Wiley Smead Drake Sr., November 23, 1943 (Magnolia, Ark.) -
VP candidate for American Independent Party (aka America's Independent Party) (2008)
Running mate with nominee: Alan Lee Keyes (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 40,673 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
As an African American Republican Christian Conservative, Alan Keyes was something of an anomaly on the political landscape. Sometimes referred to as a "Theocratic Neocon," the Harvard-educated Dr. Keyes had served as a diplomat in various capacities starting in 1979. In the Reagan years he was Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and later Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs from 1985 to 1987. He was subsequently known as former Ambassador Keyes in the media.
By 2008 he had also become known as a perennial candidate. He had made three attempts for the US Senate, 1988, 1992, and 2004 (losing to Obama in that last one), and for US President in the Republican primaries 1996 and 2000. 2008 was his third try.
When Keyes' Republican prospects evaporated he announced on Apr. 15, 2008 he was switching parties and was now a candidate for the Constitution Party Presidential nomination. He said, "I believe people deserve a choice. They certainly deserve a conservative choice — something neither John McCain, Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can offer voters. All they can offer is empty promises based on liberal track records." Constitution Party stalwarts were wary of Keyes' late conversion. He certainly had the evangelical Christian credentials but also a Neocon foreign policy track record was out of step with them. Besides, 2004 VP nominee Chuck Baldwin was already on track to gain the nomination.
Although Baldwin did win the national CP nomination, the American Independent Party which had been affiliate since 1991 was torn apart over the selection. The pro-Constitution Party faction nominated Baldwin, and the anti-Constitution Party faction nominated Keyes. Both held their own conventions regarding the other as an invalid gathering. The California Secretary of State and later the court sided with the Keyes faction and thus the era of the AIP's association with the CP came to an end. Instead, the AIP became an affiliate of the newly invented America's Independent Party which also nominated Keyes. By the time the dust settled it was really too late for Baldwin to gain access to the printed ballot in California but he did register as a write-in.
This chapter of AIP history was interpreted by the victors on their webpage--
History repeated itself after the death of our revered founder, William Shearer in early 2007. Once again outside forces sought to determine the AIP's future, but this time it was the Constitution Party that sought to dominate the American Independent Party of California through surrogates, a misguided rump faction that came to be known as "The Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight." Defeating this assault on the independence of the AIP also took three long and costly years from 2008 to 2011. After illegitimate attempts to eject Edward Noonan from the Chairmanship by the daughter of the late founder William Shearer failed, the rump faction she led sought aid from the founder of the Constitution Party, Howard Phillips, to deny the American Independent Party its rightful voice at the Presidential nominating Convention in 2008 by a series of dastardly tricks. After successfully maintaining its right to vote on the Presidential nomination, the AIP was subjected to a further attack when the rump group held its own "Convention" and elected its own officers, entirely without authorization and contrary to both AIP Bylaws and the California Election Code. A legal battle for control of the Party ensued, which was finally resolved in favor of the legitimate party leadership on August 29, 2011.
The curious fact the party of segregationist George Wallace now had an African American standard bearer was not lost on politicos of all stripes.
The Keyes faction of the AIP was viewed as "pro-war" within the ranks of critics on the Right. The platform of America's Independent Party was pretty much the same as the American Independent Party of years past, except perhaps for the America's military plank--
Peace through Strength
We believe in a supremely strong, prepared, and well-equipped civilian-controlled United States military, and a bold, visionary and intelligent program of principled constructive engagement with the rest of the world. For us, "peace through strength" is not a mere slogan. It is the means of survival for our country in a very dangerous and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after possession of all men and women of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should be something that all rightfully fear.
As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we stand unalterably opposed to all who approve of, plan or commit terrorist acts. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political, ideological or religious aims incur our effective and determined enmity.
Keyes' American Independent Party running-mate, only in California, was controversial minister Wiley S. Drake. The minister's name had already been in the news several times. On the humanitarian side, he had provided a place for the homeless on his church parking lots and legal assistance for illegal immigrants. On the homophobic side, he called for a ban on Disney for recognizing Gay partnerships as the same as straight marriages in terms of employee benefits. Drake loudly opposed the appointment of an American ambassador strictly based on sexuality.
In 2007 Drake's name was in a letter of support for James Kopp, convicted sniper, terrorist, and murderer with his targets being abortion doctors. Drake claims he did not authorize the use of his name.
Drake campaigned partly from his pulpit. At first for Gov. Huckabee in the Republican primaries but then for Keyes later in the season. The Americans United for Separation of Church and State advocated for an IRS investigation of Drake. Drake's response was to pray for the death of his enemies.
Keyes national vote was 47,941 (0.04%). 40,673 (0.03%) of those came from California with Drake, where they earned 0.30% of the state vote.
Drake went on to, in a very public way, pray for the death of President Obama and of anyone else who displeased him as he urged God to be his hit man. Keyes, Drake and AIP Elector Markham Robinson filed a petition with the Superior Court in California at Sacramento challenging the right of Obama to assume the office of President based on spurious "birther" claims. The action was filed by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation, an organization characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-Muslim hate group.
Election history:
2012 - American Independent Party nomination for President - defeated
2012 - US President (Unaffiliated) - defeated
2016 - American Independent Party nomination for President - defeated
2016 - US President (Unaffiliated) - defeated
Other occupations: US Navy, rodeo rider, Baptist minister, radio host, national chaplain of the Minuteman Project
Notes:
Drake was heavily influenced by his grandfather, Hamp Smead Beasley, who took him to revival meetings.
MSNBC host Keith Olbermann called Drake the "world's worst person" on a broadcast July 2009.
