What the heck? I’m guessing pay per click?

Amazon has this running on the side of the main page. What exactly is the deal? Are they selling politics to get folks onto the site? Is it really relevant? How is this supposed to influence my shopping?

As the election draws closer, many blogs and other sites are taking advantage of it to draw traffic.  It seems Amazon is no less susceptible to the desire for hits.  The funny thing is that it’s actually a turn off for me.  I prefer to shop on Amazon, not get my news, politics, or even the weather.

Am I the only one this bothers?