I can agree to an extent. Strong new ideas are cool . . . for you and me. Not for the majority of the mindless 18-30 drones out there that are told what to think. Don't forget, these people didn't grow up listening to Walter Cronkite or Dan Rather. They heard from Kurt Loder and Serena Altschul. Let's face it, compared to Loder and Altschul, Dan Rather looks impartial!!
Springsteen, Spears, Alice Cooper, Dave Matthews, etc. aren't "cool" for their political views (no matter which side of the fence they're on). They, and their fellow celebrity activists, are seen as "cool" for their artistic talents. That opens the door for them and they are able to speak about their political beliefs and have them heard once the door is open.
With this group of voters, let's face it, James Dobson, Dick Cheney, Bill Bennett, etc. can't even get that door open! We have to have a "celebrity" factor to get the door open and then espouse the ideas relayed to them by the true wonks!
Never underestimate the power of the young vote. Don't forget that what probably put Bill Clinton over the hump in '92 was that he went on MTV and the Arsenio Hall show. He knew how to play up to that group of voters, and we should learn from his lesson!
Don't forget, either, that young kids watching this who can't vote now will associate being pro-GOP with being "cool," or at least "acceptable," and remember it when they get to voting age and begin to develop a political identity of their own. To many young people, the GOP is the school marm smacking you over the head because your pants are too tight or you listen to that damn Beatle music. Impressions are important; if we can make a good impression on young people, they'll be more willing to accept the reason behind our politics once they become mature enough to think about such things like mature people.
I know so many knee-jerk Democrats around here (Boston) who can't back their political views with any substance at all. I can only imagine these people "became" Democrats because the received positive images of them in their formative years . . . college, for most, where Dems/liberals were cool and rad and Repubs/conservatives were staid and uptight.
Clinton used his own musical talent ability to enhance his image. That was "outreach." What you are suggesting is that young voters might be brought into the party if they use "cool" celebs as a front; "If you think Britney's cool, and she thinks I'm cool, then you will think I'm cool too!"
That is pandering.
BTW -- I doubt Kerry is all that proficient on the guitar. If he was good enough, he probably would have played "Johnny B. Goode" at an event by now.