Page numbers refer to the print edition.
Abolafia, Louis, 105–15, 234n15
acceptance speeches, 57, 58, 60, 61, 67, 71
Adams, Charles Francis, 44, 46, 48
African Americans: as presidential candidates, 55–63, 132–37, 197–202; and racism, 59, 61; and Republican Party, 56; and voting issues, 59
Allen, Gracie, 73–79, 82, 117, 174, 191
Amalgamated Flying Saucers Clubs of America, 98
American press. See press coverage
Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, 174, 181–82
American Woman Suffrage Association, 41
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, 100
Anti-Bunk Party, 67–72
Anti-Masonic Party, 44–49
Arnold, Kenneth, 97
auto safety issue, 117
Barr, Roseanne, 189–96
Basiago, Andrew, 210–13
Beecher, Henry Ward, 42
Birthday Party, 150
Burck, Robert. See Naked Cowboy
Burns, George, 73, 74, 76, 78, 79, 117
cable TV. See press coverage
The Candidates (Munford), 8
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 181
civil rights movement, 111, 136
Civil War, 26, 30, 32, 41, 48, 51
Cleaver, Eldridge, 105, 126–31, 192, 236n8
clown candidates, 1, 74, 76, 161, 178, 219
Clown Prince of the Under-the-Counter Culture, 148
Colbert, Stephen, 174–82
Collier, Gene, 167
Collins, Gail, 200
comedians: Dick Gregory, 132–37; Gracie Allen, 73–79; Pat Paulsen, 116–25; Roseanne Barr, 189–96; Stephen Colbert, 174–82; Will Rogers, 67–72
Cosmic Love Convention, 107
counterculture, 148
“Crazy Candidates” headline, 46, 48
cross-dressing, 154
Deez Nuts, 208–9
Democratic Convention, 17, 111, 122, 140, 141, 144
Democratic Party: about, 1, 3; donkey of, 221n1; and George Edwin Taylor, 60, 62; and South Carolina primary, 179; and upheavals of 1968, 145; and Victoria Woodhull, 41; and Will Rogers, 70
Demosthenes, 40
Donaldson, Sam, 166
drag queens. See Blakk, Joan Jett
Edwards, Richard L., 199
Election Day: Leonard Jones and, 20; Pat Paulsen and, 121, 124; Pigasus and, 143–44; Victoria Woodhull and, 36; Will Rogers and, 69
Emancipation Proclamation, 28, 68
Federal Communications Commission, 124, 178
Federal Election Commission, 3, 7, 178, 181, 205, 208
female presidential candidates, 35–43, 73–79, 189–96
Freedom and Peace Party, 132–37, 192
freedom of religion. See religious freedom
Free Love movement, 36, 37, 39
Freemasons, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48
fringe candidates: about, 1, 2; Andrew Basiago, 210–13; conclusion about, 218–20; Deez Nuts, 208–9; Dick Gregory, 132–37, 190; Eldridge Cleaver, 105, 126–31, 192, 236n8; Frank Moore, 183–84; Gabriel Green, 95–102, 210, 212, 213; George Edwin Taylor, 55–63; George Francis Train, 24–34, 219, 223n16; Gracie Allen, 73–79, 82, 117, 174, 191; Homer Tomlinson, 88–94, 105, 138, 171, 231n9; Hugh Romney, 147–53; James B. Walker, 44–49, 226n10; Jimmy McMillan, 197–202; Joan Jett Blakk, 2, 154–57; John Maxwell, 80–87; Jonathon Sharkey, 169–73, 194, 200; Joseph Smith, 13–18, 20, 23; Keith Russell Judd, 185–88; Leonard Jones, 19–23; Louis Abolafia, 105–15, 234n15; Mark Twain, 50–54; mockery of, 86; Naked Cowboy, 2, 114, 203–7; Pat Paulsen, 105, 116–25, 174, 176; Pigasus, 138–46; rage issue of, 130–31, 171, 173, 194, 200; Roseanne Barr, 189–96; and “Scattering” votes, 7–8; slogans by, 1, 2; Stephen Colbert, 174–82; Vermin Supreme, 161–68, 241n15; Victoria Woodhull, 31, 35–43, 225n12; Will Rogers, 67–72, 190; Zoltan Istvan, 214–17
