Political campaigns have long used celebrities to get out the vote, with mixed results. For every voter intrigued by an actor, singer or comedian backing a particular candidate, other voters may be just as turned off.
One thing seems certain, though: The celebrity would do well to be a longtime voter himself. Otherwise, he comes off proclaiming, in so many words, "Do as I say, not as I do."
In recent weeks, Hampton University has hosted at least two events in which entertainers exhorted students and others to register for the upcoming elections, vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president and get pumped up by the political process. The first event featured Marlon Wayans - he of the comic Wayans Brothers - and actress Jurnee Smollett. The second, on Sunday, spotlighted the rapper Nas.
Yet Wayans and Nas both admitted that they've declined to vote in presidential elections in recent contests. In fact, Nas, 35, at one point proclaimed: "I have never voted before."
Last month, Wayans admitted: "Bush is my fault. The economy is my fault."
The two obviously are excited by Obama's candidacy, and it's notable that they're pledging to show up at the ballot box on Nov. 4. But their past actions - or lack - are disappointing.
Maybe they've had some impact. State officials say more than 306,000 new voters registered in the commonwealth since the start of the year. And Obama has electrified many first-time voters. The appearances by Nas and Wayans didn't hurt.
But if they want to lead by example, they should be first in line on Election Day.
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