海角大神

Buzzfeed got presidential candidate Ted Cruz to 鈥渁udition鈥� for 鈥淭he Simpsons,鈥� and it鈥檚 a . It also tells us something about modern American politics, for better or worse.

But before we get to the larger meaning, here鈥檚 what happened: In April, Senator Cruz (R) of Texas told The Federalist Radio Hour that he鈥檚 a big "Simpsons" fan, but when asked to recite a line from the show, he .

"Simpsons" showrunner Al Jean was reportedly not amused. So when Cruz visited the offices of Buzzfeed recently, he was offered a chance to redeem himself. Cruz has a reputation for being a tad self-important, and here was a way to show his lighter side.

But it wasn鈥檛 just a do-over. Buzzfeed had Cruz . Harry Shearer, who voices Ned Flanders, Montgomery Burns, and others, is leaving the show, so there鈥檚 an opening. And who knows, if this presidential thing doesn鈥檛 work out, Cruz might have a future in show biz. His version of Mr. Burns was 鈥渆eex-cellent,鈥� his Mr. Flanders downright 鈥渙kily-dokily,鈥� and his 鈥渢wirling for freedom,鈥� well, you just have to watch. Cruz even nails the voices of both Lisa and Homer Simpson.聽

鈥淚 have been told many times I have a face for radio, and I have a face for animation,鈥� the tea-party conservative joked. 聽

Cruz also managed to work in the fact that he鈥檚 running for president.

The liberal-leaning news site accused Cruz of 鈥渟hamelessly pander[ing] for your votes with an absurd 鈥楽impsons鈥� audition.鈥� We say, guilty as charged. And get used to it. Because more than ever, politicians are jumping into pop culture with both feet.

In February, President Obama did a making faces, using a selfie stick, and drawing a doodle of wife Michelle. In January, he sat for an interview with GloZell, the YouTube star known for getting in a tub with Froot Loops and milk.聽He鈥檚 done interviews 鈥溾�澛� and in a comedian鈥檚 . And he鈥檚 done more late-night appearances than any other president.

Now his wannabe successors are getting in on the action. Last month, right after announcing his presidential campaign, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) appeared on 鈥淭he Tonight Show鈥� with Jimmy Fallon to 鈥渟low jam鈥� the news, a shtick Obama took part in three years ago.

There鈥檚 really nothing new here. In September 1968, candidate Richard Nixon went on 鈥淟augh-In鈥� and , 鈥淪ock it to meee,鈥� the show鈥檚 signature line. 聽

Two months later, Mr. Nixon won the presidency. We鈥檙e not suggesting cause and effect, but campaign aides will tell you that a politician showing his or her sense of humor is a plus. 聽

Still, we do come back to the question we asked back in January, when Obama did the GloZell interview: Are such appearances undignified or smart outreach?

Judging by how often politicians are dipping into pop culture these days, we think we know answer.聽