Showing posts with label New American Independent Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New American Independent Party. Show all posts

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Keith John Ferguson

 



Keith John Ferguson, ca1961 -

VP candidate for Citizens Freedom Party (2016)

Running mate with nominee: Mark Blair Graham (b. 1960)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Mark Blair Graham of Okeechobee, Fla. filed with the FEC as a write-in for US President on the unfortunate date of Apr. 1, 2015. Graham had previously made an Independent bid for President in 2008 but withdrew in order to run as one of Frank McEnulty's 9 different running-mates in the New American Independent Party. In 2012 he also ran for President but withdrew from the race, he said, due to family death.

By 2016 Graham was involved in something called the Citizens Freedom Party. His June 3, 2016 Facebook announced--

The Citizens Freedom Party has nominated there choice for President and Vice President for the 2016 election,The nomination for President is Mark B Graham of Florida and  for Vice President is Keith John Ferguson from Minnesota.

Ferguson had been the nominee of the Citizens Party of the United States in 2012, a group that may or may not have been the ancestor of the Citizens Freedom Party. Ferguson's 2012 platform--

1. We will re-create the comprehensive employment and training act called ( ceta ) program; We will target new jobs to employ the unemployed; and focus on economically depressed communities. The intentis to provide the unemployed with marketable skills needed to find premanent employment.  The frist time used was 1973 to train workers and high school students in the summer for the jobs of the future.

2. We will re-imagine the workforce development act (wia) to integrate region training systems in order to retool America's workforce and transform regional economies. And providing high-wage jobs opportunities for workers. Congress should pass it now, to put America back to work.
 
3. We will permit unemployed American's to tap their retirement accounts without incurring a ten percent penalty for early withdrawals. To allow them to have some extra funds to pay their bills.

4.We will Renegotiate all trade agreements, beginning with NAFTA, A revitalization of the U.S. economy requires the U.S. to withdraw from NAFTA and all other trade agreements at once.

5. We will Craft a national industrial policy to stop the outsourcing of American job and to secure America's future and economic base.

6. We will stop allowing U.S. companies to receive tax benefits for sending jobs overseas allowing America to become unemployed. The exodus of U.S. jobs will stop.

7. We will stop China's unfair currency manipulation. The U.S. must put an end to this injustice by leveling the playing fied by levying a tax on Chinese imports,we need a tougher trade policy on China.


8. We will  Enact strong " Buy America" Legislation that all fedral, state and local government's must buy American first.

9. We will make wall street pay back main street through a financial transaction tax the funds would be use for infrastructure projects.

10. We will stop employers from using a job applicant's credit rating as a basis for employment. Buy the Equal Employment for all Act, HR 3149 it with be passed.

11. We will close all but ten military bases over seas, and end the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. Then we will use the funds from those closed bases to build a larger military rapid deployment force, this will put American's back to work building the equipment. And the funds would also be used for much needed infrastructure projects.

12. We will have an incentive tax breaks if you buy American, this will come off your gross income. You can read about the plan on the group National Self Reliance.

13. We will freeze all federal pay for 4 years, this includes all of Congress and the President but not the military.


14. We will increase veterans benefits, so that our veterans have full access to medical and mental health coverage. And their spouses and their children will have mental health coverage for life, if they have post traumatic stress disorder that was caused by living a military life.

15. We will increase military pay to what they deserve, to a modest pay so they can take care of their familys.  

16. We will feeze all foreign guest worker programs, until all American workers are employed. Or until we have a 1.5 % unemployment rate.

17. We will stop illegal immigration by hiring up to 5,000 border patrol agents. And we will also use the national guard, until we have enough border patrol agents trained.

18. We will place a fine on employers who are caught hiring illegal labor. The fine would start about about $1000.00 per worker.  

19. I believe that no health insurance company should make a large profit off a citizen of the United States of America. This will be looked at to see what we can do about it.


20. We will have basic healthcare and mental healthcare for all the citizens of the United States of America. Which would be a preventive type healthcare and mental healthcare . Which will include up to 12 office visits per year of basic care, and up to 20 hrs per year of mental healthcare, and would include full physical exams every year starting at birth.

21. Social security is intended for the protection against social recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and other social programs. And we will restore social security to its full intent with the funds from the limiting of our foreign aid.

