Maybe it was Obama’s taking the time to make appearances on numerous talk shows or perhaps it was him going to Denmark to advocate for Chicago to host the Olympics, but when I saw Obama do a commercial for the George Lopez Show I seriously began to question the motivations of our president.

Having worked in advertising and studied the impact of celebrity endorsements, I have a unique understanding of the star power of someone like Obama. However, that may be the answer to what is concerning me so much – Star Power. Obama has clearly embraced this celebrity status, but is this really what we want in our a president? It is a vicious cycle of the media lauding every move he makes and Obama playing into with his Hollywood appearances and it does not seem like there is any end in sight.

This brings me to my main point and criteria that I look for in supporting a politician, which is their willingness to sacrifice themselves and serve the interests of the public. That should be the question that Obama and all politicians ask themselves when they assess their actions – how is this going to help the American people?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is all too often not a correct one. I suppose I can see how the Olympics would help America, but without a doubt that was not his primary motivation, but appearing on Letterman? And THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW? Are you kidding me?

George Lopez isn’t even on one of the main networks; it is a cable show on TBS that I just happened to see because that was the only channel showing the MLB playoff game. There is absolutely not justification for him taking the time to film that commercial other than his own legacy.

At least in this Financial Times ad featuring Obama’s image he did not have to take time out of his schedule to film anything, but still the question remains, why is he doing it at all? It cheapens the meaning of being president when you use your title and image as a way for businesses to make money.

It seems that he wants to be a star and have everyone like him and if he happens to be able to help America at the same time, then so be it, but he sees everything from the perspective of someone trying to advance their own standing, not the country he represents. He wants to be a Hollywood star, be on TV, have people ask for his autograph – fine, but not at the expense of the American people. The president should be so busy working to find solutions to encourage new businesses to hire people and winning the war in Afghanistan that he has no time to even think about doing celebrity endorsement commercials.

I want a president who is going to make protecting and helping Americans his number one priority. Someone who uses his stature to bring attention to important issues and causes, not someone who is prop for a B-level comic’s new late night show on cable.