The 2020 US presidential election season is rapidly on the rise with the two major party nominations quickly drawing closer. As the race heats up, the debates have been highly contentious, the rhetoric becoming more and more divisive, and the attention of the American public focusing on what candidates have to say in the debates. But there’s another debate taking place this election season – one that some argue is just as influential as the actual primaries and general elections – the “pantomime primary”.
The term “pantomime primary” refers to the increasingly entertaining and impressionistic campaign events that candidates have been organizing across the country. These events, which range from comedy nights to go-kart events and even cooking competitions, are used to sway voters in ways that traditional campaigning can’t. Far from the traditional stump speeches and debates, these events provide an opportunity to engage with voters in a more light-hearted, entertaining way.
Of course, not all of these events are looking to make people laugh, with many candidates using them to make serious policy proposals. Hillary Clinton’s infamous “No-Fly” zone proposal at a 2016 New York rally stands out in particular. But for the most part, candidates use these events to bring out the lighter side of their campaigns, practically turning the debates into stand-up comedy performances.
At the same time, there is a very real utility to these events. By getting a chance to get out and meet different segments of the public, candidates gain a better understanding of the demographic makeup of the population and the various issues that people care about. Moreover, these events are also often used by presidential hopefuls to point out the problems and solutions that they’ve identified in their respective campaigns, making them an effective tool for delivering their message in an entertaining way.
It’s clear that the pantomime primary is becoming an increasingly important element of the US election season. As the election season progresses, it will be interesting to see which candidates continue to engage in these increasingly unusual events and if they really do have an impact on the outcome of the election race.
The 2020 US presidential election season is rapidly on the rise with the two major party nominations quickly drawing closer. As the race heats up, the debates have been highly contentious, the rhetoric becoming more and more divisive, and the attention of the American public focusing on what candidates have to say in the debates. But there’s another debate taking place this election season – one that some argue is just as influential as the actual primaries and general elections – the “pantomime primary”.
The term “pantomime primary” refers to the increasingly entertaining and impressionistic campaign events that candidates have been organizing across the country. These events, which range from comedy nights to go-kart events and even cooking competitions, are used to sway voters in ways that traditional campaigning can’t. Far from the traditional stump speeches and debates, these events provide an opportunity to engage with voters in a more light-hearted, entertaining way.
Of course, not all of these events are looking to make people laugh, with many candidates using them to make serious policy proposals. Hillary Clinton’s infamous “No-Fly” zone proposal at a 2016 New York rally stands out in particular. But for the most part, candidates use these events to bring out the lighter side of their campaigns, practically turning the debates into stand-up comedy performances.
At the same time, there is a very real utility to these events. By getting a chance to get out and meet different segments of the public, candidates gain a better understanding of the demographic makeup of the population and the various issues that people care about. Moreover, these events are also often used by presidential hopefuls to point out the problems and solutions that they’ve identified in their respective campaigns, making them an effective tool for delivering their message in an entertaining way.
It’s clear that the pantomime primary is becoming an increasingly important element of the US election season. As the election season progresses, it will be interesting to see which candidates continue to engage in these increasingly unusual events and if they really do have an impact on the outcome of the election race.
