Oliver Rawlings Asks: Why Does the World Love Orange is the New Black?

A hit with critics and fans alike, Orange is the New Black has practically taken over the world of television, and this week, Oliver Rawlings explores what is it about the show that has the world hooked.

Prison is the New Black

Welcome to Orange is the New Black. This show is based on the real life story of Piper Kerman; a self-professed ‘yuppie,’ who went to a minimum security federal prison in Connecticut for a ten year old drug offence, which involved her laundering money for her ex-girlfriend.

The show itself uses Kerman’s experiences as a premise, with the character of Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) serving a year in Litchfield Penitentiary for a similar charge, along with ex-girlfriend Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). However it goes further, exploring the lives of Litchfield inmates such as Red (Kate Mulgrew), Crazy Eyes (Uzo Adoba) and Nikki (Natasha Lyonne), among many others.

Orange Humanises the World of Women’s Prison

The show has been heralded for many reasons including its smart writing, it’s take no prisoners attitude and its realistic, yet comedic portrayal of the injustices of the American correctional system. However there are several reasons why I believe it’s struck a chord with viewers.

One has to be the cast of well-fleshed out characters. We begin with Chapman, but soon we see the story of other Litchfield inmates through a series of flashbacks, with every episode focused on a specific Litchfield woman.

These flashbacks humanise them. They make us see these women not as prisoners, but as people in their own right, and more to the point, people we can identify with. Ay successful show is based on having relatable characters, and the fact the Orange has so many, is undoubtedly the reason why so many people are watching.

We’re All Fascinated by Chapman and Vause

Another has to be the relationship between Chapman and Vause, a fan favourite if there ever was any. Of course a lesbian relationship in and of itself has the ability to hook an audience, considering the current trajectory of the LGBT rights movement, especially stateside. This is obviously a part of why so many people love it.

But I would argue it’s so much more. Whatever the gender, people are fascinated with complex relationships. It doesn’t get more complex than these two former lovers, as they betray each other practically every other moment whilst confined to Litchfield. You never know which way it’s going to go, and that uncertainty has the audience coming back for more.

Oliver Rawlings and the Rising Social Agenda

Finally I would argue that my last reason why people are so hooked, is the fact that the show illuminates the prison environment in a way that has never been seen stateside. Orange has the potential to explore the serious abuse of power that often takes place within the American prison system with a wry humour that doesn’t detract from it, but rather sets into stark relief just how wrong the entire system is.

These aren’t the only reasons why the world loves Orange is the New Black, however I believe that these particular ones go some way to explaining the show’s popularity, Oliver Rawlings readers. Essentially, this show is providing a new perspective into a number of key issues and as the viewing figures show, that is something audiences are chomping at the bit to find in today’s world.

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Oliver Rawlings Asks: Why Is that Dude Attacking So Many Celebrities?

With the news that celebrity prankster Vitalii Sediuk supposedly carried out another celebrity attack last week, this time on A-List superstar Brad Pitt, this week I ask on the Oliver Rawlings blog, why is that dude attacking so many celebrities?

A Crack in the Polished Celebrity Image

I admit, there’s something uncomfortably delightful about seeing a celebrity get all ruffled and out of control on the red carpet. Normally, they’re so composed, so in control. Naturally, that is because they’re in the glare of the media spotlight, and to make a mistake would be to effectively damn their own careers.

However when a celebrity does slip up, it’s simply glorious for the rest of us. Who could ever forget that time Kanye West dissed Taylor Swift in favour of Beyoncé at the MTV Awards, or that time Jarvis Cocker invaded the stage during a truly self-indulgent Michael Jackson performance. That time I would fully argue that Cocker actually did the rest of us all a huge favour.

Vitalii Sediuk: A Step Too Far

But I would argue that Vitalii Sediuk- a Ukrainian man who seems to have made it his mission in life to show us the ugly side of celebrities – has gone too far. This latest incident saw him honest to god punch Brad Pitt in the face. We’ve all thought it, but none of us would actually do it!

