A few days ago, Justin wrote about the election campaigns and made some observations. In lieu of Mario Baldassari’s victory, I will add my own observations to the election and respond to Justin’s post.
I liked Justin’s breakdown of of the various campaigns, but I disagree with his “Most creative campaigning” award, given to Noah. Noah’s slogans were amusing, but Mario had an organized, uniform campaign that relied on specific, recurring symbols to send his message. The recurring puzzle-pieces, Mario-style chalking font, and aesthetically appealing campaign posters made his candidacy seem consistent, serious and professional. Yet he also managed to have cheeky slogans. On North Campus, where he lives, he chalked “keep it local,” and by the Dr. Seuss plaque near Young Hall he claimed, “Dr. Seuss would vote for Mario.”
Like him or hate him, Mario’s smooth campaign carried him to victory in this election. Let’s face it, most people probably don’t stop to read every campaign poster they see. With Mario’s posters, you can get as much out of his imagery as you can from the text. Let’s hope he can carry that consistency and competence into his administration next semester.
It was a shame several weeks ago when the 2008 Presidential Election came to a close. What would I follow now? But wait… the 2008 Student Government elections are in full swing. There’s been some serious campaigning for the various candidates going on, and as one of the courses I’m taking this fall is POLS 312: Campaigns and Elections, I feel qualified to rank a few of the campaigns that stick out to me. It’s my 2008 LFC Campaign Marketing Awards.
Most Creative: President Noah Dion’s re-election team has gone all out with the chalk marketing, a popular way to promote events and the like here at Lake Forest thanks to our inconvenient Dr. Seuss-designed sidewalks. But the campaign has gone beyond just “Vote for Noah” scribblings to have a “‘Good luck with your work’ - Noah” line outside of the library, and a “‘Nice Shoes’ - Noah” quote outside of the student center. I get a warm-and-fuzzy image of Noah after seeing that type of marketing.
Most Guerilla: I have no idea how many packs of Post-It notes Vice Presidential candidate Louise Lloyd Owen has gone through to get her name out there, but it seemed to be a pretty successful effort. A newcomer to Student Senate this year, name recognition could have been a serious issue at the polls. But for a few days, the Post-It notes were everywhere in Nollen Hall, and supposedly other buildings as well. And while the notes which said “Louise for VP!” might not have been the most explanatory of her platform, they were never far from a more-detailed poster. Nice work.
Cleverest Tagline: Presidential candidate Ornis Mala’s “See the International Success.” Sure it sounds cheesy, but while a newcomer to the LFC political scene, and someone who took heat at the debate last Thursday for his lack of participation in Student Senate/GA, Ornis claims to - in fact - have a great deal of experience from his role as President of the Student Government at the American School of Kosova. And there you have the “international success.” If he can activate LFC’s sizable population of international students to support him as well, he could make an impact in the presidential bids of Noah Dion and Mario Baldassari.
Most Likely to Win Despite Minimal or Lack of Campaigning: Treasurer Chase Cook, e.Team President TJ Sargent, and Secretary Allie Winkelman.
And there you have it! Strongly disagree? Comment below or send us a Letter to the Editor at opinions@lakeforest.edu.
Staff of The Stentor, Lake Forest College’s student newspaper, speak out on issues facing them. Topics discussed include LFC issues, the city of Lake Forest, and college life in general.
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