‘Game of Thrones’ Real-Life D.C. Counterparts: Election 2016 Edition
As a wise woman once said: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” What holds true in HBO’s hit fantasy series also resonates in Washington D.C. politics, of course, where the field of contenders has narrowed from a ridiculous many to a powerful few. And like the drama’s many battles for the Iron Throne, election year campaigning can be a real bastard. The possibility of contested tickets mean the Democratic and Republican conventions run the risk of getting nasty, with party loyalties immolating like dragonfire setting ablaze the Dothraki Sea.
As we once again look to Westeros to help us make sense of it all, consider the many resemblances between the main players squaring off on our nation’s political stage, and the strategists scheming to gain power in Game of Thrones. Like the race for President, the show has its partisan power-player endgame in sight — and both of these notions of finality fill us with an unshakeable sense of dread for vastly different reasons. Winter/November is coming. Brace yourself.
Daenerys Targaryen/Hillary Clinton
This comparison is a no-brainer: Clinton announced her candidacy on April 12, 2015 – the same day Game of Thrones‘ fifth season premiered — and Larry Wilmore dubbed her the ‘Mother of Dragons’ soon after, pointing out that Dany and the former first lady’s political ascents were quite similar. What’s more, Khaleesi and Clinton lead analogous political lives even now: Each is beloved by her most loyal supporters, while their political rivals desire nothing less than their utter destruction. Where Dany has her dragons, Clinton’s ultimate trump card is political experience. (It’s no “dracarys,” but it’s more than the other guy can claim.) And they do love their armies and ships!
Both similarly suffer in the likability department, however. Hillary is still haunted by Benghazi, and a federal investigation of her usage of personal email account is ongoing. And Dany’s dragons may not inspire much awe among those who remember her dear old dad’s predilection for roasting people alive. Some will simply refuse to be led by another Targaryen, or another Clinton.
Yet both ladies also have the numbers on their side, if Nate Silver’s latest stats are to be believed. There’s a lot of water to cross between now and November, but like Ms. First of Her Name, Clinton appears to be sailing with fair wind and following seas.