Taja Yvonne Iwanow

 

Taja Yvonne Iwanow, July 24, 1981 -

VP candidate for Independent (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Kyle Kenley Kopitke (b. 1957)
Popular vote: 53 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Kyle Kopitke filed with the FEC as an Independent for his second Presidential run on July 16, 2019 although on his blog he officially launched on June 4. On June 18, 2019 he announced Nathan Revo Sorenson was once again his running-mate.

In an interview in Oct. 2020, Kopitke's responses to a Vail, Colo. reporter included--

About 45 minutes after my son’s MMR vaccine, his precious mind was blasted into autism.  1 in 28 children now have autism; it is the vaccines.  My qualification is I understand our vaccines are not safe. 1 in 2 young adults have a developmental disability; it is the vaccines.  If you think injecting vaccines into your child that contain the DNA from pigs, mice, insects, dogs, and from aborted male and female fetuses; think again.  Other qualifications: United States Army; United States Peace Corps; Doctorate in Public Administration; donated kidney to my brother; Missionary 2 years in England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Former head of an environmental group.

Sadly, I am only on Colorado and Vermont.   I have faced a near total media blackout; I am the only Presidential candidate whose campaign website (Kyle2020.com) is banned and blacked out on “Facebook”; if you try and share Kyle2020.com on Facebook, you will be blocked.  Partly because I say the 11 words you cannot say: “One World Government”; “New World Order”; “Vaccines cause autism and SIDS.”  I also discuss the dangers of Common Core, and Chemtrails, and forced mandated dangerous vaccines, and also the need to close nuclear power plants.

This is the only earth we have; we must take care of her.  As the former head of an environmental group, I am the father of the term “Climate Pollution” which is an alternative view against “Climate Change.” “Climate Change” is a tool of the One World Government & New World Order.  The Globalists have hijacked the true environmental movement.  My theory of “Climate Pollution” addresses the pollutions of nuclear power, fracking, the need to recycle, banning Roundup and other harmful chemicals in our everyday clothing and uses.  Banning GMOs.  The policy of “Climate Change” was created by Maurice Strong who is also the father of Agenda 21 (New World Order).   

America needs to Repent. We need to Repent as a nation and turn back to Jesus; only He can heal us.  We need to stop swearing.    We need to keep the Sabbath Day Holy by going to Church, and by not shopping.  We need to read from the King James version of the Holy Bible each and every day. We need individual and family vocal kneeling prayers. I also treasure, and am inspired, by prayerfully reading over the Book of Mormon.

In other sources Kopitke expressed approval of conspiracy theories regarding 5G towers, the 9/11 attack, and "fake news." His blog included--

"As your President I will remove Fluoride from our drinking water and food; Fluoride is not safe.  We need to remove Fluoride from our drinking water and food; it is not safe.  I am the only Presidential candidate calling for the removal of Fluoride from our water and food."

"The March of the Globalists towards a One World Government of a New World Order:  This is how they enslave us and keep their perpetual power and income.  Remember, the Globalists that support a One World Government of a New World Order are counting on you not to donate, and also to be only an “arm chair Patriot” where you just sit there and do nothing. Try volunteering and collecting Signatures for Ballot Access.  Tis up to you; act as becometh an American Man or lose your America.   Please also remember that swearing and vulgarity, especially Taking The Name of God in vain are tactical tools of the Globalists and their aim of their New World Order; don’t swear."

"Mainstream News Media supports microchipping of Americans; I will fight against it as your President."

"The Environment: To me, it appears, looking at it at the surface level, that the Globalists who support World Domination by a One World Government of a New World Order, where our God Inspired Constitution is destroyed, have hijacked the true Environmental Movement as a tactical plan for their World Domination.  As a former President of an Environmental Group (see PresidentKopitke2016.info), I am so sorry to see so many actual Environmentalists being duped and manipulated by the New World Order.   Instead of focusing on the core environmental issues of our day like moving away from oil under the ground to Hemp oil above the ground, or bringing forth real clean energy, or removing gender bending and cancer causing chemicals from our everyday products and vaccines, the New World Order Manipulators have the sincere Environmentalists running in the wrong direction. Classic “disinformation Campaign”; brilliant tactics by the Globalists and the 1%; we have to turn this around if we are going to save our Beloved Earth, which Almighty God has through His Infinite Goodness, given to us as Stewards.  One in six women should not be getting breast cancer; same with prostate cancer; we can remove these cancer causing toxins from our everyday products.  (Note from Kyle:  In addition, I will do all I can to remove dangerous LED and CFL lightbulbs.)  We must stop 5G."

"Chemtrails are real; what are they spraying us with; as your President I will stop Chemtrails by Kyle Kenley Kopitke, 19 October, 2019."

He also offered a long and detailed 100-step "Kopitke Containment & Eradication Solution Plan" for battling the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for measures requiring considerable government control.

On May 2, 2020, Kopitke issued the following statement:

The Lead Story: I need a new Vice Presidential running mate. Someone who will not drop out and who will have some time to devote to saving the Constitution.  Email me at KyleKopitke@gmail.com if interested.  Please pray sincerely with Faith in Jesus that I can find a sincere Patriot.   I have absolute tragic news for you.  My Vice Presidential running mate has withdrawn. So I am looking for a new Vice Presidential running mate. All signatures collected in OH, NJ, ID, OR, FL, AR, CO are invalid. UT is still good though.  Again, Prayers I can find a Patriot.

The circumstances surrounding Sorenson's decision to drop out were never spelled out. By June 2020 Kopitke's new running-mate was Taja Yvonne Iwanow of Tennessee or Wisconsin, who seemed in agreement with him on the issue of vaccinations, chemtrails, the Deep State, and other conspiracy theories. She hit the road covering at least half the states. A sampling of her Facebook posts provides a narrative of her campaign--

June 26, 2020
ATTENTION MOTHERS:
 My name is Taja Yvonne Iwanow
I am running for vice president of the United States of America and I'm currently touring the United States by myself.
This is mothers of America standing up to say NO MORE! Stop big Pharma at to get politicians out of healthcare!
This is the people's movement and we are the revolution❗✊🏼
If any of you feel moved to protect your babies and to stand up and say no and go toe-to-toe with me I need all the help I can get if we stand together we outnumber them a million to one
It is the Kopitke-Iwanow 2020 presidential campaign
We are already on the ballot in Colorado