Galbraith, John Kenneth, 112, 113
Geyer, Georgie Anne, 150
Gilbert, Joanne, 189
Golden Spike Days festival, 74, 76
Greeley, Horace, 40
Green, Gabriel, 95–102, 210, 212, 213
gubernatorial campaigns, 172, 198
gubernatorial debates, 199, 200
gun control issue, 117, 118, 130
health care legislation, 119
hippie love-ins and be-ins, 106, 107
Hoffman, Abbie, 138–40, 142–45, 150
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), 144
How to Become President (Allen), 77, 78
Huckleberry Finn (Twain), 53
I Am America (And So Can You!) (Colbert), 175
immigrants, 10, 22, 29, 47, 203
internet-based platform: and Deez Nuts, 208–9; and Frank Moore, 183; and Jonathon Sharkey, 173; and Keith Russell Judd, 186; and Vermin Supreme, 162, 167
Istvan, Zoltan, 214–17
Jefferson, Thomas, 7, 47, 220, 234n15
Jones, Leonard, 19–23
Judd, Keith Russell, 185–88
Jung, Carl, 100
Just Makes Sense Party, 183–84
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 111, 129, 141
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) communities, 154, 155
Libertarian Party, 101, 147, 188, 217
Life magazine, 67–72
Lincoln, Abraham, 23, 28, 55, 68, 110, 218
Live Forever Jones, 19–23, 84, 85, 171
Mars Anomaly Research Society (MARS), 211
Maxwell, John, 80–87
McMillan, Jimmy, 197–202
media coverage. See press coverage
Miller, William, 20
moon rocket, 98
Moore, Frank, 183–84
Mormons, 13–18
Nader, Ralph, 192
Naked Cowgirl, 206
National Christian Association, 44
National Liberty Party, 56–63
National Public Radio (NPR), 161, 162
National Woman Suffrage Association, 40
New Hampshire primary, 124, 140, 161, 162, 168
newspapers. See press coverage
Nixon, Richard, 95, 121, 143, 144, 145, 152
Nobody for President, 147–53, 165
nomination: of Charles Francis Adams, 46; of Dick Gregory, 132; of Eldridge Cleaver, 127; of George Edwin Taylor, 58, 61; of Gracie Allen, 74, 77; of John Maxwell, 85; of Pigasus, 139, 140, 142; of presidential candidates, 145; of Roseanne Barr, 192; of Victoria Woodhull, 36; of Will Rogers, 68, 71
Olson, Brady. See Deez Nuts
Paulsen, Pat, 105, 116–25, 174, 176
Peace and Freedom Party, 126–31, 192
Pigasus, 138–46
A Place at the Table (Bawer), 157
political action committees (PACs), 174, 181, 182
political parties: about, 1, 3; Anti-Bunk Party, 67–72; Anti-Masonic Party, 44–49; Freedom and Peace Party, 132–37, 192; Green Party, 192, 217; Just Makes Sense Party, 183–84; Libertarian Party, 101, 147, 188, 217; National Liberty Party, 56–63; Peace and Freedom Party, 126–31, 192; shattering of, 41; Socialist Party, 3, 59, 147; STAG Party, 116–25; Surprise Party, 73–79, 191; Tea Party, 192, 204; Theocratic Party, 93, 94; Transhumanist Party, 214–17; Universal Flying Saucer Party, 95–102, 210; Vampires Witches and Pagans Party, 169–73; World Love Party, 105–15. See also Democratic Party; Republican Party
Polk, James K., 14
polling organizations, 209, 248n5
post-1968 primary rule, 186, 199, 210
poverty, 80, 81, 119, 133, 201
