Center of Attention: Celebs Turn to Public Office

Nov. 15, 2007 — -- Some celebrities just can't get enough attention.

Having already conquered the world of entertainment or athletics, these folks find that turning to politics for a second dose of the limelight can be an appealing prospect.

It's not a new phenomenon, but in today's information-rich society, celebrities have multiple outlets to stretch their star power into the political realm, either as a politician or as an advocate for a particular cause.

Take Jon Bon Jovi, for example, who had many wondering whether his next headlining tour would be on the campaign trail, instead of the concert circuit, after reports surfaced that he had hired Ken Sunshine, the former chief of staff for ex-New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

While representatives of the singer declined to comment directly to ABCNEWS.com, Sunshine denied any political plans by the star in an interview with the New York Post.

The singer also reportedly kept his New Jersey home, despite having relocated his family to downtown New York, an act some have interpreted as a foreshadowing of a political future.

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has also made headlines for his political activity.

In addition to the creating The Lance Armstrong Foundation, which raises money for cancer research, Armstrong testified before the Texas legislature, asking for more funding for the research. Earlier this month, Armstrong succeeded, persuading the state to pass a bill that will now fund a 10-year, $3 billion cancer research initiative.

And, unlike Bon Jovi, Armstrong hasn't denied his interest in public office.

"[Armstrong] feels he's much more effective as an advocate and someone who can draw attention to cancer and help make it a national priority," said Katherine McLane, communications director for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. "But he's also said that when it comes to running for office, never say never."

But Bon Jovi and Armstrong are only the most recent of a long list of celebrities who have dabbled in politics, including of course former President Reagan, an actor before his years in the White House, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who transformed himself from the silver screen's "Terminator" to California's governor.

"Having heroes run for political office isn't new," said Tobe Berkovitz, interim dean of the college of communication at Boston University. "War heroes have traditionally done it, but the change has been with the rise of popular culture and celebrity in the mid-20th century. All of a sudden we broadened the type of people who want to run for public office and it's sort of been a celebrity sweepstakes for public office for 30 years."

But why is it that so many high-profile entertainers are drawn to politics?

Ego, Passion Drive Celebrities to Public Office

"You have to have a strong ego in order to want to be an elected official," said Berkovitz. "These celebrities also do have a certain commitment to an ideology or a political party. They see that in order to accomplish the change that they want they need to serve in public office, and think they will have more say as a politician than just a celebrity activist."

"For years now, celebrities have been speaking out on issues and showing up on the campaign trail and as special interest activists," said Berkovitz. "Celebrities have become, for better or worst, part of the political fiber."

But wanting to serve in public office and actually going through with it are clearly two very different things, and a majority of celebrities never actually run for office, despite rumors or remarks they may make.

"[Celebrities] love to stir the pot and have their name included in the political gossip mill, but they rarely follow through," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "They always want more. It's an addiction."

Are Celebrities Really Cut Out to Be Politicians?

While there are several inherent skills that benefit a celebrity on the campaign trail — namely a recognizable name and the ability to speak in front of large audiences — political science experts told ABCNEWS.com that often stars don't realize quite how difficult being a politician really is.

"What none of them realize is how tough it is and challenging it is and demanding it is to run for public office," Berkovitz told ABCNEWS.com. "It's very different from going out on a casting call or going on 'Jay Leno' to pitch your movie."

"Celebrities are used to intense spotlights, but as a celebrity it's much easier not to answer questions and to sort of shut out the publicity spigot when they want to, but when your running for public office you no longer have those options," added Berkovitz.

"They think it's too easy," said Sabato. "They have high name identification, they are fabulously wealthy and they know how to use television to a certain degree. But that's not all there is to politics. There is a lot of substance to politics and it's not just memorizing lines."

"It's also deeply divisive," Sabato went on, "celebrities are used to adulation and when you have to take a position on abortion or gay rights or immigration you find out what controversy really is."

Country's Cynicism Could Lead to More Celebs in Office

With many Americans dissatisfied with the current state of the country's politics, Darrell West, a professor of public policy at Brown University, told ABCNEWS.com that this could be the perfect chance for celebrities to dabble in politics.

"People are very cynical about conventional politicians and celebrities come from outside the political process and are seen as white knights who can clean up the process," said West. "Celebrities broaden the political agenda because they're not bound for either a liberal or conservative coalition and so they can take political risks that more conventional candidates can't take."

As for the voters who'd rather not see the next Academy Award winner moving into the White House?

"You don't have to vote for them in the first place," said Berkowitz. "And you can always vote them out in the second place."