The Sunday night premiere of Game of Thrones season 5 wasn’t just a television event. It was also an opportunity for brands to use themed advertisements to grab people’s attention. But the best Game of Thrones-related tweet during last night’s premiere came not from a company, but from a soon-to-be presidential candidate trying to gin up excitement for his campaign.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) plans to announce his campaign at 6pm ET on Monday. Although former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton‘s Sunday announcement was still the top story, Rubio wanted in on the attention as well. So he tweeted a Game of Thrones-style tease: “Big News is Coming.”
The Democratic National Committee, the party’s central organization, quickly responded with a savvy Westerosi attack.
.@marcorubio: He reaches for water, but we're breaking out the Arbor red. pic.twitter.com/O6ATmGumkE
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
The Democrats’ response incorporates a house slogan that parodies a heavily mocked Rubio moment, plus a reference to Arbor red, one of the most popular wines in the Seven Kingdoms.
Perhaps the word “thirst” is also a reference to Rubio’s attempt to grab the national spotlight. The move did appear to some to be a bit thirsty.
This tweet was actually part of a series of Game of Thrones-style attacks on current and likely Republican presidential candidates that the DNC rolled out during the premiere.
The GOP contenders can’t hide from who they are — but when they play the Game of Votes, they'll either say or do anything to win.
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
Not even the Iron Bank of Braavos could afford a 24 billion gold dragon government shutdown. pic.twitter.com/JYOjAC70uG
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
You think you can beat the white walkers just because you took on some teachers? You know nothing. pic.twitter.com/i6Nj2w6FTu
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
Time for some traffic at the Twins. pic.twitter.com/dCfCyK6TSY
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
His own man? More like “President Bush, the third of his name.” pic.twitter.com/qEKAxZh1LR
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
There's Robert Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, and… who was that third one again? pic.twitter.com/7KOSfIBZDn
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
By saying one thing and doing another, he's about as honest and trustworthy as Littlefinger. pic.twitter.com/UhcKAa9Kmo
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
Note the reference here to trustworthiness, which Paul has made a central tenet of his early attacks against Clinton.
If he gets his way, the next great dynasty of Westeros will be Duck. pic.twitter.com/8aK5IQOh0W
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 13, 2015
Photo via Gage Skidmore/Flickr (CC BY SA 2.0)