With four candidates out of the race and five candidates left, the GOP primary has already been a wild ride. If it’s any indicator of what the November elections will be like, we all had better brace ourselves.
Four years ago, Tina Fey was seeing Russia from her house and Amy Poehler was rapping about the GOP’s Eskimo constituency on “Saturday Night Live,” providing the American public with enough comedic fuel to snowshoe its way through rambunctious election season. Of course, four years ago, the majority of us were too young to vote, but certainly old enough to catch the humor in the whole process.
While “SNL” skits do carry the risk of having some, well, gullible viewers actually believe that John McCain bought airtime on QVC, we dare say their political satire was more news than much of the voting public was ingesting all week.
We think “SNL” did a fairly good job of shouldering this responsibility, but the even greater abuse of social media in the last four years undoes the discretion that even “SNL” employs in its writing, leaving political commentary in the hands of anyone with a Twitter account and a snarky disposition.
Although the skits and spoofs effectively disguised the gravity of the 2008 election, we’d like to think that most of the voting body was aware of the distinct platforms of the candidates — hilarious as the candidates themselves may be.
Today, all the mudslinging in the debates has left us voters frustrated, bewildered and turning to Tumblr about it. And when the fact that a significant number of voters have abandoned parties to become Independents is combined with the juggernaut of social media, voila! Turmoil ensues.
Over the past several months of town halls, debates, bus tours and preliminary caucuses and primaries, the belligerent group of GOP candidates has been carved down to five: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.
Most recently, these candidates have been entangled in the web of slander being woven by the massive super political action committees (super PACs) behind each politician. Just this past Monday, during the South Carolina debates, Romney was targeted for spending exorbitant amounts of money on commercials throughout the state to turn the tides against Gingrich; Gingrich allegedly returned the favor by spitefully starting ad campaigns digging up details about Romney’s private enterprise past; Paul criticized Santorum’s shady history in raising his state’s deficit; and Santorum shot back by tying Paul to extreme left-wing organizations.
Meanwhile, most of the damage to Perry’s reputation was done by his own commercials, thanks to the creative touch of numerous lip-dubbers who transformed his ads into works of YouTube art.
(If any of this reminds you of the bickering that went on that time Jimmy stole Raul’s chocolate pudding on the fourth grade playground, rest assured knowing you’re not alone.)
Instead of maturely whittling the group of presidential hopefuls down to those who stand a chance representing the Republican Party against the Democratic frontrunner, the GOP has splintered itself into ruthless groups that, as luck would have it, probably share a great amount of common ground politically.
The addition of super PACs and the bigger role that social media have played in these primaries has ultimately changed the process of voting for president for the worst. If this level of ruthlessness is being presented now within a single political party between people that fundamentally share the same ideas, what hope do we have when we see two candidates with fundamentally opposite platforms?
We want to encourage you to hang in there regardless of how ridiculous the debates and how obnoxious the television ads. It’s important to remain informed about the election, and furthermore look for the truth. And to this end, social media can be extremely helpful, disseminating real news on a large scale immediately.
However, it comes with a measure of responsibility we urge you to take seriously. Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and one of the most important duties belonging to a citizen of a democratic country. You’re implored to vote for many things in day-to-day life: You can vote for the winner of American Idol, you can vote for who wore it best on the red carpet and you can vote for Pedro. Of all the things for which you can cast your vote, the presidential election arguably carries the most weight, especially for people in our age group.
For us, the next four years can impact the rest of our lives with regard to our employment and continuing higher education. Even if you don’t like any of the candidates come November, still vote for the one you believe is the best out of the presented options, Democratic or Republican.
One thing’s for sure; this ride is far from over. Take a break from Pinterest and figure out which guy’s getting your vote for leader of the free world, even if that means starting by watching more “SNL.” And if you don’t vote, don’t complain.
