Ellen Lee DeGeneres, January 26, 1958 (Metairie, La.) -
VP candidate for Celebrity Party (2012)
Running mate with nominee: Taylor Alison Swift (b. 1989)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
A young woman who is a "Math major by day, singer/songwriter by night," drafted singer Taylor Swift for President in the Celebrity Party with comedian and daytime TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres as the VP in a clearly stated fictitious campaign. A Youtube "interview" consisted of edited video of clips of Swift designed to appear as if she was answering questions regarding her stand on the issues.
In 2012 Swift was already a mega-star in the music world and was known as a philanthropist and contributor to progressive causes. I have to admit that I, in my muddy logging country old guy bubble was unaware of her (she's younger than my own daughter) until a few years ago when a local person purchased a hot pink pickup truck here in emulation of Swift. A truck like that is hard to ignore up here in Mayberry.
DeGeneres has also been associated with progressive politics, but in 2012 she was busy as a producer, as well as hosting the popular Ellen DeGeneres Show, and working as a commercial spokesperson for J.C. Penney.
If the Swift/DeGeneres ticket had actually won the election in 2012, the age of the standard bearer would have been a major problem as she was (and still is!) below the Constitutionally mandated age of 35.
Election history: none
Other occupations: comedian, actress, TV talk show host, writer, producer
Notes:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show won the Genesis Award for "Best Talk Show" in 2012.
