hrudu and the US elections.

Spoiler alert: Obama wins.

At my previous job, I had the extraordinary privilege to work on a U.S. political site.  Not that I had a perfect understanding of politics (and when I was younger, I think I swore that talking about politics meant a rise in the “grownup” barometer) — it was the job, and we were selected to do it.  (Did you know that the words “Democrat” and “Republican” used to mean the same thing?)

Watching Mr. Burns as the head of the Springfield Republican Party pretty much sums up my previous knowledge of U.S. politics — and there are still things I don’t understand about it.  But after a few months of studying, discussing and writing about the elections/politics/politicians, I started to get a sense of how the rest of the world’s politics would cascade into this history-defining moment.

I was hooked.  It became my favorite reality show — on air in several channels, plot twists at literally every turn/event/rally.  Slow news days were spent looking for old photos, personal information, or any possible crack that a candidate possesses.

This election has been dubbed to be historic because the candidates, the critics, the analysts and the masses were all utilizing the same tools to deliver different messages.  Social media has made it too easy to influence belief — and reality.  I was constantly comparing the media’s accuracy in relation to what I know to be true.  It didn’t help that the YouTubes, Twitters, Facebooks, etc had something to say.  Should they be wrong, at least everything was well-documented.

Weeks before the actual election, I was feeling jaded with all the slander, gaffes, misrepresentation, misquotes and excessive coverage of non-issue “issues.”  Which leads me to question motives and personalities.

All candidates, first/second/third-party have a fervent love of country, and yet we couldn’t get over how McCain looked like he was going to eat brains when he slipped during the last Presidential debates.  (Which immediately dissipated when McCain bowed out gracefully and gratefully.)

Now that America has agreed to give Obama a try — like a suitor after a successful wooing — she expects him to keep the promises made.  Will he do a good job in this relationship?  We’ll have the next four years to decide.

If what they say about social media and this election is true, then I may have played a part in history — in the sidelines, preaching the gospel of Stewart and Colbert.

[comic from xkcd]

US Election Food Trip!

If you feel like the right to suffrage is “important,” but doesn’t fill your tummy, here’s a couple more reasons to vote:

[From Ben & Jerry's]

Come to participating scoop shops on November 4th from 5-8pm, and you’ll get a free scoop of ice cream.

[From PopCrunch]

Starbucks is giving you one more reason to get out and “Rock The Vote.”

The Coffee Giant of the USA has launched a Voting Drive that includes offering a free 12 oz “Cup of Joe” to anywho who votes in Tuesday’s presidential election.

The idea is to encourage customers to vote, the company says

Voters can show their “I Voted” sticker as proof. In states where there is no proof of voting, the giveaway will be done on the honor system.

There is a limit of one cup of coffee per customer.

[From Krispy Kreme]

I’m guessing it’ll be quite an ice cream, donut and coffee party after the elections — sugar highs and caffeinated post-vote citizens waiting out on the most important decision of the year.

Wonder what we’ll get by next elections?  Free puto and gulaman?

presidential dance-off.

Cant’ decide on who to root for this Nov. 4?  Why not let a dance battle decide for you?  

But then again, if Palin does win like in the dance battle, who knows what a post-11/4 America would be like?

tina fey as sarah palin on SNL 09132008.

she might just turn me over to the dark side…

…well, as far as the US elections go, it’s pretty clear that it stopped being about the issues and is now about the personalities.  One of these is McCain’s surprising (as of last week) choice for a VP: Sarah Palin.  (That’s pey-lin)

Figure 1.0 The “Kiss of Death”
“Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reason, and not just to mingle with the right people. Politics isn’t just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good and to leave this nation better than we found it.“

-Sarah Palin,
Acceptance Speech at the RNC, 09032008

After watching her acceptance speech at the RNC, it’s pretty clear that she’s a seasoned politician — if it made the RNC cheer for her, line, after line, after line, about how great things will be, all the while bashing the high points of Obama, referred to as “the/our opponent,” with great timing, if I might add — then she probably knows what she’s doing.

I’m just a boy, I go ga-ga for women, and yeah, I’m crushing on the lovely Governor because she sort of makes me think that’s how Tina Fey’s gonna look decades from now.  (Read: still awesome)

But I wouldn’t vote for her just yet — in choosing the right person for the job, as in any job interview, you have to know the applicant’s experience, (will it benefit you for the position that person is applying for?) history, and qualifications.  Just because we get flashed with those beautiful teeth, and pictures of flying kisses, doesn’t necessarily mean we’d take that person in, no questions asked.

I would say though, that she did a very good job in her speech.  (Youtube clips after the jump!)  Will I turn over to the dark side for her?  Not just yet.  

P.S. The green party’s under-represented.

[Image from here]

olivia wilde for 18 in ‘08.

Here’s Olivia Wilde’s PSA for 18 in ‘08.

As if the rights to suffrage didn’t turn me on already.

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