Which Presidential Candidate is most like Obama?

The Devil's Advocate is pleased to bring you the second in the series of articles on the AMS Presidential candidates. With respect to the recent assumption of B-Rock Obama to the Presidency, and in view that his campaign inspired millions of fed up Americans and world citizens to have a new hope, we ask the question: Which AMS Presidential Candidate is most like Barack Obama?

Blake Frederick

Blake, like Obama, is trying to signal a radical break from the old administration. He claims his Presidency, unlike Mikey Duncan's, will "not let student's interests go unheard any longer." In true left wing style he will singlehandedly lower tuition fees, bring more affordable housing to campus, save the UBC Farm, and increase transit service! Uh-huh...

Blake has also followed a similar path to Obama - indeed, he was a Senator before running for president; however, unlike Barack, in this election Blake is actually not the outside candidate coming in to reform politics, but the person with the most AMS experience rising to the job. He has certainly worked toward his stated goals as AVP Academic and University Affairs and AVP External, however I do not share the confidence of many of his supporters that President Blake is the silver bullet for the woes of the AMS. (From the elections issue of the Knoll Index: "Estimated average student tuition fees a year after Blake Frederick is President: $0").

Despite coming from the inside, Blake has worked to style his campaign after Obama. He speaks with conviction despite mostly speaking in debate sound-bytes, and his poster (pictured above) reminds me of one I've seen somewhere...

Obama Score: 6.5/10

Alex Monegro

Obama is coloured, Alex is coloured. Obama is from Hawaii, Alex is from the Dominican Republic. This alone should be enough for Alex to claim the Obama-mantle in this election. (See Obama-inspired campaign photo below.)


Despite the suggestions made to me that Alex's campaign slogan be "Yes We Can", Alex has so fair avoided making the appeal to Obama. Rather than arguing strongly for change, Alex in the debates has generally focussed on his leadership experience and ... well, his leadership experience.

The language in Alex's platform is also not-so-Obama - let's compare it to Blake's assured verbiage. Where Blake would "pressure", Alex would "work with"; where Blake would "ensure", Alex would "pursue" or "explore". I feel this is a more realistic view of what can be done in a year of campus politics, but perhaps we do need stronger stances on issues.

Obama score: 4/10

Paul Korczyk

Paul is the John McCain of this race. As he frequently points out, he an outsider - a maverick, so to speak, with the intent of reforming the AMS to eliminate pork-barrel spending and provide... greater communication to students. His top-listed platform points are "Communication" and "Student Engagement" - which I must point out are good ideas, though often-repeated in student politics. I wonder if Paul's grasp of the AMS - like John McCain's grasp of the fundamentals of the American economy - is thorough enough to make him president.

Paul is also a Polish but not polished speaker (unlike Obama, who is polished but not Polish). Part of the job of President is to be the media face of the AMS, and if Paul wants to fulfil that role, he needs to get rid of his habit of smiling awkwardly, repeating himself and trailing off at the end of every deabte response. My challenge to Paul - show us at the next debate that you have a good grasp of the things your opponents are talking about (tuition rates, childcare, student services and advocacy, etc.) and that you can talk about them confidently. You're risking disendorsement around here...

Obama Score: 1/10

In other news...

I have to give a shout out to Gossip Guy for this post about the Presidential candidates' websites. The line I wish I'd thought of, about Blake's website: "If the Faculties of Science and Arts were brother and sister, and had a child, I believe it would look something like this abomination." Update like this more often, GG, and you'll have a following of more than just me.

Also, rumour has it that the D.A. editorial team is cooking up our first round of disendorsements of the election. Which unlucky candidates will feel the burn?