This photo was retrieved from NBC. Amy Peohler playing Hilary Clinton (right) on SNL this past weekend.
For many political candidates thinking outside the box is a strategy that can win them a political victory. In years past television commercials were the newest and most innovative way to campaign. Recently candidates for the 2008 election have been campaigning towards a younger, hipper crowd. The campaigns have become less formal and more creative. Obama has posted music videos by Will.I.Am on Youtube and several of the candidates have appeared on the NBC show Saturday Night Live. Clinton appeared on the infamous SNL this past Saturday night playing herself. The sketch poked fun at the debate between Clinton and Obama earlier in the week. Clinton was asked hard questions while Obama was asked easy questions. The sketch was not intended to be an endorsement for Clinton. When asked if she would like to take the sketch as an endorsement she responded, ‘Absolutely not.' But I still enjoyed that sketch a great deal because I simply adore [Amy Poehler's] impression of me." Other candidates that have appeared on SNL in the past include: Obama, Huckabee, and Giuliani. Clinton plans on appearing on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and she has already appeared on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman." In the upcoming election the political campaigning is less about what the candidates will do once elected. It seems as if emphasis is on the Public Relations aspect of the campaign as much as the actual campaign if not more. With a "younger" feel to the campaigns do you think more youth will vote in the next election?
I think everyone in this campaign have taken very interesting approaches to get young people to vote. I was 18 years old during the last election. I was a freshman in college and honestly did not care at all about it! I am not sure if I was just oblivious, but I do not remember these youth hipe last time. I remember P Diddys election campaign Vote or Die, but thats it. I dont remember any of the other canidates speaking out to youth. This campaign is very different. As you said, many of the canidates have appeared on SNL, Obama ran an ad during the Superbowl, and the whole Will.I.Am music video have really inspired me as a young voter. After talking about the campaigns and watching everything so far, I would feel like a fool if I didn't vote!