However this really isn’t the first time, it’s one of many. He’s also known as the man who got slapped by Will Smith on another red carpet after he kissed him, who tried to climb under America Ferrara’s dress and who invaded the stage as Adele was accepting her Grammy Award.

Oliver Rawlings on the Impracticality of Perfection

So why’s he doing it? On the face of it, it seems like he’s obviously got a screw loose. The only person he’s really embarrassing is himself, and if he isn’t facing criminal charges already (I’m pretty sure he might be) then he certainly will be soon enough. Celebrities’ honour is at stake here people!

However, I would argue that no matter how painfully stupidly he’s going about this, he’s making a valid point. That point, in my opinion, is about the impracticality of perfection. Even Brad Pitt can get riled.

It’s a valuable lesson for society to learn, considering how we unrealistically hold the celebrity case up on a pedestal, then rip them down when we fall off. That is why that dude is attacking celebrities!

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You Can Now Ask Google to Forget You!

Tech blogs practically blew up last week, as the highest EU court ruled that ordinary people have a ‘right to be forgotten’ on Google. What could this mean going forward?

Google Rankings and Online Reputation

Oliver Rawlings blog readers, whether you like it or not, until this moment you haven’t really had too much control over what showed for your name on Google. If you did something stupid years ago and somebody wrote about it, it would be up there, and unless it was defamatory, there wasn’t much you could do to get rid of it.

Naturally, this made a lot of people angry, as silly mistakes that they had long left behind came back  to haunt them in later life, often stopping them from getting jobs, securing business etc. This could now be a thing of the past, at least in the EU, thanks to the case that established the ‘right to be forgotten.’

The Case That Established the ‘Right to be Forgotten’

The case itself was lodged by a Spanish citizen who asserted that an auction notice on his repossessed home that featured on Google invaded his privacy. He said that a search for his name brought up newspaper articles of the auction from 16 years ago that were outdated and no longer relevant.

From there, the case pitted the Spanish mans right to privacy against Google’s legendary endorsement of blanket freedom of speech. It went all the way to the highest EU court, The European Union Court of Justice.

Google lost. In its ruling, the court found that Google must remove search results when specifically asked to by ordinary people, in cases where it is “outdated” or “irrelevant.” The exceptions lie in the concept of public interest, so an active politician, for example, would not be eligible, because the public has an interest in their prior conduct.

The Removal Exodus Has Begun

The ramifications of this ruling are already hitting home. The BBC reported that it had found that one ex politician has already lodged removal requests. Going forward at the moment, it means that you can use the normal Google Removal tool to request the search engine take down data falling under the rulings remit.

We have no idea how this is going to play out yet, but one thing is clear. As far as the EU goes, the days of absolute Google rule are coming to an end!

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Is Reality TV Dying?

Look at the ratings for reality TV Shows lately. They’re a mess; they’re certainly not drawing in the hordes of viewers that they use to. As someone who finds media trends fascinating, I wanted to explore this week whether reality TV is dying a slow painful death.

Reality TV is a loose label for the media genre. What generally tends to happen is that the show chronicles the life of real people as they have constructed roadblocks thrown into their path. So why did it grow to be so popular in the first place?

The Rise of a Juggernaut

The late 90’s saw a creativity vacuum in the media industry that resulted in the birth of reality based programming. We started off with flagship shows like Big Brother, Pop Idol and The X Factor, which drew in millions every week.

In my opinion these shows worked because we believed in the struggles of what people were going through. When Leona won the X Factor, we believed that she’d worked to earn the title and when Nadia became the first transgender woman to clinch the Big Brother crow, we felt a though we’d helped both her and society at large to embrace tolerance and diversity.

That was the whole idea of the genre; it showcased ordinary people and we watched how their lives changed forever. We identified with these people because of their humanity. We got to know them and we cared about them.

A Lack of Humanity

However as the decade wore on, we got a stiff introduction to the next generation of reality show. These are shows in the Jersey Shore mould; Towie, Made in Chelsea, Gordie Shore (gag!) etc.

Suddenly, we weren’t watching people we could identify with work towards a dream or travel the road to self-realisation. We were watching privileged brats drink their lives away. We couldn’t identify with these people and stopped believing in their innate humanity. We stopped caring.

