For true San Diego poliwonks, New Year’s Eve was just a warm-up act. We know many of you have been saving yourself for the real deal: Political Debate Season 2012.
Starting Friday, January 13 with the first official San Diego Mayoral Debate of 2012, we will soon be subjected to a seemingly endless series of candidate debates and it will all become a blur.
But if you are a diligent citizen, you know you should be paying attention to the debates and learning about the candidates even if they deliver nothing but a painful litany of clichés. It’s enough to drive any red-blooded voter to drink.
So why fight it? Allow me to provide instructions for the San Diego Rostra-approved Mayoral Debate Drinking Game, just in time for Friday’s debate at the U.S. Grant Hotel at 5 p.m. Cocktail hour, perfect for us.
This works best if you and three friends each choose one of the four candidates participating and play against each other. Otherwise you’re going to wind up in the emergency room with a serious case of alcohol poisoning.
If you aren’t attending in person, you can play by following the debate on Twitter. Look for the hashtag #mayor2012.
DISCLAIMER: In this litigious, risk-averse society, we must pause here to admonish anyone reading this column that it is strictly for entertainment purposes ONLY. Please drink responsibly if at all. Please do not be a dunderhead and drink and tweet/post/drive, or you will be the next person we write about on Rostra and it won’t be pretty.
Now, grab a cup and step up. Friendly amendments welcome.
Carl DeMaio
Take a sip if… DeMaio talks about pension reform.
Do a shot if… DeMaio tries to explain public-private partnerships or outsourcing.
Chug an entire bottle/six-pack if… DeMaio admits he actually has clones that stay up all night posting on Facebook and Twitter, and sending out email.
Bonnie Dumanis
Take a sip if… Dumanis mentions executive experience.
Do a shot if… Dumanis cites one of her endorsements but says she’s not the establishment candidate.
Chug an entire bottle/six-pack if… Dumanis admits she secretly wants to be Nancy Grace.
Bob Filner
Take a sip if… Filner mentions being the only Democrat in the race.
Do a shot if… Filner talks about being a civil rights activist or Freedom Fighter and going to jail in the 1960s.
Chug an entire bottle/six-pack if… Filner ever flunked you when he was a professor at San Diego State University.
Nathan Fletcher
Take a sip if… Fletcher mentions being a Marine.
Do a shot if… Fletcher explains his state redevelopment bill
Chug an entire bottle/six-pack if… Fletcher admits to being Pete Wilson’s love child.
Bonus Points
Drink if someone mentions potholes.
Drink if someone discusses his or her “vision” for the city.
Drink if someone gives a shout-out to Bill Walton.
Drink if someone brings up “Hell’s Bells.”
Drink if someone rags on organized labor.
Drink whenever someone from San Diego City Beat whines about the debate format or members of the media chosen to ask the questions.
Tipit!