This Day Fred Tuttle Goes From Mockumentary to Senate Candidate (1998)
Sep 4, 2025
In 1998, Fred Tuttle, an elderly Vermont farmer, turned his mockumentary fame into an unexpected Senate candidacy. His humorous campaign slogan, 'Why Not?', captured the attention of locals and reflected a broader discontent with traditional politics. Tuttle's charisma and community ties transformed him into a quirky symbol of populist-celebrity politics. The podcast dives into the absurdity of his journey, highlighting the importance of local authenticity in political representation, all while weaving in laughs and insights from rural life.
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Farmer Turned Accidental Candidate
- Fred Tuttle was an 80-year-old Vermont dairy farmer who starred in a mockumentary called A Man with a Plan.
- The film led him to actually run and win the Republican primary as a joke-turned-reality.
Cult Film Sparks Real Votes
- After the film's 1996 release, listeners gave Fred various write-in votes across offices, showing grassroots affection.
- Bumper stickers and local buzz pushed filmmakers to consider an actual campaign.
Localism Versus Outsider Wealth
- Filmmaker John O'Brien and Tuttle ran him against Jack McMullen to expose outsider-versus-local dynamics.
- The campaign highlighted Vermont resentment toward wealthy out-of-state candidates.