Aug. 8, 2020
For the lost sheep on the block list... You CAN'T run a campaign out of your pocket...bc that's Illegal. The FEC (federal elections commission) has very strict guidelines. ALL Money used for a campaign MUST solely come from DONATIONS!! So many people are only working with Half a brain cell so they CAN'T wrap their tiny mind around that fact. If You have a problem with ME running for office to save Your children and protect Your freedoms then you are already lost to the matrix so to speak. Maybe if some people weren't so SELF CENTERED they would be able to see that things are about to get real ugly if we don't Act Now!! Every one says they want Freedom but VERY FEW of us FIGHT for it✊🏼 help the People's Movement continue with your Donation at Kyle2020 . com no spaces or cash app
$TajaIwanow  #Taja2020 #ThePeoplesMovement #WeAreTheRevolution #ThePowerOfGod #ThePeoplesRevolution

Aug. 21, 2020
Jeremiah 51 verse 20 through 23
It is time to restore peace on Earth.
I'm doing everything in my power to change the narrative yet there are so many of you who have given up hope and preach me that my efforts are futile. If I believe that me and my children would be living in the wilderness right now. But I have enough hope for all of us and that is why I'm traveling the country running for the office of President of the United States of America independently along side my running mate, Kyle Kenley Kopitke.
I was robbed twice, attacked a few times. My car broke down four times. I ran out of gas in the Arizona desert. I've went days without food and only water and there were countless nights I'd slept in my car. This is the first time since my boys were born and I never been away from them for any amount of time my baby was nursing when I left and he was forced to stop cold turkey where his siblings were able to wean naturally on Their time. I have sacrificed everything to travel the United States of America state to state physically collecting signatures to gain ballot access.
 While I was on the road my mother suddenly decided the move out of the home we've lived in for 9 years and 8 months and take half of my children to the state of Michigan and leave half of my children in the state of Wisconsin! 😯😕😳😭💔 to whom have never ever ever been separated in their entire lives!!!! I am trying to rush back As my medically fragile son Tristan's birthday is just Days away and I'm tryind to find a place to call home and collect my children to restore normalcy in their world.
  Our CAMPAIGN FUNDS HAVE COMPLETELY RAN OUT and I have Exhausted my entire Savings under the guise that I would be reimburse so long as I'd tracked everything and saved my receipts to which I Have. I am out here single-handedly fighting for OUR freedom and for the future of our children and grandchildren.
  I am also the first and only vice presidential candidates in the HISTORY of the United States of America who has ever campaigned for their self and travelled state to state ALONE collecting signatures for ballot access, also the first female and first Native American.  I can NOT continue Forward without YOUR HELP! #UnitedWeStandDividedWeFall and I'll bet my Life that None of You want to Fall!!!
  I NEED SPONSORS and we NEED DONATIONS asap!!! They ARE able to be used as a Tax Write-off as well being we're a 2020 Presidential Campaign. Help me Instantly on Cashapp using code $TajaIwanow or by typing in number 608-214-8147. Or we can receive it in 3-5 days going to our campaign page Kyle2020 . com unfortunately I cannot type that out as a hyperlink as we now go against Community standards on Facebook.
   When the evil Powers that be work so hard take you down and make you quit, you know you're on the right path to defeating them❗✊🏼 thank you all for your help and support. Please share my posts to help me reach as many people as possible in this very short amount of time that we have left. I love you all,  Namaste ❤ #Taja2020 #ThePeoplesMovement #WeAreTheRevolution #ThePowerOfGod #ThePeoplesRevolution Let's Restore POWER to the PEOPLE.

Aug. 22, 2020
If even a small handful of people would Stand beside me on this mission I couldn't imagine what we could do... I mean alone I've already accomplished So much!!! #TajaArmyOfOne
I find it odd that when I had my Own funds people donated to the campaign and as soon as I posted about being Robbed then Stranded, no one has donated to the campaign since...🤔 Yet I still push forward
If you'd like to be one of the ones helping to Break that cycle you can cash app me $TajaIwanow or as of TODAY I now have Facebook pay again. Msg me 4 details

Aug. 24, 2020
People can be accused of anything and just because someone has a warrant doesn't mean that they're guilty or that they are a bad human. Due Process

Aug. 29, 2020
They're doing a great job with their divide-and-conquer tactic so many so-called woke people are falling for their dividing tactics.
They are poisoning you, me and eliminating the future of our children. While we argue over who was right and who is wrong or what was justified and what is not they're still polluting our air poisoning our Waters and making our soil infertile.
Real Eyes Realize Real Lies and only united we stand divided we fall. And right now We Are FALLING!!! Wake up and take your neighbors hand and FIGHT BACK! least you would rather let them win??
Black, White, Yellow, Brown... If THIS is YOUR Home, if THIS is YOUR Town. Stop falling for their tactics and join the hands of ONE NATION! The American People and STAND UNITED!!
#OpenYourEyesAndSeeThroughTheirLies
#RealEyesRealizeRealLies
Fight the OPPRESSORS and NOT EACH OTHER❗ollllllkiklllllll
$TajaIwanow

After Aug. 29 Iwanow's overtly electioneering posts came to an end. In late Sept. 2020 she experienced a health crisis involving her appendix. Several of her supporters lamented the fact she was the more active and motivated half of the Kopitke/Iwanow ticket and was doing the lion's share of the actual campaigning.

Apparently it was too late to remove Sorenson's name as the Vice-Presidential candidate in Colorado, where the ticket finished 11th out of 21 with 0.01% of the vote. Kopitke also was on the ballot in Vermont, but with Iwanow. They finished 19th out of 21 in the Green Mountain State.

Kopitke filed with the FEC for the 2024 Presidential election on Nov. 25, 2020.
 
Election history: none

Other occupations: mom

Notes:
Just this month (Nov. 2021) the Dodge County, Wis. Sheriff's Office just listed Iwanow on their "Most Wanted" list regarding various drug charges.

Claudeliah J. Roze

 

Claudeliah J. Roze, February 18, 1980 -

VP candidate for Unaffiliated (aka Non Affiliated aka Independent aka Becoming One Nation aka Operation Restoration) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Jade S. Simmons (b. 1977)
Popular vote: 7,092 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Jade Simmons, based in Kingwood, Tex., filed as an Unaffiliated candidate for President with the FEC on Feb. 21, 2020.

Simmons' varied career included being a concert pianist, motivational speaker, author, and Miss Illinois (1999).

Dubbing her campaign "Operation Restoration," Simmons took a centrist leaning Left approach and felt that as an outsider with communication skills she could end the hyper-partisanship that was dominating public discussion of all things political and cultural. She told one reporter, "I feel like what we're watching is the nation, especially culturally, spiritually and racially, being ripped to shreds. So I feel like what we're restoring is our original identity. I look back at the concept of us really being one nation, under God and indivisible."

One press release summarized the platform: "Operation Restoration - The mission of Operation Restoration, the campaign of Jade Simmons, is to 1) to restore the United States of America to its' God-given identity of being a unified nation, that honors God and serves ALL people, 2) to strip away the dysfunctional practices of divisive politics and bring forth a new lane of leadership that prioritizes people over profit, political games, and personal agendas and 3) to give voice to the voiceless and the "muted middle" – those individuals that don't fully agree with the left side or the right side but believe there is a place in the middle where we can honorably meet and find common ground on the issues that matter to our country."

