I've decided to make my announcement today.
I, Michael Edwards have decided that it's time, and I am running for President of the United States.
It's been a long time coming, and there's been several long nights discussing this with my partner who has been very supportive and currently has no known medical problems. We both agree that the time is right, and that I'm in it to win it. I say, let the conversation begin.
I decided to make my announcement here, on LiveJournal as I believe that the demographics are the best, and it's a very open and accepting community on which to start the long road to the White House. I also wanted to open the campaign up here, to show my commitment to open, honest communication and the ability to make communication easy and quickly available, with an edit function, if one should be necessary. A "straight talk" express one might say.
As for positions, I have several well polled policy takes that I'm currently working on a backstory for. At this point I'm for Gays in the Military, against the Iraq war but for the overall ridding the world of terror-ism. I'm for healthcare and the search for finding money to pay for it. I'm for less government run more efficiently, but I have the smarts to know that it won't happen in any of our lifetimes. We'll just have to do the best we can. I'm pro worker, but not necessarily anti-business. I think taxes are a necessary evil as well all have a social contract to fulfill, but yet our tax system needs to be overhauled - including retirement spending. I'm also pro-marriage when it suits people, as long as those people, despite gender, are of age of consent - I know that no other candidate has stated a gender-blind policy towards marriage, so that's what differentiates me from them.
That being said, their are many nay-sayers that say a gay man can't get elected in 2008. I tell them to look at a recent
Gallup poll that clearly shows that people would vote for a homosexual candidate before voting for an atheist. Sure, there's a lot of room to work on there, but with the choices including a woman, an African-American (or mixed-race American depending on how you see it), a Mormon, an Latino (with the last name of Richardson, go fig), several oldsters and divorcées, I clearly stand out as a different candidate from this field. I'll just have to keep low on the whole agnostic thing, and show the american public that I don't catch on fire if I go into a church.
Although I have had a lot of support from the whigs, I've decided to run for the lead of the Bull Moose Party ticket. I think it's the most compatible party for my views and a great party, historically. Any party that would have Teddy Roosevelt as their candidate is a good party to me. Some might also say that it's the easier road as the Republican and Democratic Parties already have more than 24 candidates running, or thinking of running combined. There's is a very crowded field, while I think the Bull Moose party just has an imaginary character running against me for the nomination at this time. I hear that although he might show well at the primaries, he's bound to be a no-show at the convention where the nomination is actually handed out.
The problem of running on a third party ticket of course is the lack of media attention, so I will have to work on setting some buzz on YouTube and all. I was a little late with getting my message out there, and my idea for throwing Mentos into bottles of Diet Coke was stolen before I could get my video up there. Really, I was only going to do that to attract attention as I spoke about my policies and thoughts for a better, brighter future. I was thinking about the slogan, "For Habeus Corpus, and less corpses." What, too intellectual?
Unfortunately I missed some sort of campaign funding deadline yesterday, and I've waisted time not having the speeches and benefit dinners which would have funded my campaign. In that realm though, I'm announcing two fundraising initiatives. First, there's the take Michael out to dinner initiative. Not only would you be helping my campaign, and getting a delicious meal, you'd also be gaining access and face time with the potentially next President of the US. It's a big boon for you, my supporter, and the more high-priced the meal, the more you'll get my gratitude. the second fund-raising initiative is the PayPal link that I'll be putting up on this journal soon. I say give, and give often, please.
So to sum up, today is the first step in an exciting new direction for the country. Not only could we see the first candidate to say that he's slept with a man (well, besides Hillary, of course), but someone who could truly bring change to the White House. I'm ready to take the journey with you, and ready to feel the throbbing pulse of Americans just like you. I hope I can count on your support, and that on today of all days, that you will believe that I can be your President.
Thank You.
I'm Michael Edwards, and I approve of this message.