Plainfield man enters presidential race

You have heard the names Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich, but what about Linden Swift?

All these men wish to become the next president of the United States.

Linden Swift, 82, is from Plainfield, Ind. and a presidential candidate hopeful.  

Swift recently planned a trip to Ireland to celebrate his 82nd birthday.  However, when his travel plans fell through, he decided to proceed with his plan to run for president.

"If I get elected, it would be kind of nice to be president, I suppose,” said Linden Swift.  “They have a pretty good pension plan."

Swift paid the $1,000 fee and got his name on the ballot, and no signatures were needed.

The question is, why run?

Swift said there are two reasons: Personal satisfaction and to reach 363 votes, which would be one vote more than what Al Sharpton received in 2008.

"I thought if I get 363 votes, probably they will contact me and offer me the opportunity to have my own TV show, so if I cannot be elected as president, perhaps I can retire as a talk show host,"  said Swift.

Swift is not going to New Hampshire to campaign.  He said he will do his work from home.  

The Indiana State Police retiree said his new job is ousting President Barack Obama from the White House.

"I think anybody that is here today or in this town would be a better president than what we currently have,” said Swift.  “I think his actions have been disgraced in almost every regard."

Swift has written several books and currently writes a blog under the name Lindenwould.  He has even recorded a CD. Swift's decision to run began as a joke, but longtime friends say the 82-year-old has a serious side.

"That is Linden,” said friend Kent McPhail.  “I did have a chuckle out of it, but I also know he is very serious about his political views."

"It has really been fun,” said Swift.  “People my age should not stop doing things."

Swift realizes his chances of making in on the Republican ticket are slim.  His high school sophomore granddaughter is also his press secretary.  Swift said he will use the experience as something to write about.