10 Strangest Political Campaign Promises Made by Candidates – Listverse

Political campaigns are known for big promises and bold declarations. We’re used to the same old calls for universal healthcare and turning the economy around. But sometimes candidates take a detour into the unexpected. Here are the ten strangest campaign promises ever made by political candidates. Guaranteed to leave you scratching your head and wondering, “Did they really say that?”

Related: Top 10 Costly US Presidential Campaign Blunders

10 Ronald Reagan promised to wake up

We should not forget the promise Ronald Reagan made during his bid for president in 1980. Reagan chose an unconventional route in a world where politicians typically promised to fix the economy or improve health care. He promised to stay awake!

Yes, you read that correctly. Reagan promised to be alert and aware during his term as president. While it may sound like a no-brainer, this promise was born out of some controversy. His critics had raised concerns about his age, suggesting that at 69 he might not have the stamina to lead the nation.

Reagan addressed these doubts head-on during a debate with his opponent, Jimmy Carter. With a twinkle in his eye, he joked, “I want you to know that I won’t be making age an issue in this campaign either. I am not going to exploit my opponent’s youth and inexperience for political purposes.”

The audience laughed and even Carter couldn’t help but chuckle. Reagan’s humorous response defused the age issue and showed his charm. And true to his word, he remained awake and alert during his two terms in office. So while it may have been a strange promise, it certainly worked in his favor.

9 Michelle Bachman vowed to withdraw from Libya… and Africa

During the 2012 presidential race, Michelle Bachman, a Republican candidate, made headlines. She stated that if elected, she would withdraw from Libya and say goodbye to the entire African continent. It was a statement that confused many. Many wondered if there was a card mix-up or miscommunication somewhere along the campaign trail.

While candidates often strive for clarity in their policy positions, this promise defied all logic. After all, Africa is a vast and diverse continent made up of 54 countries, each with a unique geopolitical landscape. Suggesting a total withdrawal from such a complex area raised more questions than it answered. Critics pointed out the impracticality of Bachman’s proposal. They emphasized the need for nuanced foreign policy decisions, tailored to individual countries. While Libya was undoubtedly a hot topic at the time, breaking away from an entire continent seemed out of reach.

8 Alan Caruba promised to put an end to boredom

Alan Caruba’s campaign promise to end boredom certainly ranks as one of the strangest in political history. Caruba took a different route than typical candidates who often focused on taxes, health care and foreign policy. During his campaign, he declared that he would eradicate boredom from the lives of his voters.

While most politicians were giving speeches about the economy, Caruba was brainstorming ways to make everyday life more exciting. He proposed unconventional ideas such as mandatory dance breaks in the workplace and government-sponsored amusement parks in every city. His vision included a world where boredom was eradicated and every citizen had access to constant entertainment.

While his promise may have seemed bizarre to some, it struck a chord with voters who were tired of the same old political rhetoric. Caruba’s campaign rallies were filled with music, games and lively activities. He quickly gained a following of supporters who embraced his unusual agenda.

7 Hunter S. Thompson promised to replace the streets of Aspen with Sod

One of the most eccentric political campaign promises in history came from legendary journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1970s, Thompson ran for sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, as part of his unique and unconventional style of political commentary.

His promise? To replace Aspen’s streets with turf.

Thompson’s campaign was downright bizarre. He advocated decriminalizing drugs, removing asphalt roads and changing Aspen’s name to “Fat City” to deter developers from investing in the area. He believed that by covering the streets with turf, the city would become more peaceful and the number of traffic accidents would decrease.

While his campaign promises were undoubtedly bizarre, for Thompson they served a greater purpose. They highlight the absurdity of politics and the hypocrisy of those in power. Although he didn’t win the election, Thompson’s campaign left a mark on the political world, reminding us that sometimes even the strangest promises can make us question the status quo.

6 Sarah Palin pledged to support America’s North Korean allies

In the realm of strange political campaign promises, one that stands out is Sarah Palin’s promise to “support America’s North Korean ally.” She made this beautiful statement when she ran for Republican vice president alongside John McCain in 2008.