22. Peer Education System is a structure of older students teaching younger students what they had just learnd. With the guidance of their teacher all students will learn just like they did in the one room schoolhouse.

23. We will have a War tax to pay for the cost of War before we go to War, all corporations and companies and citizens will pay that tax, maybe it will stop America from getting involved in those Wars.

24. We will prohibit the government from taking money from the Social Security fund, and it will be used for Social Security purposes only.


25. We will have a national jobs bank, that will match up prospective employees with employers, and it will provide a means for those with disabilities to find employment they can still do.

26. We will look at the unfair housing opportunities for post-secondary students, so that they can have housing at a fair market price. Also it will be added to the federal housing act.

27. Reform foreign aide.

28. Reform America's tax system.

Ferguson continued his Presidential quest after the 2012 election. He posted an announcement on the Party website that muddies the waters for researchers like me--

Comment by Keith John Ferguson on December 5, 2014 at 9:25am
Just to let all Citizens of the C party, that I Keith John Ferguson and Mark B Graham have Joined Forces as one in 2016, I as Prez, Mark as Vic Prez.

It would appear that by 2016 the positions had flipped. One problem here is that a lot of potential sources about that campaign have been wiped clean. Ballotpedia managed to archive portions of Graham's platform in May, 2015--

Education
"My policy on Education is that over crowding in each classroom across this great nation could be eliminated with hiring of more teachers."

Higher education
"As far as Higher Education each college needs to cut there tuition by a percent each year so students are not forced to leave school because they are not able to afford tuition even with grants. I also want to see a money voucer [sic] to incoming college students. We must make more grants for tuition to decrease of student loans."

Energy and environment
"America must achieve energy independence either it is domestic oil or natural gas, wind, and solar power should be a top priority...I am very concerned with global climate change. We must quickly work to cut vehicle emissions."

Immigration
"We must greatly reduce the number of approved H1B and L1 visas that allow U.S. Companies to hire foreign workers in America...Also we need to beef up Boarder Patrol with man power and euiqment [sic]."

Social security
"Privatizing Social Security would not solve the funding issues that Social Security faces."

Marijuana
"I am in favor of legalizing of Medical Marijuana and belive [sic] it can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions."

Graham/Ferguson were not registered as write-ins in any state and no votes were reported.

Election history:
2012 - US President (Citizens Party of the United States) - defeated
2016 - Citizens Party of the United States nomination for President - party collapsed?

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Ferguson supported Trump in 2020.
Graham, who ran for President in 2020, was arrested on Nov. 24, 2020 and charged with six counts of possession of child pornography, which later increased to 523 charges.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Frank Edward McEnulty

 



Frank Edward McEnulty, 1956 (Long Beach, Calif.) -

VP candidate for Reform Party of the United States of America (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Theodore C. Weill (1925-2009)
Popular vote: 481 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Ted C. Weill, who was 83 years old at the time of the 2008 campaign season, was the nominee of the Reform Party for that election cycle. A figure in the Party in Mississippi since at least the 1990s, he had attempted to gain the Presidential nomination in 2004 but stepped aside for Ralph Nader.

Weill had a history of supporting third party candidates. In addition to Nader he contributed significant sums of money to Lyndon LaRouche and Lenora Fulani's organizations, which raised some concerns from Reform Party members. Weill's response was. "I'd like to see what they do with the money."

Weill's stand on the issues included: a balanced budget mandate, term limits, elimination of the Electoral College, make PACs illegal, and no federal tax increase without a popular vote.

The July 2008 Reform Party convention, which was disputed as the "real" convention status by one faction, nominated Frank McEnulty as Weill's running-mate. McEnulty was not a member of the Reform Party.

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.

The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

Due to a civil war within the Reform Party, by the time the dust settled to any degree it was really too late for the Weill/McEnulty team to effectively campaign. The split in the party was so severe that the Kansas chapter endorsed Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin, who appeared on the ballot there under the Reform banner. The Ohio chapter endorsed Ron Paul.

Ballot Access News, which was then and remains today one of the most excellent go-to online places for third party news, had a lively comment thread regarding the Reform Party on July 20, 2008. McEnulty himself weighed in. The most interesting exchange to me involved Michael Thompson, the National Chair of the New American Independent Party--

Michael Thompson on July 22, 2008 at 3:47 pm said:

I would like to respond to the many emails that I have been getting from New American Independent Party members and other interested folk.

