Swing Vote

Name:

Course:

Instructor:

Date:

This movie has heavy political undertones that are expressed in the form of a state’s electoral decision and fate being held in the hands of one man, Bud Johnson who becomes the center of interest for both Republican and Democrat candidates, Andrew Carington and Donald Greenleaf respectively. Both candidates present their manifestos, projections and other promises and seek to influence his decision by convincing him to vote for them leaving Bud in a dilemma, as he had no prior interest in politics or any civic responsibility for that matter. The contribution of the media into this dilemma only serves to aggravate the situation. In the last stages of the film, the two candidates reconsider, shying away from their traditional cutthroat and fast approach in politics that is fuelled by their power-hungry campaign advisers and this really get Bud’s attention. Armed with new hope that the political scene has something substantial to offer , Bud calls for a final debate where he depends largely on the public to assist him gauge the two candidates showing his clear neglect of local politics.

The major political aspects that come out in the movie are when the two candidates take to the podium to try to sell out their values and policies to appeal to Bud, as he is the ultimate deciding factor or in other word, the swing voter. A swing vote politically refers to a vote that may go to a particular candidate or a party that usually determines whether they will win or not. These kinds of votes are usually sought after as they ultimately make or break a successful candidate.

Elections as a political activity have been the focus of this movie. Elections are a useful tool for regime change and for exercise of the public’s rights to leadership by choice. In the film, The Democrat and Republican Parties both seek for the presidential seat through an election that is conducted free and fairly. Both Andrew Carington and Donald Greenleaf go before the electorate to present their cases and convince the masses that they are the right person for the job of heading the state of America as the president. However, their campaign managers come out as being twisted in their strategies to convince the swing voter, Mr. Bud, into voting for their candidates. This is also common among campaign teams where strong supporters of a party attempt to convince voters in legal and unethical methods.

The contribution, effect and influence of the media play a very big role in politics. The media serves to inform the public about politics, campaigns and elections. However, the media also interlink with the politicians. The media also helps influence the electorate by prioritizing which issues are to be analyzed as well as the criteria that the masses will use in eliminating candidates. Print media also influence strongly, politicians and masses alike through their editorial and opinion sections, which ultimately shape the thought of their readers. In the movie , Swing Vote , the media rush in to seek Bud’s true identity, after which they proceed to terrorize him with interviews concerning his stand and his preference ,answers which send the country into a political frenzy as both Democrats and Republicans alike realign their policies and values so as to attract Bud.

Civic duty refers to the responsibilities of any citizen by the fact that he or she belongs to that state. All citizens are expected to bear attitudes, and act in a manner that is participatory in nature. This includes participation in government, church and other political, economic and environmental fields of life. Civic duty or responsibility is vital in the success of democracy and by extension, elections. By engaging in civil duty, citizens ensure certain principles are upheld for instance justice, equality, diversity and rule of law. A related element is that of civic education which involves teaching civic responsibility to the public. It is a way through which democracy can be promoted and people always end up engaging themselves in the practice of good governance especially in highly literate states like those in Europe. In the movie Swing Vote, Bud does not take any interest in the electoral process up to a point where he does not know which candidate is vying for what seat and under what party. Bud also does not participate in supporting his daughter’s interests like schoolwork or her, resorts to being an alcoholic and even absconds from voting in the national elections reinforcing his neglect for his civic responsibility.

Ethics in politics comes up as a strong theme in the movie swing Vote. Politicians are morally obligated to act in the best way as far as their offices are concerned. Having proper morals in the political scene is an almost ideal perception but a very important one nevertheless. Politicians need to act in a manner that always delivers the public’s expectations of that office amid pressures to bow to idiosyncratic interests or even partisan wishes thereby distorting the implementation of a party’s or individual’s interest. In the movie Swing Vote, both the Democrat and the Republican candidates acting under the recommendation of their advisers, switch their party values in a bid to appeal to Mr. Bud Johnson. Such actions have no traces of ethics in them as candidates manipulate party and public interests and visions in a manner to gain political supremacy but misrepresent the electorate.

In my opinion, Swing Vote, intended to portray the American political environment as being very superficial. Politicians in America do not have real value and principles personally and within their parties but employ these attractive promises, successfully, to obtain the support of the public that would guarantee them a seat in the nation’s power chambers. The politicians are depicted as power-hungry individuals that would go to the extremes in order to clinch their political interests and the political system in the film is brought out as being predatory and mindless of the public.

Works Cited:

Costner, Kevin, Jim Wilson, Jason Richman, Joshua M. Stern, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez, Judge Reinhold, and Charles Esten. Swing Vote. Burbank, CA: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 2009.