Oliver Rawlings readers, reality TV is dying and that is because we have stopped caring about and identifying with who we are watching. Even the people we once identified with have been changed by fame. We no longer see ourselves in them as they stumble out of Funky Buddha at three in the morning. It’s not reality anymore.

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Top Five Part Hotspots for summer 2014

With the weather finally heating up, we’re all getting ready to jet off for some fun in the sun and if you’re clueless about where to party this year, I suggest you check out my top five party hotspots for summer 2014!

You’re young, you’re a professional, you’ve got a tonne of expendable cash and you’d kill for a good night out. You’re sick and tired of the British club scene and you want a chance to indulge in some banging beats away from the home stead.

Lucky for you, summer is the perfect time to rock until the break of dawn, as tourist hotspots everywhere gear up to provide you with the party of the century. If you’re spoilt for choice, which party’s right for you?

1)   Ibiza: The veritable party capital of the world, this birthplace of the modern dance scene is a staple with revellers from all four corners of the world. A regular home to DJs, singers, bands etc. Ibiza famous superclubs such as Pacha, Space, Privilege and Ibiza Rocks give you the chance to bounce along to cool trance beats until the break of dawn.

2)      Goa: Famous as a haven for those of you out there into the rave scene, Goa may have enacted stricter laws on dance bars last year, but don’t be fooled, it’s still a major draw for the international party set. The world leader in silent discos, this centre of free love is the perfect place to party ‘til to you drop this summer!

3)      Mykonos: An idyllic Greek Island sat in the heart of the Mediterranean, Mykonos comes alive in the summer months, particularly in August, as Europe shuts down and gets ready to rock! Called the Ibiza of the Greek islands, Mykonos is a dream – all sun soaked skylines, sleek modern clubs and raves that rock from midday to midday! If you want to catch the world’s best DJ’s make sure you check out the Paradise club!

4)     New Orleans: If you’ve got a little extra cash, you might want to fork out for a trip to New Orleans – you won’t be disappointed. A city famous for its rich culture tapestry and anything goes attitude, its home to the party to end all parties – Mardi Gras. This week of sheer hedonism is reason alone to head over to the Louisiana city this summer!

5)     Amsterdam: Amsterdam has long been touted as the world’s coolest city, and it’s a reputation that’s truly deserved. A short trip by ferry or plane can see you partying hard in the city’s infamous Rembrandtplein party district, and in Amsterdam, it literally never stops as the city is known for its 24 hour bashes!

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Mrs Doubtfire 2: It’s Happening!

Films buffs everywhere cheered last week as it was announced that classic Robin Williams fronted comedy Mrs Doubtfire is headed for a sequel. Why did we love the first film as much as we did and can we expect from this belated second instalment?

A 90’s Classic

Any kid growing up in the 90’s saw Mrs Doubtfire at some point in their young lives, it was practically mandatory viewing for the post Generation X set, and the light mix of comedy and heart inspired kids everywhere to learn that their parents are people too, a valuable lesson to remember through your mixed up teenage years.

Mrs Doubtfire tells the story of San Francisco based, recently unemployed voice actor and devoted father Daniel (Williams), whose wife Miranda (Sally Field) asks for a divorce due to his irresponsible and immature nature.

She won’t let him watch his own kids, but when he learns that Miranda plans to hire a housekeeper to do the job, he has a spark of inspiration. He adopts the drag persona of Mrs Euphegenia Doubtfire, and takes the job. What follows is a hilariously touching tale of a fathers struggle to prove himself to his ex and his children.

So why do 90’s kids everywhere love Mrs Doubtfire? I can think of several reasons…

· Drag: Robin Williams in drag as a Scottish nanny is simply too funny for words!

· Sally Field: An accomplished actress, Field brings a sense of gravitas to a story that might otherwise have been too rooted in its comedic nature.

· Real Life: Drag aside, this is a tale that a lot of children growing up in the 90’s could relate to. After all, two in three couples divorce now and many of their families struggle to deal with the aftermath.

