On its website, New York Magazine offers “A Brief History Of Novelty Mayoral Candidates” in New York City, saying that even if incumbent Michael Bloomberg has the election “all wrapped up…at least the candidacies of Reverend Billy and the Naked Cowboy will help to ensure that the campaign isn’t entirely boring. The two colorful characters are just the latest novelty candidates to join the race for mayor to get attention, to promote their political agendas, or just for kicks — but not necessarily to win.”
The magazine then profiles past candidates including alternative party candidates William F. Buckley (Conservative, 1965), Bernard Goetz (Fusion, 2001) and Kenny Kramer (Libertarian, 2001).
Didn’t Henry George run as a United Labor Party candidate, or something like that? Roosevelt should have known when he finished third in that race he had no future in politics.
My husband notes that the original article left out “novelty candidate” for NYC Mayor, the legendary economist Henry George, author of “Progress and Poverty”.
Henry George ran on a third party line, and came in 2nd. He beat Teddy Roosevelt, the Republican candidate for NYC Mayor.
Oh, my. Thanks for this post.
Oh, my, oh, my. I had to watch the Naked Cowboy video!
LOLOLOLOL.
He is pretty articulate. Though, I don’t understand his issues much.
I would loooovvvve to see Rev. Billy Talen debate the Naked Cowboy. I don’t think that Rev. Billy is the kind of reverend who would criticize nudity and sexuality. But, you never know what happens when competitors meet.
Of course, I am a little disappointed that Green Party candidate Reverend Billy Talen got lumped into the same category with the Naked Cowboy (whose campaign seems a little shallow. Maybe connected to mere promotion.)
But, I am honored that Rev. Billy Talen’s campaign got coverage, and was listed in the tradition of William F. Buckley, who was at least smart, if not progressive.