I couldn't agree more with Postman's view points on his article, Reach Out and Elect Someone. Today, politics had become like television commercials to get peoples attention. In my telecommunication class, we learned about "copy cat" programming. This is when television shows are similar and not varied due to the risk of audience loss. I believe that consumers have very little control concerning the media therefore, when it comes time for politics commercials they are made to appeal to the audience. An important factor is image. One must have a good image of themselves, you would never see a candidate making a speech in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Ones image says a lot about themselves. Most people that watch are inclined to see the candidates and know more personal information about them then actually hear their thoughts. Like Postman said, "We are not permitted to know who's best at Governor or Senator, but whose image is best in touching and soothing the deep reaches of our discontent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9WB_PXjTBo - Watch quick commercial and then read blog!
This political commercial flashes attention to the audience for a plethora of reasons that Postman described in his article. This commercial was for Claire McCaskill when she was running for United States Senate. I believe that this got hold of the audiences attention. Having Michael J. Fox (a celebrity) speaking, i would assume that he would get peoples attention and for them to listen to what he has to say. This is getting the viewers to focus on the celebrity and then at the end of the ad it quickly says Claire McCaskill, this creates a compelling image for the interest of the viewers. It gets the viewers to remember Claire McCaskill by having Michael J. Fox with Parkinson's disease being the celebrity representing her. In this case, the commercial would be represting the "copy cat" method by having a celebrity basically advertising for McCaskill. This gives the viewers the ad of self intrest by knowing that McCaskill is looking to help find cures for stem cell research. Also, this ad talks about how Jim Talent, who is also running for senator is against this. Even in commercials for candidates, the people are depicted in certain ways. Michael J. Fox is clean looking and attractive, while seems to know about stem cell research.
I agree with Postman and his view on Image and how politics resemble television commercials by having the same goals to focus the view in with a slogan or symbol.
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I think that this post is especially interesting because I never had thought about what cara defines as the "copy cat" programming. Now looking back on television shows and movies, i have seen the same type of show and movie over and over again. The cinderella story has been done over and over again where a woman is saved by a male and finally reaches overall happiness. On a much more different note, I have seen the same "halloween" episode done on almost every single television show I watch from "Sister Sister" to One Tree Hill. The same images are made to look attractive and the same lessons are learned from each version. This idea can be integrated into politics. Politics is somewhat a type of entertainment fit into a mold where certain quialifications need to be met. Politicians and celebrities tend to focus on a slogan or symbol in order to fit a specific image or idea that the audience already condones or is in support of. This article reminds me of the election 2008 and specifically the campaign between hilary and obama because both are trying to fit the same mold and not emphasize what makes them stand out because they assume it will affect them negatively. For example, you will notice that Hilary does not comment on gender ever in order to avoid any one assuming she is a sexist or extreme feminist which is proven to turn away votes. This is all very interesting and i would be interested to see what postman feels about today's election and the reasons behind the way the media is presenting the election
I agree with you Cara and with Postman. Politics is really a lot about image and also about what the American public feels comfortable with. As I said in my blog, politicians really want to appeal to the most people that they can so they will do whatever, even hire a celebrity for their commercials, to get what they want.
I liked what you said about the "copy cat" programming. I had never heard of it but now that you mention it, it reminds me of a lot of the television shows on today. Take for instance, Grey's Anatomy and ER or Law and Order and CSI. Both of these sets of shows are very similar to each other yet they are some of the most popular shows on television. I definitely agree when you say that if the audience likes it then why change it. And that makes perfect sense. However, it makes me sad to think that sometimes the leaders of our government care more about image then the real issues.
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