Norris loves Huckabee

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Posted: 12/3/07

Make fun of him all you want. "Chuck Norris counted to infinity, twice." But the fact remains: Chuck Norris is having a visible impact on the Republican presidential candidate race.

Recently, Norris appeared in a television ad for Mike Huckabee that ran in Iowa for a week. The ad begins with a shot of a straight-faced Huckabee saying, "My plan to secure the border? Two words: Chuck Norris." The camera then zooms out to include Norris in the shot with the former Arkansas governor.

The ad continues with Huckabee stating "Chuck Norris Facts" while Norris interjects Huckabee's stance on issues. According to Newsweek, this spot has helped Huckabee rise to the top of the Republican presidential polls in Iowa.

Norris' appeal is not limited by generational or social gaps. His status as a Christian helps bring in votes from the conservative base. Newsweek reports he appeals to older men who remember "The Delta Force" as well as a new generation who came to know Norris through Conan O'Brien's spoofs.

However, this is not the sole example of celebrities having profound impacts on the upcoming primaries. When Oprah Winfrey announced she would be supporting Democratic Senator Barack Obama for president, Hillary Clinton began to tout her Barbra Streisand endorsement, according to Newsweek. Rudy Giuliani, in an effort to connect with a Republican base, sought the endorsement of the ultra-conservative Pat Robertson.

Celebrity endorsement is nothing new. And investigating a candidate and his or her stance on issues because of what a celebrity says is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. That being said, though, celebrities are not always the smartest people. If a celebrity, whose work you enjoy, throws his or her support behind a candidate, do some investigation of your own.

After all, despite celebrities' status and wealth, you are afforded the same vote as them. Therefore, your voice is just as important. We at the WC implore you, once again, to get involved with politics. Not only that, once you make the commitment to be a political player, be an informed player.

As for Norris, he has starred in some more commercials for Huckabee that will soon be aired in New Hampshire and South Carolina, according to Newsweek. On Oct. 24, the WC unsigned declared, "The American people don't choose presidents, Chuck Norris does." This statement could wind up being truer than anyone could have imagined - except for Chuck Norris.