As we here at Blogcritics.org know, how one responds to popular culture - or even IF one responds to popular culture at all - can say volumes about a person. How we entertain ourselves and sensitivity to art can reveal much about our inner workings.

Stephen Snowder calls the media in general to task for ignoring what he sees as a key element of the Democratic presidential campaign debate from a couple of weeks ago in Baltimore:

It took a question about music — "What's your favorite song?" — to produce the only authentic moments at the recent Democratic debate in Baltimore and to show just how unsatisfying these campaign events have become.

....Carol Moseley Braun went first. She's not just a long shot for the Democratic nomination, she's a no shot. But she answered quickly, a confident smile on her face. "You Gotta Be," by R&B-flavored pop artist Des'ree, is an optimistic, energetic song that almost everyone knows. It's a lot like the candidate herself — uplifting, rather than realistic.

....Al Sharpton was next. He chose soul singer James Brown's "Talking Loud and Saying Nothing," calling it "James Brown's song about the Republican Party." This is vintage Sharpton — clever, and yet easily turned against him.

....John Edwards had to follow Sharpton all night. He fumbled for several seconds, muttering something about how hard it was (again) to follow the New York preacher. Clearly nonplussed by the question, he finally fell back on one of his campaign theme songs: rocker John Mellencamp's "Small Town," a good, safe tune that reminds the audience of his blue-collar roots.

....John Kerry wants us to know that he is not a typical liberal. The title of Kerry's song choice — "No Surrender," by Bruce Springsteen — invokes the language of war. Unlike any of his opponents, Kerry served bravely in Vietnam, commanding a gunboat and returning home a decorated hero.

....Dean chose "Jaspora," a Creole hip-hop number by Haitian-born Wyclef Jean that Dean identified as "one you've never heard of." The simple lyrics are garnished with Biblical allusions and supported by an addictive reggae beat. It is utterly apolitical. It's not even in English.

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