Keith Sprankle ran for President in the 2008 Republican primary. The idea of anyone running such a longshot campaign intrigued me, especially a fellow Washingtonian, and he graciously granted an email interview which I posted on OlyBlog, Sept. 24, 2007. Here's a link to the original interview and comments:
https://www.olyblog.net/newWP/2007/09/24/an-interview-with-keith-sprankle-2008-republican-presidential-candidate/
I should note that Mr. Sprankle's name did not appear on the ballot in the Washington State Republican primary election, according to the online records of the Secretary of State.
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An Interview With Keith Sprankle, 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate
First, why President of the United States? Why not Washington State Representative or County Commissioner?
I felt the issues at hand affecting us right here in the Northwest need to be addressed on a National scale. My platform is primarily to push our economy through the tough times by giving us the gas to drive us forward, No pun intended. The way to increase tax revenues is not by raising taxes, but by having higher paying jobs and more people working. We must improve our educational system so more people have the opportunity to step into those higher paying jobs and the opportunity to improve their lives.
Every candidate is looking to use policies which will slow the economy down and as Allen Greenspan spoke this morning, we are approaching a recession if our government stumbles at this critical time.
A critical slowdown in our economy in the next few years combined with drastically increased gasoline costs will affect all companies, including Boeing. They have record orders and we are in good shape right now, but what if airlines start re-thinking their orders, faced with a more fuel efficient aircraft, but declining public travel demands, there are some far reaching implications at hand.
I felt the only way to voice this message was in seeking this Office.
Do you see your campaign as something of a Quixotic quest?
Not at all. The message is sound; the acceptance is lost on a society which believes only in the exploitation of the media. Breaking the glass ceiling is still possible, the media won’t publish until you have rating in the polls, and the polls won’t list unknown candidates until they are in the media. The same thing is true in attempting to break into the debate circuit.
It may be a dream to think one man can change the course of history, but I only act upon what I feel the Lord has asked me to do. Standing on the sidelines with information in hand on the economics of pending social problems would be considered by some to be an act of treason.
Your campaign site includes the information that you started repairing televisions in your father's garage at the age of 10, you learned to fly before you were able to drive in California, you finished high school in just 3 years and 3 months, you took up guitar building and produced several models, one even played on stage by Bon Jovi, you were a gold miner, and more. It is all very interesting but I'm wondering how that translates into being the CEO for the United States?
My intent was to show early skills and achievements, yet I set all future possibilities aside to first raise and provide for a family. Family and children come first and no matter what the job or drudgery one must provide food and shelter for those who depend upon them. It has not been until later years that I have become involved in economics, business management and other skills, but the diversity of experience all relates to an individual’s ability to comprehend and understand a myriad of situations of which a President is required to do.
Your website states, "I have Multiple Sclerosis and because of this have had to deal with the inadequacies of our health-care system, from all sides of the issue." Other than your view on health care, how else has this disease shaped your world view?
It has brought me a greater understanding of how social issues, no matter what type, have an impact on the decision people make in their everyday lives. People see the hope for opportunity in many different ways and form many different angles. We sometimes fail to understand what drives people to make the decision they make, may it be what college to attend or what to buy or not buy, or in terms of world issues – how their policies will affect the people and beliefs of their Nation.
I see you were born in 1959, which means, like my younger brother, you were not required to register for the draft. Some Republicans see draft registration as a libertarian issue and are against it. In fact, Reagan even said as much in the 1980 campaign (but, as it turned out, he lied). Other Republicans see draft registration as a requirement for a strong national defense. Where do you stand on this?
I see no need for the draft, and under the proper administration we should always have enough volunteers for our defense. So let me make this clearer, I am against the draft period. If we find ourselves in a shortfall of military personal that would, and should be, considered a shortfall of the policies which created the situation. I believe the military can be used more efficiently and effectively for much more than we accomplish with our tax dollars. I have another program in the sidelines to increase the training within the military which would directly relate to establishment of civilian higher paying jobs. This would help thousands of young men and women make the transition to supporting their families after leaving the military if they choose not to go to school afterwards.
