Cosby Show a Driving Force Behind Obama’s Election?

Famous and outspoken comedian Bill Cosby reveled recently at the opportunity to vote for the first black U.S. president, taking photographs of his late parents and younger brother, who died during childhood. Said Cosby, "I pulled out the pictures, pulled the curtain shit. And I said, You guys are gonna vote. And they did, on one piece of paper." The heartwarming story underscores a recent theory that has been floated by writer Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez that she refers to as "the Huxtable effect."

The theory is that "The Cosby Show," the long-running and popular show that ran from 1984 to 1992, helped to lay the social groundwork for the election of a black president by presenting a universally likable black family to a young generation of television viewers who did not necessarily share the learned stereotypes and prejudices of the previous generation.

When asked about the concept that his show somehow influenced American politics, Cosby noted, "I was amazed when the young woman’s theory came through. It sounds plausible." The 71-year-old Cosby also went on to recall many instances when young, white fans came up to him telling him that his character, Cliff Huxtable, reminded them of their own father. When asked if his show was directly responsible for getting Obama elected, Cosby is quick to point out that he certainly wouldn’t take credit for that. "The reason why he’s in the White House is Cosby? No, no, no," said Cosby. Instead, Cosby points to the upbringing of Barack Obama himself, as well as that of wife Michelle, both of whom were raised in an atmosphere of accountability and striving for excellence, much like that created by Cosby’s character in the sitcom.