Claudeliah J. Roze was announced as the running-mate on Sept. 20, 2020. Her biography was presented on the campaign website--

Claudeliah J. Roze has an accomplished 20+ year career serving in positions of trust in the aerospace, defense, and intelligence communities. She is a naturally strategic and dynamic team leader who effectively navigates politically-charged environments to create alliances and solutions that benefit those at stake. Roze is regularly consulted by senior and executive leadership within her company on critical matters that affect both the business bottom line and the culture of the organization.  Claudeliah is currently the first African-American female Technology Director with a large aerospace and defense company.

She is the daughter of two United States Army Veterans.  A father who achieved his high school diploma during his first of 2 Vietnam war deployments and a mother who also served in the United States Army and later became the first of her 12 siblings to graduate with her bachelor’s and master’s degree.  A product of a strong military family, Claudeliah is passionate about providing full support to United States service women and men throughout and after their military careers.

In her work, Ms. Roze leads a team of senior engineers and engineering fellows in developing transformational and cutting-edge technologies in the interest of national security.  With a focus on strategic investments and timely, coordinated execution, she guides teams in considering customer's current and future needs, evaluating partnerships in the commercial market, and building the company’s capabilities and strengths.

Throughout her 20+ year career, she has supported key defense and intelligence programs, serving in both the customer’s and her company’s best interest.  Claudeliah is deeply passionate about building diverse and high-functioning teams that serve people.

As Vice President, Claudeliah will cast a vision for revitalizing the United State's position as the most technologically-advanced nation in the world, developing a hybrid model of manufacturing, services, and financial sectors to create more jobs, economic stability, and regain our independence as a producer and exporter of goods, services, and policy.

An awardee of the Mae Jemison Engineering Scholarship, she graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Claudeliah’s history of professional excellence has earned her national recognition as a Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) Modern Day Technologist in 2019, which recognizes an individual’s commitment to shaping the future of engineering, science, and technology. In addition to highlighting Claudeliah’s accomplished technical career, the prestigious award focused on her passion for developing diverse leaders that will evolve the face of technology.

In her corporate role, she is successfully implementing a business-wide initiative with partnerships from their Women’s Network and their Black Employees Network to increase innovation and develop and mentor a diverse pipeline of senior technologists, scientists, and fellows, highlighting women and people of color.

During a time when our nation is facing an increasingly complex security environment defined by rapid technological change, Claudeliah supports United States readiness by empowering innovation and delivering new capabilities to our Defense & Intelligence forces.

Simmons/Roze finished 11th in the national election, at the top of what I would consider the third tier of third party results, actually outpolling the Socialist Workers Party. They were on the ballot in Oklahoma (0.23%) and Louisiana (0.08%). They were also registered write-ins in over two dozen additional states. In Florida the running-mate was Melissa Nixon.

Since both candidates were residents of Texas, there would have been a potential Constitutional problem in the event of their victory.

Election history: none

Other occupations: engineer, technology director in aerospace and defense industry

Notes:
Roze was listed in the Dallas Business Journal "2019 40 Under 40."

Amar Manil Patel

 

Amar Manil Patel, December 7, 1973 -

VP candidate for American Solidarity Party (aka Independent) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Brian Thomas Carroll (b. 1949)
Popular vote: 40,652 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

For their second Presidential campaign, the new American Solidarity Party nominated two teachers, Brian Carroll of California and Amar Patel of Illinois.

In my observations this appears to be one of the under-the-radar political parties that is rising fast. Based on Catholic Social Teaching and spinning off a bit from the Christian Democratic parties of Europe, the ASP embraces a "whole life" philosophy, or "consistent life ethic."

Patel's biography was supplied on the ASP webpage-- 

Amar Patel was born to Indian immigrants who came to this country in the late 1960s. His father worked as a civil engineer for the city of Chicago and his mother worked as a union laborer in cleaning supply factory. His parents sponsored the immigration of many family members during his childhood and he grew up with several aunts, uncles, and cousins in his family home at once. He received Bachelor’s Degrees in Math, Chemistry, and Psychology and a Master’s in Education from the University of Illinois. After meeting his wife at the Newman Center during college they moved to the Chicago suburbs where they have been teachers for the last 20 years. They have two children in high school.

Amar has spent years on many committees for school and curriculum development, given talks at state conferences, worked on several church councils, and organized major speech competitions. He has coached speech team, math team, tennis, golf, soccer and basketball. He serves his community through the Knights of Columbus and other local organizations. He is a published novelist, lead singer for a band, member of a competitive softball team, but his passion is in building community and bringing people together.

The VP nominee was the subject of an interview here in Oct. 2019, providing this blog with an excellent overview of the 2020 ASP platform--

https://thirdpartysecondbananas.blogspot.com/2019/10/amar-patel-2020-vp-american-solidarity.html

By Election Day, the interview with Patel had accounted for nearly a quarter of the hits on this blog. The ASP had been energetic in linking it to various social media platforms as part of their political marketing. It was the most striking case of networking and mobilizing I witnessed of the 11 candidates who graciously contributed their interview answers to this blog.

The Carroll/Patel ticket finished in 10th place nationally, at the end of what I would consider the second tier of third parties in the 2020 election. They were on the ballot in 8 states and registered write-ins in at least 26 others. Their ballot results in the popular vote: Illinois and Wisconsin 0.16% each, Rhode Island 0.15%, Arkansas 0.14%, Louisiana 0.12%, Mississippi 0.09%, Colorado 0.08%, and Vermont 0.06%. One could possibly pose the thesis they were spoilers in handing Wisconsin to Biden. Of course the same could be said for the Libertarian and Constitution parties. The ticket's write-in vote was impressive, revealing a growing base of support hovering in various states in the 0.01%-0.04% range.

Election history: none

Other occupations: high school math teacher, novelist, musician

Notes:
Patel is a former Republican.

Michelle Marie Tidball

 

Michelle Marie Tidball, January 1, 1963 (San Diego County, Calif.) -

VP candidate for Birthday Party (aka Non Affiliated aka Independent aka Unaffiliated aka No Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Kanye Omari West (b. 1977)
Popular vote: 71,079 (0.04%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Entertainer Kanye West, who had been identified as a pro-Trump Christian conservative in recent years, announced he was running for President on July 4, 2020. Giving his address as Cody, Wyo., he filed with the FEC under the Birthday Party on July 16, 2020. His running mate was also from Cody, a Biblical life coach, dental office worker, and self-proclaimed servant of God named Michelle Tidball.

