NATIONAL
FROM PUBLIC SERVANT TO PUBLIC FIGURE
Politicians’ fanbases shield them from criticism, creating an idol who can do no wrong, as influencer culture permeates politics. WORDS BY LAUREN SKYE LAWSON | DESIGN BY LILA JOHNSON
A
lexandria Ocasio-Cortez is more than a politician. She feels like a celebrity and a best friend at the same time. She’s AOC. Whether
it’s opening up Instagram to watch live as she sips wine and talks
politics, watching her Vogue makeup routine on YouTube, or joining
her Among Us Twitch stream, she knows how to draw a crowd. Those
watching extended far past potential voters in her district; they were fans of all ages and locations. The fundraising and political messaging appear secondary to her casual rapport.
Being a successful politician today relies heavily on this balance
between celebrity and friend. Direct access and relatability come first,
ensuring that donations and voters do not fall far behind. It is not enough to hold rallies and enact legislation; politicians must have a fan base,
one that will repost, defend, attack, and reimagine. Instead of looking for
With the rising digital presence of politicians comes rising attention
paid to political figures online. Constituents can interact with politicians, and vice versa, as well as get immediate updates on the goings-on of
the political world. This increased engagement has resulted in a unique phenomenon, particularly with young people. Admiring a politician, respecting them or supporting them, is typical. However, with the
general culture of social media and the increasing connectivity between users and politicians, idolatry has further emerged out of support, with politicians appearing more and more as celebrities, rather than public
servants. There, of course, have been politicians in the past with this idol status, but advancing technology has allowed for it to happen quickly, more frequently, and in a new way.
“I don’t think it would be possible without technology, at least not
voters, candidates are securing “stans.”
to the same level,” said Dr. Daniel Ponder, L.E. Meador professor of
relationship with politics is no different, expecting direct communication
idolized Kennedy … it is not an entirely new phenomenon, but it’s gone
The social media generation is used to immediacy and access. Their
and mainlined information at all hours. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are reminiscent of a high school lunchroom—organized by group, filled
political science at Drury University. “People idolized Reagan, they up over time with technology.”
All that open communication comes with a downside, though. As
with a cacophony of chaos, gossip, jokes, and updates.
the cost of campaigning has increased, so has the need for available
would have to grab the newspaper or gather around their radio to hear
platforms that allow for all that open communication. Ponder calls it the
It hasn’t always been this way, though. In the past, American citizens
the president’s weekly address. Information moved slowly. Even during the television era there was a lag; news of President Kennedy’s death
cash. That means politicians are also fundraising—often on those very permanent campaign. “[It] has been a
broke on television half an hour following his death.
real foundation of
depending on one’s point of view. Everything is instant. Everything is
politics,” Ponder said.
Today, it’s an information buffet—or information overload,
social. Viewers tune into presidential addresses at their own convenience on any online platform, add comments and jokes on a whim, and share photos of who’s best dressed. Even those not watching the event can
follow along in real time, through updates from their social media of choice. Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration was lacking in real-life attendees this year due to COVID-19, but there was no shortage of
modern American
“[Technology] has
made it easier to do the permanent campaign, to sustain it and be successful at it.”
“
[TECHNOLOGY] HAS MADE IT EASIER TO DO THE PERMANENT CAMPAIGN, TO SUSTAIN IT AND BE SUCCESSFUL AT IT
DR. DANIEL PONDER, L.E. MEADOR PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
In 2003, presidential hopeful Howard Dean broke records by raising
virtual audiences. Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and Jill Biden’s
about $14 million in a quarter. Due to the ability to fundraise on a large
signature coat and mittened hands became a viral meme, selling stickers,
Obama was one of the first to utilize social media for his campaign
fashion choices filled feeds the moment they emerged. Bernie Sanders’ shirts, and other memorabilia within days.
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SPRING 2021
and convenient scale online today, that would not appear a success story. efforts, signaling to others how important the internet can be.
