Celebrities, Not Powerful Politicians, Attract Attention At Convention
Dan Rather reported on CBS the political conventions have "become much more about Hollywood and Hollywood-style productions, bright lights and the celebrities they attract like moths." Added CBS reporter David Axelrod, "Maybe the biggest difference from the good old days, is that there's a lot more time to fill. And in our culture, celebrity fills the vacuum."Axelrod added, however, "If Affleck and Cusack are still the big names after tomorrow, the Democrats will have big problems."
In a Financial Times op-ed, Thomas Frank writes, "Anyone who wants to understand the folly that has reduced the Democratic Party from its position of unassailable strength four decades ago to its current feeble state should attend some social events at the Democratic convention in Boston." Referring to a Democratic event he attended in the "presence of celebrities," Frank concludes "the entire party was a transplanted bit of southern California, complete with the accompanying social hierarchy."