· Cutting Edge: It’s was actually ahead of it’s time for Hollywood – the idea of a straight man in drag was pretty unheard of in this market before Doubtfire, and it hit home with a new, more tolerant generation.

The Curse of the Sequel

So is the second instalment of the classic comedy going to work, Oliver Rawlings readers? There is the curse of the sequel to contend with, but I think it could work, and here’s why.

It’s being directed by legendary Harry Potter director Christopher Columbus, who will no doubt bring his A-game to the film and it is so long after the first film came out, that the market hasn’t been saturated. People are ready for Euphegenia once again!

It’s a while until Mrs Doubtfire 2 is set to hit cinema screens – it’s not even in production yet, but I’ll be waiting anxiously to see whether the second film will be just as beloved as it’s legendary predecessor.

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The Rise of Wearable Technology

As a major tech buff, there are few trends that excite me as much as the wearable tech trend that has gripped the market over the past year or so. How might this trend play out and what could it mean for the future of smart devices?

A few years ago, I’m sure you were all like me, Oliver Rawlings readers. I was simply amazed at how quickly smartphone technology was moving, how it seemed to be diversifying every day. Suddenly you could bank with your phone, you could online date with it, you could even use it to get a (somewhat) accurate weather report.

What a difference a few years makes. Smartphones are only barely a decade old and suddenly we’re all talking about wearable tech. If you’re still stuck in the IPhone age, let me break it down for you.

Wearable tech is exactly that; smart technology that acts as a piece of clothing. Commonly we see it with the Google glass, a pair of glasses frames with ‘smart’ capabilities that you can wear as you would wear real glasses. We also see it with the new smart watches which perform similar functions.

So what are we dealing with here? Well, we’re really dealing with wearable smart technology. They perform the same functions as a smartphone and have the added advantage that they are more convenient, as they are on the body, as opposed to in your pocket.

But there are kinks still to work out. Namely, people aren’t out buying Google glass in droves yet, and experts are now partly putting this down to design. That’s why plans are currently underway to produce a version of the technology with Ray Ban.

So how might this trend play out? In the short term, it could go one of two ways and it depends entirely on the consumer. Wearable tech could remain the domain of tech buffs and millionaires. However, if it is marketed and delivered in the same way that smartphones were, wearable tech could become every bit as pervasive in society as the phone that changed communication forever.

In the long term, it’s clear that exactly this will happen. It’s actually something we see fairly often with technology; CD’s replaced cassettes, which were in turn replaced by downloads etc. It’s very much a natural progression.

It says something larger about the world in which we live. The tech age has blossomed, there’s no going back. Wearable tech is yet another sign that technology is our future. 

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The Ukraine… Is it Really Over?

Anybody who’s been keeping tabs on the situation in the Ukraine at the moment will have noticed that things have finally come to a standstill. What does this mean for the future of the country considering its larger problems?

Over the course of the weekend it seems that the leaders of the Ukraine have finally come to an accord. The president was kicked out, the protesters have stopped marching and elections have been called for May.

It would seem that the situation has finally settled. However Oliver Rawlings readers I would argue that this is part of recurring problems that elections aren’t going to solve.

Ukraine has been in this position before, multiple times. I would argue that in order to solve the problem for good we need to go deeper than just calling for another election. We need to look at the basic cultural divide that haunts the Ukraine and has done for decades.

The Ukraine for a long time was either under direct Russian control or a client state of the much larger nation. Indeed for most of its life it was either a part of the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. However the west of the Ukraine has been, at other points in its history, Polish, Austrian, Hungarian etc.

This means that there’s a basic cultural divide in the country, indeed this divide is what led to the clash in the first place. The protests were sparked by the Russian friendly government after they turned down a trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Putin’s autocracy.

This is what sparked the riots. People in the East rely on Russia and when they threatened to pull away trade, the government had to protect their interests. However the people in the west of the Ukraine were hoping that EU trade deals would bring living standards more in line with those enjoyed in the west.

This is a problem that runs deeper. What will happen in May is that the Ukraine will most likely elect a EU friendly government, then things will be quiet for a time before they make a decision that’s unpopular with the other half of the country. The merry-go round goes round and round as it were.