People have been wondering if the New American Independent Party will now be working with the Reform Party since our nominated Presidential candidate has accepted the VP slot with the Reform Party.

The simple answer to that is NO. The New American Independent Party has no interest and will have no interest in working with any faction of the Reform Party. The NAIP views the Reform Party and it’s many twisted factions as a tumor, infecting everything it touches. The NAIP will not allow the nutcases at the Reform party to infect our new party.

I am sure that the Reform party has some very good and decent rank and file members. However, we feel that we cannot trust any of the Reform Party leadership from any and all factions.

I will have more information to bring all of you in the coming days concerning this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael Thompson
National Chairman
New American Independent Party

TheTrueReformist on July 22, 2008 at 4:07 pm said:

Michael:
My question to you is: Then why is your Presidential Nominee, seeking the VP slot in Ted Weill's campaign and why did he come to the Reform Party seeking our nomination at all? Personally, your views are too liberal for those of us who do have good organized SPOĆ¢€™s. We are not and will not be seeking affiliation with the NAIP and neither Frank or Ted will get our ballot access in Florida. Over my dead body!!!!!

 Michael Thompson on July 22, 2008 at 8:06 pm said:

True Reformist,

You should ask Frank McEnulty that question not me. The NAIP is still trying to figure out what happened.

Such a move does not help the NAIP, it only hurts us. The NAIP is a new party and we didn’t expect to get on many ballots this year. But, the ballots that we thought we had the best chance of reaching were Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Basically, Frank took away his chance at leading a ticket in those states for a VP role in a party that is dying. And this move also took away the NAIP’s best chance at getting on state ballots.

The NAIP hoped to get on some ballots this year in an effort to build our party towards a more powerful 2012 campaign. We have no choice but to try to gain ballot access and run our own ticket, (a NAIP ticket) in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.


The Weill/McEnulty ticket were on the ballot in Mississippi only, where they placed 7th out of 7. Weill died on Nov. 20, 2009, meaning McEnulty would have assumed the Presidency if they had been elected.

Election history:
2008 - Republican nomination for US President - defeated
2008 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for US President - defeated
2008 - US President (New American Independent Party) - defeated

Other occupations: financial officer, property management, teacher

Notes:
Catholic.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Louis Carl Dobbs

 


Louis Carl Dobbs, September 24, 1945 (Childress County, Tex.) -

VP candidate for Independent (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Richard Howard Clark (b. 1960)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Richard H. Clark of Maryland filed with the FEC as an independent for President in Jan. 2008. He outlined part of his qualifications on his website--

Are you smart enough? This question is important, because you have to be sure your President can understand and adapt to the changing challenges that the world, and our economy often present. Let me answer this by saying: I’ve tested in the top 1% of every aptitude test I’ve ever taken. I’ve also tested at an IQ over 140. Brainpower... not a problem: I’m a member of MENSA.

Clark made an unsuccessful attempt for the New American Independent Party Presidential nomination and subsequently become one of eventual nominee Frank McEnulty's many running-mates. He was considered the official VP nominee for Guam, Hawaii, Maryland, and Virginia, but the McEnulty/Clark ticket did qualify for any ballots in those states or register as write-ins.

On his webpage Clark also indicated his desire to be a Presidential candidate for Unity08. This was, for a short time, a movement to create a centrist consensus political party as a response to the divisive partisanship of the major parties. Some of the speculative Presidential candidates included Michael Bloomberg, Chuck Hagel, and Sam Nunn. But the effort lost steam in early 2008.

As late as October 2008 Clark's webpage still had him running for President as an Independent so it is possible he never withdrew from the race as a Presidential candidate.

