Memorable moments of the 2012 election

November is here, and with it comes that one day that we all love and hate: Election Day. It is time once again to see who will be in the White House the next four years. Though we are all going to miss these past few months leading up to Nov. 6, let us bid the election adieu by looking back and reflecting on some of the more memorable moments of the campaign.

Name play – Throughout the entire year, both candidates have made use of one another’s names in ways that most never imagined possible. First, President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was dubbed “Obamacare.” Then, Governor Mitt Romney’s health-care plan in Massachusetts became known as “Romneycare.” What started as an effort to easily label the candidates’ health-care differences escalated into such things as “Obamaloney” and “Romnesia.” One has to wonder who in the world thought up this stuff, and are they seriously getting paid to do it?

Big Bird – While debating with President Obama at the University of Denver, Gov. Romney stated, “I like PBS. I love Big Bird. Actually, I like you, too,” (talking to the moderator, poor Jim Lehrer of PBS “NewsHour), “but I’m not going to… keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.” Uh oh. The Republican nominee just dragged Big Bird into the scene. With that comment in mind, a new television ad for the Obama campaign was released jam-packed with sarcasm. The ad, actually endorsed by President Obama, mocks Romney for being the only one willing to take down the true enemy to America: Big Bird.

“I take that back.…” – Both candidates have said at least one thing they will both regret. Obama kicked it off by saying in a speech, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that.” What he meant to say is that the infrastructure provided by the government is essential to business success, but what a candidate says does not always come out the way they intend. Since then, Romney’s campaign has made full use of the blunder by using the slogan “We Built It.” As everyone knows, however, even Romney has his moments. A candid video of Romney at a fundraiser in Florida reveals him blasting the “47 percent” who will, no matter what, vote for Obama. “These are people who pay no income tax,” Romney said in the video. “My job is not to worry about those people.” In an apparent effort to repair the damage done, both candidates have said they regret the wording they used in these situations.

Late night TV – Thanks to such shows as “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” and “The Daily Show,” there was hardly a serious moment throughout this election year. From Jon Stewart mocking Romney and Obama’s agreements on foreign policy in the final debate to Fallon’s skit about the presidential candidates watching their respective vice presidential candidates duke it out, our trusty shows never ceased to entertain amid tiresome political jargon.

Best singing voice – Finally, there is one important thing that should determine who will claim the presidency: music. In January, Obama, speaking at the famous Apollo Theater, sang a line from the Al Green song “Let’s Stay Together.” Our commander-in-chief cheerfully, and with some soul, sang, “I…I’m so in love with you…” Alas, he was not the only one. Romney graced an audience at a rally in Florida with his rendition of “America the Beautiful.” While silly, it was certainly nice to see (and hear) the presidential candidates bring a little music into their campaigns, although I am sure some voice lessons could prove helpful for both.

There were plenty more memorable moments from this election year, but these five best sum up the attitude, spirit and downright ridiculousness of the 2012 election season. Vote today, and may the best candidate win.