Having Fun: Howdy Doody Campaign

[madfloridian]

Since no Democrat is running against our red-headed 32 year old 5th in line in Republican power, Adam Puppet...sorry, that's Putnam....we are supporting this candidate, an independent.

http://www.joeviscusi.com/

There was an interesting write-up about Joe in The Ledger today. Lonnie Brown has a grudging respect for Joe. This is one of his Sam 'n Ella Cafe stories with the Raven who is always quoting things.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061015/COLUMNISTS0301/610150464&SearchID=73259980669231

"Viscusi is a former Florida House member. He's an assistant principal for the Polk County School Board who's been a longtime Democrat, and a Republican, and now an independent. He's running against Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow. Viscusi has relabeled his opponent as "Adam Puppet."

Political views aside, Viscusi is loaded for marionette.

He's running around with a nice-size Howdy Doody puppet that has more strings attached to it than the Imperial Symphony Orchestra. Howdy's red hair and boyish looks bear a striking resemblance to Putnam -- well, sort of.

And Viscusi has each string labeled with "OIL COMPANIES" and "LOBBYISTS" and all sorts of special-interest groups. But, as they say on television: THAT'S not all.

He also has another, smaller Howdy Doody puppet -- this one with no strings -- sitting atop what looks to be a plastic pyramid. Upon further review -- and when the thing is turned upside down -- the pyramid becomes a funnel into which oil is poured. "Because Adam Puppet doesn't run without oil," explains Viscusi"

"Viscusi produces a bobble-head Howdy Doody to demonstrate the incumbent's lock-step acknowledgment to the Republican leadership that all is well with -everything. Iraq. Energy. Drug prices. Fill in the blank. At this point, Viscusi may wish that I remind readers that I have written unkindly of him in the past. (See "Joe Excuseme" from years ago.) Having said that, he is one enthusiastic, well-grounded candidate who is having a tremendous amount of fun running for Congress."

I also posted this in the Florida forum with more details.

[Captain Hilts]

1. I thought you were talking about Mitch McConnell. nt

[madfloridian]

2. This guy, Dist. 12 in Florida.

He is Adam Putnam..he is 5th in the chain of command, and he votes with Bush 100% of the time.

[madfloridian]

3. The political editor wrote about Joe Viscusi today...and Chiles.

"Rhea Chiles, widow of the late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles and a master political activist in her own right, has endorsed independent candidate Joe Viscusi in his race for the 12th Congressional District against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam and another independent Ed Bowlin.

"Viscusi has conducted an aggressive campaign against Putnam. Although a Republican for several years before switching to "no party affiliation" two years ago, Viscusi was a Democrat when he served one two-year term in the Florida House, 1990-1992, the first two years of Lawton Chiles' two-terms as governor.

Ironically, Viscusi had blamed Chiles in 1992 for sending an aide, Dean Saunders, to run against him. Saunders defeated Viscusi in the Democratic primary and Viscusi switched to the Republican Party later. Friday afternoon, a two paragraph statement sent by the former Florida first lady was sent out by the Viscusi campaign:

"Joe Viscusi has dedicated his life to helping people, whether as a Realtor, corrections officer or as an educator in Polk County public schools. He is a teacher students remember throughout their lives as they carry with them the lessons learned in his classroom about academics and life.

"His values regarding education, the environment and small businesses are the same ones I hold dear. His character takes him on a path walked by Lawton throughout his life and I am proud to endorse Joe Viscusi for the United States Congress."