Readers of the Times-Gazette web site who participated in an un-scientific poll are not particularly impressed by celebrities who endorse political candidates, and 20 percent even say such endorsements can cause them to resent a candidate.

This year's notable celebrity endorsements have included Jack Nicholson preparing a tongue-in-cheek video promoting Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey endorsing Barack Obama and Chuck Norris appearing with Mike Huckabee on the campaign trail. But if participants in our poll reflect the public in general, such endorsements may do more the candidates more harm than good.

The poll, posted to the Times-Gazette web site, asked this: "Which statement most closely reflects your view on celebrity political endorsements?"

Here are the responses:

* Celebrities are out-of-touch with real-world problems and so their views are not to be taken seriously: 48.9 percent (107 votes)

* I tend to resent candidates with celebrity endorsements as part of an out-of-touch elite: 20.5 percent (45 votes)

* They might cause me to take notice of a candidate, but would not change my mind about which candidate to support : 19.2 percent (42 votes)

* Other: 5.0 percent (11 votes)

* I take them seriously only if I believe the celebrity is well-informed and politically active: 3.2 percent (7 votes)

* Celebrities have a responsibility to use their fame to support worthy causes or candidates: 2.3 percent (5 votes)

* As artists, actors and musicians have a keen eye for human nature and the world around them: 0.9 percent (2 votes)

There were a total of 219 votes cast.

Here are some of the comments left on the site by poll participants:

* "Celebrities are people just like you and I. Whether or not a celebrity endorses a candidate makes no difference to me. My vote goes to the candidate that I feel will best serve me and this country."

* "I think that celebs are out to make themselves look even bigger!"

* "Celebrities are the last people in the world to influence me."

* "Being a celebrity doesn't disqualify a person for having an opinion and standing up for it. It just means they have a greater responsibility to use their influence wisely because they can reach more people than the average person. They need to make sure that their conduct reflects favorably on the positions they hold. Otherwise, a lack of good sense or upstanding behavior on the part of a spokesperson could undermine the very concepts they advocate."

* "Celebrities are in a higher financial category than myself, and may endorse a candidate that does not benefit the middle class."

* "All we really know about politicians and their endorsers is what the media has fed us."

Any voluntary, self-selected poll like this one is non-scientific because there is no way to confirm that the people who choose to participate represent a true cross-section of the target audience. But such polls can serve as a basis for discussion.

Check for new polls on the news and sports pages of our web site, t-g.com.