His platform was spelled out in detail, but he also had a thumbnail quick list for readers--

Anti
War   
Free Trade
Politics
Budget Deficit
Trade Deficit
Eminent Domain
Corruption
Big Government
Junk Science
Religion in Government
Record Oil Profits
Career Politicians   
Cheap Foreign Labor
Illegal Immigration
Federal Income Taxes   
Outsourcing

Pro
Peace
Fair Trade
Free Health Care
Balanced Budget
Balanced Trade
Homeowner Rights
Revised Pension System
Smaller Government
Worker Rights and Benefits
Life and Choice - both
Military
Union / Organized Labor
Schools and Education
College Tuition Reform
Solid Core Family Values
Term Limits
Fair Tax System
Fair Business Practices
Fair Pay
Personal Life
Freedom and Diversity
Fully Secured Borders

Reading his full platform reveals a mixed bag. On the Right, Clark is a global warming denier, virulently anti-PC, pro nuclear power, pro term limits. On the Left he is for getting out of Iraq, pro Gay marriage, accessible health care, and supports the theory of evolution.

Clark also made this prediction--

Prediction: 6/12/07

We will be at war with Iran before the end of 2008.

The administration has already started one war under false pretenses.

Our Congress has shown us that they do not want to stop the war in Iraq.

The administration is already creating false pretenses with Russia, Iran, and Pakistan for reinstating the draft.. The British tried to create a scenario by having their sailors captured, but failed. Iran was too smart and played nicely.

There are many more reasons to expect a war with Iran. But I can’t think of one single reason why the administration would not. They have absolutely nothing to lose. It’s really a shame too, because Iran is ready for a peaceful takeover by the moderates. They made the mistake of electing a fanatical President, and have learned not to do that again. They mock and make fun of him, just like we do with our own President. We are both ready for change.

Get ready for The Draft.

Say goodbye to your sons and daughters.

They will die for greed and corruption.


As for a running mate in his own Presidential race, Clark told an interviewer in Feb. 2008--

No running mate as yet. What I'm looking for is intelligence, honesty dedication, and the kahoonas to kick me in the butt if I start to stray.

And, quite frankly, after talking to quite a number of Third Party and Independent candidates, there is a lot of that out there! The choice will actually be rather difficult. There are a lot of great VPs out there. That's part of the problem. There are too many good candidates, and we need to narrow the field down a little and all get behind just a few.


On his website Clark wrote he wanted CNN talking head and conspiracy theorist Lou Dobbs (or someone like him) as his running mate.

I want Lou Dobbs.

Yes, I would truly like someone like Lou Dobbs for my VP. Why? Well, mostly because we appear to see eye-to-eye on just about everything. Secondly, and just as important, is that he’s not a “yes man”. I have found through my years of experience that the “no man”, the guy who will point out problems, who is not afraid to speak up, who is willing to smack you up-side-the-head for a reality check, is far more valuable than someone who simply agrees with everything you say. Better decisions are made because they force you to think. Better decisions are made because of the influx of new ideas. Everything just works better. It’s not always a honeymoon, but the results of working together with this type of person are far superior.

I fully intend that the position of VP will be an active one. A right-hand man, active in everything that I want to get done. You know the old saying: Two heads are better than one.

I am going to be President, and I am going to do it right. I like to hire people as smart as I am. They help make my job easier.


In 2008 Lou Dobbs was the host of Lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN. His show was noted for railing against illegal immigration and mainstreaming ideas that had their origin with white supremacist groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center began documenting Dobb's activity long before the 2008 election. The veracity of his sources for several of his stories and unsubstantiated claims were also seriously questioned by his colleagues and had an adverse impact on his career and professional standing.

Early in the campaign season there were efforts to draft Dobbs for President as a third party candidate, mostly based on his anti-immigration stance. Most prominent was a PAC called Americans for Legal Immigration (ALIPAC), an organization identified by the SPLC as a hate group.

Dobbs would later go on to work for Fox and gained a reputation as a conspiracy theorist and rabid supporter of Donald Trump. Dobbs embraced the birthers, disdained the science behind global warming, encouraged war with China due to their computer hacking, saw the Deep State behind every corner, said that George Soros' "tentacles were spreading globally," etc., etc. Dobbs would apply the "fake news" label to any facts he found inconvenient.

Best described as a Right-wing populist, Dobbs left the Republican Party in 2001 and became an Independent.

Election history: none.

Other occupations: radio host, electronic journalist, television celebrity pundit, author, columnist

Notes:
PNW trivia alert!!! Dobbs spent his teenage years as a resident of Rupert, Idaho.
Washington State trivia alert!!! Dobbs once worked for KING-TV in Seattle.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

David C. Mangan

 



David C. Mangan

VP candidate for Unaffiliated (aka New American Independent Party) (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 829 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was David C. Mangan, who apparently was once a business partner with McEnulty along with fellow VP Alan B. Czyzewski.

