It's election season again in the classroom, and Vince is looking forward to another easy win as a class president. Ms. Grotke, however, says that per the rules that he needs a rival candidate or it won't be a proper election. The gang nominates Gretchen, who accepts because she wants to create a student council. Mikey and Gus bow out to hang with the kindergartners, while Spinelli assigns herself as Gretchen's new PR agent.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Didn't Think This Through: Vince thinks that beating Gretchen will be a cinch. He's going up against the class genius, and a friend who understands the politics of the playground. To a lesser extent, Vince admits that Gretchen's desire to help other students made him reevaluate his priorities.
- Graceful Loser:
- T.J. takes Spinelli's Unsportsmanlike Gloating well since he was serving as Vince's PR to be a good friend.
- Vince takes it up to eleven when he reveals that he threw the elections and voted for Gretchen because of her speech about creating a new student council.
- Hidden Depths: TJ is knowledgeable enough of American politics to try to split the girl vote in a way similar to the 1912 election. Spinelli is also able to recognize what he's doing.
- What You Are in the Dark: Vince reveals that he cast the deciding vote for Gretchen because he was inspired by her speech to create a student council that allows the kids of the playground to be heard. He admits he wanted to win for the glory, but she could make lasting change.
