Humor Hits the Campaign Trail

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October 27, 2012 by udeng307test

By Zainab Akande/

When Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said his father was born in Mexico as a response to an immigration question during the Oct. 16 debate, the response by social media users following the event was immediate.

A Tumblr user posted the following message:

The website Debated Drinking offers games for users to take shots whenever President Barack Obama or Romney say a particular word. The warning on the site states, “Because this may be a high scoring game, we define a drink as a gulp of beer or sip of wine or liquor. Know your limits and please drink responsibly.”

We can’t forget about Human Rights Bingo—a fun, political spin on an old school game where the free(dom) space lies right between equality and Syria.

Humorous observations across the Internet like this are created and shared by the truckload on social media hubs such as Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. In an age where Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart have blurred the lines between comedy and news, the same idea has carried on in this year’s presidential election.

While all satirical jabs are not embedded with social commentary or information, some have the ability to make a difference.

Comedy has emerged as a watchdog that makes critical observations about the 2012 elections from a more relatable standpoint for the everyday person to understand.

“It’s interesting the kinds of issues people tackle in social media,” said Dr. Dannagal Young, an associate professor in the University of Delaware’s communication department.

“It’s easier to grab onto style differences.”

Differences that include nonverbal cues like Vice President Joe Biden’s smiles and laughter during his only debate against Paul Ryan. Biden’s teeth were popular enough to warrant their own blog.

One user saw the chance for a Kanye West moment in the Oct. 16 debate when both candidates repeatedly spoke over one another.

The man-made Photoshop images are endless.

Young, who specializes in political satire and the psychology of political humor said, “Things that resonate with culture like the Big Bird gaffe tend to get more attention with social media.”

Romney said in the Oct. 3 to moderator Jim Lehrer, “I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS.”  He added, “I like PBS. I like Big Bird. I like you too.”

In the Big Bird tag on Tumblr posts such as this one became commonplace:

Twitter was no different:

Romney’s 47 percent video continues to follow him, evidenced by a Tumblr post made in reply to comment at the Oct. 16 debate.

(Romney’s actual words were “I want 100% of the American people to have a bright and prosperous future.”)

His recent statement on Oct. 16 in reference to asking for “whole binders full of women” job candidates for gender equality went viral as well.

“Binders” and “binders full of women” was mentioned more than 40,000 times in one minute, according to Topsy, a social web analytical tool.

Romney’s statement and the memes, which forced it to the spotlight, fueled controversy over his hiring record that was later debunked.

“Another space for political satire comes from missed opportunities not taken advantage of,” said Young on behalf of the candidates or moderator, in Jim Lehrer’s case. Lehrer was widely criticized for not being aggressive enough in the Oct. 3 debate.

Satirical outlet Onion Politics also gave notice to a candidate outside of the United States’ traditional two-party system.

Obama’s apparent lost in Denver was attributed to many reasons, of which included Al Gore blaming the altitude.

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Charles M. Blow interpreted the president’s lackluster in a different manner.

Young said it is an “authoritative move to use humor in a mocking way.” In this sense, humor demands attention. What stays memorable can educate and influence Romney and Obama’s chances come Tuesday, Nov. 6.

“It’s a really good thing because it’s another mechanism to connect with citizens on politics.”