Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s sudden boost in the polls is more obvious on Twitter than in traditional national news polls. Could the spike in positive sentiment be because of the V-neck sweater vests that Santorum routinely wears while on the campaign trail? Stranger things have happened.
While other GOP candidates make public appearances in suits, the former Pennsylvania senator has been donning sleeveless sweaters. This has inspired some parody social accounts including a @FearRicksVest Twitter account, Facebook Page, Tumblr blog and YouTube music video.
On Monday, Santorum detailed the moment when his sweater vests caught fire online during an interview on Laura Ingraham’s radio show. He said the meme began after a speech he gave at a Mike Huckabee event in Iowa in mid-December: “If there was one event that really began the moment, it was that speech,” Santorum said. “So all the sudden the sweater vest was like, ‘Fear the vest.’”
Although there’s no statistical correlation between Santorum’s poll success and the sweater vests, more Americans are gravitating toward and favoring Santorum.
What do you think about social networking’s ability to turn virtually anything into a meme? Sound off in the comments.
Here’s a sampling of places where Santorum’s sweater vests have popped up.
A Twitter account — @FearRicksVest — brought Santorum’s vest to life on Dec. 17.
Fear me…and….hear me! I’m @RickSantorum‘s sweater vest! I’m on the Iowa campaign trail w/Rick #FearRicksVest #Santorum #iacaucus
— Rick’s Sweater Vest (@FearRicksVest) December 17, 2011
Rick & I have now had over 350 events in Iowa together.I’ve been there by his side from the beginning. #iacaucus #santorum @RickSantorum
— Rick’s Sweater Vest (@FearRicksVest) December 21, 2011
According to @nytimes, I’m turning heads! Prepare! @RickSantorum could really shake up race 2Nite ht.ly/8gBHa #iacaucus #santorum
— Rick’s Sweater Vest (@FearRicksVest) January 3, 2012
The account has 350 followers at the time of writing.
YouTube
The We Pick Rick YouTube channel posted this “Sleeves Slow Me Down” music video, also on Dec. 17.
The video has 741 views so far.
Tumblr
The Fear Rick’s Vest Tumblr blog posts photos, videos, polls and tweets about, what else, Santorum’s vests.
The Fear Rick’s Vest Facebook Page mainly shares posts from Santorum’s own, official Page.
Sixty-two people “Like” the Page.
More About: 2012 presidential campaign, election 2012, memes, republicans, Rick Santorum, Twitter
