Showtime seeking 'Candidate'

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Showtime is serious about the White House.

The cable network has ramped up the production of "American Candidate," a reality show based on the idea that the search for a "grass-roots" presidential candidate willing to mount a soap box or wander the campaign trail would make great theater.

The show's advisory board includes former Sens. Bob Kerrey and Alan Simpson, former White House spokesman Ron Nessen, Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute, and Harvard University culture maven Henry Louis-Gates.

Hundreds of White House hopefuls have responded, leaving producers about a month to choose 12 finalists willing to debate one another, kiss babies and make speeches for seven weeks this summer while video cameras document their trials and tribulations, guts and gaffes.

Participants get a $500 weekly stipend for their troubles. The winner, however, receives $200,000 and a solo TV appearance on Showtime for a featured "address to the nation."

Producers have made no secret of their agenda to provide a "forum" for diverse political ideas since announcing their plans for the show in 2002. They are attempting to keep things in the entertainment realm, however.

"Any contestant that explores or announces an actual candidacy during the production of 'American Candidate' will be disqualified," Showtime sternly notes in its public advisory.

Still, the producers are prepared for the unexpected.

"If a participant does run, he or she would be doing so on a write-in basis. Of course, with the publicity the candidate will have received, it is feasible there could be a substantial amount of public support," the network added.

The 10-week series will be broadcast on Showtime between August and October and has been produced by R.J. Cutler, a veteran California filmmaker whose work includes "The War Room," a documentary on Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign.

The director is Jay Roach, who directed all three "Austin Powers" movies.

"Wanted: Leader of the Free World," the pair announced in a notice, which included 60 questions plumbing the political souls of would-be leaders.

Waves of potential candidates of every political stripe are now in the mix, including active-duty and retired military, radio talk-show hosts, a former Utah sheriff and an advocate of marijuana reform whose motto is, "Can't we all just get a bong?"

Former Ripon, Calif., mayor Jim. R. Dale -- a Republican who calls former President Reagan his "favorite president" -- counts the war on terrorism as his highest priority.

"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid," said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral William McDaniel of Oak Harbor, Wash. He advocates a return to traditional educational standards.

Some candidates are more creative than others, of course.

One hopeful listed his dream White House Cabinet and staff, which includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as Secretary of Defense, Ann Coulter as press secretary, Ted Nugent as United Nations ambassador and Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat, as Secretary of Transportation.

The show also has borrowed a page out of the political playbook of former Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean. Using the Internet, several candidates have organized "meet-ups" with supporters since mid-April in New York, St. Louis, Santa Monica, Calif., San Francisco and other cities.

Candidates and the race can be followed at the program's official Web site -- www.americancandidate.com.