Jeffrey Dennis Stath, March 15, 1945 (Hayward, Calif.) -
VP candidate for HeartQuake '08 (2008)
Running mate with nominee: Jonathan Edward Allen (b. 1962)
Popular vote: 473 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Jonathan E. Allen of Olathe, Colo., the owner of Firstfruits International, a marketing and consulting firm, filed with the FEC in Dec. 2007 and announced his run for the Presidency under the HeartQuake '08 banner in Apr. 2008.
Allen also launched one of the more sophisticated campaign websites of the era. His political thesis statement said--
Jonathan is a non-partisan Independent candidate for president of the United States. Dubbed by many around the nation as “The People’s President,” Jonathan brings a refreshing, non-partisan blend of pragmatic wisdom and visionary leadership that has been gleaned from a lifetime of experience in the heartland of Real America and from his professional career as an international businessman. Jonathan draws upon his diverse life experiences as a business executive, father, educator, coach, community leader, entrepreneur, musician, and poet to provide a compelling argument that true political change can only come through massive cultural transformation. His presidential campaign theme, HeartQuake ’08, highlights his conviction that America’s political issues are actually only symptoms of more fundamental heart issues like greed, arrogance, and apathy, and that desperately needed cultural transformation can only be triggered by a reawakening of the heart of America.
An investigation into the platform of HeartQuake '08 revealed a fairly conservative thread interwoven throughout what otherwise reads as a centrist document targeting middle class voters. The following passages inserted in wonky-language platform paragraphs are like embedded sermonettes that jump right out at the reader--
Education
... While we are asleep here in America wallowing in our self-centeredness and pleasure-seeking, the rest of the world is providing superior education at primary and secondary levels and displacing us by garnering an increasingly larger share of the international economic pie.
Family
... An aggressive social endeavor highlighting the emotional, financial, and societal benefits of strong families should be implemented throughout our educational system and general culture. Particular emphasis should be given to addressing the real heart issues and consequences of rampant selfishness and egocentric lifestyles that are primary causes of many divorces and family breakups today.
Poverty
... In the case of poverty caused by injustice, we need to do everything we can socially and politically to eliminate the factors that have caused poverty. In the case of poverty caused by irresponsibility, we need to be absolutely sure not to interfere with life's corrective consequences that teach us how we need to apply ourselves and make wise decisions so that we can make meaningful contributions to our families and the world around us. We only cheat society and the individuals in this group when we enable them to continue in their selfish path by subsidizing their laziness and irresponsibility.
Social and other issues [entire section included]
There is a pervasive form of moralism that has divided our nation by elevating morality (what and who is right and wrong) above love and concern for our fellow Americans. There is nothing inherently wrong with asking moral questions or in attempting to maintain a moral rather than immoral social order, but we have made idols out of social and political morals to the point that we have destroyed national compassion and unity.
The sanctity of Life should be upheld and preserved everywhere possible within our society as it is a quintessential value of American life that differentiates us from many other countries around the world, where there is often little or no regard for human life.
Every attempt should be made to provide a loving and nurturing environment for every fetus to enter life as a newborn child. Greater attention must be given to minimize or eliminate the root causes behind "unwanted pregnancies" so that individuals can avoid the very painful and unfortunate situation of having to decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.
The unhealthy hypersexualization of our culture must be addressed, especially in regard to young people who are currently being encouraged to engage in sexual activities for which they are in no way prepared emotionally or practically to take responsibility.
The right to "bear arms" to protect ourselves is a Constitutional right that must be preserved. Individual citizens must possess the capacity to protect themselves against criminal burglars, assaulters, and murderers who will always be able to gets arms illegally to attack innocent citizens.
The timeless institution of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman should be honored and esteemed as a preferential foundation for family life.
Regardless of one's beliefs regarding the homosexual lifestyle, gay men and women should be allowed to live in America without fear of unwarranted attacks of hatred and violence. Like every other American, gay men and women should be treated with love and respect as fellow citizens with great personal gifts to offer our nation.
Allen's campaign website also included a section containing his poems, which I think would be great to see from more candidates since their poetry can frequently reveal more about the way they think and view the world than their political essays.
Allen's running-mate, Jeff Stath, appears to have divided his residence and work between California, Tennessee, and Washington State (in the Federal Way area) [Washington State trivia alert!!!]. In 2008 his home was given as Ventura, Calif. Both Allen and Stath had no experience running for office prior to this election.
The Allen/Stath ticket did make the ballot in Colorado, where they placed 10th out of 16 and earned 348 of their 473 votes. They were registered write-ins in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Except for Texas where they received an impressive 101 write-in votes, none of the remaining states gave them more than 8 votes each.
Election history: none.
Other occupations: US Army (Vietnam War), contractor, volunteer hospital chaplain
Notes:
[More Washington State trivia alert!!!] Allen was born in Everett, Wash. and raised in the Chelan area.
