The Kid Who Ran for President

At lunch at school, Judson announces to his friends that he will run for president of the United States. Arthur Krantz, someone Judson and his friends call a geek, quizzes Judson about presidential duties and politics. Moon doesn’t know any of the answers but doesn’t care. He makes up stuff to irritate Arthur and get laughs. Arthur calls Judson a moron, to which Judson replies, “That doesn’t necessarily disqualify me from the presidency” (15). Arthur storms away.

To get on the voting ballot in Wisconsin, where Judson lives, he must get 2,000 signatures. He and Lane get the required amount within a week. Lane sends the signed petition to the state without giving them Judson’s age, and Judson receives a letter stating he’s on the ballot.

At home, Judson asks his parents if he can run for president. His parents work in sales (his dad sells cardboard boxes, and his mom sells carpet tiles) and are always tired when they get home, so they do not pay much attention to what Judson says. Their only stipulation for Judson is that he mow the lawn first. Judson knows family values are important in elections, and he leaves the conversation feeling like it “was important that my family be behind me” (21).