The US Presidential Election in London
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The entire world seems to have come down with US election fever and London certainly hasn’t been spared. You’re now just as likely to overhear someone discussing Sarah Palin’s latest faux pas as the weather. And let’s face it – the candidates are a whole lot more exciting than Gordon Brown.
Even though London won’t be casting their vote in the US presidential race in November, we can still feel like we’re part of the action. Pick you favourite candidate below to discover where to go in London to feel like you’re part of this historic political circus.
Sarah Palin
She may not be able to defend her running mate’s political position, or, for that matter, construct complete sentences, but gosh darn it she’s just the cutest thing and a hockey mom to boot. Have a drink in honor of her home state of Alaska at The Moose.
The Moose, which looks like a white wooden shed from the outside, is decorated with antlers and animals skins. We’re not sure if Sarah has contributed any wolf carcasses from her helicopter shooting sprees but with cheap pints and music every night of the week, it’s worth swinging by to take a look.
Just like Sarah Palin, the Moose seems like quite a healthy institution and even if your old standard pub dies, the Moose will still be there.
Joe Biden
To show your support for, and better understand, this VP candidate pundits have labeled as arrogant and a Washington insider, what better way than to take a guided tour of the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand? Given the first working Monday or Tuesday of each month, you can take a look at the hallowed halls of British law as seen by those who work there on a day-to-day basis.
For the full government insider experience, be sure to ask about the secret corridor while on the tour.
If that doesn’t do it for you, swing by any pub showing NASN to catch an American Football game. Don’t worry, most American’s don’t know the rules either.
John McCain
The Elephant Man, now playing at the Broadway Theatre is “a new version of the life of John Merrick, the hideously deformed man rescued and transformed into a favourite of Victorian high society.” Replace “Merrick” with McCain, “deformed” with old and “Victorian” to American and you’ve got a spot on description of the Republican nominee. Add to that the fact that the elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party and you start to wonder if this play was penned for Mr. McCain himself.
Don’t worry, even for this high brow theatre you don’t need to have seven cars and six houses – tickets are a cool £8. Totally worth it unless, of course, certain budget initiatives McCain voted for plunge us into a depression.
Barack Obama
Hales Gallery opens their newest exhibition on October 15, The Freedom Centre: This Show Will Change Your Life. Just like Obama’s campaign message, it sounds great on paper or in a speech but for both the art show and the presidential candidate, it’s a bold claim we’re just not sure can be backed up. For something a little less idealistic to support this darling of the US election, swing by Streak of Black Lightning for some rock, soul, doo wop and pints and cocktails.
We’re all for change, but this is London – we’ll take alcohol over change any day.
Still unsure of which candidate to support? Get the X-rated comedy recap of the election when American comedian Sarah Silverman rolls into town or take a more cultured look at the country in question with My America at the HOST Gallery. Whatever America decides on November 4, we can be sure that here in London there’s plenty of art, theatre, music and, of course, pints to carry us through another four years.
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