Reality Show to "search" for "the next president"

[Perky]

Reality Show to Search for '08 Candidate


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The online social networking site MySpace and reality TV producer Mark Burnett are teaming to launch the search for an independent presidential candidate.

The political reality show "Independent" comes with a $1 million cash prize and a catch: the winner can't keep the money.

The prize can be used to finance a run for the White House or can be given to a political action committee or political cause.

Contestants in the show, set to launch in early 2008, will meet the public and interact with supporters, protesters and others. An interactive "town hall" will give MySpace users and TV viewers a chance to rate their performance.

The show does not yet have a commitment from a TV network.

Potential candidates will audition for the show by submitting a video. Once the contestants are chosen, they will set up MySpace profiles to serve as their campaign headquarters.

The hope is that the show, with its Internet component, will engage younger voters in the political process.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ON_THE_2008_TRAIL?SITE=CATOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-04-25-09-21-13

I am somehow deeply offended by this. Can anyone tell me why?

[Buzz Clik]

1. Offended? Not me. Just another moronic television excretion.

[shraby]

2. Probably because they are equating the office

of the President with a game show...and they aren't all that far off in their comparison.

[Perky]

3. and perhaps why I am offended

As if Bush did not prove the point twice alread. We now have a game show validating the diminishment of the office.

[Solly Mack]

4. and in the coliseum the people cheer

[TwilightGardener]

5. Why be offended? It's all about celebrities now anyway--

the already-famous become the frontrunners. This is how cheapened the office, and politics in general, have become.

[Perky]

8. Its the institutionalization of that precise cynicism

:banghead:

[JoDog]

6. The bizarre thing is

this might actually get people interested in the political process and voting. Put it on TV, add some glitzy graphics, popular music and dramatic editing, and people seem willing to pay attention to anything.

[wildhorses]

7. offended but, truly NOT surprised cos YES we have

sank this lowx(

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Politics is a circus and the politicians play the clowns.

The politicians put on a show, try to sell themselves, read from a script, have make-up artists and acting coaches (aka - "advisers"), beg for money from the powerful rich folks, and, generally make complete asses of themselves.

“Now, the man on the stand he wants my vote,
He's a-runnin' for office on the ballot note.
He's out there preachin' in front of the steeple,
Tellin' me he loves all kinds-a people.
(He's eatin' bagels
He's eatin' pizza
He's eatin' chitlins
He's eatin' bullshit!)”

Bob Dylan

[TwilightGardener]

12. Yep--nailed it. We judge them now not on honest assessment

of the person (because who knows who the fuck THAT is?) but on how well they can "stay on message", look good, and run the gauntlet with as few gaffes as possible.

[blm]

15. And then there's a media who lies about it all, anyway. Bush couldn't keep his stories straight

looked like an arrogant, WIRED buffoon most of the time, lost the debates decisively, and made about ten verbal gaffes a day on a GOOD day.

The RNC and their media whores had to steal and protect that office for Bush, YET AGAIN.

[porphyrian]

10. Because it's not enough of a fucking circus already... - n/t

[IDemo]

11. Where was Simon in 2000 when we needed him?

"That is positively the most ridiculous speech we have heard this season!"

"Other door. OTHER DOOR!"

[youthere]

13. I'm voting for Sanjaya.

[Perky]

14. yoikes