We live in an age beyond parody.
Deez Nuts and a boot-for-hat clad gentleman are (kind of) running for the highest office in the land. Gender is fluid, supposedly. That the Democratic presidential front-runner is under FBI investigation seems moot to progressive partisans. Green Day was a recent inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and millennials are under the impression that dressing like a lumber jack increases the potential for social acceptance.
But the icing on the cake? A grassroots effort to draft Michael Dukakis is under way.
You might remember Dukakis from his 1988 run for the White House:
Though you’re probably more likely to remember his joy ride in an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank — a little ride that turned out to be one of the worst campaign snafus in modernish campaign history.
The draft Dukakis effort bleeped on our radar Friday with a newly minted Twitter account claiming their sole raison d’être was pulling the 81-year-old former Massachusetts Governor and less than successful Democratic presidential into the 2016 race.
Currently, the site Dukakis2016.com links back to a Zazzle store where hashtag-bearing baseball caps are available for purchase.
The Twitter account is pushing Dukakis’ presidential brochures… from 1988. They’re also circulating a Change.org petition.
Is this a marketing stunt to sell hats to the still faithful Dukakisites or an ernest draft effort? Our curiosity got the better of us so we had to ask.
According to MS (initials used on press request response), the Draft Dukakis campaign is “an actual organization – albeit a small one.” Their grand desire? “To draft Mike into the race.”
“We think that voters are hungry for a serious, experienced, and policy-minded candidate who is neither an ideologue nor untrustworthy – like the current Democratic frontrunner. Mike’s record in Massachusetts speaks for itself, and it’s speaking to primary voters, too, from whom we are receiving an outpouring of support…particularly in NH,” said MS making the case.
“We are optimistic that we can get Governor Dukakis in the race; if he declares, we look forward to rallying supporters and helping get his name on the ballot.” Former Governor Dukakis is currently 81-years-old. Would that be problematic to competent leadership? Draft Dukakis says no. “We are actively fundraising and building a network of support for Mike, too, and do not think that his wisdom and experience from his many years in public office will hinder his ability to Govern.”
Predating the Clinton regime, Dukakis would be the ultimate throwback candidate. But given the rest of the Democratic presidential primary contenders, he’d make a nice addition.
Follow Kemberlee Kaye on Twitter @kemberleekaye
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY