I’ve been meaning to write about Barack Obama’s announcement this past Sunday, but that’s been covered ad nauseum. However, one particular moment stuck out for me–the question about his smoking habit. Adfreak mentioned this today and brought up some interesting points about the effect of Obama’s tacit “endorsement” of Nicorette.
First of all, it’s interesting to see a candidate with a pretty public vice. I wonder if this has any affect on how he is perceived by potential voters? Will it be seen as a sign of weakness? Or perhaps it evokes something more sinister?
Secondly, as adfreak notes, Nicorette could benefit from this off-the-cuff comment. In advertising, celebrity endorsements are a big business. Even in politics, it can prove to be something positive–remember the endless jokes about Bill Clinton and his hamburgers from Burger King? If anything, this could definitely create buzz for the brand.
If Obama loses the nomination, perhaps he has a future as a commercial spokesperson, a la Bob Dole and Viagra? Should our politicians seek second careers schilling products or does this completely degrade their credibility? Unfortunately, Bob Dole has become a joke to many people as a result of his choices.
How far do politicians need to separate themselves from the world? We expect these men and women to act perfect, appear flawless and speak on message all the time. Any time they show any signs of humanity, the public reacts with waves of shock and gossip. On the other hand, if they seemed too polished, the public is put off by their coldness. Where is there a happy medium?
