Lady Gaga for President

As Gaga extends her influence into the political realm, the only difference between her and most politicians is that people are actually listening to her.

Lady Gaga’s entry into the realm of U.S. politics should surprise no one. If you think about it, she’s a lot like a senator, a presidential candidate, or a governor.

For starters, she’s no more outrageous than at least one political hopeful, Delaware’s Christine O’Donnell. Not only did the Tea Party darling and would-be senator once establish a Christian anti-masturbation ministry, but she also claims to have dabbled in witchcraft.

Compared to that type of background, is dressing up in a dress made of meat really that shocking? In fact, Gaga is on record as saying her fashion antics are part of a persona, a personality constructed for public consumption. How different is that from a former middling actor in B movies, originally a Democrat, remaking his image into an anti-communist fiscal conservative who spoke of an “Evil Empire” intent on world dominion?

The truth is, Ronald Reagan believed his public persona was critical to his success, saying he didn’t see how one could be head of the executive branch and not be an actor. Like every good politician, Lady Gaga also has an agenda. She is intent on extending civil rights in the U.S. to the LGBT community, which means she is active in promoting such causes as marriage equality.

Her agenda means she has a natural constituency. She calls these fellow proponents of gay rights her “little monsters,” addressing them on Twitter and helping to educate them about the political process. When the U.S. military’s Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy was in the spotlight recently, she explained how a filibuster works in Congress, attempting to rally her own troops to get the legislation changed.

Another thing we know about the singer is that she’s adept at fundraising. Money is the lifeblood of campaigns south of the border; no one gets into politics in the U.S. without embracing this reality. Gaga has loaned out her rainmaking skills to such candidates as New Jersey Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg, helping him generate crucial support for his re-election bid. This is one of the many reasons her influence is growing.

And hey, what politician isn’t a bit of a self-promoter? While extending her reach into politics, she frequently mentions her upcoming album, Born This Way. Like performers Reagan, Sonny Bono, and Arnold Schwarzenegger before her, Lady Gaga has discovered the philosopher’s stone that allows an entertainer to convert star power into political capital.

The difference between her and others in politics is that, unlike many a hack in Washington, voters are listening to her when they try to make sense of their society. She actually has some sway.

You can make fun of her attempts to influence the discourse if it makes you feel better. Or you can deal with it.

Countless people made jokes about Reagan and Schwarzenegger in their early days of politicking – and they ended up with their hands on the levers of power.

This article was originally published in the London Free Press.