Obama and the NFL

We recently read an article discussing Jon Stewart’s role in advocating for 9/11 rescue personnel. Politico presents an article about a similar phenomenon but with somewhat of a reversal of roles. NFL players have requested Obama’s support in the players’ labor fight against NFL owners. According to politico- he dismissed the players as millionaires fighting billionaires, saying he was more concerned about Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s attack on state-employee unions.

Apparently the NFL fight is a serious attack on unions. In mid-March, team owners locked out the players, who decertified their union to challenge the league’s antitrust protection.

One of the players lamented “If you make money, it’s OK to have less rights. It’s just part of the public’s perspective,” said Ruettgers, who was in his third season with Green Bay when NFL players 

It seems to me that despite their SES all people deserve the support of their government. The article we read told us about the idea of someone in the entertainment industry extending support to a political issue. Do these same principles guide the degree of political support extended to celebrities?  

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52884.html#ixzz1JDyoBrSI

New Media to the max

We recently spoke about the use of new media and advertisements in modern presidential campaigns. Mr. Obama is no exception to the rule; he has kicked off his campaign for the 2012 election using a web video. The Obama campaign managers are personalizing to the maximum in order to establish a sense of personal attention. His website told visitors "This campaign is just kicking off. We're opening up offices, unpacking boxes, and starting a conversation with supporters like you to help shape our path to victory. 2012 begins now, and this is where you say you're in." Shortly after the web video was posted, an e-mail went out to supporters. In the e-mail, signed simply "Barack," he noted he's focused on the "job you elected me to do" and said that "we've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily." According to Fox News republicans have been slow to join the race.

We spoke extensively about how the new media is a big part of recent campaigns. Fox’s comment got me thinking about the extent to which the so called ‘new’ media tools are actually new. Have circumstances shifted so much that any candidate that neglects to use new media tools is characterized as “slow to join the race”?