# Life on the campaign trail: I kissed a pig **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 7, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919 "2010-09-07T14:10:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/21 "2010-09-08T04:51:26Z")
Oh, and BTW, the electoral districts for Congressional Representatives have very little to do with counties. In a sparsely populated area, one Rep district might include several counties. In a big city, on Rep district might be only a chunk of that city. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/22 "2010-09-08T05:08:19Z")
And you didn’t invite those of us in the PNW to see this live? we coulda made it a Dopefest ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/23 "2010-09-08T05:22:24Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > If “MP” = Minister of Parliament, that isn’t a good analogy. An MP would be more akin to an American congressional Representative. > > Or am I misunderstanding “MP”? No, I think you’re right. Maybe MPP (Members of Provincial Parliament) might be a better analogy. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/24 "2010-09-08T11:12:46Z")
Well, the PNW would have been an issue since I’m in rural Ohio! As for the video? I’m the last guy…the one talking about how much my kids are interested in seeing me do it. The one without white hair. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/25 "2010-09-08T11:35:22Z")
I loved how the old guy in the cap was grousing about not enough people on the midway to collect enough money, but I’m sure he’s kissed uglier pigs than that one. Good luck on the election, county govt can be such an old boys/girls network, and you may have to kiss a lot of pigs to infiltrate it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/26 "2010-09-08T12:18:20Z")
And here I was all looking forward to seeing you kiss a pig, which is nothing after some of the Dopefests I’ve been to at your old place. But what do I get? A video about a stabbing. Did one of your running mates go mad afterwords? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/27 "2010-09-08T13:05:43Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > If “MP” = Minister of Parliament, that isn’t a good analogy. An MP would be more akin to an American congressional Representative. > > > > Or am I misunderstanding “MP”? > > No, I think you’re right. Maybe MPP (Members of Provincial Parliament) might be a better analogy. Never heard of these people, so it’s probably more on target. The thing about county level politicians – in some places counties are run by boards and in some places commissions – is that they don’t assemble into some larger body to make any rules that have national impact. Their power is strictly local. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/28 "2010-09-08T13:25:02Z")
Not all county or city elections are partisan - here, they’re nonpartisan by law. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/29 "2010-09-08T13:30:47Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Not all county or city elections are partisan - here, they’re nonpartisan by law. That’s interesting, I didn’t know such things existed in the US. Is this “real”, or does it mean in practice that candidates can’t talk about their party affiliation during campaigns? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/30 "2010-09-08T13:52:08Z")
It’s largely not real. But it does mean that there’s likely not a primary and that all candidates are lumped together on the ballot instead of broken out by party affiliation. It may or may not control whether a local party can spend money on such an election. But likely not. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/31 "2010-09-08T14:08:04Z")
That pig is adorable. I’d kiss it just for being cute, and probably throw in a few "Who’s a cute little piggy? You are, that’s who!"s for free. In fact, I’d want to pet him and stroke him and call him George. Definitely not a tough chore for a political candidate. Good luck with your election. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/32 "2010-09-08T14:30:39Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > [@Zsofia](#): > > > > Not all county or city elections are partisan - here, they’re nonpartisan by law. > > That’s interesting, I didn’t know such things existed in the US. Is this “real”, or does it mean in practice that candidates can’t talk about their party affiliation during campaigns? Well, in the recent mayoral election it was real… except the winner was heavily funded by the local Democratic party, that is. But the rest of it was nonpartisan. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/33 "2010-09-08T14:40:34Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > If “MP” = Minister of Parliament, that isn’t a good analogy. An MP would be more akin to an American congressional Representative. > > > > Or am I misunderstanding “MP”? > > No, I think you’re right. Maybe MPP (Members of Provincial Parliament) might be a better analogy. No, an MPP would be analogous to a representative to the state legislature. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/34 "2010-09-08T16:03:37Z")
