Above: Alda in 1988 ; Below: Alda playing the role of US President in Canadian Bacon (1995)
Alan Alda, January 28, 1936 (New York, NY) -
VP candidate for Quiche for Peace Party (1988)
Running mate with nominee: Ethan R. Zuckerman (b. ca1973)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
"If elected, I cannot serve," was the campaign slogan for Ethan R. Zuckerman, Presidential nominee of the Quiche for Peace Party. And he was right. He was a 14-year old student at the Wooster School in Danbury, Conn. when he filed with the FEC in 1987. He regarded his Presidential bid as "a kind of hobby."
Zuckerman was fairly sensible on the issues. "Any involvement in Nicaragua in pretty dangerous," was his take on US policy in Central America. He also proposed a public works program giving jobs to the unemployed in renovating buildings.
Commenting on Oliver North, Zuckerman said, "I think what he did is terrible. I think working against Congress is one the worst things you can do."
Zuckerman told the press he would strongly consider throwing his support to Mario Cuomo if the New York Governor entered the Presidential race.
After rejecting his 10-year old sister as a running-mate since he wanted geographic balance, he settled on actor Alan Alda. It is unknown if this desire merely languished as a mere thought or took the form of a real invitation. It is highly possible Alda was unaware he had been selected to run on the Quiche for Peace Party ticket. One likes to think this funny and thoughtful man would have enjoyed being part of a political party with such a great name.
Press coverage of the Zuckerman effort seemed to die off shortly after his initial filing.
Alda himself was the star of a motion picture released in 1988 called A New Life, a romantic comedy that unfortunately bombed at the box office.
Election history: none
Other occupations: US Army Reserve (Korean War), actor, director, screenwriter, comedian, author,
Notes:
Born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo.