Tidball had an autobiography on her commercial webpage that had been removed by the time of the campaign--

I had my first encounter with God as six months old when my mother awoke to find that I was slipping away into a crib death. In a hospital tent God first visited me and spoke life and destiny which I can still recall today. My childhood consisted of visitations and atmospheric encounters. Being raised in the church I loved God, encountered Him, but wanted to know more. At seventeen I had an encounter in the heavenly realms and made a decision to serve Him all the days of my life. The first thing God did was teach me about His Sabbath, Feasts, and Word!  I began walking in His cycles and began to know and understand.

I have various degrees in mental health and criminal justice. I worked as a mental health therapist for ten years and then shifted into life coaching. This seemed a good transition helping people get “unstuck” in their lives using biblical principles and prophetic insight. I use this as well to help sons who are “stuck” and are not encountering God as they were designed to.

I have been involved in almost all aspects of ministry including speaking, pastoring, prayer, teaching, and the most time spent in bringing deliverance to those who are in bondage. My heart has always been to walk in the fullness of sonship and to bring others into manifesting their sonship – to be about His business and see the completion of things He mandated before the foundations of the world.

I look forward to bringing the word with experience and practical counsel on walking as brilliant sons manifested upon the earth!

Shalom!

Michelle

For the most part Tidball remained elusive to the media and took little part in the electioneering.

West's official platform was released on his campaign website--

Kanye West Presidential Platform

1. Restore faith and revive our Constitutional commitment to freedom of religion and the free exercise of one’s faith, demonstrated by restoring prayer in the classroom including spiritual foundations.

We will not hide the truth from our children, but will declare to the next generation His praises and wonder. Psalm 78:4

2. Restore the sound national economy. Reduce household debt and student loan debt.

God has plans to give us hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Provide leadership to restructure our country’s education system to serve the most at-risk and vulnerable populations allowing the widest possible range of educational and vocational paths to job opportunities and career success.

Direct your children on the right path. Proverbs 22:6

4. Maintain a strong national defense, fully prepared, but not so quick to tie up our country’s young men and women in foreign quagmires that do not advance our national interest, and which last for decades.

Through God we shall do valiantly. Psalm 60:12

5. Reform the legal system to provide true justice, equitable for all citizens, regardless of race or ability to defend oneself in court. Recognize the disparity in verdicts and prison sentences, caused by the lack of financial resources or legal assistance.

There will not be differing weights and differing measures. Proverbs 20:10

6. Reform the approach to policing in a manner that treats all Americans the same, regardless of race, color, or ethnicity. Refocus police forces on real crime. Eliminate federal sentencing guidelines that tie the hands of judges, resulting in ridiculous sentences for the most minor offenses.

We will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Proverbs 31:8

7. Take care of the environment, diligently pursuing clean air and water as a national security priority and making renewables top priority.

The past is forgotten and everything can be new 2 Corinthians 5:17
8. Ensure that we always place Americans’ best interest first and foremost in dealing with foreign affairs. We must project strength, not aggression. We want trust, but we must also verify. We want fair trade, not one-sided deals that hurt American workers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

9. Support faith-based groups to provide vital local services, giving communities a shared purpose in government.

We will provide ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works Hebrews 10:24

10. Creativity and the Arts can be an important source of innovation and development of other national strengths and resources.

He has given them skill in all kinds of work done. Exodus 35:35

As the campaign began it was apparent West knew a lot more about how to gain publicity than he did about the basic workings of government. On July 8 he had a long interview with Forbes which was used a reference point until Election Day. Some quotes--

I would run as a Republican if Trump wasn’t there. I will run as an independent if Trump is there.

Trump is the closest president we’ve had in years to allowing God to still be part of the conversation.

One of the main reasons I wore the red hat as a protest to the segregation of votes in the Black community. Also, other than the fact that I like Trump hotels and the saxophones in the lobby.

One time I talked to Jared Kushner, who was saying, ‘We don’t have Black leaders, we just have hustlers.’ Why? Because they killed all the Black leaders.

That is a form of racism and white supremacy and white control to say that all Black people need to be Democrat and to assume that me running is me splitting the vote. All of that information is being charged up on social media platforms by Democrats. And Democrats used to tell me, the same Democrats have threatened me. . . . The reason why this is the first day I registered to vote is because I was scared. I was told that if I voted on Trump my music career would be over. I was threatened into being in one party. I was threatened as a celebrity into being in one party. I was threatened as a Black man into the Democratic party. And that’s what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a Black man if you don’t vote for me, you’re not Black.

Let’s see if the appointing is at 2020 or if it’s 2024—because God appoints the president. If I win in 2020 then it was God’s appointment. If I win in 2024 then that was God’s appointment.

It’s so many of our children that are being vaccinated and paralyzed. . . . So when they say the way we’re going to fix Covid is with a vaccine, I’m extremely cautious. That’s the mark of the beast. They want to put chips inside of us, they want to do all kinds of things, to make it where we can’t cross the gates of heaven. I'm sorry when I say they, the humans that have the Devil inside them. And the sad thing is that, the saddest thing is that we all won’t make it to heaven, that there’ll be some of us that do not make it. Next question.

God just gave me the clarity and said it’s time. You know I was out there, ended up in the hospital, people were calling me crazy. I'm not crazy. Between all of the influences and the positions that we can be put in as musicians—you go on tour, you put out all these albums, and you look up and you don’t have any money in your account. It can drive you crazy, through all of that I was looking crazy because it wasn’t the time. Now it’s time. And we’re not going crazy, we’re going Yeezy, it’s a whole ‘notha level now. N-O-T-H-A.

I don’t know if I would use the word ‘policy’ for the way I would approach things. I don’t have a policy when I went to Nike and designed Yeezy and went to Louis and designed a Louis Vuitton at the same time. It wasn’t a policy, it was a design. We need to innovate the design to be able to free the mind at this time.

A lot of Africans do not like the movie [Black Panther] and representation of themselves in…Wakanda. But I’m gonna use the framework of Wakanda right now because it’s the best explanation of what our design group is going to feel like in the White House…That is a positive idea: you got Kanye West, one of the most powerful humans—I’m not saying the most because you got a lot of alien-level superpowers and it’s only collectively that we can set it free. Let’s get back to Wakanda . . . like in the movie in Wakanda when the king went to visit that lead scientist to have the shoes wrap around her shoes. Just the amount of innovation that can happen, the amount of innovation in medicine—like big pharma—we are going to work, innovate, together. This is not going to be some Nipsey Hussle being murdered, they’re doing a documentary, we have so many soldiers that die for our freedom, our freedom of information, that there is a cure for AIDS out there, there is going to be a mix of big pharma and holistic.