The nation needs to address this cultural divide if it ever hopes to survive. Should it even survive?  I’m guessing that this may be a question those in the Ukraine ask themselves in the coming days and months.

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The Internet Block: Was There Even Any Point?

The British government put a new scheme blocking certain websites from being accessed into place which officially began on 1^st January 2014. A month later and people are already up in arms about what this ban is doing to their right to surf the net. With this in mind we ask was there any point in the first place?

Have you encountered this ban Oliver Rawlings readers? The chances are that you will; the funny thing is that unless you’re a regular viewer of illicit websites (not judging if you do) then you shouldn’t have.

So this brings up the question, if you don’t view these websites then why are you coming up to banned webpages. It was never meant to actually be this way; however it looks like the people who have carried out this policy have made some mistakes.

The policy was brought in by the coalition government to curb access to porn. Basically Cameron introduced legislation that required internet providers to block porn and other controversial websites. However there’s more to the policy.

Naturally the ban was put in place to protect children; they’re too young to legally be viewing such content anyway. However many have argued that it’s a sort of shaming device. This is because you have to contact the internet provider to have the ban removed.

However it’s had unintended consequences. This ban was only supposed to effect websites with content viewed as a risk. However ever since the ban has been put into place, it has effected a whole host of websites that nobody could ever consider harmful.

It’s blocked access to harmless sites such as the BBC and there’s another unintended consequence. It’s blocking access to sites that provide help and education such as sex education websites and LGBT rights websites.

It’s clear to see how this has happened; these types of sites, whilst not gratuitous, do have content that is in some way linked to adult issues. However it’s clear that there are people out there who need access to these types of websites to get the type of information they need to make sure they stay safe.

So in this way the ban hasn’t worked. Would it ever have done really? I can see where David Cameron was coming from; however blocking these sites is a violation of freedom of speech, even if it is a somewhat minimal one. Should we ever be encouraging a restriction to freedom of speech in a democratic society?

So Oliver Rawlings readers it’s not a question I’ve got an answer to. What is clear is that the current system definitely isn’t working and it needs to be reformed. Only time will tell where it all goes from here. 

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It’s Coming Up: Valentines

February has officially dawned, Oliver Rawlings readers and with it comes that most loved up of hallmark holiday, Valentine’s Day. How should you handle the day of hearts and flowers?

There’s a reason that they call it the ultimate hallmark holiday; that’s because it most certainly is. The corporations of the retail world come together to convince you that your relationship will be unable to survive unless you buy the most expensive item on the list.

I can only speak from my own experience readers, but doesn’t this kind of negate the whole point of Valentines? This may seem odd but keep up with me here.

If you go around splashing the cash then it makes sense that eventually this is going to eat into your bank balance. If your bank balance only has a certain amount (like with most people) then eventually it’s going to drain it if your partner has particularly expensive taste.

Doesn’t this go against the very idea of a relationship?  Money is one of the most common problems in this country and statistically it is one of the most common causes of stress. Stress can actually have physical side effects such as high blood pressure. These are bad for your health.

Why would someone who loves you (or at least cares for you very much) want to put you in that position? At the end of the day your health should matter to them more than whatever you’ve bought them.

I’m not saying don’t spend any money; sometimes if you have a great idea that you know will appeal to your partner, you might need some cash to carry it out.  However when it comes to Valentine’s I believe that there should be one guiding principle; it’s the thought that counts.

This brings up a more central point about the Valentine’s Day phenomenon; it’s about showing you care. Spending nothing and writing a poem with your deepest feelings in it can be just as, if not more effective than buying a diamond bracelet. It’s a day about love so how about actually communicating that love.

Valentine’s Day really is the ultimate hallmark holiday and that’s not always necessarily a bad thing. When it comes down to it Oliver Rawlings readers, concentrate on the intention behind the gift rather than the price tag it carries. 

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Canada: A Ban Too Far?

News emerged this week, Oliver Rawlings readers, that Canada banned among others things, marmite. It seems ridiculous but it’s true. What we wanted to ask this week is; is this ban too far?

