Celebrities in American Elections

In the 19th century, a politician had to be an entertainer, whether a low-rent Shakespearean orator or a passable fiddler. And it helped if he also bought the whiskey! Richard Longoria does a masterful job of showing us how the mass media culture flipped this notion on its head, making the entertainers into the politicians. His foundation in previous scholarship and his telling of the great cases of entertainer-politicians captures our durable celebrity culture. It also encapsulates the broader vulnerability of the American Republic to a democratic politics with very few judgment brakes other than the questionable wisdom of crowds. -- Keith Ga°ddie, coauthor of Democracy’s Meaning: How the Public Understands Democracy and Why It Matters Through a series of case studies, this book offers an up-to-date analysis of celebrities as spokespersons for political candidates and as actual candidates for political office, emphasizing the latter. Longoria posits that celebrities possess a trifecta of talent, fame, and resources, which they uniquely bring to the political arena. These resources not only help them win elections, but also provide them with considerable slack for the sexual misbehavior in their pasts. Each case study tests the author's assertions about the trifecta and also provides many intriguing nuggets about the celebrities, their backgrounds, and the prevailing political environment. This book is recommended for advanced undergraduates through faculty. * Choice Reviews * Professor Longoria's new book, Celebrities in American Elections: Case Studies in Celebrity Politics, provides an engaging and insightful treatment of the increasing prominence of entertainers in American politics. He clearly identifies the political advantages entertainers enjoy, but he also explains why some entertainers fail in their efforts to win public office. A must read for anyone seeking a better understanding of the increasingly intertwined worlds of politics and entertainment. -- Irwin Morris, NC State University