presidential campaigns: books related to, 174–75, 191, 242n2; of Dick Gregory, 133–36; of Eldridge Cleaver, 127–30; of Gabriel Green, 99; of George Edwin Taylor, 60, 61; of George Francis Train, 31, 32, 33; of Gracie Allen, 73–74, 76, 77; of Homer Tomlinson, 89, 90; of Jimmy McMillan, 200, 202; of Joan Jett Blakk, 155, 156; of John Donkey, 10–11; of Jonathon Sharkey, 169–70, 173; of Joseph Smith, 14, 17; of Leonard Jones, 19; of Louis Abolafia, 105, 107; of Mark Twain, 52; mock, 73, 74; of Nobody, 147–50; of Pat Paulsen, 121, 123; of Pigasus, 143; of Roseanne Barr, 190–91; of Stephen Colbert, 174–75, 178–80; of Victoria Woodhull, 41–42; whispering, 70, 71; of Will Rogers, 67, 71; of Zoltan Istvan, 214–17
presidential candidates: about, 11; African American, 55–63, 132–37, 197–202; Andrew Basiago, 210–13; comedians as, 67–79, 116–25, 132–37, 174–82, 189–96; Deez Nuts, 208–9; Dick Gregory, 132–37, 190; Eldridge Cleaver, 105, 126–31, 192, 236n8; female, 35–43, 73–79, 189–96; Frank Moore, 183–84; Gabriel Green, 95–102, 210, 212, 213; George Edwin Taylor, 55–63; George Francis Train, 24–34, 219, 223n16; Gracie Allen, 73–79, 82, 117, 174, 191; Homer Tomlinson, 88–94, 105, 138, 171, 231n9; James B. Walker, 44–49, 226n10; Jimmy McMillan, 197–202; Joan Jett Blakk, 2, 154–57; John Donkey, 1, 9–12, 219; John Maxwell, 80–87; Jonathon Sharkey, 169–73, 194, 200; Joseph Smith, 13–18, 20, 23; Keith Russell Judd, 185–88; Leonard Jones, 19–23; Louis Abolafia, 105–15, 234n15; Mark Twain, 50–54; mock, 77; and mud-slinging, 52, 68, 69; Naked Cowboy, 2, 114, 203–7; Nobody, 147–53, 165; Pat Paulsen, 105, 116–25, 174, 176; Pigasus, 138–46; Roseanne Barr, 189–96; Stephen Colbert, 174–82; Vermin Supreme, 161–68, 241n15; Victoria Woodhull, 31, 35–43, 225n12; Will Rogers, 67–72, 190; Zoltan Istvan, 214–17
presidential elections: Abbie Hoffman and, 139; about, 19; African Americans and, 56; Dick Gregory and, 132; George Edwin Taylor and, 62; Homer Tomlinson and, 92; James B. Walker and, 44, 45, 46; John Maxwell and, 83; Jonathon Sharkey and, 172; Louis Abolafia and, 105, 106, 113; Mark Twain and, 53; Nobody and, 151; Victoria Woodhull and, 43; “Your Voice / Your Vote” segment for, 166
presidential primaries, 174, 187, 199
press conferences, 95, 119, 120, 156
press coverage: of Andrew Basiago, 210–13; of Deez Nuts, 208–9; of Dick Gregory, 132, 133, 134; of Frank Moore, 184; of George Edwin Taylor, 57, 58, 61, 62; of George Francis Train, 24, 25; of Homer Tomlinson, 89, 91, 92; of James B. Walker, 44–46; of Jimmy McMillan, 198; of John Donkey, 10–11; of John Maxwell, 84; of Jonathon Sharkey, 170–71, 173; of Joseph Smith, 13, 15, 16, 17; of Keith Russell Judd, 188; of Louis Abolafia, 107–9, 113; of Naked Cowboy, 203; of Pat Paulsen, 116, 123; of Pigasus, 139, 140, 143, 144; of Roseanne Barr, 190, 193, 195–96; of Stephen Colbert, 175–76, 178; of Vermin Supreme, 161–63, 166–68; of Victoria Woodhull, 35, 36, 37, 38
“prior choice economics,” 98, 99
prison: Abbie Hoffman in, 145; Eldridge Cleaver in, 127, 129, 131, 132; Keith Russell Judd in, 185, 186, 244n8
Quixote, Don Alonso, 2, 219, 220
racism, 30, 59, 61, 128, 134, 135
radio and television campaigns, 67, 69, 76, 78
rage and violence, 130–31, 171, 173, 194, 200
Raskin, Jonah, 140
Reagan, Ronald, 129, 152, 153, 156
