All Politics es Loco

Ecuador recently wrapped up an election with few surprises.  Sitting President Rafeal Correa remains President as expected and the mayor of San Cristobal didn’t change either.

However since I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Iowa I am legally required to make a minimum a few passing remarks.  If not I think my degree would be revoked. Although considering a certain scandal at the U of I’s poli sci department I fear some potential employers might think I got my degree by letting my professors “touch the goods”

Experts are still divided on the question of whether Rick Santorum could have performed better during his 2006 bid for re-election if he had put his virulently anti-gay message to a catchy reggaton beat.

But I digress…

The most important thing to remark on is the fact that the campaigns themselves are waaayyyy different.  Music makes up a huge part of the campaigns in Ecuador.  Specifically it’s the way they use it.  This isn’t John Kerry walking on and off stage with a touch of “It’s a Beautiful Day” by U2 playing in the background.  And its definitely not name-your-favorite-Republican being asked by a liberal recording artist to cease and desist using their music.

The campaigns here take popular songs and completely rewrite the lyrics for their candidates benefit, and hire hacks to sing them, poorly.  More than once I have found myself singing about “muchas obras,” or “many civil projects”, when the original lyrics were actually talking about “El Corazon,” or “the heart.”  It is amazing that after almost four months of almost of almost daily listening to Daddy Yankee’s Llamado Emergencia it only took a few weeks of hearing the Partido 102’s “remix” for it to replace the original in my head. 

Experts are still divided on the question of whether Rick Santorum could have performed better during his 2006  bid for re-election if he had put his virulently anti-gay message to a catchy reggaton beat.  I’ll give John McCain credit for at least attempting to change the lyrics to a popular song, The Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann, but I think he showed his age with that one.  I’m sure he would have gained support if actual supporter Daddy Yankee had supported his economic policies by spitting some hot fire over a dope Latin beat.  “Los Fundamentos del Economia Son Fuerte”, perhaps?

The other intriguing thing is that they limit booze sales around the election.  The election was held on a Sunday and from noon on Friday until noon on Monday no alcohol was sold.  I am not sure how I feel about this.  I generally support the free flow of booze but, considering that voting is required for those above 18 maybe limiting it isn’t such a bad idea.  The last thing that needs to happen is for the Otis the Drunk of the town to go into the voting booth sauced up on cervezas, caña and 21^st Century Socialism.