Politicians and the Media...part II

I've just returned from a holiday in Miami and I was interested to read/view media interpretation of the current presidential race.
We have access to a great deal of US television media here in Canada.
To be honest, I had no interest in watching much US television news on my vacation (though I must admit I tuned in to Mrs. Obama's stint on Jay Leno while I was there!)
I did however, read the Miami times each morning (over coffee and a beautiful view from my balcony). I also paid attention to the political signs as we toured between Miami and Tampa(surprisingly fewer signs than during a Canadian election).
Mostly, I asked the Americans that we met what they felt about this race and I noticed the interesting ways that people expressed their opinions. These expressions in themselves could be considered media...they were mediums to express their opinions, not to the masses per se, but to those whose paths they crossed on the street.
My favorite was the guy who walked through a crowded (very upscale) outdoor mall....he was walking 7 or 8 whippets (dogs that look like mini greyhounds). Each dog was wearing a "team Obama" t shirt. Well, the guy was drawing so much attention with people snapping pictures and such. He didn't need to say a word, his point was clear.
He and his dogs were voting Obama....I think he's got the whippet vote covered.
Media persuasion at its best!
A few Hollywood stars were in Miami to support their candidates while I was there as well.
If you were at all implying in your blog that American media is more fair/impartial than
in Canada, this is where I'd have to say I can prove you wrong.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck put herself out there as a celebrity supporter of McCain. Oh please.
The girl 'earned' celebrity as a contestant on Survivor. She didnt even win. Then, because of her cutesy she made her way on to the View.
(where, based on media gossip,she isnt well thought of)
So,McCain, has this girl who really has no proven political knowledge giving speeches to espouse his credentials.
Well, what kind of media frenzy is this?
Same can be said for Matt Damon and Jason Alexander doing the circuit for Obama.
Who are they to say he's so great?
(Although for goodness sakes, they hold a lot more stake for me the poor Elizabeth...at least they have a history of actually being able to verbalize the issues and expressing their opinions)
Media controls politics...
there are intellectual media venue both in Canada and the US, but how many people watch that?
You mention Michael Coren (who is on my tv in the background as i write this)....sure, there is common sense and an attempt at fair representation on his show, but for goodness sakes, i'm the lefty and you're the right wing #*@#*....and I'll admit that this forum leans left. The important point is to see where the show's interests lie...they all have an interest.
In an election, its all about PR ....and sometimes
PR means
swarms of whippets
wearing Obamas Tshirts and
sometimes that means star power.
If that's what people listen to, then that's what political stategists will use to sell their candidate....its all about media...
and mediums...and mediums are evolving and expanding...to quote Mcluan "the medium is the message"........
hmmm, in the US the mediums are celebrities and whippets....what kind of message is that?