You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown

'You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown' is pretty good. I definitely think this is one of the best Peanuts specials.

Disgruntled that Sally can't open her locker even with the help of Charlie Brown, it seems someone needs to do something about it! She her needs her "sweet baboo", Linus to run for student body president. Linus is clearly well-liked but can he stay on topic for the election? Watch and you'll be thoroughly pleased with how this turns out!

This special has all the classic Peanuts themes like kids being kids but still having some greater philosophical thinking. The animation is on point, the jokes are timeless, and the music is still amazing! There's even appearance from Joe Cool!

Give it a watch! Its pretty good and probably much better than you might remember as a kid!

The cast of the "Peanuts" gang are getting caught-up in a world of politics, power and promises!! Watch out! Because, here comes Lucy, the campaign manager, adviser and publicist for her brother Linus's ill-fated political student body presidential career. Well, maybe it's not that bad, but it is a whole lot of fun!! And you can't exactly call Lucy and Linus a puppet regime either, because they're not Muppets, just cartoon characters after all. This episode is truly another 'Peanuts' great.

Talking about the political process at the 'school' of Charlie Brown, who in this case, declines to take a verbal 'nomination' from his buddy Linus for student body Prez. So Lucy hits the streets to meet the public and be a 'pollster'. She figures after pre-stumping for her brother's 'popularity' that he looks like a shoe-in for the office and that things in that school are about to happened. The timing and political climate is right, for 'change' or a tremendous political sun-burn.

Everyone turns out for the campaign of Linus, even Snoopy and Woodstock. A short 'cameo' appearance from 'Joe Cool' is in order. The music score is worthy of praise, from a solid, stylish, Guaraldi.

Linus is in for a surprise when he learns that it's not always easy when you're 'Elected'.

This one makes the political grade. (****)

The Peanuts gang tackles politics as Linus (not Charlie Brown, despite the title) runs for student body president. Lucy is his campaign manager. Lots of funny bits of business to be had here. Linus' campaign speeches are hilarious. This is an underrated gem among the Peanuts specials. Aside from the great political satire and all-around good fun that comes from Charlie Brown & friends, this one offers up the first animated appearance of Snoopy's best alter ego: Joe Cool. Vince Guaraldi crafts a wonderful song to introduce him ("Joe Cool, back in school, hangin' around the water fountain actin' a fool"). The version currently being shown by ABC, following the Great Pumpkin, is edited. Particularly the beginning and ending have been altered. It's still enjoyable but try to catch the unedited version. This is a very fun cartoon. Peanuts fans will, of course, love it.

This showcases the time when Linus Van Pelt (Stephen Shea) tried to run for class president. Linus is backed by his best friend Charlie Brown (Chad Webber) and his sister Lucy Van Pelt (Robin Kohn). This one doesn't really focus too much on Charlie and I think that's what makes it weaker than the others. It's still good, but it doesn't really hold a candle to the other Peanuts films. The story is all right, and the acting is good so it succeed there, and there certainly are some memorable moments like when Snoopy does the Joe Cool segment. But overall it just doesn't seem to be as good or as memorable. I actually watched this around the time of the 2008 election. Certainly not my favorite Peanuts movie. But overall it's just okay.

"You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" includes one of jazz genius Vince Guaraldi's greatest compositions: "Joe Cool". The short sequence is truly great and worth every Peanuts fan's attention. The rest of the 25 minute long special is pretty unremarkable, but enjoyable nonetheless.