The presidential campaign began with 60 posters taped to the front of his classroom door. The posters advertised the slogan “Rabalais for President” and exhibited a photo of Social Studies teacher Craig Rabalais with his hand to his heart, gazing off into the distance with the American Flag in the background.
Mr. Rabalais fell victim to a practical joke Feb. 11. He considers the campaign thrust upon him without his consent. He believes the website and the posters don’t paint the most accurate picture of his true intentions.
“I did not decide to run for president,” Mr. Rabalais said. “I woke up unbeknownst to me that I had a [campaign] running me for president.”
The campaign received an enthusiastic response from teachers and students alike. Students posted pictures of the campaign on social media under #Rabalais2016. Several teachers displayed the posters in their classrooms and shared them through email to voice their support. Coach Michael Keel, one of the first to discover the posters, feels that Mr. Rabalais stands a chance to run a successful campaign.
“[I] overheard Mr. Rabalais quoting Joseph Stalin, who said, ‘The people who cast the votes don’t decide an election, the people who count the votes do’,” Coach Keel said.
An anonymous author even published a website dedicated to the campaign. The site presents Mr. Rabalais’ supposed opinion on pressing issues, like immigration and abortion. It also outlines what he will accomplish if elected and offers fake endorsements from celebrities like Richard Dreyfuss, who supposedly touts Mr. Rabalais as a “real… great… railroad.” After exploring the site, Physics teacher Mr. John Davis formed an opinion on the matter.
“It looks to me, as a casual observer, that Mr. Rabalais has based his campaign on the failed gubernatorial bid of Gary Coleman,” Mr. Davis said.
Despite the forced start to his campaign, Mr. Rabalais seeks to make the best of the situation and prove his worth to the American people.
“If given the opportunity and the chance to run this nation, I will lift it up and restore the glory that this nation should be known for,” Mr. Rabalais said.
