Actor Ryan Phillippe shows his support for Barack Obama during a trip to the gym and, later, the Beverly Center mall in Los Angeles on Thursday…

As a popular music video will attest, Obama has become a huge favorite among celebrities. But is this something that may eventually hurt, not help?

Do images such as this suggest Barack Obama is a cultural phenomenon and little else - “all hat and no cattle,” to borrow the words of his rival?

We believe otherwise, of course, but this underscores the importance of Obama proving he’s got the chops - and isn’t too cool for his own good.