Recently, Barack Obama received a very rousing endorsement from none other than Colin Powell himself: Republican golden boy and soldier extraordinaire. Likewise, Obama has received the endorsement of other defectors from the Bush administration, including former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill and former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan (both are ardent critics of the current administration).
Upon hearing the news of Powell’s endorsement, I was personally very excited, believing that this would lend Obama greater foreign policy credentials, arguably the weakest point in his campaign. I briefly fantasized that this endorsement would come as an epiphany to many Americans, and serve as a call to arms for Republicans to back Obama, sending millions flocking to his side. Briefly.
Frankly, I know that this endorsement will not bleed McCain’s base: I know that those committed to the McCain/Palin ticket will not be easily swayed by a former Bush cabinet member’s support (just as former Democratic Senator and VP candidate Joe Lieberman’s endorsement of McCain will not sway the base of Obama/Biden’s ticket). Yet, the value of an endorsement is more inflated than ever before. Touted as the “most important presidential race of our time,” endorsements give immeasurable boosts to candidates.
Of course, some endorsements are inevitably part of the sideshow. For example, McCain is backed by Troy Aikman, while Obama has the vote of Magic Johnson. Kelsey Grammar supports McCain, though David Hyde Pierce supports Obama. Yet, these glitzy endorsements aside, there are those genuinely newsworthy advocates, like Ann O. Krueger, former World Bank Chief Economist (for McCain), or Paul Krugman, 2008 Nobel Laureate in Economics (for Obama).
But, realistically, how much is an endorsement worth? What is it worth to have open, public support for a candidate? Both major candidates have numerous supporters on their side, representing experts from a wide array of disciplines. Each candidate has household names on their side, and not-so household names. An undecided voter could literally spend days mulling over the merits of Gen. Wesley Clark, USA, Ret. (who backs Obama) vs. those of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, Ret. (who backs McCain).
Yet, the undecided voter is unlikely to waste their time on such folly: rather, the endorsement is comparable to a jingle: it’s a sweet melody of re-assurance from those we trust, respect, and admire. Maybe you’re totally enamored with Tom Hanks, so lean towards Obama. Or, perhaps you prefer the stirring cinematic masterpieces of Clint Eastwood, and you prefer McCain. On the part of the endorsers, it’s a bit of a gamble, particularly in the political world. For example, it seems as if Hillary Clinton is smiling and campaigning for Obama through clenched teeth, attempting to salvage a political future. Conversely, McCain is doing his best to play down the endorsement he’s received from our sitting president.
Personally, I get tickled knowing that Ben Affleck, that mega-hottie of yesteryear, is voting for Obama, or that Sylvester Stallone, ol’ Rocky himself, is voting for McCain. But, it’s not going to significantly influence or alter my vote. Likewise, I feel a bit more informed when folks like Colin Powell and the AFL-CIO support Obama, but it doesn’t overshadow how I feel about his tax plan.
A fitting analogy comes to mind: a candidate’s endorsements are quite like their clothes. Nice to look at, occasionally making a statement about the personality of the candidate, but nothing more than flash and gimmick. Style may be important in this largely superficial 21st century, but, I implore you, dear reader: don’t forget about the substance.
