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Another advantage is that celebrities, by definition, aren't in politics to acquire fame and fortune. This has the potential advantage that they might be less a

by leot 13y ago

Another advantage is that celebrities, by definition, aren't in politics to acquire fame and fortune. This has the potential advantage that they might be less able to be bought off.

a3n 13y ago
Or they could be single issue candidates, a particular form of corruption IMNSHO, like Clint Eastwood as the Mayor of Carmel. His restaurant then finally got its liquor license or expansion permit or whatever his issue was, I forget the details.
- maxwell 13y ago
  http://clinteastwood.net/mayor http://clinteastwood.net/mayor
  - a3n 13y ago
    Thanks. I got my timeline wrong, he got his thing done and then ran for office.
leot 13y ago
Though perhaps the perfect counter-example, here, is career politician Jerry Brown's successes in turning around California's fiscal situation: http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21579483-jerry-brown-has-repaired-californias-financesbut-only-short-term-redemption-song http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21579483-jerry-b... His tenure, as many know, immediately followed Schwarzenegger's, who was less successful. In fairness, though: Brown seems to be exceptionally good this time around, and I'd bet that most people believe Arnold's problems didn't stem from too much partisanship or a lack of good faith effort.
wahnfrieden 13y ago
If that's true, then why do many already rich celebrities continue to participate in grossly commercialized lowest common denominator work? Being rich doesn't mean you don't want to be richer.
- jlgreco 13y ago
  Maybe the like doing it? Or maybe the solution is just to pick celebrities that hold themselves to high standards. So... not Nicolas Cage.
- maxwell 13y ago
  A rapper does a few hours work, it buys him a new car. Very rational cost-benefit, even if short-sighted. It'd seem exceptionally inefficient for that rapper to launch a political career for the purpose of increasing his fortune, particularly with the increased scrutiny and fewer post-term consulting gigs he'd have compared to your average politician. I can see celebrities doing it for the fame though-- specifically to show that they're "more than" an actor, singer, athlete, or whatever.

by leot 13y ago

Another advantage is that celebrities, by definition, aren't in politics to acquire fame and fortune. This has the potential advantage that they might be less able to be bought off.

a3n 13y ago

Or they could be single issue candidates, a particular form of corruption IMNSHO, like Clint Eastwood as the Mayor of Carmel. His restaurant then finally got its liquor license or expansion permit or whatever his issue was, I forget the details.

maxwell 13y ago
http://clinteastwood.net/mayor http://clinteastwood.net/mayor
- a3n 13y ago
  Thanks. I got my timeline wrong, he got his thing done and then ran for office.

leot 13y ago

Though perhaps the perfect counter-example, here, is career politician Jerry Brown's successes in turning around California's fiscal situation: http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21579483-jerry-brown-has-repaired-californias-financesbut-only-short-term-redemption-song http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21579483-jerry-b... His tenure, as many know, immediately followed Schwarzenegger's, who was less successful. In fairness, though: Brown seems to be exceptionally good this time around, and I'd bet that most people believe Arnold's problems didn't stem from too much partisanship or a lack of good faith effort.

wahnfrieden 13y ago

If that's true, then why do many already rich celebrities continue to participate in grossly commercialized lowest common denominator work? Being rich doesn't mean you don't want to be richer.

jlgreco 13y ago
Maybe the like doing it? Or maybe the solution is just to pick celebrities that hold themselves to high standards. So... not Nicolas Cage.
maxwell 13y ago
A rapper does a few hours work, it buys him a new car. Very rational cost-benefit, even if short-sighted. It'd seem exceptionally inefficient for that rapper to launch a political career for the purpose of increasing his fortune, particularly with the increased scrutiny and fewer post-term consulting gigs he'd have compared to your average politician. I can see celebrities doing it for the fame though-- specifically to show that they're "more than" an actor, singer, athlete, or whatever.