There are numerous factors contributing to this phenomenon. Every thing from the youthful charisma of Obama himself to an inchoate awakening to the perils our country is facing them from within and without. And the realization that these dangers will impact their future in very real ways. These young voters in the 18 to 29 year old age group have grown up in the digital video/film/TV era. For better or for worse (probably worse), they can more easily tell you who were the last three winners on "American Idol" than name three justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. But just maybe, one of their icons is consciously or sub-consciously impelling them towards Barack Obama.
Will Smith is one of the most successful Hollywood actors/stars, both artistically and financially, in a generation. As Wikipedia points out:
"He is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office."
He has easily and seamlessly made the transition from wise-cracking rap star/teen idol to an extremely accomplished and talented actor. And it is exactly the same demographic that has grown up with Will Smith that are flocking to Obama.
If we look at some of Smith's blockbuster films, we can see how various elements of the fictional characters he has played have transmigrated into the real world impression they have of the actor himself.
He was the defeator of aliens from outer space bent on the domination and eventual destruction of the Earth in "Independence Day". In "Enemy of the State", he was the innocent man thrown into a world of Cheney-esque government-within-the -government operatives relentlessly pursuing him and in the process destroying his career and his family. All in the name of national security.
He was the cool unflappable action hero in "Men in Black" facing enemies he never could have imagined. And in "The Pursuit of Happyness", he was a down-on-his-luck struggling to revive his career and raise his son as a single parent.
All of these characters have resonated with Smith's main audience. And what this audience has taken away from these films is the image of a strong, resolute, righteous man fighting for not only his own survival but the survival of others. And most importantly, in all of these personas, race doesn't matter.
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