The McEnulty/Mangan ticket had the distinction of being the only one of McEnulty's many VP combos that actually made the ballot, which in their case was in Colorado where they finished 8th out of 16 with 0.03% of the popular vote there.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history: none

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Another mystery VP.

Patricia Rubacky

 



Patricia Rubacky

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Patricia Rubacky, about which I know nothing other than her name.

The McEnulty/Rubacky ticket was not on any ballot or a certified write-in, but they were designated for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history: none

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Another mystery VP.

Fred Scheffler

 



Fred Scheffler

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 1 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Fred Scheffler, who was the most obscure of McEnulty's VPs. He was the only one whose name did not show up on the NAIP crowded campaign button, but maybe the button maker just ran out of room.

The McEnulty/Scheffler ticket was not on any ballot, but they were designated for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, suggesting Scheffler was a resident of the Pacific Northwest (PNW trivia alert!!!). Oregon did report one write-in vote for McEnulty.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history: none

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Another mystery VP.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Alan B. Czyzewski





Alan B. Czyzewski

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Alan B. Czyzewski, who apparently was once a business partner with McEnulty and fellow VP David C. Mangan.

The McEnulty/Czyzewski ticket was not on any ballot or a certified write-in, but they were designated for Indiana, suggesting Czyzewski was a resident of the Hoosier State.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history: none

Other occupations: ?

Notes:
Another mystery VP.

Samuel B. Hoff

 1992

 1996

2000

 2004



Above, 2013 ; Below, 2016


2020



Samuel B. Hoff, June 7, 1957 (Williamsport, Penn.) -

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Samuel B. Hoff of Dover, Del. Dr. Hoff (pronounced "Huff") had declared his Presidential intentions with the FEC in Jan. 2007 when he filed as an Independent. Using the slogan "Don't Hesitate: Vote Hoff President in '08" he ran partly as an educational lesson for his political science students at Delaware State. He was also strongly opposed to the 2-term limit for Presidents.

Hoff has run for President in every election since 1988. In his debut campaign (when he was actually under the required age of 35 in order to serve if elected) he ran for the Democratic nomination, but in all subsequent electioneering efforts he filed as an Independent.

The McEnulty/Hoff ticket apparently never made the ballot or were registered as write-ins in any state. They were considered the official team for Hoff's home state of Delaware.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history:
1988 - Democratic nomination for US President - defeated
1992 - US President (Independent) - defeated
1996 - US President (Independent) - defeated
1997 - Dover, Del. City Council - defeated
2000 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2001 - Dover, Del. City Council - defeated
2004 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2008 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2012 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2016 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2020 - US President (Independent) - pending

Other occupations: political science professor, author, political commentator, columnist

Notes:
Other Hoff campaign slogans through the years: If You've Had Enough, Vote Hoff For President -- Get Aroused, Vote Hoff in 2000 -- No Need To Delve: Hoff For President In Twelve -- There's No In Between: Vote Hoff President in '16 -- For Times O'plenty, Vote Hoff President in '20.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Richard Earl Fleharty







Richard Earl Fleharty, May 23, 1958 (Ponca City, Okla.) -

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Richard E. Fleharty of Ponca City, Okla. who filed with the FEC in Aug. 2007 as an independent candidate for President.

As his local newspaper reported, "He is pro-choice, anti-immigration, in favor of pulling the troops out of Iraq and wants everyone to have access to health care."

The McEnulty/Fleharty ticket apparently never made the ballot or were registered as write-ins in any state. They were considered the official team for Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Tennessee.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history:
2008 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2012 - US President (Independent) - defeated

Other occupations: US Navy, owner of Fleharty Engineering, electrical contracting, welding, concrete work, control systems management, radio tower maintenance, equipment and machinery repair

Notes:
Although Fleharty had a campaign webpage for 2012, he apparently did not file with the FEC for that election.

Max James Riekse








Max James Riekse, April 14, 1947 (Muskegon, Mich.)  -

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support.


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Max Riekse aka "Mad Max" Riekse of Michigan, a perennial candidate who ran for a variety of public offices under a multitude of party labels since 1972.

