Bulletin E-Edition:
Bend musician Joe Leonardi appears in a few Central Oregon settings, including downtown Bend and along U.S. Highway 20, pictured here, in a music video supporting Barack Obama’s campaign.
Courtesy Tim Cash
YouTube craze dips into local politics
By Yoko Minoura / The Bulletin
Published: April 13. 2008 4:00AM PSTBend musician Joe Leonardi said he hasn’t stepped into the political fray since 1972, when he knocked on doors to support former Democratic Sen. George McGovern’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
But that changed with the meteoric rise of a junior U.S. senator from Illinois.
“When I started getting into this year’s politics, (Barack) Obama really impressed me,” Leonardi said.
Leonardi now stars in a music video posted recently on YouTube, set to his song “The Man,” in support of Obama’s campaign for president. And he’s one of several Central Oregonians who have used the video-sharing Web site to air their opinions on hot political issues.
YouTube and the Internet have allowed anyone with a connection to get involved in the political process. In July 2007, CNN hosted a debate for the Democratic candidates for president with questions sent in by YouTube users.
A few videos even take on local issues. Two posted roughly a month ago criticize Crook County government for its action regarding Juniper Acres, a subdivision about 25 miles south of Prineville where many homes were built without permits.
The videos say the county’s efforts to bring homes into compliance is a transparent attempt to grab more cash and will bankrupt Juniper Acres residents.
The filmmaker could not be reached for comment.
Bend filmmaker Tim Cash, who collaborated with Leonardi to create the music video supporting Obama, said he believes YouTube and the Internet will be vital in this year’s election.
Leonardi said it has changed the political process and the role of the media dramatically.
“Everything that’s going on with the Internet has turned the entertainment industry on its head,” he said. “And I think that’s great. Things need to be shaken up. Cages need to be rattled.”
Cash, 30, said he doesn’t even own a television. Instead, he watches speeches and debates online, often on YouTube.
Founder of the production company Far From Earth Films, Cash has filmed commercials for local businesses and music videos featuring various bands. Many of his pieces are posted on YouTube.
But he hadn’t thought about creating a video supporting Obama’s bid until Leonardi told him he had written a rock song about Obama.
Leonardi said the song, “The Man,” was originally a critique of President Bush, though the lyrics never mentioned him by name.
When Obama began to gain prominence, Leonardi was inspired to rewrite the lyrics and recast the song as a positive piece. He said he liked the tune quite a bit, and new words came to him easily.
A phrase about Bush’s “beady eyes” metamorphosed into Obama’s “big white smile,” and the refrain — “He’s the man” — took on a different meaning.
And Cash, as he listened to the song, said he began thinking about the images that could go along with it.
He shot Leonardi performing the song in Bend locations, including downtown and in the sagebrush along U.S. Highway 20, and interspersed the video with clips of Obama at various events.
He then experimented with adding sound bites from Obama’s speeches and finally posted the result on YouTube.
Both Cash and Leonardi said the video was their way to support Obama.
The video, posted less than two weeks ago, has been viewed more than 4,400 times, according to the YouTube Web site. The video has also sparked a dialogue about the candidate himself.
Cash said he wants the video to encourage people to find out more about Obama — and to vote.
“I hope it (continues) to have a life until the election,” he said. “It was put up last week, and it feels like things are just getting started. And I hope that one day Barack sees it.”
Bend musician Joe Leonardi's video in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Part 1 of the YouTube video about Juniper Acres, a subdivision about 25 miles south of Prineville.
Part 2 of the YouTube video about Juniper Acres, a subdivision about 25 miles south of Prineville.
Yoko Minoura can be reached at 383-0387 or yminoura@bendbulletin.com.
ARTICLE ACCESS: This article is among those available to all readers. Many more articles are available only to E-Edition members. Sign up today!
blog comments powered by Disqus
