Political Convention or Pop Culture Festival?

Next week’s Democratic National Convention has had no trouble staying in the headlines, but it seems the Dems are going to great lengths to ensure that they’re also staying on the minds of American youth. The convention is shaping up to be the musical festival and celebrity-studded event of the summer. Hip bands including - but not limited to - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Fall Out Boy, Black Eyed Peas, and Kanye West will all be on hand to perform in Denver; superstars like Scarlett Johansson, Zooey Deschanel, Ben Affleck, Anne Hathaway, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and other bold-faced names are all expected to make appearances.

With such an impressive guest list, this convention is bound to draw fans from both sides of the political spectrum. Young voters are also the most impressionable voters, so it will be interesting to see if they sway when they see their favorite bands and celebrities supporting Obama. If I wasn’t already a lefty, I probably would second-guess my stance after seeing Death Cab for Cutie - my favorite band since junior high - rock out for liberal causes.

From the Los Angeles Times Campaign ‘08 coverage:

For every Democratic delegate who is bound for the convention in Denver, desperate to influence the platform committee, there are plenty more looking for the best entertainment acts and the hottest parties—and they’ll have plenty of choices. As the politics have drained from our national conventions, high-level socializing, entertainment (with a purpose) and a chance to brush elbows with celebrities have become the real action at the quadrennial get-togethers. From studio heads to character actors, Hollywood’s most devoted politicos have revised their vacation plans to make a place for the convention, with its myriad sideshows and soirées. There may be more SAG cards in Denver next week than in Hollywood.

There’s something—actually two or three somethings—for everybody. For the industry elite, the toughest challenge will be to maintain an orderly social calendar at the convention, which begins Monday and ends Thursday with the acceptance speech by nominee Barack Obama at Denver’s football stadium.

A little more glitz than conventions from elections past, but let’s be honest - isn’t Obama a glitzier candidate?