In 2008 Riekse was campaigning for the 2008 AND 2012 Presidential elections at the same time. And as long as he was covering his bets, Rieske's campaign brochure stated: MAD MAX RIEKSE for PRESIDENT, MM - 2008 & 2012 CONSTITUTION PARTY/AIP/USTPP/American Party, etc.

He had tried for the Presidential nomination of the American Independent Party and the Constitution Party. Riekse also made an unsuccessful attempt for the NAIP Presidential nomination and subsequently become one of McEnulty's running-mates. Yet Riekse's webpage still had him running for President as an independent so it is possible he never withdrew from the race as a Presidential candidate.

"I have over 32 years in the military so I understand how the federal bureaucracy works, and I've been a student of international issues for more than 40 years," Riekse said when explaining his credentials.

A statement he made for the American Independent Party primary in California in Feb. 2008 presented his resume and platform in a nutshell--

Mad Max Riekse: www.madmaxforpresident.com; Retired US Army, LTC; Vietnam War & Iraq War Veteran; Retired Public School Teacher; B.A. University of South Florida: Political Science & International Relations; two M.A.’s/WMU: Political Science, International Relations, Education, US & World History. Educate America. A return to a Republic & Constitutional government as envisioned by our Founding Fathers will bring peace & prosperity to all American citizens & the world at large.  We were founded as a Republic blessed by God with a Constitution & Bill of Rights. Stop the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan; No War with Iran.  Focus on Peace in the Middle East & throughout the world.  Send all illegal immigrants home now.  They are here illegally.  No amnesty, birthright citizenship – anchor babies, social security, free education, health care, welfare, & unemployment to illegal’s & non-US citizens. Lower taxes, less government; cut the Federal gas & diesel tax 70%; No to Free Trade: NAFTA; no Mexican truckers in the USA.  Eliminate Federal taxes on all Military & Federal pensions & Social Security recipients; eliminate the IRS & Federal Income Tax; cut Chinese imports that destroy American jobs with decent benefits, health care & pensions; Save Social Security; along with US manufacturing & trucking job’s; support American farmers; & reduce dependence on foreign oil by promoting alternative energy sources from wind, water & sun for a cleaner & healthier America. A return to a constitutional government will bring peace and prosperity to all American citizens. God Bless America. www.madmaxforpresident.com

The McEnulty/Riekse ticket apparently never made the ballot or were registered as write-ins in any state. They were considered the official team for Alaska, California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history:
1972 - Florida State House of Representatives (Republican) - defeated
ca1974 - Park's Commissioner (Fruitport Township, Mich.) (served two terms)
1976 - Michigan House of Representatives (Democratic) - defeated
1994 - Michigan House of Representatives (Republican) - primary - defeated
1998 - Michigan State Senate (Republican) - primary - defeated
2000 - Michigan State Board of Education (US Taxpayers Party) - defeated
2002 - Michigan State Senate (Reform Party of the United States of America) - defeated
2008 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2008 - Constitution Party nomination for US President - defeated
2008 - Constitution Party nomination for Vice-President - defeated
2008 - New American Independent Party nomination for US President - defeated
2008 - American Independent Party nomination for US President - defeated
2012 - Constitution Party nomination for Vice-President - defeated
2012 - American Independent Party nomination for US President - defeated
2012 - Michigan House of Representatives (Republican) - primary - defeated
2012 - US President (Citizens Party of the United States) - defeated
2014 - Michigan House of Representatives (Republican) - primary - defeated
2016 - Michigan House of Representatives (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2018 - Michigan State Senate (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2020 - US House of Representatives (Mich.) (Libertarian Party) - pending

Other occupations: US Army (Vietnam War, Iraq), teacher, local leader in the Michigan [George] Wallace Action Movement

Notes:
Life Member, National Rifle Association
In Iraq Dec. 2002-Apr. 2004. 

Richard Howard Clark






Richard Howard Clark, May 9, 1960 (Oxford, Ohio) -

VP candidate for New American Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Frank Edward McEnulty (b. 1956)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Frank McEnulty, a California estate agent filed with the FEC for President in Feb. 2007 as an independent but that did not prevent him from entering the Republican primaries, at least in Arizona. On Mar. 11, 2008 he gained the nomination of the newborn New American Independent Party. Shortly after his nomination, he was in Alaska seeking the endorsement of the Alaska Independence Party alongside members of the American Independence Party and was identified by Alaskan media as a member of the AIP. It does get confusing, doesn't it? He was also a contender for the Reform Party nomination but lost out to Ted Weill, so he became the running-mate July 2008.

