Why do Republicans say Celebrities aren't qualified to talk about politics

[ck4829]

But, when one decides to run for Governor or President (At least when he's Republican), they all rally behind him, why is that?

[cyclezealot]

1. probably fearful celebrities are more knowledgeable

then themselves. But, you would not know it by schweirznegger.

[izzie]

2. They do not see how foolish what they say is.

--

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Don't listen to what they say.

Has nothing to do with *anything*. The double standard goes way back. Adlai Stevenson shouldn't be elected because he was divorced.('56) Rockefeller shouldn't be elected cause he was divorced ('64). Reagan was OK in '66, '68, '76, etc. etc. despite the fact that he was 1. divorced and 2. had dated a woman while he was still married to someone else.

They make up the rules as they go along.

[Jonathan50]

4. Because they are RWAs and RWAs are hypocrites..

That Right Wing Authoritarians, aka authoritarian followers.

[Cosmocat]

13. In a nutshell ...

these freaks have abolutely ZERO ability to recognize how full of snot they are ...

[rfranklin]

5. Democratic or liberal celebrities cannot talk about politics....

That's the difference. Because, generally, the most popular celebrities do not support Republican and right wing politics.

[Missy M]

6. Maybe they're right......

because they give a perfect example with their celebrity candidates who aren't qualified to talk about or be in politics.

[KG]

7. because they're idiots.

duh.

[Breeze54]

8. Pot-Kettle-Black

It's just a case of "I'll OUT SHOUT YOU!!"

RETUGS SUCK... especially the one's from Florida!


Are guns legal there? :shrug:

:P

[Breeze54]

9. BTW? Who CARES WTF Rethugs think, if that actually happens!!

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Klukie]

10. Because they know that celebrities appeal to the masses

and they can carry a message a long way. They feel it is a counterpunch to their baseless talking points but they know they can't compete because most of the celebrities that do dare speak out know their shit.

[Mike Daniels]

11. Personally, I don't think people care that much what a celebrity (Dem or Rep) thinks

Unless the celebrity is an acknowledged expert on a matter why the hell should their opinion be weighted any more than anyone else's? With very few exceptions, what comes out of most celebrities is the standard talking points for a particular issue. Rarely will you hear a celebrity express anything that you can't find in an organization's promotional literature or mission statement.

I'm not saying they shouldn't voice their opinion. I just think 99.5% of most people don't give a damn what Streisand, Bono (and he's one of the few exceptions to above), Willis, Gibson, etc. have to say about anything.

[alarimer]

32. Their opinions are just as valid as ours are

They might have a wider stage but no less right to express themselves in whatever manner they see fit.

[bighart]

12. My question is what makes

a celebrity, an actor or musician especially, more intelligent or qualified to discuss issues of national or world importance than the average citizen? I know there are a lot of uninformed citizens out there, but I would venture a guess that the knowledge by the "celebrity masses" is probably at least equal to the general population. I would also say most anyone who posts here is more qualified to talk about issues than the average celeb.

[Pyrzqxgl]

14. A celebrity is probably more comfortable expressing themselves in front of an audience.

Many of us may not be so inclined. That's why DU is such a good forum for us.

[Iris]

24. I think many celebrities who primarily consider themselves artists come from a different place.

WhatI mean is, often celebrities like Susan Sarandon or Angelina Jolie actually do research for roles they play and as a result, have strong feelings about various issues.

[MadAsHellAgain]

15. At least an actor can communicate

The only actor running is Thompson and he's far more experienced in real politics then Edwards is. What the hell has Edwards done to make him qualified to be President? He's nothing but a fricking pretty-boy lawyer. Say what you want about Reagan, he knew how to play the part.

[gatorboy]

20. Yes that's just what we need.

8 more years of someone playing the part.

Yee haw. :eyes:

From what I've read, Thompson didn't do much himself in office. Perhaps you can elaborate on some of his finer moments (Hunt for Red October doesn't count ;) )

[MadAsHellAgain]

23. Thompson - Edwards

Attorney: Co-chief counsel to Senate Watergate Committee.
Many years experience as lobbyist in Washington (Good or Bad).
Won election to replace Gore. Folks in Tenn must have liked him.
Won reelection by bigger margin next term in state won by Clinton at the same time. Folks in Tenn must have really liked him.
Doesn't get (or need) $400 haircuts.
Sounds like he means what he says. Edwards sounds like a lawyer giving closing arguments. (Sorry, I don't like lawyers)

Say what you want, but playing the part is critical. Call it charisma, whatever. In this day of 24 hr TV news/Internet access, without it, a leader can't lead.

