<p>Throughout the presidential campaign, conservatives regularly chided President Obama for ducking media venues where he would likely be asked substantive questions about serious issues. He ignored their criticism and spent his time sharing his iPod playlist with MTV, calling morning zoo deejays on local radio stations, and basking in the fawning adulation of the ladies of The View and David Letterman.</p><p>It seemed undignified for a sitting president to so regularly present himself as a celebrity rather than a leader, and let's face itIt was (and it continues to be). Yet, there was a method to the madness that went beyond Obama just wanting public exposure without having to answer questions about the economy and Benghazi. He understood a reality that many conservatives found themselves not prepared to accept during a time of grossly incompetent leadership and deep economic turmoil: Even when the country's on fire, there is a large, unengaged portion of the American public that hasn't a clue what's really going on around them. And sadly, they are the ones who ultimately decide elections.</p><p>These people don't get their news from news organizations or even propaganda arms posing as such. They live in the microcosms of their own personal lives and absorb their news from whatever over-simplified messages happen to trickle down to them through the pop culture world. Thus, they often fail to draw a link between the challenges they face in life and the decisions being made by their elected leaders. They base their vote not on ideology or issues, but rather the candidate they find the most personally appealing.</p><p>So, as much as many of us mocked the president for weaseling out of situations where he would be challenged, it's hard to deny that the strategy paid off for him. And really, it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise. Celebrities have always transcended politics.</p><p><a href="http://www.bernardgoldberg.com/why-its-time-for-conservatives-to-use-pop-culture-messaging/">Keep reading...</a></p>