Limberbutt 2016: Ky. cat running for president
Lounging in a Courier-Journal meeting room, Kentucky’s other presidential candidate looked annoyed.
A man of few words, he relied on translators Isaac Weiss and Emilee McCubbins to answer questions about his platform and reasons for entering the crowded 2016 race while he blinked at a reporter in clear disdain.
Isaac and Emilee, unnerved by his demeanor, explained their candidate’s attitude as best as they could. The Democrat, with plans to improve space exploration and environmental protection, isn’t used to doing interviews. In fact, he hardly ever left his home until a mention on “The Rachel Maddow Show” thrust him into the national spotlight.
Now, with a strict schedule and places to be, the Louisville lifer is still struggling to adjust.
It’s just not easy being a famous cat.
If you hadn’t guessed, the idea to run for president didn’t come from Limberbutt McCubbins (yes, that’s the candidate’s name). That bit of genius came from Isaac and fellow teenager Andrew Valentine, who’ve long been obsessed with classmate Emilee’s cat — who weighs about 30 pounds and isn’t actually all that limber.
“He’s not a very energetic young man,” said Emilee, who was not informed of her cat’s campaign until she received an email confirming his filing with the Federal Election Commission in May.
Despite his uncommon candidate qualities, however, Emilee acknowledged many voters could identify with Limberbutt’s rise from humble beginnings. Born to a stray that was rescued by her family, the tabby and two of his siblings were not adopted along with the rest of the litter and have since spent the last five years in the McCubbins’ home.
Limberbutt never dreamed of grandeur, but with his entrance in the race, he’s been forced to consider policy changes that could benefit America’s blue-collar pets. Now, he preaches of legalizing gay cat marriage, increasing H-1B visas to employ more migrant cat workers and creating an Affordable Cat Act that would cover certain veterinarian costs.
“And it even includes dogs,” Isaac said of the proposed health care change. “We thought long and hard and said, ‘You know what, this is not a country with discrimination anymore.’ ”
Information about Limberbutt’s platforms is posted on his website, which is updated by Isaac and Emilee.
The rising duPont Manual High School seniors, both 17, met through their school’s Y Club — a chapter of a larger YMCA Youth Association club that encourages political participation among youths — and bonded over equal loves for debate and community service. Though neither has yet voted in a general election, they said they hope to use Limberbutt’s fame to spread their interest in politics to young voters.
“I discovered that what I have to say matters and what my friends have to say matters,” Emilee said. “We want to affect positive change. ... Anything you can do to contribute matters. Even if it’s just a simple vote.”
Isaac and Emilee said they hope to seal Limberbutt’s name on the ballot — alongside Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky’s Republican presidential hopeful — but they are not currently accepting donations to his campaign.
“At this point in time, we do not wish to see any money because then we have the chance to be audited. And since someone hasn’t paid their taxes in several years,” Isaac said, trailing off as he gazed at the apathetic candidate.
Next to him, Limberbutt blinked.
Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at (502) 582-4646. Follow her on Twitter at @bloosemore.
LIMBERBUTT MCCUBBINS
Age: 5 human years, 36 cat years
Species: Tabby cat
Political party: Democrat
Platform:
✓ Legalizing gay cat marriage
✓ Legalizing catnip
✓ Improving environmental protection
✓ Increasing cat-human partnerships in space exploration
✓ Increasing H-1B visas to employ more migrant cat workers
✓ Implementing the Affordable Cat Act, which would cover veterinarian costs for all animals
More info:www.limberbutt2016.com and Limberbutt 2016 on Facebook. Follow him on Twitter at @limberbutt2016, #MeowIsTheTime, #Limberbutt2016 and #YourVoteMatters.