[gatorboy]

28. That is the dumbest thing I've heard here yet.

We've had 8 years of someone playing the part and everything's gone to shit. Are you kidding me?? :rofl:

Did Fred accomplish anything worthwhile during any of these jobs?

(crickets)

C'mon think harder...

(tumbleweeds)

Didn't think so....

[stanwyck]

29. The emotional voting you cite is killing us

Literally. The "he's a guy I'd have a beer with" but don't have a damn clue about vote. That's how we got W. And last week on CSPAN's Washington Journal, callers were all creamy for Thompson, despite not one being able to list one political position. It was all "he's strong".
We're told that women "vote for the cute guy." Really? I sure hear a lot of men wanting to vote for "the strong guy". Or, the Schwartzenegger, Ventura, Thompson, Reagan, or Eastwood that played the tough guy in the movies.
Macho conservatives here at work took that extensive political online poll that was making the rounds last election. And found out that on the issues, they were, gasp!, Democrats! But they voted for Bush. Against their true beliefs. Why? They thought he was "strong."
I guess dressing up like a cowboy or pilot works with men. And being stubborn equals strength.
Face it. Rightwing media is nurturing the emotional voter. "Don't know much about nothing. Just know what I like!"
And we get stuck with the guy who doesn't know Newfoundland is part of Canada. Or that in Mexico they don't speak "Mexican". (and this from a border state governor...)

[Mike Daniels]

25. Apparently Fred quit Congress because it was too much work

I'd like to see someone dig up those quotes if he does get the nomination as something like that that could pretty much blow his run out of the water.

Why would you elect someone who thought being a Sentator was too much work to be your president?

[uppityperson]

22. So you would rather have an out of touch actor than someone who knew what was going on?

searching on you.

[mitchum]

31. Pleasant dreams dirtbag

[TahitiNut]

16. It takes some skill to fake sincerity well.

:shrug: ... especially without "sense memory." That's why the GOPhers aren't "method actors."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_memory_in_acting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting

It should be noted that none of the right-wingers are graduates of the Strasberg School.

[ieoeja]

17. The only halfway decent explanation I've heard ...

... is that a celebrity's opinion only becomes legitimate when they actually put themselves on the line by running for office.

I usually follow that up by pointing out that O'Reilly, Hannity, et al have no more political experience than an actor, so shouldn't they just shut the fuck up as well?

[barb162]

18. Okay, as a Democrat I think Gary Sinise isn't qualified to talk

politics
:)

PS I am still trying to figure out how the Terminator got to be the guv of CA

[Layla_Z]

19. the question

The question is not why celebrities talk about politics, the questions is why do we listen? What qualifications do they have that make them an expert in anything except their chosen profession? Some celebs are intelligent and well read and are worthy of attention. Sadly, many are not and those seem to be the ones that get the most attention. Whose fault it that... theirs, the media, or ours???

[Richard Steele]

21. Because they'll say ANYTHING to get their way. Logic, fact, and honesty are just words to them.

Words that few of them respect, and many don't actually understand.

[BurtWorm]

26. Because they're hypocritical idiots?

:think:

[EstimatedProphet]

27. Because Republicans only care about Republicans

Most Celebrities are Democrats, and are therefore Wrong. The ones that are Republicans are Right.

Republicans are better than Democrats, always in all cases. Didn't you know that?

[mitchum]

30. Because they are motherfucking hypocrites?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

33. I asked Janeane Garofalo about it once...

Q – A lot of these pundits were saying celebrities should stay out politics—

A – Well, they are celebrities, though. It’s the rightwing celebrities not liking the leftwing celebrities (laughs)

Q - And then they all supported Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign for governor. Are you surprised that no one called them on their hypocrisy?

A – People did, but those voices didn’t get on mainstream media. People fail to realize, because there are no moderate-to-left voices in the media, as far as the right is concerned, their stance on things is incredibly elastic. Actors are bad, unless it’s a Republican actor. Affairs are bad, unless it’s Newt Gingrich having an affair. Gambling is bad, unless it’s Bill Bennett. Drug abuse is bad, unless it’s Rush. It’s all very elastic.
They’re not really political. They have other issues that go beyond politics that cause them to be so aggressive in fighting against social just issues. It’s not politics, it’s “I don’t like you!” (laughs) and “I don’t understand you. You are different,” and also, “I’m going to pretend I’m being conservative, but that’s not really what it is.”

from this thread from way back when...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=printer_friendly&forum=105&topic_id=540698