-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
Throw a political party (without the mascots)
Archive
Comments
Story
My friends, the time has come for citizens of this great nation to join together and throw a party to watch the presidential and vice presidential debates. Political discussion and cocktail wieners may seem like odd bedfellows, but here is an occasion they can happily wed and leave your guests with plenty to discuss with classmates the next day. In a time of national economic crisis, it’s understandably difficult for some students to party down.
However, the following suggestions should help you slip into to a more festive mood.
A. Set some ground rules. Let your guests know the party is meant to be informative and fun. If you’re worried one of your friends is a tad overly passionate about gun control, pull them aside and make sure they know in a democracy – and at your party – all opinions are welcome and encouraged.
B. Food is a must. Not providing your passionate friends with something to stick in their mouths to keep them from dominating the conversation would be a serious no-no. Go potluck style and invite your guests to bring their favorite politically-themed dish: democratic dumplings, Sarah Palin pot stickers or the classic freedom fries.
C. What’s the difference between hockey mom parties and drunken debate shindigs? Nothing, they both end in fistfights. Serve alcohol at your own risk. Discussing politics intelligently is challenging enough to some completely sober. If you plan to serve liquor, be sure to designate a sober moderator to make sure drinking doesn’t get out of hand, and your party patrons remain respectful to opposing-party-goers. Drinking games are always popular at parties. Prepare red, white and blue Jell-O shots, and have your guests eat one every time John McCain says, "My friends," Barack Obama mentions "change" or anytime candidates say "Wall Street and Main Street."
D. If the mood at your gathering turns a tad ominous, be ready to screen the Saturday Night Live Palin skit or search YouTube for Daily Show clips. Ask your guests to send you links to their favorite comedic political satire before the party begins and have everyone vote for a favorite toward the end of the party.
E. To help answer the age ol’ question of what to wear, invite your guests to dress up as their favorite political character and have a costume contest. Less ambitious guests can choose to wear blue for Democrat and red for Republican. Buy some cheap white T-Shirts and write "Future Flip-Floppers of America" on the front for your Independent friends, and "Ron Paul got the shaft" for Libertarians.
F. Take a poll on which candidates are favored before the debate begins and inquire when the debate is finished if anyone’s jumped ship. What is arguably going to be one of the most historic elections of all time should not be a solo adventure. Debate parties are a way for you to share your experience with your friends, engage in important political discourse vital to the health of our nation and a necessary step to making an informed decision on who you’ll vote for in the election. Some will try to convince you to vote for a man they hope will become the first black President the United States, and others will try to persuade you to cast your ballot for the guy who is older than the state his running mate is governor of.
Upcoming debates are: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008: Vice Presidential debate in St. Louis Tuesday Oct. 7, 2008: Pres. debate in a town hall format Nashville Wednesday Oct. 15, 2008: Pres. debate on domestic policy Debates begin at 7 p.m. but the party can last all night.
SHANNON MORGAN
Editor-in-Chief
