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May 6, 2002

*The following letter was emailed to supporters and various members of the media after we ran out of time on our signature campaign. Despite the best efforts of some truly awesome people (including Mr. Perry Lefevre’s Government class at Sylvania Northview High School who collected over 300 signatures), we came up short by the deadline and will not be appearing on the ballot this November. But we are switching gears and strategies, and we will be running as official “Write-in” candidates. So you can still vote for us this November!

To all of our supporters, the media, and anyone else who cares to listen,

Today, May 6th, 2002, will not be remembered as “Ohio’s New Independence Day.” Despite a flurry of campaigning activities over the past two months, the Whitman and Clark campaign to make it on the ballot for Ohio Governor and Lt. Governor as Independents has fallen short of collecting the required signatures. Racing all across Ohio these past few days, we concluded with just over 4,000 signatures, leaving us nearly a thousand short as the 4pm deadline came and went. If there is any consolation for such a disappointment, it must be in the hundreds of Ohioans we registered to vote. As promised, the registration forms were turned in to the Secretary of State’s office today without our petitions, of which most of the newly registered voters had also signed. Columbus’ TV Channel 6 showed up and recorded the unceremonious event and interviewed the downtrodden gubernatorial candidate. I wasn’t much for words at that particular moment, but I tried to force a smile and stay positive despite the mixed emotions. There are no regrets because we learned so much and demonstrated that anyone can still run for office. With our ever-increasing momentum, one more week would have seen us make it easily. We will still continue our efforts and register as official “Write-in” candidates.

The petition forms which were once worth ten times their weight in gold, may now appear to represent only sentimental value. But to me, those stacks of petitions represent so much more. There are 4,000 Ohioans who still believe in the founding principles of democracy, thousands who still have faith in the wisdom and power of the people to govern themselves. For all of our supporters, I send my sincere thanks. Your time and energy will serve as a testimony that “We the people” still govern this land.

The experience has provided us with many lessons. The frustration from watching so many faces walk by ignoring us was enough for me, but to have others laugh, criticize, and even curse at you was beyond any of my expectations. While I could stand that humiliation, I cannot accept the apathy of the masses who just walked on or those that stated they had given up on voting years ago. In our minds, we know it is for them we march on, trying to restore their faith in government. Today, I fear for all Ohioans. We will continue to pay a terrible price for the masses of people who remain apathetic and disconnected from this government. If it continues in the future, it will likely be beyond our capacity to fix. But we also encountered thousands of people who were eager to support us, spread the word, educate the people, and register to vote. With the help of those individuals, we can pass the blessings of liberty on to our posterity.

For me, there is some relief from the constant anxiety which found me talking about petition signatures in my sleep. However, that relief comes at the expense of a tremendous letdown. In regards to coming up short on signatures, I could point the blame in many directions, but nothing shocked me more than the lack of interest from our public schools. Having sent out letters accompanied with petition forms to 338 government teachers across Ohio (which consumed over half of our projected $500 budget), we received only twenty responses. An incredible learning opportunity wasted, I should’ve expected as much with our rapidly deteriorating public school system. In my travels, I ran across government teachers who had not even bothered to register their students to vote. But instead of blaming others, I have to be thankful for those schools and individuals that did participate. I send my special thanks to the faculties and students of all the participating schools for going the extra mile for us.

Several months ago, we began the journey to make a difference in Ohio’s world of politics. We have certainly succeeded in that quest. Like huge fireworks launched into the night sky on the Fourth of July, the crowd looks toward this campaign awaiting the explosions of color. Unfortunately, some may think we are merely one of those “duds” which have fizzled out, but don’t look away now because the best is yet to come. As official “Write-in” candidates, we will continue to broadcast the REAL issues while the major parties squabble back and forth with their never-ending propaganda. Though no Ohio candidate has ever won a statewide office as a “Write-in” candidate, there is a first time for everything. We have learned never to underestimate the impossible, and if we do fail to win this election, our experience this time around will enable us to succeed the next time.

Listen carefully, I believe you can hear that precious Liberty Bell in Philadelphia today. It’s a very faint pinging right now, but someday soon, we’ll hear it ringing freedom loudly once again. To everyone, thank you so much for all of your efforts!!!!!!!!

Marching on,

James G. Whitman, teacher and

Independent candidate for Governor

P.S. We congratulate John Eastman (Natural Law Party) for turning in his signatures, and we hope he qualifies as an Independent for the ballot.

Paid for by the Committee to elect Whitman and Clark.  

Treasurer, Lana Whitman, 3716 Co. Rd. 31 South, Bellefontaine, OH 43311