When Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump returned to the debate stage Sunday evening, everyone expected a mudslinging contest for the ages. A month from the general election, a substantive debate about the issues facing our country would have been refreshing.
However, we got something else — Kenneth Bone.
As an undecided voter, Bone knew he was tapped to sit on the debate stage, but he couldn’t have imagined the outcome of the debate.
Bone asked a great question about both candidates’ commitment to renewable energy sources and to improving the environment while maintaining current jobs in the energy industry.
Bone immediately became an internet sensation. His red sweater and lovable appearance earned him notoriety overnight. The story behind his red sweater is even better.
Bone had his favorite olive suit picked out for the debate until it ripped while he was entering his car. The red sweater, white shirt and tie was plan B for Bone.
After the culmination of the debate, Bone used a disposable camera to snap a picture of the debate stage. Add that to the list of lovable things about Bone’s endearing persona.
Bone went from seven Twitter followers to sixty thousand overnight. He appeared on television on several news outlets, including CNN.
The best part of this whole episode is the fact that Bone is a normal, relatable guy.
Millions of Americans are undecided this election cycle. Both Trump and Clinton have been proven to be dubious candidates at best. Trump has been involved in recent scandals surrounding a certain leaked audio tape, while Benghazi and Clinton’s email scandal continue to cloud her campaign.
Meanwhile, Bone and many other Americans have a tough decision on their hands.
Trump and Clinton engaged in a heated debate. However, in my opinion, there was no clear winner. Trump probably benefited more from the draw. A decent showing helped the Trump campaign weather the toughest week since the DNC.
At the end of the day, Trump is still down in the polls, and Election Day is quickly approaching.
While Trump and Clinton battered each other on stage, Kenneth Bone gave countless Americans much-needed comedic relief from the absurdity of the debate. Stealing the show from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is no small feat because many citizens view the debate for the mudslinging that ensues.
The best part of Bone’s meteoric rise to fame is that he seems to be enjoying every moment. At the end of the day, Bone has to be the debate’s winner for me. Whether this is Bone’s fifteen seconds of fame or his fame continues, Bone has taken America by storm.
This election cycle has had its twists and turns, and this anecdote has to be one of my favorites. Kenneth Bone’s rise from average citizen to sensation has taken America’s minds off of its chief electoral conundrum, and for that we thank you, Mr. Bone.
