The Illusion of Choice: An Essay on South Park’s "Obama Wins!"

Ultimately, the characters choose Obama, not for his policies, but to save the integrity of a beloved film franchise. By equating the fate of the free world with the quality of a sci-fi sequel, South Park suggests that in modern America, consumerism and pop culture often hold more weight than democratic ideals. The episode remains a "glorious, rollicking" example of how the show uses immediate current events to craft timeless critiques of human folly.

The entry of a foul-mouthed, Darth Vader-esque Mickey Mouse shifts the conflict into a battle for intellectual property. Mickey attempts to bribe Cartman by offering him a role in the new films—specifically as "Cartman Skywalker," the son of Luke Skywalker—if he reveals the ballots that would have made Mitt Romney win. This culminates in a choice for the boys: a Romney presidency where Disney owns Star Wars , or an Obama presidency where China protects the franchise.

The narrative begins with Eric Cartman stealing thousands of ballots from swing states, effectively fixing the election for Obama. However, Cartman’s motivation isn't political; he has brokered a deal with the Chinese government. In exchange for ensuring Obama’s victory, the Chinese will receive "America's greatest asset"—the rights to the Star Wars franchise—which they intend to "protect" from the perceived creative destruction of The Walt Disney Company.