PEANUTS FANS TO ROCK THE VOTE IN ONLINE MOCK ELECTION
It may well be the most historic Presidential campaign since the first U.S. presidential election of 1789, featuring candidates who have never before reached such political heights. Who would ever have thought that one day voters could cast their ballots for…a brazen beagle who plays multiple roles? A lovable loser who never quits? Or a contemplative intellectual who craves security? An online mock election debuting in early August will invite Peanuts fans to vote for Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy or Sally for President.
Peanuts has a long and memorable history with elections. Charles Schulz endured twelve presidential campaigns during his 50 years of creating Peanuts, and the presidential election years of 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1990 all found the Peanuts Gang contemplating a run for office or actively involved in an election of one kind or another in the strip. Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz even foresaw the excitement over the first serious female candidate—by having Lucy bemoan the fact that another woman would probably beat her to the Presidential slot before Lucy was old enough to run!
It’s Time to Vote, Charlie Brown
A first-ever partnership between Peanuts and Rock the Vote offers fans a chance to flex their voting muscles by casting their ballots in an online Peanuts election at www.peanutsrocksthevote.com. Voters in the mock election can review the candidates’ bios, read their platforms, cast a vote—and even register to vote in the actual 2008 election using Rock the Vote’s custom online voter registration tool.
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Candidates include:
Charlie Brown: The good ol’ candidate who never stops trying to succeed—and who’s guaranteed to win the wishy-washy vote.
Lucy: The outspoken female candidate—a little bossy, but happy to give you her five cents’ worth of advice.
Linus: The thoughtful candidate who places a high value on security—in the form of a warm blanket.
Sally: The precocious candidate who would certainly find a place in her administration for her “Sweet Babboo” (a/k/a Linus).
Snoopy: The first beagle in a national election, Joe Cool, the World War I Flying Ace and the Easter Beagle is a virtuoso at every endeavor—at least in his daydreams atop his doghouse.
For nearly 20 years, Rock the Vote has been using music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote. Rock the Vote gives young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives—empowering the 45 million young people in America who want to step up, claim their voice in the political process, and change the way politics is done.
“A mock election campaign allows Peanuts fans of all ages to have some fun and take a break from the serious side of politics,” said Jeannie Schulz, widow of the cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. “We hope this partnership with Rock the Vote will encourage all citizens of voting age to go out and take part in the electoral process.”
“We’re excited to partner with Peanuts to give young people a chance to vote for their favorite Peanuts candidate while learning more about the democratic process along the way and registering to vote in the Presidential election in November,” said Heather Smith, Executive Director, Rock the Vote.
“Political Peanuts” Museum Exhibit Offers a Trip Through Peanuts History
Although Charles Schulz was opposed to injecting politics into the Peanuts comic strip in an overt manner, there were times when he subtly or slyly commented on the process. The “Political Peanuts” exhibition at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California, takes a light-hearted look at the political process in 30 Peanuts strips and politically-themed artifacts. The exhibit runs July 16 through December 1, 2008; www.schulzmuseum.org.
Consumers Vote Thumbs-Up on Peanuts Merchandise
A remastered, deluxe edition DVD, “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown” from Warner Home Video arrives on October 7, 2008, just in time to cast your vote. When Linus campaigns for student body president, he’s looking like a shoe-in…until he starts talking about the Great Pumpkin. Bonus material includes “He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown,” an original, new episode created especially for this release and all-new behind-the-scenes content featuring interviews with the Schulz family.
Non-partisan Peanuts tees from Mighty Fine and Junk Food make a political and fashion statement. No matter their political party, geography or gender, all citizens can relate to the sentiment, “Don’t Blame Me—I Voted for Snoopy.” Retro-fashion tees for men and women also urge everyone to “Back the Beagle,” “Fight Pollution” and vote “Charlie Brown for President” or “Snoopy for President.”
Peanuts is licensed and syndicated by United Media. United Media is wholly owned subsidiary of the E.W. Scripps Company.