Some lesser-known GOP candidates - LOL!

Michael Jesus Archangel (Michigan)

STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. This gadfly candidate -- who also uses the name "Saint Michael Jesus the Archangel" (note: formerly named Philip Silva until he legally adopted the Archangel moniker in 1996) -- appears rather delusional. "From the time I was a little boy I knew I was God and Michael the Archangel, but I didn't dare tell anyone, not even anyone in my family because I knew that the devil, Satan, was going to try to murder Me, and indeed he did try, four separate times," he explains. He says he's a Vietnam War veteran who attempted suicide due to depression and paranoia. He also claims he later became a "a volunteer Secret Agent for the Central Intelligence Agency without pay." A former janitor, he is a self-employed "writer" these days. As for politics, he describes himself as a "radical conservative Republican" who recognizes "the fact that America is an official Theocracy." Archangel was arrested on attempted murder and other felony charges in March 2006. "As a matter of fact, he is crazy. Anyone in their right mind can see that," said the Sheriff who arrested him. You can find lots and lots of very long pages of his bizarre writing on his official website: ArchangelMichael.info (you've got to scroll down very far on the homepage to find the link to his Presidential campaign and his autobiography).

Walter D. "Donnie" Kennedy (Georgia)

STATUS: EXPLORATORY CANDIDATE. Donnie Kennedy is a longtime activist in the "Southern Heritage" movement (i.e., seeking to keep the Confederate battle flag flying in the South and incorporated within the design of Southern state flags, opposing the MLK Holiday, etc.). Kennedy is also the former Commander of the Louisiana Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A retired nurse anaesthetist by profession, Kennedy is the co-author several books including The South Was Right!, Myths of American Slavery, and Was Jefferson Davis Right? He also serves on the Board of Directors of the League of the South. Kennedy was briefly a candidate for President in 2004, but quit the race before the primaries started. Kennedy says his candidacy might cause Southern Republican elected officials to "remember the issues of conservative, Christian Southerners of all races who elected them over their liberal anti-South opponents ... help guarantee flag votes by the people in Georgia and South Carolina." He believes the conservative movement largely suffered from 100 years of defeats over the past century at the hands of "the liberal/socialist regime" and says "we must have real States Right’s or that little bit of liberty upon which we now barely subsist, that too shall be taken from us." Kennedy was a featured speaker at the 2006 Texas Constitution Party convention. Related links: Kennedy for President (offical campaign site), KennedyTwins.com (official website for Kennedy and his twin brother), Liberty Based Society (official political organization), DixieBroadcasting.com (unofficial grassroots supporters) and Southern Party of North Carolina (unofficial grassroots supporters)..

Jack Shepard (Italy / Minnesota)

STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. Dr. Jack Shepard is a USAF veteran and dentist ... and a convicted felon (narcotics possession) who fled as a fugitive to Italy to avoid trial in Minnesota when he became the suspect in the arson of his dental office. Claiming he was wrongly convicted in the drug case and wrong accused in the arson, Shepard continues -- from Rome, Italy -- to run as a candidate for federal political office in Minnesota to bring attention to his demand that the conviction be overturned and the arson charge dropped. He says the drug conviction should be overturned because dentists can have narcotics in their offices and that he is innocent on the arson charges. "I never broke the law," Shepard posted on one political website. The US government has never formally requested his extradition from the Italian government, although then-prosecutor Amy Klobuchar -- now US Senator -- requested the Feds seek his return. Shepard lost a GOP primary run for US Senate in 2002 and Congress in 2004 and 2006. In his campaigns -- waged on his websites and in emails to Minnesota newspapers -- accused various Democrats of either being tied to encouraging "the Terrorists" or being "owned" by "the Israel Lobby." Related links: Shepard for President (official site), ShepardUSGov.com (Congressional campaign site), and People for Peace Group (Shepard's organization).

Christina Gerasimos Billings-Elias (California)

STATUS: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE. This candidate bills herself as "Princess Christina Gerasimos Billings-Elias" because she claims her great uncle is a "decendant of Queen Victoria." As to being a Princess, it appears to be a title she bestowed upon herself. To give you an idea of just how self-aggrandizing and bizarre this candidate is, here's an excerpt from her campaign site: "Christina born to be President of 'Our America.' ©™. 'The Chosen One," ©™ as proclaimed by Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, friends of Theodore and Evelyn Gerasimos, first Greek in Detroit 1890. People's King of the Greeks emanating from Spartan Royalty Warriors." I also don't get the weird official campaign pic. Related link: Christina Billings-Elias for President.