There is really nothing more exciting than watching politics in action, at least there is nothing more exciting when the media builds it up to be the be all end all of our political existence. Regardless of how important the media makes us think these debates are, they play a crucial part in election season in the US. Whoever you end up voting for, here are a few things that I love:
1. The Opening Handshake: Both candidates walk out ready for battle, they are wearing the red and blue ties to represent their party with the American Flag lapel pin (remember the drama that happened four years ago). They shake hands, smile, and mumble something that is drowned out by applause. I can't help but think their discourse consists of the two talking about how shitty of a job each other is doing and how they aren't going to win. That's just me.
2. The Dry Humor and Good Graces: The crowd settles down and the opening question is brought up. Before saying anything regarding policy, the candidates brown nose the hosting university, city, or institution, thank the moderator, then proceed to complement their opponent. I live for this kind of fakeness almost as much as the opening handshake.
3. The Opening Sequence: After the dry humor and brown nosing, things really start to get into motion. The first statement turns into a reciprocation, this is then followed by the eventual political ping ponging of name calling, fact checking, and storytelling.
4. The Ping Pong Game Intensifies and Tensions Rise: The jokes and dry remarks of the opening session seem like a distant past. The candidates are going head on into policy and discussing what they will do to bring the necessary change to the nation. Facts. Facts. Facts. Both candidates disagree and express their difference through their tone, their body language, and of course their actual arguments.
5. Head shaking, blinking, and name calling: The more and more the debate intensifies, the more each candidate wants to prove they are right. This tension is released through blinking, head shaking, and readjusting. Former President Bush made the blink famous in my eyes, while these candidates seem partial to readjusting their stance.
6. The I'm right and you're wrong: That is pretty much the entire premise of the entire debate and what many viewers wish the candidates would just say from the start.
7. The interruption by the regulator: Well usually that happens, but Jim Lehrer couldn't seem to grab a hold of the situation.
8. The grand finale: The name calling is over and smiling can resume! The candidates shake hands and congratulate each other on how terrible they did while smiling and making it seem like they are best friends.
9. The input from news pundits: Nowadays major news conglomerates have tickers on the bottom of the screen that show what voters are saying in the form of moving graphs, charts, and various other platforms. Be sure to check out how up to date and techy these conglomerates are by liking them on Facebook or following them on Twitter. Seriously we get it, you're in the social media game, shut up about it.
10. The twitter/social media commentary that happens along the way: All you have to do is check Twitter and see where your friends (or who you thought were your friends) stand on their political ideologies. I love the witty comments. Bill Maher and Ann Coulter are two of my favorites.
At the end of the day, you are going to vote for who you are going to vote for. We are lucky enough to have that right, and I am lucky enough to be able to make fun of one of the most crucial elements in our democracy. All that I ask is that you get out there and vote, get your voice heard, and don't put up with people telling you what you think is wrong.