Since I'm Mr. Media Critic on here, let me add this:
1). Regarding a possible match-up of Jeb Bush vs. Hillary Clinton: The shrinking of the pool of presidential candidates closely mirrors the shrinking of media outlets.
Years ago people could get dozens of different points of view, so you'd have oddball candidates emerge like Jimmy Carter since certain newspapers took to him while others didn't. These days, media ownership is more concentrated and you only get one or two "celebrity" choices. It's like what happened when Clear Channel took over all the radio stations and playlists shrank so you heard fewer artists.
2). The rise of women in media and as consumers of media has contributed to this. It's always been men who loved the average-guy-makes-good news stories and movies, because men see themselves in that. Women love royalty and celebrity gossip because they're the breeders and, as such, are attracted to good genes. The way the presidential system is set up now, it's more like we're electing a king or a movie star than a president. Women, IMO, have caused this shift.
The more you see shows like "The View," "Ellen" and the like, the more you'll see a focus on political dynasties or celebrity profiles on candidates, because that appeals to their female audience.
1). Regarding a possible match-up of Jeb Bush vs. Hillary Clinton: The shrinking of the pool of presidential candidates closely mirrors the shrinking of media outlets.
Years ago people could get dozens of different points of view, so you'd have oddball candidates emerge like Jimmy Carter since certain newspapers took to him while others didn't. These days, media ownership is more concentrated and you only get one or two "celebrity" choices. It's like what happened when Clear Channel took over all the radio stations and playlists shrank so you heard fewer artists.
2). The rise of women in media and as consumers of media has contributed to this. It's always been men who loved the average-guy-makes-good news stories and movies, because men see themselves in that. Women love royalty and celebrity gossip because they're the breeders and, as such, are attracted to good genes. The way the presidential system is set up now, it's more like we're electing a king or a movie star than a president. Women, IMO, have caused this shift.
The more you see shows like "The View," "Ellen" and the like, the more you'll see a focus on political dynasties or celebrity profiles on candidates, because that appeals to their female audience.