I think we’re missing the real issue here. Mr. Wooley is clearly a flip-flopper. Look what he says in the article “My kids are here, and wanted to see me do it,” said Democrat Wooley. “I’m not sure there’s a way to kiss a pig. I’m just glad they’re putting lipstick on him.” But look what he said here > [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Hey, I didn’t choose the pig. I thought it’d be bigger right up to the point they brought her out. So, Mr. Wooley, which is it? Was it a male pig, as you said in the moments of the event, or was it a female pig as you say now? Are you trying to whitewash your past by changing the gender of your make out companion? Is there something you’re ashamed of, or embarrassed by? Were there so many pigs you got them mixed up? Just how many pigs, and of which genders, have you kissed Mr. Wooley? And doesn’t your very name betray a different sort of orientation? How does the Ewe at home feel about your porking around at the fair? The little things matter to the voters. If you can’t be honest and consistent with things like the genders of your porcine partners, why should the good people of this county trust you with their futures? [sub]heh, pork futures[/sub] Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/35 "2010-09-08T16:54:43Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > No, an MPP would be analogous to a representative to the state legislature. Well, then, I’m out of ideas. 😉 Man, you Merkins are _weird_. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/36 "2010-09-08T17:15:43Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > what is a county commissioner? some sort of local municipal government? why are the candidates affiliated with the Democratic and Republican parties? are local government elections normally partisan? > > not trying to be snarky or anything - just that in Canada, party politics normally start at the provincial level, not the municipal levels, so I’m just curious > [@Kythereia](#): > > Well, then, I’m out of ideas. Man, you Merkins are weird. Out of curiousity, what provinces are you guys from? Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces have counties. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/37 "2010-09-08T17:48:51Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > > [@Rysto](#): > > > > No, an MPP would be analogous to a representative to the state legislature. > > Well, then, I’m out of ideas. 😉 Man, you Merkins are _weird_. A county commission or county board is more akin to city council. They have their own little pond, and they don’t go swimming in anybody else’s pond, and they don’t build canals between their ponds to make one giant pond. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/38 "2010-09-08T17:59:11Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > I think we’re missing the real issue here. Mr. Wooley is clearly a flip-flopper. Look what he says in the article “My kids are here, and wanted to see me do it,” said Democrat Wooley. “I’m not sure there’s a way to kiss a pig. I’m just glad they’re putting lipstick on him.” But look what he said here > > > [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > > > Hey, I didn’t choose the pig. I thought it’d be bigger right up to the point they brought her out. > > So, Mr. Wooley, which is it? Was it a male pig, as you said in the moments of the event, or was it a female pig as you say now? Are you trying to whitewash your past by changing the gender of your make out companion? Is there something you’re ashamed of, or embarrassed by? Were there so many pigs you got them mixed up? Just how many pigs, and of which genders, have you kissed Mr. Wooley? And doesn’t your very name betray a different sort of orientation? How does the Ewe at home feel about your porking around at the fair? The little things matter to the voters. If you can’t be honest and consistent with things like the genders of your porcine partners, why should the good people of this county trust you with their futures? [sub]heh, pork futures[/sub] > > Enjoy, > Steven I’m glad you asked that question, Steven. And it’s good to see you here at the press conference. How’s the kids? Good…good. The simple fact is that I was misled about the nature of the pig. The interview you saw was conducted about 20 minutes prior to the actual ‘kissing of the pig’ and I had not yet been introduced to the pig. The promoters informed me about the pig prior to that but did not specify a gender. Clearly, I was wrong in promoting a metrosexual lifestyle for the pig and I apologize for that. Upon being introduced to Miss Bacon we bonded quickly and I carried her around in my arms following the kissing. I feel stronger for having known her and wish her all the success in the world. As for Mrs Chance? She just made sure I brushed my teeth and wiped my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![pantheon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@pantheon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantheon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/39 "2010-09-08T18:06:02Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yes, I’m running for office out here. And kissing a pig is one of those things. > > [http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/102303284.html](http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/102303284.html) > > I thought you all would enjoy seeing that. It looked like you kissed three of them, but you’re so darn cute, I’d vote for ya anyway. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919/40 "2010-09-08T20:19:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > > what is a county commissioner? some sort of local municipal government? why are the candidates affiliated with the Democratic and Republican parties? are local government elections normally partisan? > > > > not trying to be snarky or anything - just that in Canada, party politics normally start at the provincial level, not the municipal levels, so I’m just curious > > > [@Kythereia](#): > > > > Well, then, I’m out of ideas. Man, you Merkins are weird. > > Out of curiousity, what provinces are you guys from? Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces have counties. Saskatchewan. We don’t have counties, only municipalities (urban, rural and northern). But what Im getting at is that I don’t think that the political parties nominate candidates for municipal or county governments here in Canada - is it all that common in the U.S.? Here, party politics normally only starts at the provincial government level. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-campaign-trail-i-kissed-a-pig/552919.md?page=3)