VP candidate for Independent (aka Independent Democrat) (2004)
Running mate with nominee: John Joseph Kennedy (b. 1954)
Popular vote: 1,000 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
John Joseph Kennedy of Atlanta, Ga.-- writer, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker-- tossed his hat into the Presidential ring on July 20, 2004 billing himself as a "true" Democrat. Although he claimed to be a distant cousin to President Kennedy, he was actually more directly descended from another Kennedy political dynasty-- in South Carolina where members of the family had attained elected office.
Kennedy's platform consisted of his "top ten issues":
1. NATIONAL SECURITY: My highest priority. It's an inside job! Right the Wrong!
2. IRAQ: U.S. occupation to cease; United Nations to rebuild. Right the Wrong!
3. STOP THE WAR AGAINST CHILDREN: Non-violence in schools. I support non-violence in children's television programming, publishing, games, and websites. I support far-reaching child abuse programs for prevention of child & domestic abuse and the healing of victims of that abuse. Right the Wrong!
4. NON-VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA: All genres! As President, I will initiate an ecliptic program to end the prevailing violence in the media that permeates every aspect of our lives and mind. End the fictitious scripting in the news media! Right the Wrong!
5. COMPASSIONATE MISSION TO END THE WAR ON HOMELESSNESS: I will rebuild the infrastructure of America first: dollar for dollar of all that has been allotted for the war in Iraq. We must begin with the homeless, the poor, and the tens of millions of Americans who are only a few paychecks away from being homeless! Right the Wrong!
6. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE/HEALTH: It is appalling that the richest nation in the world has 44 million Americans without health care. Affordable health care for all! As President, I will also strive to find a cure for A.I.D.S. I will support the ultimate care of A.I.D.S patients and those afflicted with the HIV virus, both in America and globally. I will lift the ban on stem cell research. Right the Wrong!
7. RESTORAL OF OUR CIVIL & CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: As President, I will totally repeal the fraudulent Patriot Act and place my emphasis on individuals rights to privacy. I whole-heartedly support the legal recognition of same-sex marriages and equal rights for all persons. Right the Wrong!
8. ENVIRONMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Protect the oceans and their inhabitants! I will enforce a permanent ban on Low Frequency Sonar Testing and International Whaling. I will demand the strictest enforcement of the laws to prevent toxic waste, dumping, and toxic industries. Right the Wrong!
9. REBUILD INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: I will repair the damage that has been done to our nation by restoring America's dignity and integrity in the eyes of the world. Right the Wrong!
10. SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: In each of us dwells a creative spirit! As your President, I will restore the arts in schools. I will also encourage, support, and finance the Arts, as well as the bright ideas and business ventures of the American people. I will renew and rebuild the American dream through using the Arts and Small Businesses to create new jobs. We must always celebrate the successes of all Americans, not tear them down once they have been achieved. Right the Wrong!
In August 2004 Kennedy selected Daniel R. Rezac of the Dallas area in Texas to be his running-mate:
"I chose Daniel Rezac because he is a noble man; an honest and compassionate leader. Daniel has a strong military background, and believes as I do, that the United States Military should not be misused in any way, nor any human life jeopardized or placed in harms way, unless all other alternatives of conflict resolution have been completely exhausted. He opposes the war in Iraq as I do. I chose Daniel because he has an innate moral compass of what is right and wrong and the courage to carry this out. The courage to stand up for America in the eleventh hour, just as I have done. America and the world will soon bear witness to the new paradigm of leadership and integrity that my administration will create for all the citizens of this great country of ours."
The campaign website elaborated a bit more on Rezac:
After 9/11 occurred, Mr. Rezac decided to get more involved. Doing his own research into the events of 9/11 by crosschecking with credible sources, he leveraged his aviation and military strategic experience to verify his findings. He validated his discoveries with several military friends including an officer at the Guard Bureau and determined that there were a lot of unanswered questions and many inconsistencies that merited further investigation. Important questions were simply not being addressed in the mainstream media.
As America moved for war against Iraq, Mr. Rezac describes, "I was opposed to the war from the very beginning. I saw no immediate threat and I saw no connection to the events of 911. It took even greater courage to have this viewpoint here in Texas where there are so many Bush supporters. I was one of the few who could be FOR the troops and still be AGAINST the war and prove it because of my background."
Having contributed numerous hours to volunteer work and humanitarian programs such as the Livy World Fund which is a project designed to "feed the children" of Iraq & Afghanistan, Mr. Rezac says the following about his role as a vice-presidential candidate for 2004, "I was asked to accept this prestigious honor to serve by the side of a legendary man, Mr. John Joseph Kennedy. There is no part of my constitution that could refuse to answer my country at its call and to help America in its greatest time of need. I accepted this role so that I may serve in a greater capacity than I have before. Mr. Kennedy and I are true public servants for the highest good of ALL."
For a ticket that was strictly write-in they waged an energetic campaign that included travel, many press releases, staff members, and a web presence. Since the electioneering for this team started so late in the season, it makes one wonder how much farther they would've been with ballot access if they had started just six months earlier. As it was they had write-ins recorded in 13 states with the lion's share coming from Colorado (700 votes, 0.03% of the result there), followed by Texas (126), and California (82).
Kennedy filed with the FEC in Jan. 2007 for another run but withdrew from the 2008 Presidential election six months later.
Election history: none
Other occupations: Army National Guard, asset management
Notes:
Could not find if Kennedy had a VP in his brief 2008 run.
