Walking past the statue of the Bronze Fonz just before the election made me think of a politically-charged episode of "Happy Days" from 1975.

A quick Google search informed me that I was thinking of the second season of the show, Episode No. 31, to be precise. It aired Jan. 28, 1975 and was entitled "The Not Making of a President."

The plot summary:

"In November 1956, election time becomes a complicated for Richie when he has a crush on a girl campaigning for Stevenson.

Richie, Potsie and Ralph talk about whom they are supporting in the presidential race: Stevenson or Eisenhower. Debbie Howser comes over on her motor scooter and Richie wants to ask her out on a date. Howard comes home with a Stevenson bumper sticker on his car. The family sits down together to eat dinner and they talk about politics.

Richie decides to campaign for Stevenson in order to get a date with the cute blond, Debbie. Howard comes home the next evening with even more Stevenson bumper stickers on his car. Richie does some research on Stevenson in order to impress Debbie.

Debbie asks Richie to be the speaker at the youth rally at Arnold's on Sunday. Richie and Howard argue about Stevenson (Democrat) vs. Eisenhower (Republican) as Howard tries to fix the broken garage door. Richie calls Howard narrow-minded. Richie makes the speech for Stevenson and Fonzie makes the speech for Ike.

When Stevenson loses the race, Debbie walks out on Richie. Howard comes to the Stevenson headquarters and offers to take Richie to Stanley's Pizza Parlor for some pepperoni and onion pizza. At the house, Joanie comes downstairs to find out who won and Marion admits that she voted for Stevenson."

You think about the themes -- friendly debates, a house divided -- and the silly sitcom rings true today.