The selfie revolution
PRESIDENTIAL candidates kissing babies is out. Having your picture taken with the candidate on your I-phone camera is in. Recently, according to a New York Times report, Hillary Clinton got so impatient with a clumsy fan trying to take their picture at a political rally in New Hamsphire that she reached over and pushed the correct button herself. Candidates can spend an hour or even two hours going through a line of would-be picture takers. Republican Senator Ted Cruz adds an extra 20 minutes at the beginning or the end of any political event to satisfy the fans who want a picture with him.
It’s not clear whether all these fans wanting a picture will actually vote for the politician they are trailing or whether they just want their picture with a celebrity. Former President Bill Clinton complained that whenever he goes out in public, people line up for selfies with him. He said that even eating out in restaurants attracts selfie seekers.
President Obama has learned to warn crowds before he make a speech “I can’t do a selfie with everybody.”
Some candidates are convinced that the selfie crowd helps their campaign. These pictures are shared on Facebook or Instagram, so they can increase a candidate’s visibility. “This is something that campaigns should embrace and be happy with because it’s free advertising” noted Rand Paul’s chief strategist. When people line up for photos Paul’s campaign aides set up a backdrop for them to post in front of with the “Rand” logo on it.
After seeing the result of a number of selfies, Senator Lindsay Graham admitted that he probably would benefit by losing 15 pounds to make his pictures more flattering. But he still thinks that selfies are a good way of connecting with voters. “When we take selfies and chat, it’s the beauty of American democracy.” Mr. Graham said “I don’t think Putin does this.”
Senator Marco Rubio travels with a professional photographer who will take photos of him with voters and then an aide tells them the websites where they can download the picture.
An advantage to candidates is that supporters have told their aides their name and email address which means they can be contacted and asked if they would be willing to volunteer for political rallies.