More Canadians recognise Mario than the President

Gothic Girl | November 16, 2007 | News | Nintendo 64 Wii

An interesting survey has recently been conducted in Canada, showing that more Canadians recognise Nintendo's chubby little mascot, Mario, over the Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harper.

Apparently only 47% of the people surveyed could recognise a photo of Prime Minister Harper, (depsite the image also having the Canadian flag behind him), whereas 78% immediately recognised an image of Mario.

We're not sure if it's a testament to Nintendo's popularity or yet another sign of voter apathy, but a Harris/Decima survey found that more Canadians can identify a photo of flagship character Mario than they could current Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose held that post since January of 2006.

Of course, this Nintendo-commissioned survey just happens to coincide with the release of Mario Galaxy. We don't think the game company's Canadian branch will be receiving a Christmas card from Harper this year. Then again, if Canadian politicians are looking to cater to the much-coveted gamer demographic, perhaps they should lobby to undo this last-minute Rock Band delay.

19 comments | go to source (gamepolitics.com) | Add to favorites!

favourite this article |

send to friend

79	Tecmo President Yoshimi Yasuda resigns - Itagaki had a hand in it? (7) August 20, 2008
120	Bungie president unhappy about Microsoft delaying their game reveal at E3 08 (14) July 24, 2008

Comments

Comments with -10 or lower "thumbs" are removed from display.

0 thumbs!
Catboy14 | November 17, 2007

This really confused me. At first I thought you meant more Canadians recognize Mario than the President can. "Well duh, the Prime Minister is only one person, how could he recognize Mario more than the entire Canadian population? That doesn't make sense."
0 thumbs!
regice | November 17, 2007

"More Canadians recognise Mario than the President " that's very weird
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | November 17, 2007

It means most people like Mario over the president which leads to recognizing it more. Its not confusing and i agree to be honest, though give me a picture of a US president and Mario and i bet i can recognize them both. It just goes to show some people don't give rats butt to the Prime Minister than videogame characters.
1 thumbs!
black doom | November 17, 2007

Of course they do, Mario is important in world affairs and a household name.
5 thumbs!
Xenctuary | November 17, 2007

Solution: Bring Mario to office.
- -1 thumbs!
  black doom | November 17, 2007
  
  How? He is already major of a small town in Italy. Its near the skiing range my school is taking me to.
- 2 thumbs!
  TurMoiL911 | November 18, 2007
  
  If that's the case, I would apply for Canadian citizenship for the sole reason to vote for him.
0 thumbs!
Donnelly | November 17, 2007

Well, I knew Canada had a Prime Minister but that was it...
Then again, I'm not from Canada...
-2 thumbs!
Unity | November 17, 2007

Mario for PM?

More Americans could identify Master Cheif, compared to George Bush.
- 1 thumbs!
  TurMoiL911 | November 17, 2007
  
  Yeah, well more Americans can find the IWHBYD skull in Halo 3 than find Iran on a globe.
  
  Sad but true.
1 thumbs!
metaldra0 | November 17, 2007

Mario for Prime Minister '08!
1 thumbs!
SSBB_Crazy | November 17, 2007

Very funny actually, I could recognise Mario over any person or character because Mario rocks. I bet Mario would do better then any president ot prime minister anyway.
0 thumbs!
doylie | November 17, 2007

Steven Harper got owned lol
2 thumbs!
tekmosis | November 18, 2007

This article is wrong; Canada has a Prime Minister NOT a President.
- 0 thumbs!
  Xenctuary | November 20, 2007
  
  I noticed that too. However only the article title written for GameGrep is incorrect, the rest is consistent.
0 thumbs!
Pheonixfire | November 20, 2007

In Canada we don't even get to vote for our prime minister so the vast majority of people don't like him or know who he is. But everyone love Mario! if they had Harper do a comercial in the mario tone " It's Me Steven Harper" more people would know who he is
0 thumbs!
huntyr | November 20, 2007

wait a sec... mario isn't Canada's PM?

seriously, 47% isn't that bad considering about a third of Canada voted him into office
0 thumbs!
Mario_1 | November 21, 2007

Video gaming > Politics.

Duh.
0 thumbs!
Tock | November 21, 2007

marios been a household item for 20 years...harpers been pm for only a couple years