and the first televised debate, and on McCain and Obama. Both examples reinforce the importance of appearances, and the value that the American public puts on appearances. In both cases, the young, charismatic, attractive candidate came out on top, and although their appearances were not the only reasons for their successful campaigns, they most certainly played a role.
This commercial is a prime example President Obama trying to keep up his appearance in the media, well after his campaign and well into his first term as president. In the commercial, President Obama endorses George Lopez's new late night show on TBS, calling it, "The kind of change I can believe in." My gut reaction to this was that it was somewhat inappropriate to use his profound campaign slogan of "change," a slogan that holds so much significance to so many people, in reference to a late night television show. I understand that President Obama is trying to maintain his down to earth, accessible image, but at a certain point I think people begin to wonder where his priorities lie. The comments on the YouTube video certainly enforce this criticism. Many of them sarcastically comment that Obama is clearly working hard for our country.
Overall, with appearances in commercials like this, Obama, and any politician for that matter, runs the risk of coming across as too concerned with his/her appearance in the media and not concerned enough with important political issues. I am by no means against the president making an effort to be relatable to the everyday American, but I am frankly a little disappointed, and even embarrassed by Obama's choice of words in this particular commercial.
I definitely agree what you have brought up. President Obama, in my opinion, embarrassed himself and image by starring in a commercial for a late night show on TBS, not even one of the major networks. He seems to be building his image in the media more than making any sort of progress in health care or foreign policy. I find it depressing that most elected presidents, such as Obama, from the day they are elected, already are campaigning for their reelection.
ReplyDeleteThis image Obama has presented of himself through the media, seems to me to be a complete lie. Yet, millions of people and even the Noble Peace Prize Committee are fooled by Obama's convincing and charasmatic demeanor and believe him a very capable individual. In no way am I bashing President Obama, I, from an average citizen's point of view, wish he spent the time he does in the media, on what he promised in his campaign. So rather than becoming this superstar/ godlike figure through his "handsome" looks, dolls, slogans, and TV appearances, Obama should try and put more weight on the issues. But in today's society where appearance is everything, this probably is one wish that can't be granted.
I agree, I think this add was jarring considering our president is in the middle of a huge economic recession and a war. There are many more ways to promote a show than this and I think it actually detracted from its original purpose. Not only did the president jeopardize his position, but now people have a weird emotional association with the George Lopez show as well.
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