To say the 2016 election has been a memorable one would be a monumental understatement. From emails to political memes based on candidates that spread like wildfire, this year made an election that would be anything but boring to read about in high school history class. With the election finally wrapping up, and the first presidential debate just around the corner early next week, here's a look back on 12 things that actually happened during an election with the drama to match "House of Cards" and ridiculousness to match "Veep."
1. Hillary Clinton's emails made more headlines than some candidates did.
I wish the people I emailed paid as much attention to my emails as the world did to Hillary's.
2. Donald Trump really wanted people to know that his hands are not small.
Back in February, Senator Marco Rubio spoke to a crowd in Virginia and made a jab directed at Trump, commenting on the small size of his hands. Trump did not take this well, commenting multiple times and through multiple outlets that his...hands are not small.
3. Ted Cruz uncomfortably chooses to not endorse Donald Trump at the RNC...
4. ...But then chose to endorse Trump months later.
While Senator Ted Cruz chose not to endorse the Republican nominee back in July, citing instead that people should "vote their conscience," apparently his conscience was changed. On September 23, Cruz endorsed Trump.
5. Even animals wanted to be included in the political revolution.
In March when the Vermont Senator spoke in Portland, a bird unexpectedly flew toward Sanders and perched itself upon his podium, the bird certainly thought these issues were something to chirp about.
6. Ben Carson misses his cue for a GOP debate and doesn't fail to make the situation awkward.
Due to audio malfunctions, Carson missed his cue to enter the stage for a February GOP debate and managed the make the situation extremely awkward. Throughout the entire process of the other candidates making their way on stage, Carson stood still and stoically, waiting to hear his name that had already been called.
7. Jeb Bush asked an audience to clap for him.
Poor, poor Jeb. Somewhere in between being endlessly insulted by Donald Trump while constantly embarrassing himself, Bush managed to make me feel sorry for him. While speaking at a rally in February, Bush politely asked the crowd to applaud him, it's okay Jeb.
8. Melania Trump plagiarizes Michelle Obama at the RNC.
While speaking at the Republican National Convention in July, Melania Trump's speech seemed oddly familiar to viewers and listeners. Not for its rhetoric or emotion, but because it included phrases spoken by Michelle Obama back in 2008. The linkage of Obama's speech to Trump's is not just through similar wording, but replication of Obama's exact wording.
9. Donald Trump still doesn't believe President Obama is a natural born American.
Back in 2011, Donald Trump expressed his suspicion over the legitimacy of President Obama's citizenship. Trump went even as far to say that he would like to see the President's birth certificate, and when that was presented Trump wanted more. More translating to even wanting to see President Obama's passport. However, after bringing up even more, speculation this election cycle, on September 16, Trump admitted his belief in Obama's natural born American citizenship.10. Gary Johnson doesn't know what Aleppo is.
The Libertarian candidate has little to his name when it comes to media and press attention, unfortunately for Johnson, when this attention finally did come, it was not good press. In a September MSNBC interview, Johnson was asked what he would do concerning Aleppo if he were to be elected. To this, Johnson asked what Aleppo was and was promptly met with a reaction of shock. Aleppo happens to be the most critical place and center of the Syrian refugee crisis.11. Late Night TV couches were filled with candidates more than ever.
12. Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump in classic Sarah Palin fashion.
Just in case you ever wondered what happened to Sarah Palin, she sure made sure you would remember her now. All the way back in January, Sarah Palin made an appearance alongside the now Republican nominee to endorse him. She did this in a way that only Sarah Palin really could. From delivering lines like "Trump and his Trumpeters," to stating that she believes that President Obama actually refers to enemies by calling them, enemies. At some point during her speech, you have to wonder if she was endorsing a candidate or making a very candid attempt to audition for "Hamilton."
