Study: Celebrity Endorsements Do Not Help Political Candidates

North Carolina State University ^ | Apr 26, 2010 | Matt Shipman

[decimon]

If you’re running for office – and want to shore up support from young voters – you want Hollywood’s support, right? Wrong. Two new studies from North Carolina State University show that young voters are not swayed by celebrity endorsements of political candidates – and sometimes voters like the candidate less as a result of receiving a celebrity’s endorsement.

“Celebrities have been involved in politics for a long time, but there is an increasing interest in the role celebrities play in presidential politics,” says Dr. Michael Cobb, associate professor of political science at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the studies. “We set out to determine if celebrity endorsements influence voting decisions, particularly among young people.”

The researchers did two separate studies including more than 800 college students, evaluating whether endorsements from celebrities – including Angelina Jolie and George Clooney – would affect voting behavior if they endorsed a political candidate. The results? The studies found that celebrity endorsements do not help political candidates – but they can hurt them.

“In one of the studies, for example, we found that by exposing young people to a celebrity endorsement, they liked the candidate less and were less likely to vote for him,” Cobb says.

[decimon]

The young and the feckless.

[Friendofgeorge]

Celebrity endorsements have no affect on myself, but I disagree that the masses are not affected by them.

[jessduntno]

“Celebrity endorsements have no affect on myself, but I disagree that the masses are not affected by them.”

Absolutely...there is a reason they do it.

[DManA]

They do it because politicians are just as star struck as your average American. Probably more so.

[svcw]

They have an effect on me. I usually say, “you're for them then I am most likely against them”. With few exceptions celebrities are the most politically ignorant bunch on the planet.

[garyhope]

Let me think about this:

Well thought out, unbiased, informed, intelligent, political and sociological policy statements?

Actors? High IQ’s? Lack of narcissistic self-interest?

I don't think so.

[Carbonsteel]

Hollywood celebrities are the biggest idiots on the planet. They have someone doing everything for them, from how they dress, to what they say, how to exercise, what to eat, they have personal body guards, drivers, trainers, caddies, butlers, maids, gardeners, you name and these people have someone else doing most their thinking and work for them, THEY ARE MORONS!!!!

The only person on Earth that is a bigger moron, is the one who listens to a celebrity about politics, history, religion, or foreign affairs.