Election fever

I’ve been following the fringes of the US elections—and I say fringes because I just read what catches my fancy whenever I have time. Usually, that means oddball news, like how early in his campaign John McCain used Britney Spears’ and Paris Hilton’s images to cast doubt on Barack Obama’s readiness to lead America. Or, how an anonymous guy like Joe the Plumber became a big winner, publicity-wise, in the recent presidential debate. Or, how Tina Fey nailed her impersonation of McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live.

The Americans will elect a new president on November 4. Ever since campaign season started, the rest of the world has been privy to an entertaining ride. Here are some key moments that have made their way into the annals of oddball history.

1. Paris’ quick and brilliant retaliation to McCain’s ad. She appears in an online video on www.funnyordie.com, a website backed by Will Ferrel and Adam McKay, wearing a bikini and reading a glossy. She then looks at the camera and says, “Hey America, I’m Paris Hilton and I’m a celebrity too. Only I’m not from the olden days and I’m not promising change like that other guy. I’m just hot.” She continues, “But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means that I’m running for president. So thanks for the endorsement, White Haired Dude. And I want America to know that I’m, like, totally ready to lead. Now, I want to present my energy policy for America. Just as soon as I finish reading this article on where I can fly to get the best tan.”

2. Palin’s acceptance speech as McCain’s running mate. It was described by media as the perfect populist speech—trust a former beauty contestant to know how to burst into, well, global consciousness—and even I felt like voting for her when she made a bid to the women supporters of Hillary Clinton that the battle was not over, and they should keep trying to break the glass ceiling. Palin sure did have everyone’s panties in a twist and for a moment there, it seemed like McCain had a winner.

3. Palin’s quick crash—but trust a former beauty contestant to do that beautifully as well. She went on an interview with CBS’ Katie Couric and remained warm and funny and poised even as she bungled her way through several questions a vice presidential candidate should have, well, smart answers. Asked about foreign policy, the exchange follows:

Couric: Well, explain to me why that (Russia’s proximity) enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

4. Comedian Tina Fey’s spot on impersonation of Palin on Saturday Night Live. Here are transcripts of some of their exchanges in their spoof of the CBS interview:

Amy Poehler as Couric: You went to the UN for the first time. How was that experience?

Fey as Palin: Oh, you know, it was just amazing, so many interesting people— though I have to say I was disheartened by how many of them were foreigners. I promise that when Senator McCain and I are elected, we’re gonna get those jobs back in American hands.

Then they spoofed the interview segment on Russia and Palin’s foreign policy know-how.

Poehler/Couric: On foreign policy, I want to give you one more chance to explain your claim that you have foreign policy experience based on Alaska’s proximity to Russia. What did you mean by that?

Fey/Palin: Well, Alaska and Russia are only separated by a narrow maritime border. (using her hands to illustrate) You got Alaska here, this right here is water, and this is Russia. So, we keep an eye on them.

Poehler/Couric: And how do you do that exactly?

Fey/Palin: Every morning, when Alaskans wake up, one of the first things they do, is look outside to see if there are any Russians hanging around. And if there are, you gotta go up to them and ask, “What are you doing here?” and if they can’t give you a good reason, it’s our responsibility to say, you know, “Shoo! Get back over there!”

5. Palin poking fun at herself on Saturday Night Live. Okay, so she’s adorable. Go and find a video of it online.

Indeed, if you think there’s no business like show business, try politics.

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