Canada announced last week that it was now banning the importation or sale of several key classic British foods and drinks. Amongst others these included marmite, Irn-Bru, Ovaltine and Lucozade. However this wasn’t just some arbitrary ban, there was a reason for it.

It was done on health grounds. Basically the owner of a British store was told to stop selling the products because food officials discovered that these items contained an illegal additive. Well, at least one that’s illegal in Canada.

Subsequently the man was made to stop selling these times. However it brings up a key issue for food enthusiasts and culture warriors everywhere. How much should we be restricting certain food stuffs?

It comes at a time where more and more people are worrying about what we put into our bodies. In particular people are worried about the effects of E-Cigarettes and sugar. This is likely to add to the chorus of people who are saying that we should be enforcing stricter laws about what we put into our bodies.

This is a debate that has been raging foryears, and it’s unlikely that we’re ever collectively going to arrive at a conclusion that everybody’s happy with. It’s one that asks how much should we be a nanny state?

We are somewhat of a nanny state these days. We restrict most drugs; we also have major restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. We have these restrictions in place because we recognise, to some extent, that we have to have rules in place to protect people from themselves.

However we certainly haven’t gone as far as this before. Addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco are still legal and widely available. Sugar is laced into practically everything we eat and only Canada has banned these items; we still consume them by the bucket load.

So it’s a balancing act, which isn’t that surprising really. The real question is that now Canada has raised attention to these items, will other countries follow. Will Britain one day treat marmite as contraband? Only time will tell the answer to this question many of us never thought we’d have to ask. 

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Should ‘Get Lucky’ Have Gotten Lucky

Every so often at the Oliver Rawlings blog I like to step back from the current affairs and explore pop culture. With the Grammy Awards airing last night, I wanted to take this post to ask, should ‘Get Lucky’ have gotten lucky?

I’m asking this because Get Lucky; the Daft Punk collaboration with Nile Rodgers and Pharrell won one of the ultimate gongs; Record of the Year.

This wasn’t the only time Daft Punk got lucky on the night.  The tracks album, Random Access Memories, took home the prestigious Album of the Year award. However one of the night’s other top gongs, Song of the Year, went to New Zealand starlet Lordes for her mega hit ‘Royals.’

So what I want to ask is did get lucky deserve to indeed get lucky? Well we always knew it had the makings of a mega hit. It was the collaboration between three of the most successful acts in modern music history. Nile Rodgers in particular has been the moving force behind many hits; perhaps most notably Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin.’

So when it came out, you might have imagined that such a dream team would fall flat on its face; mega collaborations that are hyped up are often disappointments.

However this certainly wasn’t the case with Get Lucky. It was a monster hit. It topped charts all over the world, it made a lot of money and it entered the hearts and minds of people everywhere. It could very well be a top contender for the most successful record commercially in 2013.

However the Grammy’s aren’t just about commercial success. Time and time again commercial success actually hinders an acts crusade to score a Grammy; it’s almost as though they see commercial success as a badge of dishonor; as though they’re no longer worthy of being cool.

However Get Lucky wasn’t just a commercial success; it was also a critical one.  Critics around the world went crazy for it. If we’re being honest only ‘Royals’ itself saw as much critical acclaim as Get Lucky did.

So it appears that the Grammy’s really did get it right for once, and this time they actually managed to pick a track that is both critically and commercially successful. Here’s hoping that trend continues!

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What Should You Be Looking For In Christmas Television?

It really is the season now isn’t it OliverRawlings readers? You really can’t escape Christmas now. The decorations are going up all around you. The lights are beginning to blind you. You’re putting up your tree and making it look lovely. You’re really getting in the mood and preparing for the big day. When the big day rolls around you want to make sure that you really enjoy yourself. You want to make sure that all the presents are just what everybody will want. That the food is ready and waiting and will be delicious. You also want to make sure that you get the best in Christmas TV possible.

