Piglet, 1926 (Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, England) -
VP candidate for Children's Party (1972, 1976)
Running mate with nominee: Winnie-the-Pooh (b. 1924)
Popular vote: (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign (1972):
The publicity people at Disney ran the Winnie-the-Pooh character for President in four elections-- 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. It would seem Pooh had a running mate only in the 1972 and 1976 elections, his trusted close friend Piglet.
In 1972 Owl was under consideration for Veep. "According to press secretary Tigger, Owl is on the inside track because of the learned bird's appeal to both the left and right wingers." But in the end Piglet got the prize.
Co-sponsored by Amtrak and Pooh merchandiser Sears, the campaign went all-out on a whistle-stop campaign tour of the country. Children turned out in droves to see the costumed candidates who presented the crowds with speeches and a show using a converted Amtrak baggage car as a stage.
Pooh's campaign promises included: "If elected in November, I will put two tricycles in every garage, provide free candy on holidays, and make sure everyone enjoys two Saturdays a week."
The campaign (1976):
Once again Sears co-sponsored the "Pooh-litical" campaign with Disney, using the slogan "Winnie's a Honey of a Candidate."
Piglet's place on the ticket as VP was verified by Pooh himself on a vinyl record that was marketed during the campaign: "Christopher Robin is the head adviser on my team! My running mate is Piglet who is of great esteem. My cabinet is composed of Owl, Eeyore and Tigger too. My chief-in-staff is Kanga and her assistant, Roo."
Some secondary sources list Eeyore as the running mate. It was also rumored the Milne estate was starting to express dismay over the politicizing of Pooh.
Aside from being animals and fictional characters, as well as having a target demographic of people who were way too young to vote, Pooh and Piglet also had the Constitutional disadvantage of not being natural-born American citizens.
Election history: none
Other occupations: toy pig
Notes:
Character actor John Fiedler (1925-2005) provided the voice of the animated Piglet during this era.
