One of many things to note in what will probably be looked back on as one of the most interesting races for President is this: the multiplied use of the media for fun-popsicle campaign based entertainment.
It seems to be a reference back to when Bill Clinton ran for office against George Bush by playing the saxophone on the Arsenio Hall show to create a very memorable moment that caught the public's attention.
On 'YouTube' there is the Obama girl singing about Obama, the Will.I.am run Hollywood Change video, Hillary's pop feminist odes and contests for her campaign song.. The Republicans have been more reluctant to use the medium, but for Mitt Romney someone did release a 'This is why I'm Hot' video on the site.
It's like a complete 180 from from the fact focused blog heavy race in 2004, don't forget the blogs are still in action, ehem. Things have just gotten way more pop culture focused. Especially with Oprah using her show and prestige to promote her favorite candidate.
In fact pop gossip magazines like Us weekly have been following the trail of celebrities for Obama and even put out a piece on Hillary's greatest fashion faux pas' complete with her own commentary. Okay. Didn't we do that in the 90's???
And one cannot forget the John McCain is a pop culture icon himself and has been for years now at least since 2002. He has hosted his own show on Saturday Night Live, appeared in the film Wedding Crashers, and done a number of just fun media appearances over the years on the way to '08.
The pop political fever may have reached it's high with the Tina Fey hosted edition of Saturday Night Live which opened with a sketch of a debate between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama. The piece noted the media's openly adoring view of Barak Obama, his lack of answers, his lack of substance, and their passionate adoration in the news media. It actually might make someone feel sorry for HRC. Maybe, eh. Tina Fey certainly made an argument for Clinton in her opinion piece during the news segment.
It gets even weirder when you consider Governor Mike Huckabee's appearance on the SNL show during the news bit. The routine while funny was actually uncomfortable because Huckabee is at the point where he should bow out. His appearances on The Colbert Report (repeatedly), The Tonight Show, and now SNL are starting to put him in the category of someone like Dennis Kucinich who is more of a character than a true candidate. Huckabee is starting to seem like a caricature of himself, a person who 6 months ago was really being considered for Vice President.
Hmmm. Well at least you can always count on Ralph Nader to enter the race, this blogger swears she just brought up the fact that Nader ruined the race for Al Gore in 2000..and now all the sudden, he is in the race as of yesterday....hmmm. Although he has no 'You Tube' songs as yet.