Entertainers and politicians both spend so much of their lives in the national spotlight, it’s only natural that their paths would intertwine.

Political rallies often feature movie stars, musicians and athletes voicing their approval for a particular candidate. Likewise, concerts and Oscar acceptance speeches frequently include a rallying cry for support of a particular issue.

The question remains, do celebrities make much of a difference in politics? Does anyone care whom actor Billy Baldwin is supporting for president? Does the skate-punk sporting the Rage Against the Machine T-shirt even know who Che Guevera is?

Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics, says she is skeptical that a celebrity endorsement has much of an impact on voters.

“Actors and entertainers have clout, so if they’re politically motivated I think it’s appropriate for them to get involved,” Bystrom says. “A celebrity endorsement has less of an impact than someone like Charles Grassley. People don’t turn to the paper and ask, ‘Who’s Warren Beatty supporting?'”

Mark Fisely, spokesman for the Republican National Committee, also believes celebrity endorsement doesn’t necessarily lead to greater public support.

“[Celebrity endorsements] can be valuable,” Fisely says. “At the same time, I don’t know how Rosie O’Donnell or Barbara Streisand relate to real people. They’re members of the Hollywood elite.

“It makes for good photos, but in the end people vote for a candidate,” Fisely adds.

Amy Bix, associate professor of history, teaches a class on American popular culture. She says celebrities may have more effect on certain individuals than on others.

“I think [celebrities’] presence makes some people pay attention to the candidates,” Bix says. “They add a sense of glamour and excitement. [But] not everyone is effected equally by celebrities.”

If, as these people suggest, the general public doesn’t really care what entertainers have to say about candidates, why do celebrities keep popping up at political functions?

Andy Tofilon, sophomore in journalism and mass communication and member of Cyclones for Gore, was one of those responsible for bringing Baldwin to Ames. Tofilon believes that just by causing people to turn out, celebrities can have an effect.

“I think people tune into celebrities,” Tofilon says. “Two girls who have no idea about politics will come to an event because they want to see someone like Billy Baldwin. People want someone they can relate to, and they will listen to celebrities.”

Not all entertainers, however, get involved with political events in order to advance their own political agenda.

Singer/Songwriter Paul Wright has played for a wide variety of candidates, including President Clinton, Vice President Gore and even Elizabeth Dole.

“I don’t affiliate myself with any of the campaigns,” Wright says. “I will get a call out of the blue to do a campaign event and I will do it. It can be a sticky situation, but I try to stay neutral.”

Even if he doesn’t support a particular candidate, Wright says he still has fun playing the event.

“It’s neat to have the secret service checking out everything and using their bomb-sniffing dogs,” Wright says.

Wright is glad to be involved in events that get more people involved in politics.

“I don’t mind doing it,” he says. “I believe the events are important, and the students who set them up work really hard. They are a lot more active than I could have been in school.”

Bystrom thinks entertainers may have their biggest impact when they reach out to their own fans, rather than trying to relate to supporters of a political candidate.

“If, for instance, Garth Brooks were to endorse George W. Bush,” Bystrom speculates, “he would have more of an impact on stage talking to his fans than he would getting up in front of the crowd at a Bush rally. A celebrity will have more impact speaking to a crowd that already supports them.”

Like Bystrom, Bix feels that the role of celebrities in politics lies more within the entertainment world than in the political arena.

“Politics is an extremely serious business, and pop culture is a part of it,” Bix says. “Look at Hillary [Clinton] going on ‘Letterman.’ He had been making fun of her for weeks, and she went on the show to defend herself. She answered jokes, helped him make a Top-Ten List and was given a wonderful reception because of it. Then, look at poor [Dan Quayle], who Letterman made all those potato jokes about. His reputation is ruined forever.”

In addition, Bystrom suggests that celebrities may have more of an impact when they support specific causes rather than a particular candidate, for instance the Beastie Boys supporting the Free Tibet movement.

“[Celebrities] can give attention to issues that people may not have heard about,” Bystrom says. “If celebrities are going to have an impact, that’s how they’re going to do it.”

She recalled one issue in particular that the entertainment industry helped bring to the forefront.

“Actors and actresses were some of the first to come forward and support AIDS research – Elizabeth Taylor was one of the very first,” Bystrom says.

However awkwardly, politics and entertainment are forever married. Getting the entertainment industry out of politics would be more difficult than getting the British out of Northern Ireland.