West had registered to vote for the first time in his life at the same time he announced. Even with the backing of Elon Musk and several Republican operatives, West's attempt to gain ballot access in several states was something of a debacle. Missed deadlines and suspicious petition signatures were part of the problem.

The candidate found himself frequently defending his campaign against charges that he was either in the race for commercial self-promotion, or, was a Trump-backed ringer designed to draw votes away from Biden.

There was also a weird sideshow that began in mid-August--

The far Right and Christian-based American Independent Party in California, which had nominated Trump/Pence in 2016, chose Rocky De La Fuente as their nominee, who was already the nominee of the Alliance and Reform parties. But De La Fuente's running-mate Darcy Richardson was bumped as the VP and replaced with Kanye West. Apparently this VP choice was accomplished without input from any of the nominees. De La Fuente said, "I was not consulted to see if I wanted Mr. West as my running mate ... Obviously, we're a weird—and I wanted Mr. Richardson as my running mate—but it was their decision and their decision only."

De La Fuente had entered the AIP primary in Mar. 2020, but came in second to Phil Collins, who was also the Prohibition Party nominee for President.

The Independent Political Report quoted Darcy Richardson--

“Please let Rocky know that if he runs with the unstable, bi-polar Trump-loving Kanye West in California that I will withdraw as his vice-presidential running mate nationally,” Richardson declared in a text message to [AIP official Mark] Seidenberg earlier today. “I’ve spent my entire adult life battling the duopoly and certainly DO NOT want my name associated with a candidacy that peripherally includes a Trump/GOP plant like the unhinged rapper….Bill Shearer must be rolling over in his grave.”

It should be noted that Richardson did remain in the race, or at that was my impression when I posted our interview Oct. 6, 2020. In it he said--

Rocky and I are on the ballot in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont.  We also hope to be official write-in candidates in a couple of dozen states.

Rocky is also on the ballot in populous California where --- much to my chagrin --- he's paired with unhinged, pro-Trump rapper Kanye West on the American Independent Party ticket, a remnant of segregationist George Wallace's 1968 presidential campaign.

https://thirdpartysecondbananas.blogspot.com/2020/10/darcy-richardson-2020-vp-alliance-party.html

West was also not pleased with being nominated VP, calling the AIP "deceitful" and issued a statement that included, "I am campaigning to be the next president of our great country — not vice president ... The political party in California that listed my name as its VP candidate has done so without my knowledge ... Californians, I ask for your vote for president and urge you to write in ‘Kanye West.’"

The De La Fuente/West ticket placed 5th out of the 6 positions on the California ballot with 0.34% of the vote in that state. It was by far De La Fuente's largest bloc of votes nationally.

Back to the Birthday Party vote tally-- West was on the ballot in a dozen states and registered as a write-in a dozen more. His strongest results: Utah 0.48%, Idaho 0.42%, Oklahoma 0.36%, Arkansas and Tennessee and Vermont 0.34% each, Kentucky 0.30%, Mississippi 0.28%, Colorado 0.25%. Amazingly, the West/Tidnall ticket finished in 7th place, ahead of several longtime third parties such as the Constitution and Socialist Workers parties.

West has been teasing a run for 2024.

Election history: none

Other occupations: therapist, life coach, dental officer worker, pastor

Notes:
She has had numerous surnames over the years but Tidball seems to be her name at birth.

Sunil K. Freeman

 

Sunil K. Freeman, January 28, 1955 (Raleigh, N.C.) -

VP candidate for Party for Socialism and Liberation (aka Peace and Freedom Party aka Independent aka Unaffiliated aka Liberty Union Party) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Gloria Estela La Riva (b. 1954)
Popular vote: 76,733 (0.05%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

2020 was the 4th national election for the young party, and in three of those the standard bearer was Gloria La Riva. Her running-mate was Leonard Peltier.

La Riva ran on a platform of 10 points, as she did in 2016--

The PSL’s 2020 Ten Point
Socialist Campaign Program

★ 1 |  Make the essentials of life into constitutional rights
The U.S. has more than enough so that all the essentials of life — food, housing, water, education, health care and a job or basic income can be guaranteed rights — rather than distributed only for profit. Create a completely free and public healthcare system. Make education free—cancel all student debt. Fully fund rebuilding of the infrastructure in transport, water and utility systems. Stop all foreclosures and evictions. End all discrimination based on ability/disability.

★ 2 |  For the Earth to live, capitalism must be replaced by a socialist system
Global warming, pollution, acidified and depleted oceans, fracking, critical drought, plastics choking the seas, nuclear weapons and waste — it is clear that capitalism and production for profit are destroying the planet and threatening all life. The crisis is already here, with the most vulnerable and oppressed areas of the U.S. and Global South bearing the brunt. Using truly sustainable energy and seizing the oil and coal companies to stop fossil fuel pollution, are urgent steps needed to reverse climate change. Ultimately, only the socialist reorganization of society can assure the future of the people and the planet.

★ 3 |  End racism, police brutality and mass incarceration-Pay reparations to the African American community
Mass incarceration and racist policing are symptomatic of the 400 years of brutal repression meted out to African-descended peoples in the U.S. and the genocide committed against the Native nations. Reparations must be paid to the African American and Native communities! More than 2.2 million people are behind bars in the largest prison complex in the world. End mass incarceration of oppressed and all working class people. Fully prosecute all acts of police brutality and violence. Free Leonard Peltier, Mumia Abu-Jamal and all political prisoners!

★ 4 |  Full rights for all immigrants
Abolish all anti-immigrant laws. Stop the raids and deportations and demonization of immigrants. Shut down ICE and the concentration camps and reunite families. The government’s war on immigrants must end. The border wall must be dismantled. Amnesty and citizenship for those without documents. Full rights for all!

★ 5 |  Shut down all U.S. military bases around the world—bring all the troops, planes & ships home
U.S. foreign policy uses the pretext of national security to enforce the imperialist interests of the biggest banks and corporations. That is what is behind the endless wars and occupations. Use the $1 trillion military budget instead to provide for people’s needs here and worldwide. Abolish nuclear weapons. Stop U.S. aid to Israel. Self-determination for the Palestinian people, including the right of return. End the U.S. blockade of Cuba and sanctions against Venezuela, Iran and all countries. Independence for Puerto Rico and cancel its debt!

★ 6 |  Honor Native treaties. Free Leonard Peltier now
Both major parties have continued to allow the destruction of Native lands by mining and corporate agricultural interests in blatant disregard of indigenous sovereign rights. 33% of Native children live in poverty and many of America's poorest counties are reservations. The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the over-incarceration of Native peoples shows the bankruptcy of capitalism from its earliest inception in the Americas until today.
 
