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Bloomberg's Challenger: Upstart Anti-Shopping Rev

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2009 2:03 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Even supporters of the Rev. Billy Tallen don’t think he’s got much of a shot at beating Michael Bloomberg in this year’s election. But like any crusader, the “theater refugee” will tell you it’s not about winning, reports Good. “The reason we said yes to a quixotic campaign against a $100 million candidate was to introduce new ideas into a political system that’s become conservative,” says Tallen, who founded the Church of Life After Shopping in the wake of 9/11 to rail against America's over-consuming ways.

Billy’s wife is fairly pragmatic about his campaign as the Green Party candidate. “Just putting up a fight is a success in itself,” she says. Though the party concedes “our chances of beating Bloomberg aren’t the greatest,” one look at a Rev. Billy event at least shows unbridled enthusiasm. “If enough people saw him in this crazy city,” one attendee says, “New Yorkers would just be like ‘Fuck it. Let’s vote for this guy. He’s brilliant.’”

The Rev. Billy Tallen.
The Rev. Billy Tallen.   (AP Photo)
The Rev. Billy Tallen.
The Rev. Billy Tallen.   (AP Photo)
The Rev. Billy on stage.
The Rev. Billy on stage.   (Flickr)
The Rev. Billy Tallen.
The Rev. Billy Tallen.   (Flickr)
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You have to go on the street. You have to go to places where different kinds of people are; where there are unexpected results; where people who can’t afford theater tickets might show up. - The Rev. Billy

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
youngblood
Sep 8, 2009 9:43 AM CDT
I hope someone, anyone gets Bloomberg out of office!
Thinker
Sep 8, 2009 8:56 AM CDT
Finally, someone with some common sense and new ideas running for office. I bet he'd turn down corporate funding and fight for the citizens.
BeatBlaster
Sep 8, 2009 8:47 AM CDT
If you look at picture 2.... doesn't this guy look like Gordon Ramsey right before he starts to rip some poor sap's head off over a scallop or something? :D

 
New York City • Michael Bloomberg • mayor • political activism • consumerism • Green Party • Election 2010 • Reverend Billy • Bill Tallen • mayoral race

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