Just when you thought it would be safe to turn on your TV after news of Newt Gingrich quitting the U.S. Republican presidential contest, Tareq Salahi has announced that he will be running for Virginia governor.
Some of you may remember Salahi from November 2009, when he managed to sashay past White House security with his wife Michaele on his arm and into a State Dinner with president and Mrs Obama. After news sources uncovered the event, Michaele joined the Real Housewives of DC cast, and then subsequently disappeared. Salahi contacted the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. He told the sherrif’s office that he became alarmed when Michaele called him from an Oregon area code.
“I’m pretty sure my wife has never heard of Oregon,” Salahi is reported to have told the Deputy’s office.
Deputy Mike Glavis followed up by contacting Michaele, who said that she did not want her husband to be made aware of her whereabouts but assured the deputy that she was safe in the arms of “an 80s rocker.” A search for 80s rockers still possessing arms, turned up Neal Schoen of the band Journey.
Salahi’s life continued to go downhill. According to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Salahi’s wine tour business canceled tours, failed to make promised stops and refused to provide refunds. Salahi was also fined $2,500, by Cuccinelli, for a scam involving a charitable trust he founded. His now-defunct Journey for the Cure Foundation has been fined $32,500.
Several people who had raised thousands of dollars for Salahi’s “Journey for the Cure” weren’t sure exactly what the cure was for and where the journey was supposed to go. They said they were lured by claims that it was a “non-profit charitable foundation supporting children-related charities.” The charity website featured images of wine, grapes and vineyards on the homepage, and this was appealing to them as well.
Salahi told The Post Wednesday that he will run, as a Republican, to avenge the recent lawsuit brought against him by Cuccinelli, who is, coincidently, a Virginia GOP gubernatorial hopeful.
“Running for governor is the perfect way to get back at that SOB (Cuccinelli),” Salahi said. This is what sets us apart from the rest of the world and makes us so special. Only in our system of government, can a man like me represent a state that produced some of the greatest statesmen in history. When asked to name one of those people, Salahi declined to comment but believed a picture of at least one of them was on some money he had.
Michaele Salahi and Neal Schoen have declined to comment on Salahi’s bid for governor. They are not only still going strong, but, as of this month, they are planning to marry. Schoen, in an attempt to repair his damaged reputation, said on a radio show “I never sent Tareq a picture of my penis, and I didn’t call him on the phone to tell him I was f**king his wife either. I’ve always taken care of situations like this behind closed doors, and this is the first time in the last five months that I have been in the media … so it’s hard. But Tareq chose to put it out there.”
Salahi, when told of the statement, angrily disagreed. “That seals the deal,” he said. “First I’m going to be governor of Virginia, and I’m gonna kick Cucchinelli’s butt. Then I’m going to run for governor of California and kick Schoen’s butt.”
Rob Rubin
April 25, 2012
So wait? Is Bob “Let me just stick this nice long tube up your lady hole” McDonnell not running for re- election? I say if Salahi does run as a Republican, Democrats should recruit Spencer Pratt to move to VA and run against him in the ultimate reality TV douchebags turned politicans election.
At least the cable news ratings would go through the roof.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I would laugh, except our politicians don’t seem so far from that.
writingfeemail
April 25, 2012
And I thought people were running for office just to take advantage of the sweet monetary deals offered them for their support and it is for revenge and retribution after all. Who knew?
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Yes, this does add another dimension, doesn’t it?
Rob Rubin
April 25, 2012
Not to mention the fact that he mooches free food off a Democratic president and has the nerve to run against his party.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Right, that too, He probably has a piece of cake wrapped in a White House napkin still sitting in the pocket of his tux.
pegoleg
April 26, 2012
I thought the custom was that you take the cake and put it under your pillow? Then you have sweet dreams about the day when you get to be president.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 27, 2012
Ohdeargod.
speaker7
April 25, 2012
Why didn’t you include information on how I can contribute to his campaign?
I remember Tareq when he made such a compelling interview subject on the Today show. He moved me so much I had to write about it (shameless plug follows): http://speaker7.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/betrayed-by-journey/
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I read and commented on your post. Hey 7, it occured to me that a lot of your posts come from watching The Today Show, and mine come from reading Huff/Post. Without the media, we’d both be making fun of recipes in The Joy of Cooking.
