Rick Lewis Menefield, December 3, 1968 (Ohio) -
VP candidate for Independent (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Barry Samuel Kirschner (b. 1969)
Popular vote: 15 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Barry Kirschner and Rick Menefield, both from the Cincinnati, Ohio area, ran an Independent Presidential campaign in 2016 with comic overtones via social networking.
Kirschner's concession speech contained more of his platform than any statement made during the actual campaign--
At 5 PM on November 8, 2016, Barry Kirschner (Ohio Registered write-in candidate for President) and his running mate Rick Menefield conceded the Presidential election. In his concession speech to his constituents, Mortimer and Abe-- the household cats, Kirschner said:
"We fought a tough battle spending copious amounts of money to the tune of $200 on yard signs and stale Cheez-its for the election party to no avail. Had we won Ohio, we may have stopped Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump from achieving the needed 270 Electoral Votes and win the run off in Congress, because face it they aren't liked by many in Congress. But as the exit poll numbers started coming in I realized that was only polling to bring in 1/1000th of a percent of the vote; it was shocking but not conclusive. Then I realized I wasn't even winning the exit poll in my own damn house and that is when I gave up all hope.
I feel bad for the country since we will have more years of Congress being ineffectual in working with the President as lines are drawn on every issue along party lines. I really feel bad for my wife, who as First Lady, would have taken on the cause of ensuring that everyone had 'good looking, affordable shoes.' She said we could easily pay for this program by heavily taxing Crocs, Birkenstocks, and anyone owning more than two pairs of gym shoes.
To those that supported and voted for me, thank you as I couldn't have done it without you. Well, let's be honest, we are both ineffectual, because I couldn't do it with you either. Hell, I even wore a f***ing tie to this damn party and I HATE TIES. So, no more compromising on my principles to please others. From now I will back to taking pot shots at the political process from afar. Thank you and good night."
After finishing the speech, Kirschner shredded the tie and kicked off his shoes as he is apt to do whenever he shows up at a friend's house. He then led the cats in a prayer that Republicans and Democrats could stop being dicks to each other.
Registered as write-ins only in the State of Ohio, the Kirschner/Menefield ticked garnered 15 votes.
Election history: none
Other occupations: Habitat for Humanity, business consultant,
Notes:
The ticket would have encountered a potential legal roadblock attaining office if they had won since they were residents of the same state.
