#CosmoVotes
In August 2014, Cosmopolitan magazine decided to expand it's coverage to include politics, by launching the #CosmoVotes campaign which focuses on candidate endorsements, coverage of women-centric issues, and a social media effort to encourage readers to vote. The purpose for this campaign was to enlighten their readers to think about important issues, as they show support for women and politics. Many celebrities took part of this campaign as it was a huge success on social media.
Gretchen Carlson's Opinion
On the November 3 edition of The Real Story, host Gretchen Carlson criticized Cosmopolitan magazine take on politics, as she suggested that the magazine is "taking it a step too far." Carlson seemed to be upset that the magazine wasn't supporting Republican candidates, as she stated "they basically say some kind of snarky words about any
Republican candidate, calling them 'troubling,' 'an extremist who rails
against the poor,' 'an anti-choice radical." Carlson questions the magazine's decision to endorse certain candidates, saying, "A lot of people are
probably wondering why fashion magazines are getting into politics and
actually endorsing candidates but that is the world that we live in
now."
My Opinion
A Fox News host criticizing something supporting women and voting
honestly doesn't surprise me, as Carlson's comments come weeks after
other Fox News host rudely suggested that young women shouldn't even vote. I think it's great that women magazines are starting to endorse
politics. Just because you are a women's fashion magazines doesn't mean
you can't encourage your readers to vote. I do understand Carlson didn't like that Cosmopolitan magazine didn't really endorse Republican candidates, but that's their choice. I have seen many TV shows that repeatedly criticize Republicans and Democrats, but if you don't like it then just don't watch the show or in this case just don't read the magazine. I think it's awesome that more companies are more getting involved in politics.
I think it is good that that media outlets like Cosmo is reaching out to their audience to gain political support and involvement. There needs to be more ads or other types of endorsements of this style to get women and others involved in politics. I also feel that critics should just be happy that voters are going to be more informed due to these efforts from these media outlets. It's a much better outcome than voters not being educated at all in politics, regardless of the side in which the outlet chooses to endorse.
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