Stars Rally Around Clinton and Obama
By Doreen Sims
Not since 1976, has a national convention loomed with out a clear party candidate. Henry Ford and Ronald Reagan squared off at the ‘76 republican convention as predicted Sen. Barack Obama D-IL and Sen. Hillary Clinton D-NY will. With the democratic primaries tuning into a delegate super bowl, Hollywood’s finest are stepping up the campaign appearances.
In Hillary’s Camp
Everyone has heard it. Obama has claimed the youth vote. But Hillary, does as well with super power celebrities to keep the youth vote hip to her message. Rapper 50 Cents is a Hillary supporter. “I just think she could do [the] job. There's nothing bad with Obama in my eyes either, I just think Hillary ... that would be my choice.”
Young actress America Ferrera is also in support of Hillary. "This election is too important to stand on the sidelines, especially for my generation," the 'Ugly Betty' star told People magazine. "I believe that Hillary Clinton can turn this country around. I am confident she will be a champion for young women and men across the country."
Before the big Ohio and Texas Caucasus’s, Tina Fey star of the hit comedy 30 Rock went back to her tv show roots Saturday Night Live to convince young viewers to vote for Sen. Hillary.
Other celebs endorsing Sen. Clinton are Eva Longoria Parker, Jack Nickolson, Magic' Johnson, Roseanne Barr, BET President and Founder Bob Johnson, Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, and rapper Lupe Fiasco.
In Obama’s Camp
Sen. Obama is leveraging his star powered supporters differently than the Clinton campaign. Obama rallies, parties and concerts – yes, we did say concerts – are aimed at uniting youth voters with experienced well-funded voters by giving them a bit of their favorite celebs.
Obama’s army of celebs including music producer and Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am, who created a video that is taking You Tube by storm. Inspired from an speech Obama made in New Hampshire, the video showcases a host of celebrities at times singing and at time speaking excerpts of a Obama speech. The video includes a chorus of “Yes We Can,” Obama’s mantra through out the campaign.
Other celebrities like Nick Cannon, have followed the Senator on the campaign trail, speaking and using his influence to bring young voter to the ballot box.
But only Obama has the big “O” and for quite some time. "I think his sense of hope and optimism for this country and what is possible for the United States is the kind of thing that I would like to get behind" remarked Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah, has appeared on the campaign trail for Obama, but long before he cast his hat into the presidential campaign, Oprah was a fan of Obama. Obama appeared on the Oprah show when he released his book, and each time he won his race for Senate.
With that, support, Obama celeb corner consists of Will Smith, George Lopez, George Clooney, Matt Damen, Halle Berry, Zach Braff, Taye Diggs, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Sanna Lathan, Kerry Washington, Chris Tucker and Usher to name a few.
So the questions is, will all this star power help democrats make their final decision at the convention? With a few more state primaries left, and Pennsylvania hanging in the balance, only time can tell. |
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