Cindy, Sarah and Michelle

Since Sarah Pailn came onto the political scene I've noticed something about the way potential first ladies Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama have been portrayed in entertainment news. I'm not sure how potential first ladies have been handled in the past by the press, but I get the feeling this time around that there is a celebrity watch on which one will have the best fashion sense once in the white house. I was watching an episode of Entertainment Tonight and I saw how Cindy, Sarah and Michelle were being marketed to women. I know that Entertainment Tonight's focus is on celebrity and not political policy but it was kind of interesting to watch. The piece was primarily over what the potential first ladies have worn throughout the campaign. Then there was another piece about Palin visiting a shooting range. The presidential candidates themselves were featured breifly but they didn't hold enough fashion flair to keep any serious air-time. Michelle and Cindy were portrayed as bodies mostly while Palin's ability to shoot a gun may have hinted at something sexual. When Cindy McCain was taped with her spouse, she was seated alongside him pictured from the waist up. The women were portrayed as serious at times but primarily all the pieces lacked substance. This is unfortunate to me that celebrity culture has seeped into politics in this way. It may be a great way to get people who aren't into politics to pay attention but when they tune into election coverage will they be looking at what Michelle Obama is wearing or listening towhat McCain's position is on the economy.