if you check out the "speaking of faith" web page, you'll see pictures of the singer smiling with jesse helms and president bush* what i REALLY want to bring attention to is this picture:
yes, that's Barak Obama, if you can't tell* AND, npr informed us that shortly after one of their reporters left after an interview, Bono was waiting at barak's door* there must be many possible explanations for his arrival, none of which i feel like debating* but--given Bono's equal popularity and, well, unpopularity, my question is this: if Obama was to strike up a partnership of sorts with the rock star, how would that affect his run for the white house?
please explain that to me*
picture courtesy of American Public Media, "Speaking of Faith" http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/evangelicalevolution/bono-prayerbreakfast.shtml, accessed 28 Feb 07*
1 comment:
First, I would posit that Bono is more popular than he is unpopular (and that the majority of people over 50 hardly know who he is).
I know why people don't like Bono, but I think if people really knew more and read more about him, they would like him a lot more. First, he's authentic. He does this stuff because he really cares about and feels like his popularity can be used to help these causes. Second, he's aware that he's a rockstar and that a lot of people might find him strange or egomaniacal and roll their eyes at him - but he's also self-effacing and willing to joke about himself. Third, even if you don't like Bono, he's actually doing something good (something awesome) with his money and time and power and using it to get other celebrities and power-brokers to do something about it. It sure beats the hell out of whatever Paris Hilton is doing right now. (I suppose if you think fighting poverty and disease in Africa and eliminating third-world debt is a bad thing, you might not like Bono at all. Touche.)
I don't really think Bono is willing to strike a deal with Obama. Whether Obama would be willing, I don't know. Bono has gone out of his way to court both parties (including notable Republicans like George W. Bush, Jesse Helms, and Paul O'Neill - the former Treasury Secretary) and has been foreward about trying to dodge partisanship and such. So to start stumping for Obama would be a different step for Bono and frankly, given what Bono is doing, it would be rather unseemly.
As for Obama - I think Bono's support would help him to an extent. On the other hand, Obama is a bit of a rockstar himself and doesn't necessarily need extra attention. (One could make the argument that Bono would actually be a distraction to the Obama campaign.) In fact, I think Obama is the candidate who would least need Bono's support. If Bono supported Hillary Clinton, it would make her seem much cooler. If Bono supported a major Republican candidate (McCain, Giuliani), they would seem cooler and more appealing to liberals/independents. If Bono supported a second-tier or third-tier candidate, it would give them some publicity.
As for the Obama-Bono meeting - it's not that strange. Bono has met with Congressional representatives, senators, policy-makers, and even the President about his work in Africa. Given that Obama is a senator and someone who probably cares about these issues, it doesn't surprise me at all.
Post a Comment