In the lead-up to Election Day, voters will be bombarded with polls aiming to predict the outcome of the election. We are all curious to know the answer.
Alexander Hamilton once famously stated, “Every vital question of state will be merged in the question, ‘Who will be the next president?'”
Relying on polls as accurate barometers of public opinion has been called into question since the emergence of Donald Trump as a political force. Back in 2016, the polls fell short in a big way, as the overwhelming majority of them predicted a strong lead for Hillary Clinton.
Pop culture can often provide valuable insights into our political future.
In 1940, Woody Guthrie penned a scathing response to Irving Berlin’s beloved song, “God Bless America.” Through his own composition, “This Land Is Your Land,” Guthrie eloquently expressed the struggles of the marginalized and emphasized the importance of equality.
These poignant lyrics served as a powerful testament to the enduring popularity of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who secured a resounding victory in that same year.
The Cosby Show portrayed Bill Cosby as the friendly Dr. Cliff Huxtable. He was married to a successful African American woman, and their children showed respect towards their parents.
The show reflected the values emphasized during Reagan’s era, such as the importance of family, work, neighborhood, peace, and freedom. Cosby himself echoed this sentiment, stating that the Huxtables represented an American family, and anyone who was willing to put in the effort could have a similar life.
Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is receiving significant cultural recognition. Charli XCX, a popular artist, expressed her support for Harris on Twitter, stating, “kamala IS brat.” This statement cleverly references Charli XCX’s album titled “Brat,” which gained immense popularity and became a top seller.
Renowned musician Bruce Springsteen has recently voiced his support for Harris, further strengthening her position.
Bruce Springsteen has always been able to connect with the public throughout his career. In 1984, he became a superstar with his chart-topping album, “Born in the USA.” A fan expressed their appreciation for Springsteen’s message of faith and traditional values.
During Springsteen’s concerts, there was a significant display of patriotism whenever he performed his iconic song “Born in the USA.” Ronald Reagan, the president at the time, acknowledged the powerful message conveyed by Springsteen and praised him for it.
The Christian Science Monitor even highlighted this, noting that it was the first instance of a popular singer being acknowledged by a U.S. president as a character reference.
The success of the Apple+TV series “Ted Lasso” serves as a clear indication of a significant trend in popular culture. The character of Ted Lasso has become a symbol of kindness and decency, which stand in stark contrast to the qualities often associated with Trump.
Jason Sudeikis, the actor who portrayed Lasso, viewed the triumph of the series as a catalyst for transformation: “I despised the lack of communication between people. The world doesn’t operate in binary terms, and it bothered me.”
He expressed a similar sentiment, stating his desire to “be the change he wants to see in the world.”
Kamala Harris is committed to “turning the page” and leading us in “a new way forward,” just like the beloved character Ted Lasso. Inspired by his approach, Harris aims to not only restore decorum but also infuse joy into our political landscape.
Meanwhile, Trump is embracing the support of cultural icons from the past, basking in the endorsements of Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Kanye West.
He has also been promoting World Wrestling Entertainment, a platform that primarily attracts a young adult male audience and has limited appeal outside of that demographic.
Voters are faced with a similar question: while they appreciate Harris’s message, are they confident in her ability to effectively serve as president?
After her compelling debate performance, polls revealed that Harris emerged as the clear winner. In fact, a significant majority of debate viewers scored her as the victor, with almost twice as many people favoring her over the other candidates.
Can the viewer imagine this person as a potential president of the United States? This was the test that the Harris-Trump debate posed, a challenge that every successful presidential candidate must face.
A recent poll conducted by CNN revealed that a majority of likely voters believe that Kamala Harris possesses the temperament, background, life experience, ability to understand their problems, skills as a leader, and vision for the country that align with their perception of a future president. On the other hand, fewer than half of the respondents attribute these same qualities to Donald Trump.
In the coming weeks, Kamala Harris will be seen by voters in various settings, allowing her to introduce herself to a weary electorate tired of Trump. Additionally, there will be an influx of polls daily, each claiming to forecast the eventual winner.
The polls may not be the most reliable indicator, but when it comes to cultural signs, all arrows point to Harris.
