Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
THE MAN KNOWN AS "PRO-LIFE."
An organic strawberry farmer in Idaho is running for Sen. Larry Craig's Senate seat under the name Pro-Life. The man formerly known as Marvin Pro-Life Richardson was barred from using his once-middle name during his quixotic 2006 gubernatorial run because of Idaho's policy prohibiting "slogans" from appearing on the ballot. The Associated Press reports:
Now, though, officials in the Idaho secretary of state's office say they have no choice because Pro-Life is his full and only name. He says he will run for the highest state office on the ballot every two years for the rest of his life, advocating murder charges for doctors who perform abortions and for women who obtain the procedure.
Wow. Do you think voters will fall for this ploy? Here at the office, Ann is wondering if she can change her name to Barack Obama and run for city council.
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (10)
Well, at least he's consistent...
Posted by: T. Paine | March 25, 2008 11:24 AM
Why not just change your name to a symbol like ol' what's-his-name?
Posted by: El Viajero | March 25, 2008 11:54 AM
Here at the office, Ann is wondering if she can change her name to Barack Obama and run for city council.
Don't laugh, some woman in Chicago changed her name to Carol Moseley Braun because she was full of admiration for the senator... and then announced she was running for office.
Posted by: Brittain33 | March 25, 2008 1:45 PM
Is the reference to Ohio a mistake? The guy is in Idaho, right?
Posted by: DaveMB | March 25, 2008 2:09 PM
Ohio? Do you mean Idaho?
Posted by: Captured Shadow | March 25, 2008 2:09 PM
Thanks for point out the Ohio/Idaho mistake. It's corrected. No Ohio belongs in this story!
Posted by: Dana | March 25, 2008 3:14 PM
This reminds me of the notorious Byron Looper, who, when running against a Tennessee State Senator from the Cumberland Plateau, changed his name to "Low-Tax." Unfortunately, when it became plain that the ploy wouldn't work, he murdered his opponent.
Posted by: David in Nashville | March 25, 2008 4:07 PM
I've always kind of wondered about this. To take Ann's suggestion one step further, what happens if I change my name to Barack Obama and run for president (obviously too late now, but you get what I'm saying). Surely it's happened before that two people with the same name run for the same office. How does that work, exactly?
Posted by: spoko | March 25, 2008 8:19 PM
Well, this is actually helpful to the Democrat in the race - draws votes away from whoever the Republican candidate is.
But, yeah, it's crazy.
Posted by: Dave Sund | March 25, 2008 8:32 PM
You might not want to let him inside your house, but at least his strawberries are organic!
Posted by: American Citizen | March 26, 2008 8:17 AM