Will you be on the ballot in any Republican primaries?
This is to be determined by the voting public and the outcome of the next couple months.
Did you consider running as a member of any third parties?
I have always been a republican and feel my primary values are closer to the Republican Party. No matter what Party one belongs to it must be the people, our society, and the future which will guide the vision of our Country.
Have you read "Leviathan on the Right : How Big-Government Conservatism Brought Down the Republican Revolution" by Michael Tanner? There seems to be a split within the Republican Party, where libertarian Republicans, who embraced Goldwater and the pre-Iran/Contra Reagan, feel betrayed by the deficit-raising, foreign entanglement increasing, privacy-intruding Neo-Cons. Dr. Paul's followers would fall into this libertarian camp, I believe. Which camp would you fall into?
I have not had a chance yet to read this, but since you have asked I will. I have read about 20 or so books over the last six months relating to economics, Washington and politics. Along with playing catch-up in my education of Washington government, this has encompassed the greatest amount of my time over the last few months.
Do you believe in global warming as outlined by Al Gore's movie?
I have not seen the movie, but agree that this issue is one we must aggressively address right now. Man and fossil fuel has been proven to have implications within our environment, even though some of the outcomes may have Natural cycles out of our control. We cannot wait for a time in which previous action would have precluded future action. My plans for driving more fossil fuel use are warranted in that their use now will stop the slow on-going use in the near future.
Do you believe in evolution?
No, Man was created period. But, Evolution has a place in science and in school as all people need to be exposed to ideas and concepts. Religion has a place in our society and people are free to make the choices which fit their views.
How much of your day is spent campaigning for President?
Campaigning is still not a great deal of my time if you are considering time spent out on the road. Studying and developing policies, on the other hand, consume approximately 80-90% of my time. With such a short time before the primaries, if my campaign takes off, I will not have time to study as much and these numbers will turn around.
What are some of the challenges of being a candidate who is not a national figure?
Extensive, as this is a very unorthodox run for this Office. As stated above, people do not believe a candidate has any chance unless they have established a previous national record of public policy. Yet our Constitution does not say anything about experience for this office and leaves the possibility that our Country may one day need a President who truly is of the people, and not of the Washington bureaucrats.
Who is your favorite among the big name candidates?
I am not completely happy with any of the choices we have today. Each of them has individual positive opinions and ideas, but in conjunction with their entire platform will bring our Nation closer to an economic slowdown and ultimately hurt the working man who is simply trying to pursue the American dream.
In your Sept. 12, 2007 press release, you lead with, "I was honored to have Democratic Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama, embrace my plan and vision for the redevelopment and solutions for the Country of Iraq." Are you suggesting he read your stand on this issue and borrowed from it?
He may or may not have. It brings to light that the policies of someone from the streets of America can see the common sense solutions and missing components of the issues at hand.
I am glad people can align themselves to a view of seeking an end to the war, but without losing honor and dignity.
Have you met or been in contact fellow Washingtonian Presidential candidates Gene Amondson (Prohibition Party) or Dal LaMagna (Democrat)? I would enjoy seeing the three of you on a panel discussing your campaigns.
No I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with them and would enjoy hearing and discussing the issues and their views for the future of our Nation.
You have lived in Washington State for a few years now. How do you like it here? Any political or social observations as a newcomer?
I love Washington and the people here. Everyone is very open and supportive and very willing to speak their mind. I would like to see Washington have a greater voice in national politics. Oh, and I actually like the rain!
Do you plan to remain politically active after the election? How?
Yes, I would like to follow-through with the information and views I have to offer. If this means working on a State level or possibly congress then both would be possibilities. But that decision will be up to the people of this State.
Thank you for the list of questions and I hope the answers provide the insight to my underlying motivations and drive for this office.
Keith Sprankle
