Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fine, but I guess we disagree on what makes something meaningful. Jumping on the political bandwagon of a popular candidate isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t meaningfulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦in fact, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d call it PR.

If you care about the future of this nation (and world, by extension) and think a certain candidate would be good for the country, I don’t see how promoting said candidate is not meaningful, no matter which candidate you’re supporting. Now, if you don’t care at all, and it’s just a PR gimmick, then of course it’s not meaningful.

But I wouldn’t call it PR for someone like Cook…unless it’s the worst PR ever (alienating half of a fanbase is not good PR, as others have said). The only time I could call it PR would be if the entire fanbase had the same political views.

That’s why I have respect for people who go there…because it’s both risky and kind of noble for someone to put the outcome of this election above his record sales. (Since the outcome is not clear-cut, any extra support could make a difference.)

I’m not saying that’s what Cook (or anyone else) should do because again, it’s risky, so it’s not always a smart move.

I’m sorry, MJ…we’re totally off-topic. So feel free to delete this if you must.

Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fine, but I guess we disagree on what makes something meaningful. Jumping on the political bandwagon of a popular candidate isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t meaningfulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦in fact, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d call it PR.

Actually, given how divisive political discourse in this country is right now, jumping on ANY political bandwagon is actually a very dangerous (and foolish) thing for any celeb to do. You might turn some heads and convert a few into casual fans who weren’t fans before, but you could completely alienate hard core fans who will turn their backs on you because they perceive that you’re on the WRONG side of the political divide.

I’m sure Cook won’t make the mistake of being outspoken in his political views this early in his career (if ever), but off-camera, if he chooses, why shouldn’t he be able to discuss politics like any other American citizen? And if he does choose to do it on-camera, yeah, he sure as hell better be prepared for the backlash — just like any celeb.

Any other planned candidate appearances before the election?

Yes, but again, until they’re in the building I’m not going to talk about it.

I have respect for people who use their fame for something meaningful.

That’s fine, but I guess we disagree on what makes something meaningful. Jumping on the political bandwagon of a popular candidate isn’t meaningful…in fact, I’d call it PR.

ETA: Darn…I don’t have anything on topic to say. Feel free to delete, MJ.

Count me amongst those that think famous people should sing/act/look pretty and keep their politics to themselves.

I disagree. If you have a platform to make a statement, there’s nothing wrong with using it IMO. So long as you’re prepared for any backlash that may result. But that’s just me. I have respect for people who use their fame for something meaningful. And people’s political opinions generally don’t turn me off from them, so it’s not a big deal to me.

^_^ You betcha it would not be the itunes exclusive bonus track, or theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be pissed~

I’m not saying it will be, but I don’t think iTunes would care if they performed the bonus track. It’s an exclusive track you can only get if you pre-order the album from iTunes, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t perform it elsewhere. iTunes doesn’t have actual rights to the song outside of selling it. I mean, if they perform it and people dig it, they might seek it out on iTunes, realize it’s album-only, and decide to pre-order! Haha. I’m not saying that’s the case though. I tend to think that if the song is likely to be *that* popular that one play on SNL would drive people in droves to iTunes, they’d probably save it for the next single rather than bury it as a fans-only pre-order track. Of course, I have no doubt that the exclusive is going to kick ass, much like the rest of the album =).

Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care for this pic at all and hope they do not use it. The pic makes it look like the guy on the right (forget his name) is the lead/star. Hope this guy does not have a tude. David should have been more prominent.

I think David will be fine. It reminds me of all those elevator pictures from AI where David was always in the back holding up the wall. That didn’t seem to hurt him any. All he has to do is open his mouth and sing, and he will be absolutely fine.

Partisan Idol politics

:laugh_tb: So freakin’ accurate….

Please let it be something from the record…maybe it will be the bonus track on itunes…what’s it callled? Gotta go check that out!

Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s right. Because ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s off topic. There are political boards for that sort of thing.

Partisan Idol politics are bad enoughà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Thanks MJ. I don’t think 11/4 will ever get here. Count me amongst those that think famous people should sing/act/look pretty and keep their politics to themselves.

On topic: Assuming Cook does the usual 2 songs, and one of them isn’t Magic Rainbows, I wonder what the second song might be? A girl can dream…

I know that MJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not gonna let this thread go the political route

That’s right. Because it’s off topic. There are political boards for that sort of thing.

Partisan Idol politics are bad enough…

This is effin’ great! The ratings will be off the chart and DC and The Band will greaty benefit from the exposure.

This is made of all kinds of win!!!!

Oh, but I’ll have to admit I’d love to see the actual performance(s)!

I think if the rumors get out that Obama may appear, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s even more exposure for Cook. That said, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think his appearance means heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s endorsing anyone. I agreeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ for the Idols right now, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s best to be neutral.

Yeah, and even if Obama doesn’t end up appearing, I think the ratings will still be high..last SNL before 4/11, gotta be huge! LOL

Personally, I’ve already cast my vote for Obama and proud of it. Gotta love early voting! Not that it matters in my state. I really think we should go to a national popular vote for national elections. I’m sure there are plenty of people who would agree whether they are dems, republicans or independants.

I don’t think the ratings will be higher if Obama is on b/c these things are a “surprise” but the ratings will be sky high because the whole country will be watching to see if Tina Fey is on again as Sarah Palin.

It’ll be a great audience for David. I wonder what his second song will be? Does he do his other single, or does he sing a new one?

Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care for this pic at all and hope they do not use it. The pic makes it look like the guy on the right (forget his name) is the lead/star. Hope this guy does not have a tude. David should have been more prominent.

It’s okay for now, I think, because it wasn’t a professional photo. :laugh_tb:

“I will continue to hope David remains apolitcal lest he alienate half the population like so many other celebrities.”

I totally agree. I am very strong feelings about politics, so I just wish celebrities would do what they do best and stay out of it. They will keep more fans.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know where to post this, but thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a pic of David Cook and his band together from EW:
http://popwatch.ew.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/21/davidcookband_l.jpg

Don’t care for this pic at all and hope they do not use it. The pic makes it look like the guy on the right (forget his name) is the lead/star. Hope this guy does not have a tude. David should have been more prominent.