Now it is essential to make clear that North Korea has never been an ally of the United States. In fact, it has been a thorn in America’s side for decades, with tense relations, nuclear threats and missile tests being the norm. So Palin’s promise to support North Korea left many scratching their heads. While it is common for politicians to make bold statements during campaigns, this one took the cake for its sheer absurdity.

5 Andy Caffrey promised to smoke a joint on Capitol Hill

In the realm of special political campaign promises, one momentous event still raises eyebrows: Andy Caffrey’s promise to light a joint on Capitol Hill. Yes, you read that correctly. Caffrey, a congressional candidate from California in 2012, promised to open a marijuana joint if elected.

Caffrey, an advocate for cannabis legalization, made the bold pledge to draw attention to the pressing issue of marijuana reform. He argued that by smoking pot at the heart of American politics, he could symbolically challenge federal cannabis prohibition laws and call for their overhaul.

While it may sound like a stunt designed to cause a shock, Caffrey’s intention was serious. He believed that this act of civil disobedience would start a conversation about the need for cannabis policy reform, and it certainly did. However, Caffrey’s campaign ultimately fizzled as he failed to secure the nomination.

4 Barack Obama has promised not to call Mitt Romney weird

Even though Barack Obama has been immortalized as one of the most stylish presidents we’ve seen in decades, he’s still on this list. During the 2012 presidential race, Obama vowed not to call his opponent, Mitt Romney, “weird.”

You might wonder why a candidate would need to make such a promise in the first place. The 2012 elections gained momentum and the political fray reached its peak. Supposedly Obama’s campaign strategy was “leaked” and included a plan to brand Romney as weird, including mocking his skinny jeans. During an interview with Obama, Obama promised not to do this Rolling stone magazine.

It’s not that calling someone “weird” is the worst insult in the world, but it is a fairly unusual promise in the context of a high-stakes presidential race. Ultimately, Obama kept this promise. But it’s safe to say that the 2012 campaign was still filled with its fair share of heated rhetoric.

3 Dan Quayle promised the best educated people in the world

Dan Quayle’s promise to deliver “the best educated American people in the world” during his 1988 vice presidential campaign remains one of the strangest and most memorable political promises in American history. Along with George HW Bush, Quayle faced significant backlash and ridicule for this ambitious vow.

Critics argued that it was a lofty goal without a clear implementation plan. Achieving such a feat would require massive investments in education, comprehensive reforms and a radical transformation of the entire education system. Quayle’s opponents pointed out that the United States still has a long way to go to become the “best educated” country.

Ultimately, Quayle’s promise may have contributed to his image as a blundering candidate best known for misspelling “potato” during a school visit. While his commitment to improving education was noble, his over-the-top promise left many skeptical.

2 John Edwards promised to cure diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

John Edwards, the former U.S. senator and former Democratic presidential candidate, made a splash during the 2004 election cycle, promising to cure the diseases of diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Don’t get me wrong: Finding treatments for these devastating conditions would be nothing short of miraculous.

But let’s be honest: are we promising to cure not one, not two, but three complex and currently incurable diseases during a political campaign? That’s quite a task.

Edwards’ bold promise undoubtedly turned heads, but it did raise a few eyebrows. While we all appreciate politicians with ambitious goals, these medical promises border on science fiction. It’s not like Edwards had a secret lab full of genius scientists working on these treatments, right?

Ultimately, Edwards didn’t get the nomination, and his grand medical claims didn’t help his case. But it is fair to say that he did draw attention to the importance of funding medical research and the need for breakthroughs in these areas. So while his promises may have been outlandish, they did highlight pressing health care issues.

1 Vermin Supreme promised ponies for everyone

Vermin Supreme, a perennial presidential candidate known for his eccentricity, once made a promise that tops the charts for outlandish campaign promises: ponies for everyone. Yes, ponies. His bizarre promise was a central theme in his political campaigns, leaving many confused while others just laughed.

Supreme, who often wore a boot on his head as part of his signature attire, knew how to turn heads. He promised that he would give every American a free pony if elected. While it may sound like a joke, Supreme used this promise to comment on the outrageous and often empty promises made by politicians during election seasons.

In reality, he never intended to fulfill his pony promise. Instead, it was a satirical statement intended to highlight the absurdity of some campaign promises and the willingness of voters to believe in grandiose proposals without much research.