(VT.)Dairy Farmer, Candidate Fred Tuttle Dies (Spread Fred 1 last time)

[papau]

I still have my "Spread Fred" campaign material - he was a nice interesting fellow.

Dairy Farmer, Candidate Fred Tuttle Dies
Sat Oct 4, 4:36 PM ET
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=716&e=8&u=/ap/20031004/ap_on_re_us/obit_tuttle


By KRISTA LARSON, Associated Press Writer
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Fred Tuttle, a retired dairy farmer who became a Vermont icon and a 1998 U.S. Senate candidate after starring in the political spoof "A Man with a Plan," died Saturday. He was 84.

Tuttle died early Saturday morning at a hospital after becoming ill the night before, said his wife, Dorothy. She said he had experienced heart trouble in recent years. The Tunbridge man became a Vermont icon after the local movie "A Man with a Plan" aired in 1996. The movie is a political spoof in which Tuttle runs successfully for Congress with such slogans as, "I've spent my whole life in the barn, now I just want to spend a little time in the House." Filmmaker John O'Brien then persuaded Tuttle to enter the 1998 GOP Senate primary as a publicity stunt — and Tuttle won with 54 percent of the vote. He then endorsed his Democratic opponent, Sen. Patrick Leahy. <snip>

Tuttle entered the race in 1998 to challenge Jack McMullen, a millionaire Republican who ran for Senate after moving from Massachusetts to Vermont. McMullen is preparing to run against Leahy again next year. Tuttle's campaign was fueled with a $9 newspaper ad and he appeared all over the world wearing his trademark overalls and "FRED" cap. He also capped his general-election campaign spending at $251 — $1 for each town in Vermont.

"I've had the time of my life," Tuttle said in the concession speech he delivered at the Tunbridge town hall. "But tomorrow, I've got to go dig my potatoes. So, good night, and God bless." <snip>

[rustedart]

1. we will miss you Fred!

Fred is what Vermont is all about! We'll miss you Fred.

[papau]

2. The Warren 4th of July parade lost a major attraction

sigh

I really liked the guy.

:-(

:toast:

:-)

[newyawker99]

3. Hi rustedart!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[maxanne]

4. Fred

was a Vermont legend. "Man With a Plan" is one of the funniest political movies ever.

We'll miss you, Fred. Thanks for everything - hope the spuds are good in the afterlife.

[ozone_man]

5. Spread Fred.

"I've spent my whole life in the barn, now I just want to spend a little time in the House."

If you've never seen this thoroughly enjoyable movie, check it out.

[MO_Dem]

6. An excellent movie!

And this world needs a whole lot more Fred Tuttles! So sorry to lose this one.

[VolcanoJen]

7. From a flatlander, I say, rest in peace, great Vermontonian!!!

May you pass gently.

:-(