★ 7 |  Full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people
Fight back against anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence. Defend marriage equality. Full equality in all matters governed by civil law, including employment, housing, healthcare and education. No to “religious exemption” laws that allow discrimination against LGBTQ people!
 
★ 8 |  Equality for women and free, safe, legal abortion on demand
Stop the attack on women’s reproductive rights and defend Roe v. Wade. Women must have the fundamental right to choose & control their own bodies. Women still earn 22 percent less than men, and the gap is even more severe for Black and Latina women. Close the wage gap and end the gender division of labor.

★ 9 |  Defend and expand our unions
Support the right of all workers to have a union. Fight back against the attacks on collective bargaining. Require employers to recognize card check union votes. Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. Focusing on low-wage worker organizing, rebuild a fighting labor movement.

★ 10 |  Takeover the stolen wealth of the giant banks and corporations – Jail Wall St. criminals
The vast wealth of the giant banks and corporations is created by workers labor and the exploitation of the world’s diminishing natural resources. The billionaires looted and destroyed the economy. It is time to seize their assets and use those resources in the interests of the vast majority. Power must be taken out of the hands of the super rich, and Wall Street criminals must be jailed.
    
In May 2020 the ticket was also nominated by the Liberty Union Party in Vermont. LU had also selected La Riva in 2016. On the negative side one can find chatter from other Leftist groups who consider PSL to be "tankies" (i.e. Stalinists) in love with despotic regimes as well as being an undemocratic, nontransparent political party to the point of being a cult. There have been allegations for years that PSL has harbored and protected sexual predators and abusers within their ranks.

Peltier withdrew from the ticket on July 20, 2020 citing ill health. He was replaced by Sunil Freeman. Freeman's biography was provided on the campaign website--

Sunil Freeman is a lifelong activist and cultural worker. He is the child of parents who met as workers at the refugee camp in Kurukshetra during the time of India's independence and partition. Growing up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C., Sunil, along with his family, were active participants in the mass anti-Vietnam War movement, formative experiences that brought Sunil into solidarity with all the movements of the oppressed sweeping the world during that time.

Sunil, a poet and essayist, has contributed to and edited major literary journals. He joined the PSL in 2005 after becoming an organizer with the ANSWER Coalition in the anti-Iraq War movement. Sunil has participated in and organized dozens of events in opposition to US wars abroad, against the US blockade of Cuba, and against criminal sanctions levied by the US against a range of countries.

Sunil is also a disability rights activist working to make all aspects of society accessible to all. Sunil currently resides in Maryland and continues to be active in social justice issues of all kinds.

For the second time in a row the Peace and Freedom Party in California nominated La Riva for President, soundly defeating Howie Hawkins' bid.

Ever since the 2008 election the Party's popular vote result has been steadily rising. Their combined 2020 vote was 86,239, finishing in 6th place after the Libertarian, Green, and Alliance parties. 9,506 of those votes were for the La Riva/Peltier ticket in Illinois (0.13%) and Minnesota (0.04%) where his name remained in the ballot, and in Texas (0.00%) as the official write-in VP.

The La Riva/Freeman ticket saw their strongest percentages in California (0.29%), District of Columbia (0.25%), New Mexico (0.18%), Rhode Island (0.16%), Washington (0.12%), and Arkansas (0.11%).

Election history: none

Other occupations: poet, author, Assistant Director of the Writer's Center

Notes:
Freeman's father was an American Quaker, his mother born a citizen of India.

Karla Marie Ballard

 

Karla Marie Ballard, April 21, 1971 (Philadelphia, Penn.) -

VP candidate for Independent (aka American Shopping Party aka Unaffiliated aka No Party aka Freedom and Prosperity Party aka Independence Party of New York) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Brock Jeffrey Pierce (b. 1980)
Popular vote: 49,720 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Until Brock Pierce had announced his Presidential run I had never heard of him before. And once I started to read about how the former child movie actor became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist I realized why. You see, I'm a guy who still uses a flip phone that cannot connect to Internet or even accept emojis as valid characters. I belong to no social networks. Most of my vast movie collection is in VHS format. Until recently my car was from the 20th century (now I drive a 2002 Honda which can still play my cassette audio tapes!). I have no tattoos or piercings (obscure pun not intended). The world of Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and internet gaming is beyond the comprehension of my caveman brain.

Using the slogan "Brock the Vote," Pierce announced his intention to run and filed with the FEC as an Independent in early July, 2020. Karla Ballard was added in the FEC filing later in the month as his VP.

The Philadelphia-based Ballard was a fellow entrepreneur with an interesting family backstory, claiming to be related to the infamous US Vice-President Aaron Burr. As Ballard explained to one reporter, "For many years there was talk that we were related to Burr. When the show 'Hamilton' came out, we did DNA testing, and the findings confirmed that we are in fact related to him. The family is now comfortable with it, and the Aaron Burr Association has been welcoming. We even have his family bible!" I'm not sure that being related to Burr is the best salesmanship, but it is the kind of trivia I enjoy.

Pierce was not without political baggage. He had past ties with toxic criminals and con artists such as Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein. Pierce had survived and was cleared of allegations of child sexual abuse. He was also the subject of investigations on other legal matters. Most of his substantial political monetary contributions up to this point had been to Republicans such as Sen. Rubio, Sen. McCain, Gov. Perry, and tens of thousands to Trump's re-election effort as well as the Republican National Committee and National Right to Life Political Action Committee. This led to charges by some that Pierce was a ringer for Trump and his centrist Left rhetoric was designed to peel votes away from Biden.

In an interview with Pierce by The Daily Beast Sept. 23, 2020, the candidate inadvertently revealed he knew a lot more about technological innovation than he did about politics or government.

Pierce's platform as presented on his campaign webpage--

Re-legalizing Cannabis
We will pardon all individuals who have been charged with non-violent offenses related to cannabis and expunge their records.
We will work to end the prohibition of cannabis and fully legalize it.
We will reschedule cannabis to remove it from the DEA list of scheduled drugs and substances.
We will sign an executive order barring all federal agencies, particularly the Department of Justice, from pursuing any cases for crimes related to cannabis possession, use, or distribution.
We will renegotiate international treaties to facilitate the international and domestic legalization of cannabis.

Fiscal Policy
We will re-architect America’s economic and fiscal policies to benefit all Americans, rather than borrowing for the benefit of the elite.
We will balance America’s budget for the benefit of future generations.
We will implement regulations that open the financial markets to innovation that will provide alternative lending solutions.
We will work to end deficit spending and begin the process of eliminating the federal debt.

Universal Earned Income
We will establish a Universal Earned Income (UEI) for all Americans.
Universal Earned Income will be provided in equal amounts to every American as a monthly stipend.
Universal Earned Income will be funded by restructuring government programs and changing the structure of federal taxation to address the current gross misallocation of resources at the national level.
Universal Earned Income guarantees that all Americans will have their essential needs met as members of America’s political and economic system.
UEI will allow Americans to pursue work and careers that inspire them while increasing the value of their work and creating further abundance for all.

