Hilarity, Reality and a dose of Democracy
Let me start with a disclaimer here. I’m not American but I follow American politics. Why? Well, quite simply because it’s interesting, and the U.S.A. is usually a good barometer for the rest of the world.
Every four years, the circus rolls into town, well, not so much of a town, more the global stage!, we get to see a reality show with much higher stakes and a far grander prize. What am I talking about? Presidential campaigns, of course! It’s a rollercoaster of the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre of American politics. So, grab your popcorn and settle in for a humorous journey through the wild, unpredictable world of the presidential campaign.
It starts with the inevitable announcement! The prospective presidential candidate emerges from behind a curtain of American flags as the public gets their first glimpse of the candidate. Bold promises and cliches are given while the candidate gives the first speech of many. The candidate stands at the podium, flags a-waving, promising to fix the world…quite literally. As if the voters haven’t heard that before! You can almost guarantee that you’ll hear the words, “the American dream” in there somewhere.
Then we are off to the races. What race you ask? The race to the White House, otherwise known as the campaign trail. What will we witness on that trail? Shaking hands. Kissing babies. Visiting lots of state events to meet the people of America. You’ll see it all. Our candidates will do whatever it takes to get a step further than their opponent in the race to the big house on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Don’t get me wrong—it’s not just about shaking hands; it’s also about delivering speeches. Whether it’s at town hall meetings, high school gyms, pancake breakfasts, or state fairs, a candidate never arrives empty-handed. They bring carefully crafted words meant to resonate with their audience. At each stop on the campaign trail, speeches are delivered, designed to reveal who the candidate is and what they stand for. These speeches, often sprinkled with childhood memories, personal anecdotes, and standout moments from the campaign, aim to give voters a deeper glimpse into the person behind the podium. It’s all meticulously tailored for one purpose: to win your vote. Along the way, there are usually a few sharp jabs at their opponent, casting their policies as misguided or harmful to the country’s future.
As an avid watcher of American politics, my absolute favorite part is the debates. But the drama starts long before the candidates hit the stage. How many debates will there be? Where will they be held? Who gets to moderate? What are the rules? Will they know the topics ahead of time? These details must be hashed out between the opposing campaigns long before they step in front of the TV cameras.
But what is a debate, really? Is it a well-structured “discussion” between two opposing political visions? Absolutely not. Its nothing but that! It’s a verbal boxing match. Candidates throw jabs and hooks with their well rehearsed answers, often slipping in thinly veiled insults about their opponent’s policies or character.
Moderators, meanwhile, are left to play referee, trying to control the chaos. A question about healthcare? One candidate will try to answer while the other interrupts to drop their tax plan. Finger-pointing and reminders of “it’s my turn to speak” are as common as political promises. Sometimes, the questions themselves go off the rails—what starts as a debate on climate change ends with a tangent about ice cream. It’s unpredictable and messy at times but can be thoroughly entertaining.
With everything you see in life, there are always gaffes, bloopers…whatever you care to call them. Candidates on a campaign trail are no different. They are a gaffes goldmine and if you hang around long enough, you’ll see plenty of them. After all, everyone makes them and they are entertaining. Not only entertaining at the time they occur, but for years after as they are replayed on news networks or late night shows. Gaffes can be accidental. Let’s face it, it’s not something that’s exclusive to presidential candidates. But sometimes gaffes are just strange. Candidates may confuse Iran and Iraq. They may be yelling out “Hello New York” when they are on a stage in South Dakota.
Another key aspect of the campaign trail is the inevitable question: “Who’s endorsing whom?” In today’s world of social media—where likes, follows, and followers hold significant weight—a strong endorsement can be a game-changer. Imagine being a political candidate endorsed by someone with 100 million followers. Suddenly, that massive audience takes notice. While not all 100 million might vote for you, many could be swayed or influenced by that high-profile endorsement.
When celebrities from all walks of life come out to endorse their candidate of choice, the irony is often quite amusing—many aren’t really backing their preferred candidate but rather the one favoured by the masses. Like anyone else, celebrities have careers to protect, and stepping out of line to support a more controversial figure could have unpredictable consequences. Endorsements don’t stop with famous faces either; companies and political groups also jump on the bandwagon, aligning themselves with the popular choice to avoid backlash.
Creating effective presidential campaign ads requires crafting messages that resonate with voters while emphasising the candidate’s strengths and platform. A key strategy in any campaign is to begin with a compelling narrative. By highlighting the candidate’s background and journey to politics, the ad can establish a sense of authenticity and connection with the audience. Personal experiences that reflect the candidate’s values and commitment to public service create an emotional bond, allowing voters to see the human side of a political figure.
Equally important however, is the focus on policy. Campaign ads should clearly communicate the candidate’s stance on critical issues such as healthcare, education, the economy, and climate change. Using simple language and visuals helps make complex policies more accessible. This clarity enables voters to understand exactly what the candidate stands for and how their policies will address the country’s needs.
Another important aspect of campaign ads is the contrast with opponents, the ‘attack ads’. By comparing a candidate’s positions with those of their rivals, the ad can highlight what sets them apart. These ads focus on the negatives of an opponent while hopefully driving the voters back to the opposing party.
Authenticity and trust though, are the most paramount. Campaign ads should always reflect the candidate’s true character and avoid any misleading or negative messaging that could harm their credibility. The goal is to inspire and persuade voters while remaining faithful to the candidate’s values and vision for the country.
After announcements, campaigning and ads, its party time at the conventions. The conventions are the grand finale of the campaign season. It’s a party where balloons drop, confetti flies, and everyone pretends to like each other. The speeches at conventions are a mix of inspiration and comedy. One minute, you’re hearing a heartfelt story from a local hero, and the next, you’re listening to a speech that sounds like it was written by a committee of motivational poster writers.
Now we’re in the home straight and it’s election night. Quite literally the final countdown. A count of 270 or more to be exact. The works done, the last speeches given and the nation holds its breath. The TV networks go into overdrive, with pundits analysing every vote as if they’re reading tea leaves.
“Look at these numbers from Florida,” one analyst will say, pointing at a map that looks like it was drawn by a drunken cartographer. “This county is key!” As the night wears on, the tension builds. One candidate declares victory, while the other refuses to concede. Lawyers are called, ballots are recounted, and the country collectively wonders why it puts itself through this every four years.
And then, it’s over. The winner takes the stage, delivers a victory speech filled with promises of unity and progress, and the losing candidate delivers a concession speech about how the fight goes on. The balloons deflate, the confetti is swept up, and everyone goes back to their normal lives. Until, of course, it all starts again in another four years.
Presidential campaigns and debates are a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with moments of inspiration, absurdity, and humour. They remind us that democracy, for all its flaws, is a spectacle worth watching. So, here’s to the next campaign season – may it be as entertaining as the last!