religious freedom, 13, 15, 18, 40, 69
Rent Is Too Damn High Party, 197–202
reporters. See press coverage
Republican Convention, 24, 28, 122, 150, 156
Republican Party: about, 1, 3; and African Americans, 56; official organ of, 201; and South Carolina primary, 179; and upheavals of 1968, 145; and Victoria Woodhull, 41
Romney, Hugh, 147–53
Roosevelt, Theodore, 53, 56, 58, 219
Rubin, Jerry, 127, 140, 143, 144, 145, 150
satiric campaigns, 52, 124, 178, 180
satiric candidacies, 50, 105, 182
“Scattering” votes, 7
self-deprecating humor, 78, 79
Sharkey, Jonathon, 169–73, 194, 200
slogans: Austin city, 151; by fringe candidates, 1, 2; of Joan Jett Blakk, 156; of Louis Abolafia, 105, 106, 114; of Pat Paulsen, 121; Will Rogers on, 68
Smith, Terence. See Blakk, Joan Jett
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, 118, 119, 124, 125
Soul on Ice (Cleaver), 127
South Carolina primary, 176, 179, 182
“Space Age Platform,” 96
Spock, Benjamin, 192
STAG Party. See Straight Talking American Government (STAG) Party
stand-up comedians. See comedians
Stein, Jill, 192
Stewart, Jon, 176, 180, 181, 182
Straight Talking American Government (STAG) Party, 116–25
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), 142
Supreme, Vermin, 161–68, 241n15
Taylor, George Edwin, 55–63
third party candidates, 3, 14, 58, 141, 147, 192
Tomlinson, Homer, 88–94, 105, 138, 171, 231n9
Tom Sawyer (Twain), 53
tooth brushing, mandatory, 165, 241n15
torchlight parades, 69, 72, 79
Townsend Plan, 84
Train, George Francis, 24–34, 219, 223n16
transcontinental railroad, 48, 74
Transhumanist Party, 214–17
Trump, Donald, 2, 24, 26, 31, 193–94, 202, 219
Turner, J. Milton, 56
Twain, Mark, 50–54
UFO phenomenon, 95, 99, 100, 101, 102, 212
Union Pacific Railroad, 28, 74
Universal Flying Saucer Party, 95–102, 210
Vampires Witches and Pagans Party, 169–73
Van Tassel, George, 102
Vegetarian Party, 80–87
Ventura, Jesse, 170
Vietnam War, 109, 111, 118, 122, 134, 145
violence: about, 8, 13; and anti-Mormon sentiments, 15, 17; and Eldridge Cleaver, 129, 131; and Louis Abolafia, 112
votes: for Andrew Jackson, 7; for George Edwin Taylor, 62; for George Francis Train, 31; for James B. Walker, 45; for John Maxwell, 86; and Joseph Smith, 16, 17; for Keith Russell Judd, 188; for Leonard Jones, 20; “Scattering,” 7; for Vermin Supreme, 168; for Victoria Woodhull, 42; for Will Rogers, 71, 72; write-in, 7, 12, 179, 183; for Zachary Taylor, 12
voting issues, 58, 59, 61, 109, 137, 187
Walker, James B., 44–49, 226n10
Walt Disney Company, 148
Walters, Alexander, 56
Wertheimer, Linda, 161
West Virginia primary, 187, 188
White House: clown in, 116; and Gracie Allen, 75; and Homer Tomlinson, 91; and Joseph Smith, 16; looniest contenders for, 46; and Mark Twain, 50; and vegetarian president, 80; and Will Rogers, 67
women: equal rights for, 39, 40; voting rights for, 36, 41
Woodhull, Victoria, 31, 35–43, 225n12
Woodstock Music Festival, 148
World Love Party, 105–15
World’s Columbian Exposition, 33, 34
write-in votes, 7, 12, 179, 183
Write Me In! (Gregory), 134, 137
Yippies, 138–46, 150, 151, 238n15
Young America Abroad (Train), 26
Young America in Wall Street (Train), 26, 27
Youth International Party, 138–46