PALADIN
May 17, 2012
Speaker 7: I very much enjoyed your Mr. & Mrs. Ding-Dong diddy. Please be sure to visit the unoffocial official facebook page, “TAREQ SALAHI FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR”. You also may enjoy this short video:
notquiteold
April 25, 2012
Oh my. I thought you were just being very funny and completely silly – until I googled it and found that Salahi is actually running! How can this be true?… please tell me you hacked into my google search just to make me think it’s true. Tell me you’re just fooling.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Now that comment is hilarious. I’m sitting here imagining hacking into (in)famous people’s Google searches and screwing up their lives.
Marcia Clarke
April 25, 2012
All I can say is, I am LOL!
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
OK, then I have done my job.
chlost
April 25, 2012
And thus there is now no doubt left in our (or anyone else’s) mind as to why this country is in such a political mess.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Yes, and these people keep reminding us over and over and….
Carl D'Agostino
April 25, 2012
I wish these people would “run” over a cliff.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Good one Carl, and another cartoon possibility!
Betty Londergan
April 25, 2012
Only in America — with our insane cult of celebrity– would these people be on TV and getting lots of press, and not in the mental asylum. Great post, Renee!!!
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I feel like I should say “Thanks,” but it’s so sad that these people provide an never-ending (and increasing) source of material.
Emily Cannell
April 26, 2012
I`m speechless.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Easy to understand.
mimijk
April 26, 2012
If I didn’t live in Norther Virginia, I’d laugh. But then again, when you look at the overall quality of the candidates that bring themselves forward in the political arena these days, Salahi is at just about their level. It’s a mockery of government and another talentless person prolonging his fifteen minutes of fame. Maybe the Kardashians can do his press?
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I always wonder what we, ourselves, will think of this moment in our history. Or will it continue to slide downhill so much that this time period won’t seem so idiotic at all.
mimijk
April 26, 2012
I do too!! I fear a further slide more than I do having generations after ours pointing the finger at us and asking ‘what the hell were you guys thinking’??
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I think the same thing about “modern” art.
mimijk
April 26, 2012
lol…:-) good point
Kathryn McCullough
April 26, 2012
Why does this scare me?
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
I don’t know, Kathy. I mean, the fact that we now make no distinction between celeb status and actual accomplishment? Or that celeb status confers a legitimacy that used to have to be earned? Or that public service has become either a path to riches or a way to get back at people? Or that public service can be used to avoid responsibility rather than accepting it? Beats me.
viewsfromsue
April 26, 2012
Wow. Your post boggles my feeble mind. 🙂
Do you know, back in the day, I met Neal a few timea. Seemed like a nice enough guy. Now, weird to see how strange life goes for some.
These people make me downright normal!
Great blog!
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Oh my. How did you meet him??? Did you live/work in that world?
viewsfromsue
April 26, 2012
I did a lot of photography and talked to him at a few concerts, to show him my work. He was really sweet to talk to. The good old days!
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Wow. You should write about that time in your life, if you haven’t already.
viewsfromsue
April 27, 2012
I thought about it, but I didn’t know if anyone would want to hear the warblings of a young girl (at the time!)
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 27, 2012
I would! You had amazing experiences, and you would be writing about them from a perspective that is wiser and more thoughtful now.
viewsfromsue
April 27, 2012
Well, I DID have some funny moments with various bands over the years. I hope I’m wiser and more thoughtful now, certainly took me long enough to get here!!
Snoring Dog Studio
April 26, 2012
AND PEOPLE WILL VOTE FOR HIM. That’s what really scares me.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 26, 2012
Yes, I think some people would (after all, any candidates will get some votes,) but very very few. If not, I will seek political asylum in another country.
KM Huber
April 29, 2012
Probably want to have your atlas handy….
Paprika Furstenburg
April 26, 2012
It’s rare to see such honorable intentions combined with such dedication to public service. Perhaps we should nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 27, 2012
The way this world is going, it might just happen.
Audubon Ron
April 26, 2012
I know this will come as hard to figure, but I am speechless.
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 27, 2012
Ah, come on, Ron, give us something!
Gayane
April 26, 2012
one more to add to the absurdity. maybe Lindsay Lohan will be next to announce….
Life in the Boomer Lane
April 27, 2012
I would say something sarcastic, but now that Lindsay will be playing the young Ms Taylor, she has a new credibility, right? Yeech.
Dana
April 30, 2012
Governors in the state of Virginia serve one term. They do not “run for re-election” Mcdonnell has been an amazing governor. Salahi doesn’t stand a chance. How can someone be a die hard democrat, then a republican a nano second later? Fool. If he “loves Virginia” so much then he’d pack his bags and leave.