Meet the Also-Rans: Prohibition Candidate Gene Admonson
Oct. 27 2008, Published 7:07 a.m. ET
CASUAL MALE Admonson
Radar asks: Why should the race for our country's highest office be dominated by stage-managed mainstream candidates? Get to know the underdogs in the '08 presidential race—genuine mavericks without massive campaign coffers, high-paid strategists, or insurance plans that cover mental health.
Having already profiled candidates including a vampire, a satanist, and a Nazi, it seemed only natural to introduce you to a presidential wannabe who dresses up as death himself. Gene Admonson, who ran for president in 2004 as well, believes that the Prohibition era (1920-1933) was "America's greatest 13 years," and he's not above dressing as the grim reaper and staging protests at wineries and breweries to drive home his point.
This member of the wagon-riding Prohibition Party says "this country cannot afford what alcohol costs us." (Ed. note: $8 for a pint of Guinness at some Manhattan bars!) Admonson, a minister and artist, won't be mollified by the "drink responsibly" ads put out by liquor makers, either. Trying to get alcohol producers to push responsibility, he says, is like "teaching a pig to eat with a spoon." Quite simply: it "can't happen." Much like his presidency.
