Deep seated insecurity? How about this, some celebrities are so secure in their celebrity status they use it as a foundation to get elected where they can really make a difference.
Sure, sure. One faxes crazed talking points to Dick Gephardt, the other thinks he ran for office on a TV show.
These two deal with fantasy, not reality, and are not secure enough to put their butts on the line in an election.
At best, they tell stories and preserve and promote our culture. At best.
And they are compensated very richly when they gain currency--far more richly than those who do important things (teach, help, serve, build).
So they are empty, silly little shells seeking validation--mostly they get that through making stupid remarks in public.
Running for office is a stand-up thing to do, IMO. You put yourself on the line, and transcend the silliness. I don't know if I support Arnold, but I respect this effort. I might even have more respect for the Streisands and Baldwins if they had the courage to put themselves out there on the campaign trail...
As the "stars" grow older and hence less attractive in our youth-obsessed culture...politics begins to look more appealing.
--Boris