Jason Sundance Head, July 9, 1978 (Houston, Tex.) -
VP candidate for Independent (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Kenneth Bone (b. 1982)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
Before Andy Warhol came along the term "9-day wonder" existed, which seems pretty accurate for Bone. As he gamely describes himself on the masthead of his current Facebook, "An average working man from the Midwest who randomly became temporarily famous because of a sweater."
Bone's overnight fame was the result of his being a member of the audience in the town hall format of the second Clinton-Trump. The coal plant operator from southern Illinois posed a question to the candidates, "What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimizing job loss for fossil power plant workers?" This was near the end of the debate, which was steeped in negativity, and Bone's gentle and centrist manner came across as refreshing corniness.
He instantly became an Internet star, frequently dubbed the "true winner" of the debate. What could be termed a fake-adoration "Bone for President" movement gained steam, in addition to being assigned the running-mate of Harambe, the deceased gorilla. Bone himself seemed to roll with it more gracefully than most would in the same circumstances.
The Atlantic mused on some of the reasons why Bone had become so popular--
1. His name
2. The fact that his name lends itself so well to puns of varying levels of lewdness
3. His red sweater
4. The fact that he wore that red sweater with a white button-down and a tie
5. His Midwestern accent
6. The fact that, post-debate, he took pictures of the moment with a ‘90s-tastic disposable camera
But soon the less-idealized side of Ken Bone was revealed by some all too human past comments on social media, although their offensiveness paled in comparison to what the Republican nominee was saying both in private and public. Even as the pedestal was being kicked out from underneath, Bone was philosophical. "I'm not going to pretend that I did not say them ... All I can do is apologize and move on."
SNL even included Bone within their sendup of the debate--
Martha Raddatz: And now, since everyone's been so good, it's time for a special treat.
Anderson Cooper: That's right. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the one, the only, Mr. Ken Bone!
Ken Bone: You all ready for this? [Bone does a little dance within a glitter frame]
MR: Oh my God. He is so cute.
AC: I really needed that right now.
MR: Now wait. Ken you're not going to turn out to be a weird little creep or anything, are you?
KB: Maaaaaaybe.
MR: God, we can't have anything nice.
AC: Oh well.
One of the several unauthorized "Ken Bone for President" sites, this particular one on Facebook, offered musician Sundance Head as the VP. No doubt due to the combination of names on the ticket, Bone/Head.
On Nov. 7, 2016, the Ken Bone for President 2016 Facebook page heralded--
BREAKING NEWS from the BONEZONE: Our fearless leader, Ken Bone, has announced, prior to election day - his amazing VP choice!!! Straight from NBC Television's hit show, "The VOICE," the GREAT Sundance Head will be our nation's next Vice-President. A VERY PROUD DAY FOR AMERICA!!! BONE/HEAD 2016!!!!!
Head is a country-blues performer who first became widely known as a contestant on American Idol (a finalist) and The Voice (winner in 2016).
If the Bone/Head ticket had emerged victorious on Election Day, the below-35 age of the standard bearer would have proven to be Constitutionally problematic.
Election history: none
Other occupations: musical performer
Notes:
Confession: I have never seen American Idol, or, The Voice.
