Mashing Up the Nominees & ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
If you’ve ever felt like the presidential campaign is descending to the level of “American Idol,” then this new YouTube mashup is for you.
Uploaded on Tuesday night, “So You Think You Can Be President — Debate Remix,” only has about a thousand views so far, but it is a masterfully edited commentary on the three presidential debates. The video, remixed by Jonathan McIntosh, deserves a wider airing.
The accompanying promotional text tweaks the candidates for staking out similar positions on energy policy, while also knocking the U.S. voting system in general:
“„In this week’s episode only two weeks before the election, Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain have their feet held to the fire over shockingly similar positions on both energy… Who will be this season’s champion and take home the grand prize? You’ll have to watch and decide that for yourself, then participate by casting your vote for your favorite performer on Nov. 4th!*
“„*Some restrictions may apply. In certain areas these include, but are not limited to, faulty electronic voting systems, racist voter laws and/or voter roll purges. See your local polling place for details.
It’s a bit long, at nine minutes, but the surreal mood builds over time:
PRODUCTION NOTES: By splicing the political cant of modern debates with the hyperbolic feedback of celebrity judges, this mashup imagines a world where politicians are called out on their double-talk in real time.
