2 ms·

This only shows why running we now have 20 candidates running for president. They get a huge platform to expand their reach (good for both the issues they care

by bb2018 8y ago

This only shows why running we now have 20 candidates running for president. They get a huge platform to expand their reach (good for both the issues they care about and their personal brand) with almost no downside (even if not pilfering their campaign funds they will raise enough money to travel the country effectively promoting for future book sales or a tv show).

nutjob2 8y ago
A low barrier to entry is arguably a good thing.
- bb2018 8y ago
  I agree in large part but I do think it is interesting. Running a campaign reminds me of The Producers - it is just as good to have a failure of a campaign as a winning one.
asark 8y ago
The whole political process is so tied up in entertainment now it's hard to see the lines between them anymore. It seems especially bad on the R side (surprise surprise) and I don't just mean the President, but it's affecting the entire institution of the Federal government. Running for, and even attaining, office is a stepping stone to or enhancing move for an entertainment career, and vice-versa, in a way and to a degree I'm pretty sure it didn't used to be in the fairly recent past. And an entertainment career is even more of a feedback-loop into any other business ventures one might have than it used to be, and it already very much was. I mean, being a celebrity used to help with running for office for obvious reasons, but now running for office is a pretty good action to take if you want to become a celebrity. "Enhance your personal brand today—run for office! Just remember, your number one goal isn't winning, it's raising your profile. If you happen to win that's great, but it's beside the point. Feel free to be crazy and weird. Worst case, run as an R and as long as your activities and personality are notorious enough you're guaranteed a steady income for the occasional appearance on Fox News as an expert in... well, doesn't matter really! Maybe they'll even give you your own show! Have a book ghostwritten—it's like free money!"

by bb2018 8y ago

nutjob2 8y ago

A low barrier to entry is arguably a good thing.

bb2018 8y ago
I agree in large part but I do think it is interesting. Running a campaign reminds me of The Producers - it is just as good to have a failure of a campaign as a winning one.

asark 8y ago

The whole political process is so tied up in entertainment now it's hard to see the lines between them anymore. It seems especially bad on the R side (surprise surprise) and I don't just mean the President, but it's affecting the entire institution of the Federal government. Running for, and even attaining, office is a stepping stone to or enhancing move for an entertainment career, and vice-versa, in a way and to a degree I'm pretty sure it didn't used to be in the fairly recent past. And an entertainment career is even more of a feedback-loop into any other business ventures one might have than it used to be, and it already very much was. I mean, being a celebrity used to help with running for office for obvious reasons, but now running for office is a pretty good action to take if you want to become a celebrity. "Enhance your personal brand today—run for office! Just remember, your number one goal isn't winning, it's raising your profile. If you happen to win that's great, but it's beside the point. Feel free to be crazy and weird. Worst case, run as an R and as long as your activities and personality are notorious enough you're guaranteed a steady income for the occasional appearance on Fox News as an expert in... well, doesn't matter really! Maybe they'll even give you your own show! Have a book ghostwritten—it's like free money!"