Marc Hoover
By Marc Hoover

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a study suggested that Ohioans are disenchanted with today’s political scene. Voters may not think any of the potential candidates have America’s best interests at heart. Americans are facing challenging times, and we need answers. For instance, two major challenges are immigration and gun control. From now until election day, we can expect an increased exposure to political rhetoric, mudslinging, accusations, and bogus promises.

On November 8, 2016, voters will head to the polls to choose the next president. Currently, the front-runners are Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Americans can expect the largest media circus ever known in any presidential race. Besides the national news channels, voters can likely expect funny commentary from TMZ and Saturday Night Live. To get this year started, let’s play a quick game of “he said, she said.” Here are a few quotes. Without using Google, see if you can match the candidate (Trump or Clinton) to his or her quote:

1. “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”

2. “I will build a great, great, wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”

3. “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?”

4. “Frankly, Mr. Mayor, I think your new hairstyle is the right way to go. After all, in Washington, the cover-up is always worse than the truth.”

5. “Arianna Huff is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man. He made a good decision.”

6. “If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.”

7. “Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people [in office].”

8. “The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they’re not.”

9. “Many of you are well enough off that tax cuts may have helped you. We’re saying that for America to get back on track, we’re probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.”

10. “You can always tell when the Republicans are getting restless. The Vice President’s motorcade pulls into the Capitol, and Darth Vader emerges.”

11. “One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people don’t go into government.”

12. “Don’t let anybody tell you that it’s corporations and businesses that create jobs.”

13. “No. We just can’t trust the American people to make those types of choices. Government has to make those choices for people.” 

14. “I have to confess that it’s crossed my mind that you could not be a Republican and a Christian.”

15. “I love this quote; it’s from Mahatma Gandhi. He ran a gas station down in St. Louis for a couple of years. Mr. Gandhi, you still go to the gas station? A lot of wisdom comes out of that gas station.”

Although most of us make foolish comments, no one is recording them. However, political figures and celebrities aren’t offered the same courtesy. If you’re keeping score, quotes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 belong to Donald Trump while the rest belong to Hillary Clinton. As with any other presidential election, voters should always do their homework before deciding on a president. Although both candidates have made questionable comments, it’s up to the electorate to understand where their candidate stands on important issues.

Marc is a grandparent and longtime resident of Clermont County. Visit his author page at http://www.lifewithgrandpa.com.