Exploring ambition through a dramatized high school presidential race
I became ambitious to a fault — willing to do whatever it took at the expense of myself and those in my life. One of my favorite satirical dramas, The Politician, depicts this moment in my life well.
Slow down, you crazy child. You’re so ambitious for a juvenile. But then, if you’re so smart tell me, why are you still so afraid? (mmmmm) This is the beginning of one of my favorite songs, “Vienna.” Whenever I listen to it, I feel as though Billy Joel is talking directly to me, telling me to slow down and take in the wonders of life (see “You Crazy Child”).
I’ve struggled with slowing down all my life. Growing up, my parents instructed me to aim for the stars. They wanted me to be the best of the best. My parents had high expectations and wanted to see me shine. The good intentions were there, but as I realized, my parents’ encouragement for me to be ambitious was an example of a good thing gone bad. I became ambitious to a fault — willing to do whatever it took at the expense of myself and those in my life.
One of my favorite satirical dramas, The Politician, depicts this moment in my life well and reflects how our overly ambitious tendencies impact the future. The Politician follows wealthy and ambitious high school student Payton Hobart who has always dreamed of becoming the President of the United States. The show explores how far Payton and his classmates are willing to go to get what they want through a treacherous and comedic high school presidential campaign. While the TV show observes a high school plot, it reflects deeper themes in the country and the flawed political system in America.
BLINDLY FOLLOWING SOCIETY
In the pilot, Payton sits in the Dean of Admission’s Office at Harvard University. He explains to the dean that Harvard is his top college, but he doesn’t seem to have strong enough convictions as to why.
“It was a waking dream. The kind that arrives in the twilight between sleep and the real world. I sat straight up in bed and said out loud, ‘I’m going to be President of the United States.’ I had that dream when I was seven years old, Dean Lawrence, and I’ve spent my entire life studying the lives of former presidents to identify common experiences and traits that led to their inevitable election victories,” Payton exclaimed.
“Why Harvard, Payton?” Dean Lawrence cajoled.
“Harvard has produced more presidents than any other school — seven.”
“Hmm, well, I appreciate that. You’re clearly a very well-prepared young man. Polished.”
“Thank you, Dean Lawrence,” Payton chimed confidently.
“But I’m not here to see the polish.”
“You’re concerned about my GPA? Because I’ve —"
“I don’t care about your grades,” Dean Lawrence interrupted. “I want to know you. The real you.”
While Payton has convinced himself that his dream is to become President of the United States, Dean Lawrence isn’t persuaded. The moment in the admissions office points out a reality in all young people; people stop dreaming of their own volition at a certain age. Instead of choosing journalism, I looked toward entrepreneurship. I traded my passions for more ‘respectable’ dreams. In this case, Dean Lawrence isn’t convinced that Payton is showing his true self; Payton loses his individuality and is just a reflection of what society wants. Throughout the series, it is unclear why Payton wants to become president. Is it because he genuinely cares about serving people? Is it because he wants to make the world a better place? Or is it because he knows people will think highly of him if he makes it? Is it because he wants to be acknowledged and respected?
The show has helped me further consider why I choose to do things. Do I do things because it’s what society wants from me? Or do I do things because I am called to them?
AMBITION CAN BRING OUT THE WORST
Early in the plot, there’s a fight between Payton and Payton’s competitor River Barkley, the most popular guy in school. River doesn’t care as much about the high school presidential race, but Payton does. When Payton hears about River’s campaign, he explodes and says nasty things. Payton represents our ugliness when we pin ourselves against someone who seems to have it better.
“Screw you. Do you not understand you’re gonna beat me? Ok? You’re better-looking than me. You’re more popular; you’re co-captain of the lacrosse team, so —" Payton yelled while pacing around the dining room.
“You’re blowing this thing way out of proportion. Payton —" River attempted to soothe.
“I’m warning you,” Payton snapped back. “Do not screw with my dream. All right? I’m on a singular path. Ok? You’re not going to get in the way, or I swear to God, I will make you pay.”
The show did a great job of dramatizing this relatable scene. Payton’s ambition brings out his dark side, which is seen consistently throughout the series. Soon after this scene, River unexpectedly commits suicide and passes before election day. While Payton goes on and becomes president, part of his heart wonders what it would’ve been like if River were still around, no matter the election outcome. Payton doesn’t say it explicitly, but it’s implied that he has regrets: was it truly worth blowing up?
LOSING YOURSELF
Throughout the show, it’s hard to gauge who Payton really is. He seems like an insecure, unsatisfied, and confused student, much like I was in high school. He often has to reenergize and encourage himself.
“Well, this is the true me,” Payton said unconvincingly. “This is who I am. I’m a winner. I’m gonna win at all costs. I know what my future’s gonna be, and I know how to get there. And I will not be stopped.”
But while he encourages himself, he seems to lose himself little by little each time. The ambition slowly eats away at his soul. Once it chews up your soul, what’s the point of winning? Can you ever really win?
DOING THINGS YOU’RE NOT INTERESTED IN
I’ve played this scene repeatedly because I seriously felt every line written in the monologue. Payton opens up his first college admission letter from his top university.
“This came for you,” Payton’s mom handed him a slim white envelope with a crimson insignia. “Open it.”
“Waitlisted,” Payton croaked.
“Sweetheart.”
“A lifetime of focus and planning, carefully studying applications obtained on the black market in order to pinpoint the exact combination of extracurricular and test scores that would optimize my chances of acceptance,” Payton screamed. “Three years of that stupid literary magazine. Model UN. And service-oriented summer camp in Costa Rica. Flipping Mandarin.”
“They haven’t said no,” his mother reassured.
“This is worse. This is worse than no,” he cried. “This is. This is, ‘Let’s wait and see if we find anybody better.’ This is, ‘Even if we take you, you’re our second choice.’ Why didn’t — why didn’t they want me?”
I remember crying and laughing harder than ever when I first watched this scene. I was Payton. Like Payton, I blindly followed what society wanted. Payton and I never went to our dream schools. My ambition brought out the worst in me when I started comparing my successes to those of my friends. I lost myself. I started doing things I wasn’t interested in.
I was taught to be ambitious because it is good to challenge oneself and strive for better. After all, if no one did, we wouldn’t have all the incredible new advancements today. But, like anything, too much of a good thing can become harmful. I took my ambition too far at the expense of myself and those around me. I wanted to prove myself and make my mark. I’ve realized instead that I don’t need to have everything because nothing on this earth will ever be enough. In this life, I want to contribute in any way I can by first loving others and pursuing things that make the world a more welcoming place.
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