Kleshinski and Rasmussen
Riley Thomas Kleshinski
VP candidate for Independent (2016)
Running mate with nominee: Flint Alan Rasmussen (b. 1968)
Popular vote: 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538
The campaign:
A Youtube was posted Aug. 24, 2013 presenting a break with a rodeo clown during a professional bull riding event in Nashville. The clown was Flint Rasmussen, a celebrity in the PBR world. The video is transcribed thusly--
Announcer: We'll pretend that we're friends, right?
Flint Rasmussen: OK.
A: We're actually friends.
FR: We're friends. Yeah.
A: And I want you to know something. I know that you've been doing this for many years and people love you. And ...
FR: Shhh. Don't state the obvious.
A: But hold on. I know there's chapters in everyone's life and one chapter closes another one opens. And I know you're gettin' to that point. So I want to be the first to go on record to say that we are announcing the candidacy ...
FR: Show it to the camera.
A: [holds up a "Flint 2016" t-shirt] of the President of the United States for 2016.
FR: What's the back say?
A: What?
FR: What does the back? Is there something on the back?
A: Well, no. It's just a corny picture of you.
FR: Oh my gosh! Where did you get that? Where did you get that?
A: Some guy actually, there he is! Yeah, that guy.
FR: That kid made it. You. Ladies and gentlemen I would like to announce my running-mate Vice-President that kid right there. Yeah! Do I get one? [kid tosses a shirt to Rasmussen] Wait a minute. This technically isn't making a joke about the President, is it?
A: No no no no no no no, you're OK.
FR: OK, I'm just making sure, OK. I don't want to get audited.
A: What are you talking about?
FR: Nuthin' nuthin'.
A: Yeah, hahahaha.
FR: [to kid] OK buddy, you and me. [puts on shirt]
"That kid right there" was Riley Kleshinski, who was from Ohio and visiting the event with his grandfather. He was wearing the same clown makeup and cowboy hat as Rasmussen and appeared to have met the rodeo clown on other occasions.
Rasmussen's concern about getting in political trouble was a reference to an incident that took place earlier that month at the Missouri State Fair, which was partly funded by taxpayers. The controversy revolved around a skit where a rodeo clown wore an Obama mask while the other clowns taunted and threatened him. The occurrence made national news for a few days.
Needless to say, the VP nominee was not old enough to vote, much less hold office if elected.
Election history: none
Other occupations: student, columnist
Notes:
Dave "Showtime" Meyer, another rodeo clown, announced he was running for President in his Jacob Amish persona in 2015.
