|
By Phil Kabler Submitted by iwan pritchard Date: 2004 May 24 Comment on this Work [[2004.05.24.20.55.21451]] |
|
Candidate's '99 movie not porn, party says Supporters of the state's fledgling third party, the Mountain Party, complain unceasingly that their candidate for governor, Jesse Johnson, isn't getting enough exposure. In fact, if any newspaper, TV or radio station in the state reports on the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election as a two-person race, that news outlet is pretty likely to get complaints from Mountain Party backers, as part of an organized effort by party faithful to get equal coverage. An actor who spent 15 years in Hollywood and the founder of West Virginia Film Investment, a company aimed at bringing major film productions to the state, Johnson's résumé includes small roles in movies such as Steven Spielberg's "Hook." However, a whisper campaign is trying to make voters aware that Johnson got more than a little exposure as a co-star in a 1999 movie that doesn't show up on his filmography: "Phantom Love." The film's synopsis, according to one Internet site: "A writer embarks on a journey of sexual exploration and opens herself up to the romance that surrounds her. A gothic erotic love story." Gary Zuckett, Mountain Party executive committee chairman, said he's aware that Johnson made the movie, but doesn't see it as a major concern. "They're trying to portray it as pornographic and it's not," said Zuckett, who said he has not seen "Phantom Love," but has been told it is equivalent to the late-night adult fare on Cinemax and other pay-cable channels. "If you look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, he's governor of California and he's been on the screen in the buff," Zuckett said, adding, "As far as I'm concerned, publicity is publi-city." Zuckett said Johnson believes film industry rivals are orchestrating word about "Phantom Love." Johnson agreed, noting, "I think it's someone who has a personal problem with me. "I think it's rather nonsensical," he said. "I intend to stick to the issues I represent." Johnson said he intends to draw a distinction between his candidacy and the two major party candidates. He said he's a fiscal conservative, but a progressive on other issues, and is pro-choice, pro-labor and pro-environment. Johnson said he's confident he can draw more than 1 percent of the vote in November. Under state election law, Johnson must receive at least 1 percent of the vote in the governor's race this fall for the Mountain Party to remain on the ballot for the 2006 and 2008 elections. Otherwise, the party will have to petition for ballot access, as other minor parties in the state must do. "I'm certainly aiming higher, but I believe we'll get the 1 percent," he said. Denise Giardina, Mountain Party candidate for governor in 2000, drew about 2 percent of the vote in that election. For the record, Amazon.com lists DVDs of "Phantom Love" for $9.98 each. (At that price, maybe Johnson can buy a bunch of them and hand them out on the campaign trail.) |