Celebrities are auditioning for a new role in the Golden State - governor of California.
Since the Gray Davis recall in California, celebrities ranging from Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt to the Terminator himself Arnold Schwarzenegger have been stepping forward and announcing plans for candidacy.
Having a celebrity in a political position might not be a bad idea and should be taken seriously.
For years, politicians have stood in front of a podium, casting their views on numerous topics and attempting to gain voter support. We are accustomed to people acting because politicians audition to convince the public they are the best person for the job. That makes them similar to actors.
This is not to say the candidates express false ideas just to gain the majority vote, but they have to rehearse because an one-line fumble or tongue-tied response to a question could cost them their sincerity.
Having celebrities in office is not a new concept. In 1998, former wrestler and actor Jesse "The Body" Ventura became the governor of Minnesota and helped form the alternative Independence Party in 2000. And in 1980 and 1984, actor Ronald Reagan successfully ran for president on the Republican ticket.
The most-talked about candidate is Schwarzenegger. He has spoken passionately about the Davis recall and appears to have enthusiasm about running for the governor seat.
But some have doubts about the Terminator's ability to head California due to his lack of experience in the political arena.
But Schwarzenegger has shown a real interest in Californians' futures. He has stated Davis failed the people, and based on that he decided to run for governor. But he will have obstacles ahead of him. People who are politically uninformed might take his running as a joke.
But it's celebrities such as Schwarzenegger, Flynt and syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington, just to name a few, who can reach massive audiences. They have a good of a chance as anyone else to make a positive mark on a state, so they should be taken seriously.