Christmas TV really does have a polarising reputation doesn’t it? On the one hand there are things that we love. There are programmes that have amazing Christmas specials. These are the ones we spend all year looking forward to.  The ones that prove iconic. Then there are the Christmas movies they play every year. The documentaries which rehash the same subject over again. The types of TV that puts you to sleep and makes you wish that the day would just end already. So how do we discern one from the other. How do we define the characteristics of good Christmas telly? Well there are a few things it has to have.

Drama: It has to hold you on the edge of your seat. It has to make your mouth dry and you heart start racing. It has to be exciting and daring and make you feel for the characters on the screen. It’s a special occasion; it makes sense then that you want to watch a story that’ll have you biting your nails and wanting more.

Comedy: Christmas has always traditionally been a time for merriment. People want to feel good about themselves. They want to enjoy the holiday and have a bit of a laugh every now and again. You need to watch something that’ll have you in stitches.  Something that really is laugh out loud funny.  It needs to have the ability to make you feel good and leave you with a warm feeling.

Balance: You need something with both drama and comedy to really make a good Christmas special. This is the telly that people are waiting for throughout the year. They don’t just want one thing. They want something that is going to tick all the boxes. This is the thing that separates the good Christmas telly from the great Christmas telly. It’s the hardest bit to get right.

Heartwarming: At the end of the day, it needs to make people feel good. It has to have them believing once again in the innate goodness of humanity. That’s what the holiday season is all about after all. 

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The Emergence of Chris Christie: Strongest Republican Candidate 2016?

Hello Oliver Rawlings fans! How have you been? I’ve been somewhat sucked in. What do I mean by this? Well I think you all know by now that I’m an avid follower of politics; I can’t help it, there’s something extraordinarily intriguing about the power plays, secrets, lies and grandstanding of politics; it’s like Hollywood on acid. That means that of course I spent last week hooked on the American off year elections. There were three races to watch; the governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey and the mayoral race in New York. What I want to talk to you today about is the New Jersey race.

Incumbent moderate Republican governor ChrisChristie won re-election by a landslide, it wasn’t even close. What’s interesting to note is that even a fair number of Democrats voted for him; the women and minorities coalition that has been credited with electing Obama to the Presidency both times somewhat went for Christie. This all seems odd remembering the fact that Christie is a Republican; he has bucked the national trends and is particularly being noted as being successful in re-election in a deeply blue state. Now many are hailing Christie as the obvious choice of Republican candidate in 2016. So, what’s the likelihood of a Christie 2016 campaign?

If Christie were to get the Republican nomination, he’d have a fighting chance, a good chance even, and that’s more than you could say for most Republican presidential hopefuls like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. That’s because Christie’s a proven moderate. Through his governorship in New Jersey Christie has proved that he can work across the aisle and work with Democrats and the American people are sick of a Tea Party backed movement that categorically refuses to work with Obama and other Democrats. Plus Christie’s approval ratings are through the roof.

However there are two reasons why Christie may have a hard time running. The first is his own party; specifically the Tea Party wing. Quite frankly; they don’t like him. Hell, these days unless you’re Ted Cruz, they don’t like you. They’re on a movement to ‘purify’ the Republican Party and they’re not letting anyone get in their way. This wouldn’t be important except they’re notorious for voting in primaries to pick candidates and going to huge efforts to oust candidates they don’t like. The Tea Party will do everything they can to stop Christie getting the nomination. If they get their way, Ted Cruz will cruise to the nomination; but he’ll lose the election. America doesn’t want a Tea Party President.

The other reason goes by the name Hillary Clinton. To be honest, she’s one of the few American politicians that could beat Christie quite easily and that’s because she’s more popular, more well-known and has access to fundraising avenues that he could only dream of. If Clinton runs, she will be America’s first female President; she’s hugely popular with the so called Obama coalition. The only silver lining to this for Christie is that nobody is sure if she is going to run yet.

In conclusion, Chris Christie is probably the best chance the Republican Party has at taking back the White House. However their tendency to pander to the Tea Party Wing means that he has a fight on his hands for the nomination. Then, after that, he better pray Hillary decides not to run; I’m pretty sure at this point she’s unstoppable. 

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