Former MLB pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee had a strange career in the majors. He was an outspoken, bizarre individual that epitomized the 1970s. The 69-year old (obligatory “nice” reference) is back in the news with the announcement that he plans on running for governor of Vermont, and Lee’s platform may be best described as “unique”.
The ex-Red Sox and Expos pitcher has described himself as “Bernie heavy,” and also a pragmatic thinker.
“I’m a pragmatic, conservative, forward thinker,” said Lee, Liberty Union candidate for governor.
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“You get what you pay for, if you want change, you vote for Sanders or me. I’m Bernie-heavy, I’m not Bernie-lite. My ideas were before Bernie,” said Lee. “If you want to see money come down from the 2 percent, we’re going to need umbrellas when I’m elected, because it’s going to be raining dollars,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Lee has declared himself as a candidate for an elected office. Nearly 30 years ago, he was a presidential candidate under the Canadian Rhinoceros Party (which is apparently a thing) and wanted to bulldoze the Rocky Mountains.
In 1988 he ran for president under the Canadian Rhinoceros Party which touted positions like bulldozing the Rocky Mountains so that Alberta could receive a few extra minutes of daylight and a ban on deadly guns and butter.
Now, he’ll run under Liberty Union’s banner, a small party best-known for launching Sen. Bernie Sanders’ political career and Peter Diamondstone’s perennial candidacy.
As for Lee’s platform, he’s in favor of marijuana legalization (of course), single payer healthcare, and…the Expos being brought back to Montreal?
He argues for legalization and taxation of pot in Vermont, along with single-payer health care, paid family leave and bringing the Expos back to Montreal.
And just for the hell of it, Lee took a couple of shots at the Republican Party and presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“The problem with Americans is their fist is like this (closed), and you got to open your hands. Republicans are pterodactyls, they have little short arms that never get to their front pockets,” said Lee.
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“If things don’t go our way, if we get Trump as president, I’m out of here and I’ll take Vermont with us,” said Lee.
All I ask, Vermont, is that you have Lee participate in a debate before the election in November. It would really be amazing to watch, even if he has no chance in hell at actually winning.
[WCAX]
