Mario for Prime Minister of Canada
by Candace Savino 
{ Nov 13th 2007 at 3:00PM }
Nintendo of Canada commissioned a survey (for bragging rights, perhaps?) to find out whether Mario or Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was more recognizable. The winner? Yep, our favorite plumber.
In the cities of Toronto, Calgary (where Harper was a Member of Parliament), and Halifax, more people could identify Mario's picture than Harper's picture. On the one hand, it's not surprising that everyone seems to know Nintendo's icon. On the other hand, however, it's embarassing for the human race in general that we can identify more with a fictional (albeit lovable) character more than our world leaders.
So, what did Nintendo of Canada have to say on the issue? The company's general manager Ron Bertram responded, "Canadian politicians are lucky Mario doesn't have his Canadian citizenship and could campaign for office." Oh, snap! Hear that, Mr. Harper? You may want to fire your campaign team and hire Nintendo's PR sector instead.
[Thanks, Ninja-bot!]
In the cities of Toronto, Calgary (where Harper was a Member of Parliament), and Halifax, more people could identify Mario's picture than Harper's picture. On the one hand, it's not surprising that everyone seems to know Nintendo's icon. On the other hand, however, it's embarassing for the human race in general that we can identify more with a fictional (albeit lovable) character more than our world leaders.
So, what did Nintendo of Canada have to say on the issue? The company's general manager Ron Bertram responded, "Canadian politicians are lucky Mario doesn't have his Canadian citizenship and could campaign for office." Oh, snap! Hear that, Mr. Harper? You may want to fire your campaign team and hire Nintendo's PR sector instead.
[Thanks, Ninja-bot!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Donald @ Nov 13th 2007 3:31PM
And unlike Harper, I'd vote for Mario's party.
Konstantino @ Nov 13th 2007 3:45PM
Umm...I hope Nintendo knows that you don't need to be born in Canada to be the Prime Minister of it, unlike the US.
DaBoy @ Nov 13th 2007 3:59PM
Mario!
No question about it, I'd accept Mario as my Prime Minister!
exolstice @ Nov 13th 2007 4:06PM
Even though Mario is a fictional character, he'd still make a better PM. However, his fondness for magic mushrooms might cost him an election.
GoodBytes @ Nov 13th 2007 5:07PM
Mario is fictional?
NOOOOOOOOooooooooo it's can't be, you lie! I hate you, go away!!
Bluebreaker @ Nov 13th 2007 5:59PM
From what I understand a lot of people just said they didn't know Harper just to snub him. That's harsh, but then again Mario IS an astronaut now so....
Dan @ Nov 13th 2007 6:16PM
Harper has been fucking Canadian cities for a long time, though. The conservative party has trouble making inroads into big cities for that reason, although they have more support in the western prairie provinces.
So there's a little more at work than just pure recognition.
hvnlysoldr @ Nov 13th 2007 6:27PM
It's like when Mickey Mouse won a California mayorship.
Mr Khan @ Nov 13th 2007 7:32PM
Or how, due to the census, Jedi Knight is an officially recognized religion in California
Jamesology @ Nov 14th 2007 4:58AM
LMAO... with all these beliefs, how much longer do they expect humans to live?
Jamesology @ Nov 14th 2007 5:01AM
Also, does anyone else get dizzy or get headaches playing Mario Galaxy? Don't get me wrong I freakin' love the game but I feel nausea when I play and I think its the camera movements and the background. I can only play for a short time.
L @ Nov 14th 2007 12:35PM
Lol! You called Stephen Harper a "world leader". Riiiiiight!