Do endorsements really mean anything?

[IDemo]

And particularly, celebrity endorsements? Understanding that an endorsement by a major political or showbiz figure makes for good press, has it ever been shown to be a reliable tool in swinging an election, or even in moving the polls for more than a short while?

I tend to believe that they function simply to keep elections relevant in the press, but do little to sway the vote. I am not calling for a silencing of voices, just stating that they shouldn't be given any more weight than one's own political knowledge and beliefs.

And that goes for all sides of all parties, so this isn't a call-out.

[Thinkingabout]

1. If the endorsements are from Superdelegates, yes they mean a vote for the person endorsed in the

convention. The others are nice to have but do not count as a vote on the floor of the convention.

[NuclearDem]

2. If it's Killer Mike, yes.

If it's half the Democratic Party, major civil rights and feminist icons, and respected community leaders, then they couldn't be more irrelevant.

[cwydro]

8. I must be way out of the loop.

I never heard of Killer Mike until he surfaced here on DU.

[Bleacher Creature]

17. Great post. nt

[Scuba]

3. Hey, a whole bunch of Congress-critters have endorsed Hillary.

No wonder they have an 14% approval rating.

[NuclearDem]

5. Glass houses.

Or glass Senate, as the case may be.

[Blue_Adept]

18. I should throw out my reps with a rating that low

Who needs Markey and Warren after all.

[yeoman6987]

4. I believe oprah's endorsement of senator Obama helped tremendously

Then Ted Kennedy and Caroline followed to cement the nomination. Would he have been nominated without the 3? Hard to say because Hillary was pretty close to winning it. But that's history now.

[Gman]

12. Absolutely

Oprah's endorsement was a virtual game changer in a neck and neck race.

[nc4bo]

6. They remind me of getting downs in football. WOOT!

Lots of excitement and cheering after each down but none of it really matters if your team misses the pass, fumbles the ball or the opposing team gets an interception.

[MADem]

7. Endorsements from super delegates absolutely DO mean something.

If you have two candidates with insufficient votes to get them over the finish line, a hundred, two hundred, three hundred or more super delegate votes can put a candidate over the line with the nomination in hand.

Further, super delegates serve as surrogates and whippers in the final days of races. They get out on the hustings, firing up people to get off their asses and vote. They use their local networks of precinct captains and players on the block to GOTV for the candidate they endorse. Deliver a district, or a state, and you're a good soul, a player, who has the ear of the future POTUS. One hand washes the other, both wash the face, after all.

Celebrity endorsements are good for a couple of things: column inches in the paper (free publicity never hurts), and cash donations from the celebrity and their rich friends (if the celebrity isn't a cheapass). To no small extent, it depends on the celebrity. Some of these celebrity endorsements aren't really all that helpful, particularly if the endorser is a divisive sort.

[IDemo]

9. Super delegates are a special case here

It's obvious that they have direct impact on the race. I should have included that in the OP. I'm more interested in why voters hitch themselves to the opinions of people who do not have such immediate interests. If I have a good understanding of progressive principles, does a thumbs-up from an actor or a politician serve to cement that or just provide confirmation?

[MADem]

11. Celebrity endorsements often engage clueless voters, but they are a two-edged sword.

If an actor or star that someone HATES (and this is the era of Kardashian, where celebrities invoke strong followings and dislikes, too) then it's not a help, really-- e.g., I thought the George Lopez endorsement was problematic for Sanders; he doesn't get a lot of love lately from anyone after his bad behavior.

[brooklynite]

10. Political endorsements may come with the politicians voter turnout operation...

...mailing lists, etc.

[99Forever]

13. They mean jackshit.

Can't say that I have ever heard someone IRL say, "Well I was going to support Candidate X, till Celebrity Whoop-tee-doo endorsed Candidate Y, so I'm changing over."

I support and vote by the issues and each candidates proven history on where they claim to stand on them. I don't vote for serial liars.

[Historic NY]

14. LOL..You all were crowing about Nina Turner turning so now BS has 2 congressional endorsements....

I mean the Kardashians could probably turn this whole election thing....

[cwydro]

15. I don't pay any attention to them personally.

Perhaps they influence others; I don't know.

[onenote]

16. endorsements from politicians can influence voters who support those politicians

In addition, it can translate into more tangible forms of support in terms of access to mailing list, GOTV operations etc.