Healthcare
We will ensure affordable and effective healthcare for all Americans.
We will redesign America’s healthcare system to create win-win scenarios for companies and people through preventive care and treatments at reduced cost.
We will provide government grants for the development of technologies that allow our society to protect human life and prevent the unnecessary spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.
We will provide ethical and moral regulatory frameworks for the development of tools serving the interests of national healthcare, such as mental health reporting and contact tracing.
We will provide a non-emergency national mental health support line to make mental health services and support accessible to all Americans.

Criminal Justice Reform
We will end the “War on Drugs”
We will end asset forfeiture without a court order.
We will require police departments to have more transparent recruiting, longer, and more thorough training programs, as well as malpractice insurance.
We will require the use of body-cams by police while on duty.
We will require alternative emergency response options for non-violent incidents.

Technology & AI
We will ensure that America’s government is effectively educated in and able to govern current technologies for the benefit of all Americans.
We will use automation and AI to benefit all Americans.
We will ensure that suitable consumer devices and network access are provided to those who otherwise could not access the Internet.
We will ensure network neutrality and bar providers from blocking or slowing Internet content or offering “fast lanes”.
We will give Americans the right to opt out of non-essential, commercial uses of their data.

U.S. Currency Strategy
We will engage in actions to increase America’s economic liquidity.
We will ensure the highest level of transparency possible in our financial systems.
We will improve relations with all nations, including China and Russia.
We will ensure that the United States keeps pace with the emergence of digital currencies, including those from abroad.
We will ensure the healthy growth of America’s economy to the benefit of all Americans.

Your Body is Yours
We will ensure that adults have the sole right to grant or withhold consent to add things to their bodies.
We will ensure that adults have the sole right to grant or withhold consent to remove things from their body.
We will work to ensure that both explicit and implicit slavery are made illegal.

In the course of the campaign Pierce received the endorsement and/or nomination of the American Shopping Party and the Independence Party of New York.

On the ballot in 16 states with some added registered write-ins, the Pierce/Ballard ticket had their strongest results in Wyoming (0.79%), Idaho (0.32%), New York (0.26%), Alaska (0.23%), District of Columbia and Hawaii (0.20% each), Arkansas and Utah (0.18% each), Kentucky and Minnesota (0.17% each), and Oklahoma (0.16%). In Wyoming they finished in 4th place. Nationally they were 9th, behind the rapidly declining Constitution Party and ahead the equally rapidly rising American Solidarity Party.

In the fall of 2020 Pierce announced his intention to start a future new third party. In May 2021 he reflected, "I achieved everything that I was attempting to achieve: to understand the mechanics of the system. I didn't have a political background. There are a lot of ways to enter politics, a lot of ways that are probably safer and cheaper. But I chose to do the most accelerated version, which is to just go run for an elected office on a national platform, to understand what it takes. I viewed it as basic training."

Election history: none

Other occupations: entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of YING, board member of Alliance for Women in Media, board member of Northern Virginia Community College, speaker, president of the National Urban League Young Professionals

Notes:
aka Karla Ballard Williams.

Danny Zelaya

 

Danny Zelaya, April 13, 1981 -

VP candidate for Independent (2016, 2020)

Running mate with nominee (2016, 2020): Jesus (Spirit) (ca. 4 BC–ca. AD 30/33 / spirit form: ca. AD 30/33- present)
Popular vote (2016, 2020): 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote (2016, 2020): 0/538

The campaign (2016):

The Spirit of Jesus has appeared in Presidential campaigns before. He ran for President in 2008 with VP Christopher Michael Padgett as an Independent. He was also a third party VP at least three times: 1972 with Billy Joe Clegg (Loyal USA Party), 1988 with Basil Tellou (Independent) and 2008 with Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian (Independent). In 2016 and 2020 he ran again as a Presidential candidate with VP Danny Zelaya.

On Nov. 25, 2015 Zelaya of Miami, Fla. made the following statement on Facebook regarding his Presidential campaign--

So my dad told me I should explain on facebook what my plans are should I become President The Politically Correct thing to say is strengthen our economy reduce crime balance our budget and expand our global war on terrorism But The Real Plan cannot be discussed because the opposition will win based on the fact that most Americans believe what they are told in the media and the media is run by individuals who don't want to advance America because they thrive on bad news They would have nothing to talk about if everything was going well but that's what we all want If we are going to do this we are going to get organized and realize we are fighting an enemy here at home and it is called fame and greed Let me expand everything you hear is true the plan it to keep it just that people giving there opinions on social media and nothing more they don't want you to know the truth I am here to liberate this country from the oppressive machine that has been holding it hostage since it's inception wether I achieve that or not I will at least be able to open the mind of a few individuals to get the ball rolling in the right direction Nobody wanted me to run for President I am everyone's nightmare and there only hope is that my opinions never get the light of day and the truth is never exposed this puts my life at risk so be it for the good of the people My only hope is to advance the Kingdom of God That is the Only Thing That will last All These Other Kingdom's Will Be Crushed By This One With Good Reason

He filed with the FEC as an Independent on Jan. 28, 2016.

Zelaya later shifted his focus to running for Vice President, with Jesus as the standard bearer--

Aug. 6, 2016
Only one guy worthy of being the president it's me and if Jesus were here vice president

Oct. 17, 2016
vice-president is enough for me I'm following Jesus' lead to the glory of god

No votes were reported for the ticket.

The campaign (2020):

On July 3, 2020 Danny Zelaya of announced on Facebook he was running for President again.

However, he had also started a Danny Zelaya for Vice President Facebook page in Apr. 2020. Perhaps I am in error but it seems a safe assumption that Jesus is once again the Presidential half of that ticket.

Zelaya's 2020 campaign was almost invisible compared to his 2016 effort.

Election history:
2016 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2020 - US President (Independent) - defeated

Other occupations: athlete

Notes:
Zelaya's father immigrated from Honduras.

Sheila Marie Cannon

 

                                                                       Rouse

Sheila Marie Cannon

VP candidate for Independent (aka Non Affiliated aka No Affiliation) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Deborah Ann Rouse (b. 1960)
Popular vote: 15 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Deborah Rouse of Athens, Tenn. jumped in extra early with the FEC to run in the 2020 election. Before the previous election was completed, she filed as an Independent on Sept. 26, 2016. On Aug. 1, 2017 she changed her affiliation to "Write-In" and named her running-mate, Tammie Jane Landreth. On Jan. 16, 2018 the VP was changed to Sheila Cannon.

