Argumenty i Facty, Russia

What Would Happen if 'Santa' Were Elected U.S. President?

 

"Of course, the election of Santa Claus would be plagiarism … This is a Russian idea. And of course, Grandpa Frost would be much more natural in the role of Russian president."

 

-- Writer Dmitriy Bikov

 

Translated By Yekaterina Blinova

 

September 26, 2008

 

Russia - Argumenty i Facty - Original Article (Russian)

Santa Claus, formerly known as Thomas O'Connor, is running for President. Claus, of Incline Village, Nevada, legally changed his name from Thomas O'Connor in 2005. He is one of 14 write-in presidential candidates registered with the West Virginia secretary of state's office.

The United States has a new presidential candidate: His name is Santa Claus . More precisely, he is a man who, on the advice of family and friends due to his likeness to the mythical character, took the name "Santa." The gray-bearded resident of West Virginia previously known as Thomas O'Connor, recently registered himself as a candidate for the position of head of state.

 

[Editor's Note: Mr. Claus informs us that actually, he is a Nevada resident who lives near Lake Tahoe, and he is registered as a presidential nominee in 16 states].

 

WATCH: Santa Claus Video Campaign Message

 

The fact is that the laws in force in West Virginia, allow virtually any citizen to participate in the presidential race: you need only provide a list of required documents to the office of secretary of state. Jason Williams, the manager of the elections division in the secretary of state's office, noted that prospective candidates need only fill out the appropriate form at least 42 days before the election.

 

Therefore, this rookie Santa Claus will now be a genuine candidate in the presidential election, which will take place on November 4th of this year, along with John McCain and Barack Obama.

 

Can either Obama or McCain be likened to that legendary

figure, Santa Claus? Some Russian experts say yes …

 

So what would happen to America if Santa Claus were elected head of state? Is the candidacy of such a character more in tune with a comedy show? These questions were answered by the following experts:

 

Vladimir Turchinskiy, actor, television host:

 

-- If Santa is elected, nothing new would happen to America, since for the past few years, the United States has already had a cartoon character as president. He's no better than Santa Claus. So there would be continuity of humor in politics. A fat bearded, jolly man will be just as good.

 

 

Mihail Leontev, journalist:

 

Obama and McCain are both Santa Clauses. We all see it! The two candidates from the main parties behave like Santa Claus. If we examine what they're doing about the current crisis - this is typical Santa Claus. All actions of any President of the United States are predetermined and predictable. Nothing at all would change, unfortunately.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

Dmitriy Bikov, writer:

 

This [politics] isn't at all like comedy. If there is a sense of humor in politics, it speaks well of the country. Which means that things aren't that bad, after all. They can still joke about it.

 

Of course, the election of Santa Claus would be plagiarism. We [Russians] have long had the idea of building a residence for Grandpa Frost, making him an active political entity in the Great Ustyug, in Moscow. We have even arranged an entire welcoming committee for his arrival, as I recall writing at some point … This is a Russian idea. And of course, Grandpa Frost would be much more natural in the role of Russian president.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

But if people want to see Santa become president, they will have to accept the fact that St. Nicholas is an exceedingly decent character who champions the poor.

 

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US October 2, 6:30pm]