It was erroneously reported on some outlets that McEnulty announced he was going to drop his own Presidential campaign in order to campaign full time as the Reform Party VP. McEnulty was definitely running under both banners. It is not unheard of for a candidate to be running for President on one ticket and be the VP on another in the same election. William Jenner in 1956 is one example that springs to mind, and Dick Gregory in 1968 although McEnulty's case was more deliberate.

McEnulty's statement on the matter:

At the Reform Party Convention, held recently in Dallas, TX, I was selected to be their Vice Presidential Candidate to run on the ticket with Ted Weill, the Presidential candidate. I am honored to accept this nomination and see this as an important step in uniting the various third party groups around the country into a stronger, more effective voice.

To that end, I am continuing my independent run for president in the other states in which the Reform Party does not have ballot access. I firmly believe the answer for a better America is in a strong, viable third party that will address the views and needs of the Moderate Majority Americans being ignored by the Democrats and Republicans.

I want to reiterate that I am still the New American Independent Party Presidential candidate for the 2008 election and have discussed this strategy at length with Michael Thompson the Chairman of the NAIP. We are continuing our ballot access efforts and hope that this latest development will help our message to be heard in more states. Thank you for your continued support. 


The NAIP was formed in 2004 with an eye to the middle class as a political base. Although the Party attempted to hold the center, it generally came off appearing to be sort of a Libertarian-lite, preaching the gospel of a small federal government, more local control, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, less government intrusion into personal lives, and an end to political party tribalism. McEnulty himself was a great admirer of Reagan and a NRA supporter.

In Feb. 2008 McEnulty told an interviewer about his parameters for a VP selection--

I will be looking for someone who is smart, wants what is best for all Americans, is a moderate, a fiscal conservative and will put forth the time and effort to run in a real campaign. I also believe that my running mate needs to be a business person because the government is a business and needs to run more like one. I’m not worried about being outsiders in the Washington scene, because I believe that gridlock is good for the following reason. If there is gridlock, then only legislation that makes sense for all Americans and benefits the vast majority of all Americans will get passed. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of laws. We don’t need new ones every day.

For reasons that are not clear, McEnulty had 9 different running-mates. He made the ballot only in Colorado, and attempted to be a registered write-in in the remainder.

One such running-mate was Richard H. Clark of Maryland who had filed with the FEC as an independent for President in Jan. 2008.

Clark's stand on the issues corresponded well with the NAIP's platform. He outlined part of his qualifications on his website--

Are you smart enough? This question is important, because you have to be sure your President can understand and adapt to the changing challenges that the world, and our economy often present. Let me answer this by saying: I’ve tested in the top 1% of every aptitude test I’ve ever taken. I’ve also tested at an IQ over 140. Brainpower... not a problem: I’m a member of MENSA.

Clark made an unsuccessful attempt for the NAIP Presidential nomination and subsequently become one of McEnulty's running-mates. As late as October 2008 Clark's webpage still had him running for President as an independent so it is possible he never withdrew from the race as a Presidential candidate.

As for a running mate in his own Presidential race, Clark told an interviewer in Feb. 2008--

No running mate as yet. What I'm looking for is intelligence, honesty dedication, and the kahoonas to kick me in the butt if I start to stray.

And, quite frankly, after talking to quite a number of Third Party and Independent candidates, there is a lot of that out there! The choice will actually be rather difficult. There are a lot of great VPs out there. That's part of the problem. There are too many good candidates, and we need to narrow the field down a little and all get behind just a few.


Later on his website Clark wrote he wanted CNN talking head and conspiracy theorist Lou Dobbs as his running mate.

The McEnulty/Clark ticket apparently never made the ballot or were registered as write-ins in any state. They were considered the official team for Guam, Hawaii, Maryland, and Virginia.

The New American Independent Party changed their name to the Citizens Party of the United States by the 2012 election.

Election history:
2008 - US President (Independent) - defeated
2008 - New American Independent Party nomination for US President - defeated

Other occupations: software engineer

Notes:
Atheist.