Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Fluttershy

 




Fluttershy, October 10, 2010 (Pawtucket, R.I.) -

VP candidate for Independent (2012)

Running mate with nominee: Rainbow Dash (b. 2010)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic was an animated television series that ran from 2010-2019 and in part gained an unusual cult following from adults who call themselves "bronies" or "pegasisters." Even if you have have not been exposed to the TV presentations, it is hard to ignore the copious Internet memes and references to this franchise. The My Little Pony toy products originated with Hasbro in 1981, the multinational conglomerate based in Pawtucket, R.I. Their "4th Generation" of the line, launched in 2010, presented several new characters.

My formative years were spent on a farm where we raised Shetlands, so I know a bit about little ponies, but the equines in this series are more than earthly as they are gifted with magical powers.

American capitalism and fandom being what it is, of course this commercial interest would have fictitious candidates running for President as a promotional device. Almost all of the My Little Ponies ran for President 2012-2020, but seldom with a running-mate, er, trotting-mate. Rainbow Dash, a blue pegasus who possesses the ability to somehow control the weather ran for President in 2012 with a VP, Fluttershy. Another pegasus, Fluttershy's chief personal attributes are kindness and empathy. She ran for President herself in 2012 and 2016 but apparently without a Vice-President.

Rainbow Dash's Tumblr campaign blog began in Jan. 2012 and lapsed into some serious commentary on one occasion--

Dash Slams Gingrich on Affair

In response to Newt Gingrich’s answers to the first question of the Southern Republican Presidential Debate, Rainbow Dash released the following statement:

    As the Element of Loyalty, I think it is totally not cool that he thinks he can get away with this. This is the man that tore down Bill Clinton for the Monica Lewinski scandal, and now he’s trying to tell us that these are just attacks by the liberal media? It’s ridiculous. He’s cheated on two women already, so how does he expect anypony to think he won’t cheat on our country? It’s disgraceful.


Fluttershy was added to the ticket on Aug. 14, 2016--

We are pleased to announce that Fluttershy has officially accepted an offer to be Rainbow Dash’s running mate this election. Her gentleness and kindness will go a long way to helping mend a fractured Congress and a polarized nation

Election history:
2012 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2016 - US President (Independent) - defeated

Other occupations: fictitious character

Notes:
I wonder how she fared in the Gallop Poll?