A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY – With “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” making it’s public debut on Friday, it seems the whole nation has come down with a case of Star Wars fever. Even the presidential candidates seem to have come public with their admiration of the beloved franchise. Republican Presidential Candidate Dr. Ben Carson announced today that given any character from the Star Wars universe, he would choose Jar Jar Binks as his running mate.

“He just sounds so silly with his funny voice and clumsy walk!” noted Carson. “Plus, he was the substitute Senator of Naboo while Padmé Amidala couldn’t serve, meaning he has political experience!” said the man with no political experience.

But Bink’s political experience is not the only thing persuading Carson to pick him. Carson is a Seventh-Day Adventist, and admires Jar Jar Binks commitment to his religion as well.

“As you all know, I am a deeply pious man and take my faith very seriously,” said Carson, whose church genuinely believed that the Rapture would occur on October 22nd, 1844. “Jar Jar is a Gungan, meaning he believes in the amphibious force-God or something like that.”

Carson isn’t the only one with Star Wars fever. Other presidential hopefuls are coming out with their Star Wars VP’s as a way of relating to Americans. Hillary Clinton had this to say:

“I would like to have Emperor Palpatine as my running mate” said stone-faced and monotone Clinton. “His steadfast determination in pursuing objectives and merciless use of force to crush political opponents is admirable.”

Her democratic rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, chose a different approach.

“Uhh, the little green one. Yoda?” asked the man who looks remarkably like Yoda. “Yeah, Yoda. I’d pick him because we’re both 2 feet tall and Jewish or something, I don’t know with this crap” said Sanders, before rambling about how the Jedi Council was just as corrupt and misguided as opposing Sith leadership, and how the whole Galactic Republic “got what was, uh, a-comin’ to it.”

Needless to say, Star Wars fandom seems universal amongst candidates this year, and all candidates are excited for the newest chapter in a legendary saga to drop.

“Meesa so excited!” said Carson, while his followers buried their heads in their hands. “Star Trek eesa me’s FAAAAAAAAvorite moo-vie!”