The Ides Of March Primaries

The last Canadian election lasted 72 days and we complained about the length. In fact, it was the longest election campaign in Canada’s history since 1872. Fast forward to 2016 and our neighbours to the south find themselves in what is being dubbed: “Super Tuesday 3” or my personal favourite, “The Ides of March Primaries.”

The term Ides of March comes from the cutthroat politics of Ancient Rome. By cutthroat I mean the term is based on the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. But, it was even made more popular by George Clooney’s political drama movie of the same name.

In the film Clooney is a seemingly charming politician whose biggest un-electable factor was his atheist belief. Fast forward to 2016 that atheist belief seems so little compared to Hillary’s “god damn” emails and Donald Trump and his quest to “Make America Great Again”.

If you’re scratching your head at this point, let me help you out. As someone who follows politics more than my academic progress, I feel like I have somewhat of an authority to explain the world of American politics.

Here it goes, In Canada the leaders of our three main parties are elected by their own party nowhere close to the federal election. For example, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected leader of the Liberal Party two years before the federal election. But in the United States they elect their nominees of their parties simultaneously with the general election, because why not.

And that is what today’s primaries are all about, voters in five states vote for which candidate best represents them. What makes this particular Super Tuesday important is that this is John Kasich and Marco Rubio’s make or break day. I mean how many more Super days are left?

But in all seriousness, if Rubio’s home state of Florida or Ohio for John Kasich votes against them it could mark the end of their bid to be President.

Polls close tonight at seven, but while you wait enjoy Ides of March. George Clooney and Ryan Gosling are in it.

Correction: An earlier version of this article noted four state primaries. In fact, there was five primaries.