Mental Floss

The Cat in the Hat Is Running for President

Kirstin Fawcett|

Watch out, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton: One of childhood literature’s most beloved characters is running for president. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, July 26, The Cat in the Hat officially announced his bid for the Oval Office, the Associated Press reports. Since the Republican and Democratic nominees have already been selected, the Cat will run independently as the “Kids’ Candidate.”

Standing outside the Springfield, Massachusetts, home of his creator, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, the Cat introduced his running mates, Thing One and Thing Two. The fictional feline pledged his commitment to promoting ocean conservation (with support from Red Fish and Blue Fish, of course), said he and the Lorax would protect the environment, and promised that Sam I Am would help him tackle world hunger. To ensure full campaign transparency, the Cat even promised to release his tax returns.

The Cat in the Hat’s main political goal is to “show kids that every vote counts, and every voice matters,” said campaign manager Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, in the video above. On a more practical note, the event also served as the official launch for One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote, a new $10 Random House picture book in which the Cat runs for president. It’s written for kids ages 5 to 8, and provides them with a brief primer on democracy, the U.S. election process, and why it’s necessary to vote.

Want to get involved in the Cat’s campaign? Visit his official website, where you can vote for the presidential hopeful's first order of business once he's elected. He'll "collaborate" with another famous Dr. Seuss character to support one of five charitable causes, ranging from ocean conservation to anti-bullying efforts. The character or philanthropic organization that gets the most votes will receive a $10,000 donation from Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books.

Banner image courtesy of YouTube

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