A couple years ago or so I had engaged in a friendly email correspondence with the Presidential candidate in order to request an interview with Sheila Cannon of Michigan, which was refused for reasons unknown. We parted amiably. I recall there was a lot more information online back then than I can find today regarding the Rouse campaign, especially on Youtube. But if memory serves, Cannon was someone Rouse was acquainted with through her occupational life via phone contact.

I also seem to remember Rouse was a Christian who felt, regardless of the outcome of the election, she had been directed to run by God and/or Jesus.

Rouse's campaign website is still available but only offers a series of now defunct links and this very brief mission statement--

My only promise is, that I will not make any promises. As your President, I will enter the position with zeal and excitement, to better serve the people of the United States of America. "Hope" let's bring it back to America! God Bless The United States of America!

Rouse/Cannon were registered write-ins in at least 11 states.

Election history: ?

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Another mystery VP.

Jeremy Cohen

 

Jeremy Cohen, June 28, 1982 (Baltimore, Md.) -

VP candidate for Libertarian Party (aka Independent) (2020)

Running mate with nominee: Joanne Marie Jorgensen (b. 1957)
Popular vote: 1,865,724 (1.18%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Jeremy "Spike" Cohen was a protégé of perennial performance artist candidate Vermin Supreme. Unlike the mainstream two parties, Libertarian candidates frequently name their selection for Vice-President well ahead of the nomination process. Vermin's choice was Spike Cohen.

Cohen had written on Supreme's website--

My name is Spike Cohen, and I’m running for the Libertarian nomination for Vice President.  My beliefs lines up solidly with the Libertarian Party Platform, with the only exceptions being when I think it doesn’t go quite far enough in promoting maximum freedom.  I understand that the Platform is an attempt to compromise between different positions and I completely respect that, but as an individual candidate my policy is anarchy.

With that said, I realize as that as Vice President I will not be able to simply snap my fingers and make government go away.  For that reason, I am willing and eager to compromise as hard as I absolutely need to in order to change government from the inside.  As we all know, compromising on principle with sociopaths who want to enslave the world is a surefire way to achieve positive change.

To that end, I am unleashing my Verbal Agreement For An Even Better America, which builds upon Vermin’s 4 Point Platform of Free Ponies, Mandatory Tooth Brushing, Zombie Power and Killing Baby Hitler to create the greatest world any of us could possibly imagine.

I pledge that all of these things will happen in the first 100 days of our administration, or else I will resign and be replaced with Baby Yoda:

Early in his campaign with Supreme, Cohen told one reporter, "We've been accused of doing this as some kind of satirical campaign. That we're trying to shed light on the fact that that this entire system is a joke. This is a ridiculous accusation. I reject it entirely. We're of course perfectly serious about our entire platform ... The chips are stacked against us from the president down to the congress to most major media ... It's the system that's a joke and it treats us as a joke and it treats the idea of having more than two options as a joke. We're changing the punch line by trolling the system."

Although Supreme's quest for the nomination was not a success (he finished in third place), Cohen narrowly won the VP nod on the third ballot by defeating John Monds. The latter was the first choice of Presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen. She had been the 1996 Libertarian running-mate and the first woman to run for President under the Party's banner.

The selection of Cohen for the second spot drew some negative reaction from certain politicos. The New York Intelligencer ran an article entitled, "Libertarians Decide to Become a Joke in 2020" by Ed Kilgore, including the following--

But the effort to make the Libertarian Party a viable option without celebrity leadership will perhaps be tested the most by Cohen’s presence on the national ticket. He appears to have completely internalized Supreme’s troll-ish approach to politics, as indicated in an interview earlier this year:

    “It’s the system that’s a joke and it treats us as a joke and it treats the idea of having more than two options as a joke.” he explained. “We’re changing the punch line by trolling the system.”

And so, when running for the veep nomination, Cohen trumped Supreme’s free-pony promise (politicians promise people everything, you see) with an extra offer of free cheesy bread and Waffle Houses on every corner. He also added to Supreme’s long-standing pledge to fund time-travel research and then go back to kill Baby Adolf Hitler with a pledge to kill Baby Woodrow Wilson, too.

Let’s just stipulate that Spike Cohen, like Vermin Supreme, is at best an acquired taste. Aside from all the aggressive trolling, he self-identifies as an anarchist. On the positive side, from a seriousness point of view, he does not wear a boot on his head.

However from what I observed, Cohen rose to the occasion after his VP nomination and waged a relatively serious campaign clearly articulating the Libertarian positions in a professional manner. He was even occasionally seen wearing a necktie. He did travel on a bus tour late in the campaign, but due to COVID-19 it seems many of his public appearances were online with podcasters.

Jorgensen's final popular vote tally was the highest of any female third party Presidential candidate in U.S. history. The Libertarian ticket, as usual saw their strongest results in the West: South Dakota (2.63%), North Dakota (2.60%), Utah (2.58%), Montana (2.53%), Alaska (2.47%), Kansas (2.23%), Nebraska (2.12%), and Wyoming (2.08%). They finished with over 1% and just under in more than 30 additional states.

The 2020 results ended with the second highest number of popular votes and percentage (after 2016) in the history of the Party. It was only the third time the Libertarian Presidential candidate cracked 1% nationally and likewise for exceeding a million votes.

If one accepts the debatable premise the Libertarians were spoilers who hurt Trump and helped Biden, then Jorgensen/Cohen would possibly have made a difference in favor of the Democrats in Georgia, Arizona, and Wisconsin. But even so, Trump winning all three would still have put him under the 270 Electoral votes needed to win.

Since both Libertarian candidates were residents of South Carolina there would have been a potential legal snag in the event of their victory per the Constitution.

Election history: none

Other occupations: web designer, podcaster

Notes:
One of Cohen's final stops on his bus tour was in Olympia, Wash. on the Capitol Campus on the site of the original Governor's house, in fact. His rally was held across the street from the old Thurston County Courthouse, where I registered to vote the day I turned 18 back in 19[*cough!* *cough!*] not long after 18 year olds were granted the right to vote. Wish I had known he was appearing here, I would have attended for pure academic interest.
Washington State trivia alert about that courthouse regarding third party Presidential candidate and also VP candidate (with Eugene McCarthy) Dick Gregory-- Dick Gregory was a ground-breaking African American comedian who became better known as a political activist than as an entertainer. I first became aware of Gregory in the 1960s when he protested in favor of the Nisqually Indians treaty fishing rights. For his trouble he was tossed into the Thurston County jail in Olympia, Washington where he engaged in a fast. In those days the jail was in the old courthouse across the street from the Capitol campus. The Nisqually people had set up a camp across the street on the Cap campus lawn in a show of support for Gregory. Talking with them was a political education for me and left a deep impression, so in that sense Gregory was successful in communicating his message to at least one individual.