Politics on TV Mirroring Life

Above: Many are noticing the similarities between the Clintons and the Underwoods. Stock Photos.
Above: Many are noticing the similarities between the Clintons and the Underwoods. Stock Photos.

By JERRY HOFFMAN
Staff Writer

*WARNING: Contains Spoilers for “House of Cards”*

After only three seasons, the Netflix original TV series “House of Cards” has become one of the most popular television series in the country. The series focuses on the two main characters, Frank (Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Robin Wright) Underwood, as they fight to gain revenge on those who have betrayed them in Washington D.C.

The constant battle fought by the Underwood’s eventually lead them to the White House as President and First Lady of the United States. Given the popularity of the show, fans of the series and American politics began comparing the Underwoods to another powerful American family, the Clintons.

Comparing Frank Underwood and former President Bill Clinton may seem excessive or extreme due to Frank Underwood’s total ignorance regarding the law. While Underwood commits murder and various other crimes during the show, their overall political views and agendas seem relatively similar. In a very broad sense, both Underwood and Clinton are Democrats, meaning that if in office at the same time, they likely would have shared similar opinions on many topics.

Another former President that Underwood could be compared to is President Abraham Lincoln. In order to save the Union, Lincoln broke multiple constitutional laws, which is also something Underwood is not afraid to do in House of Cards.

“Remember, Lincoln did break the law to save the union. He deeply believed in the Constitution and yet repeatedly turned his back on it to save it,” said Spacey. “How can a man who is willing to let 600,000 Americans die and willing to turn his back on the Constitution at the same time deeply believe in that document? And obviously he did, but that paradox and hypocrisy is also his brilliance. He did not allow himself to be limited by the rules.”

Spacey understood that this show, if made popular, could have political impacts. Therefore, to play the part of Frank Underwood successfully, he had to have a broad
understanding of American politics.

“Starting with Bill Clinton and going up to Obama, the Democratic Party of today looks very much like the Republican Party of the 1970s,” said Spacey after being asked why Frank Underwood is a Democrat. “Someone like Francis Underwood is willing to ride the wave of that change and adapt with the times of the changing parties, and to exploit that change for his benefit.”

Another aspect of Underwood that cannot be overlooked in his comparison to former President Clinton is his wife and the First Lady, Claire Underwood.

Throughout the first three seasons, Claire and Frank lean on each other to build their political empire much like the Clintons.

While they are very supportive of their husbands, both Claire and Hillary have political motivations of their own, which are to rival or surpass their husbands in office, as Hillary Clinton has run for President in the past and there are rumors stirring that Claire may be running for President in season four of House of Cards.

Claire and Hillary also share the trait of having unmatched confidence in a field of work which, historically, has been held by men. Both refuse to be bullied or intimidated into believing that they are not capable of doing just as good or even a better job than men do involving politics.

Jerry Hoffman

Jerry Hoffman is a senior studying public relations and multimedia journalism. Originally from just outside of Philadelphia, he became interested in writing throughout the four years he spent attending Lansdale Catholic High School. Aside from being a staff writer for iPulse, Hoffman is a resident assistant in Freiburger Residence Hall here at Lynn.

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