Ashleigh Kiggans, August 6, 1987 -
VP candidate for Independent (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Earl Middleton Mackintosh III (b. 1949)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Earl "Rocky" Mackintosh, a real estate businessman in Frederick, Md. reasoned he was just as viable as any of the other Presidential candidates, so in mid-Oct. 2016 he playfully announced he was in the running--
For the first time in my adult life I have not found a declared candidate for the highest office in the land (that I am aware of) who has the capability to unify a nation that is deeply divided in so many ways.
Having spent most of my adult life being a professed “junkie” of national, state and local politics, I have been known to have opinions now and then … and sometimes (more of the local nature) here on the MacRo Report Blog.
But when it comes to the upcoming Presidential election that will take place nationally on November 8, 2016, I must say that the phrase “political junkie” (as it is used in current day colloquial fashion) is just not fair to any kind of junkie!
Yes, since the Democratic and Republican conventions of this past summer the media has placed no less than 99% of its focus on just two of the candidates (I need not state their names). And then there are two others from the Green and Libertarian parties who receive about 99% of the remaining 1%.
Typically, being the reasonable conservative that I am (that means I can carry on a civil dialogue and often reach agreement with individuals who share polar opposite views), I can find some redeeming qualities of character and political views in at least one of the major candidates seeking the highest office in the land before I cast a ballot.
This time, well … need I say more.
So, the other day I thought, “What if I just don’t have the stomach to cast a vote for any known candidate?”
Are there any other choices, I wondered?
After exploring the record number of third party candidates, Mackintosh concluded--
Clearly, there is not enough time left to research all these names. So, even though there are actually four candidates using the name “Rocky” (including “Rocky Balboa”), I began to think that maybe for the heck of it I should throw my name in the mix …. Hmmm, should I file? Am I qualified?
Well, I’m born and raised in the US, lived here all my life and 32 years beyond the minimum age of 35 as established by the US Constitution. I’ve never lost $900 million dollars, been sued, engaged in locker room talk with Billy Bush on a bus … and I have never deleted 33,000 emails considered confidential (with a capital “C”) from any server.
What about a platform? Really, who needs a platform … all one needs to do now-a-days is just put down the other candidate!
So, why not?
Am I serious, you ask? Absolutely NOT!
But for that matter who is a serious Presidential candidate this year?
The bigger question is: Would any one of the 1,901 candidates who have filed with the FEC be serious, if elected?
Clearly, it is too late to get my name on the ballot in any voting district; so can I mount a nation-wide write in campaign over the next few weeks to beat out the likes of Buddy the Elf, Megatron, Tronald Dump or even … Hillary Clinton?
What do you think?
So, just for kicks, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my candidacy for the President of the United States of America.
If I were elected … well, I guess I would have to be serious.
It’s up to you, our loyal readers to spread the word through the world wide web of social media!
Rocky Mackintosh, President, MacRo, Ltd., a Land and Commercial Real Estate firm based in Frederick, Maryland. He has been an active member of the Frederick, Maryland community for over four decades. He has served as chairman of the board of Frederick Memorial Hospital and as a member of the Frederick County Charter Board from 2010 to 2012. He currently serves as chairman of the board of Frederick Mutual Insurance Company. Established in 1843, it is one of the longest enduring businesses in Frederick County.
One local news source mentioned that Mackintosh was jokingly handing out his business cards and campaigning at a County Council meeting, which seemed to be extent of of electioneering outside of social media and blogging.
A few days after his Presidential declaration, Mackintosh used the momentum to market his real estate firm, naming some of his staff as potential Cabinet level leaders. He also identified a running-mate--
As our loyal readership learned in last week’s blog post, A Surreal Idea: Why Not Me For President?, I threw out the idea of yours truly as a write-in ballot alternative to the current offerings by the major political parties for next month’s general election.
Am I serious, you ask? No, I stated.
But if elected I would surely take it seriously – just as I take the service my staff and I have provided our Land and Commercial Real Estate customers and clients for the four and one-half decades here in Frederick County, Maryland.
I mention my staff because I have been more than fortunate to have been surrounded by terrific people over all my years in business. Customer service, building strong relationships and delivering results have been the core of the ongoing success at MacRo, Ltd.
To that end, and in keeping with my pre-election theme that someday a stealth candidate will arise from a social media campaign and become a great leader of this nation, I would like to reveal my choice for running mate.
Meet Ashleigh Kiggans!
Ashleigh is a supercharged millennial, who joined MacRo, Ltd. one year ago as a sales and leasing associate. Within this short period of time, Ashleigh has proven to be an essential part of our team. By providing excellent customer service, thorough research and prompt follow up skills, she has already developed a strong base of loyal clients and closed several million dollars in CRE transactions.
As a full time and very organized associate of our firm- and a mom, an athlete, a mentor, a student and a coach- she takes all of her roles very seriously.
Ashleigh has an ability to connect with people and understand their real estate needs. She has identified the right space and successfully completed a variety of deals: Leased office space to medical practitioners, tech firms, mortgage and title companies; warehouse space to distributors and facilitators; retail space to a breweries and political wannabes … and sold investment properties to investors, building lots for dream houses and farms to farmers.
Jumping at the opportunity to balance the #Rocky4POTUS ticket with a youthful and energetic perspective, her role as second in command of the nation couldn’t come too soon!
In the event of their victory, the Mackintosh/Kiggans ticket would have faced a couple Constitutional roadblocks to overcome. First, they were residents of the same state, and second, Kiggans was below the mandated age of 35.
Election history: none
Other occupations: real estate
Notes:
COVID-19 survivor in 2020.
