Brazil Elects Clown to Congress

We’ve all heard politicians referred to as clowns and comedians before, but Brazil went a step further and actually elected a real, life clown. With a campaign based on his wearing a clown suit and blonde wig while declaring “What does a federal deputy do? I have no idea — but vote for me and I’ll let you know.” Francisco Oliveira got himself elected to Congress with 1.3 million ballots, making him the most popular candidate in the country. The 45 year old comic is better known as Tiririca, and the moment he got elected October 3rd, 2010 his detractors have been on a mission to keep him out of office. They claimed he was illiterate and thus banned from being a member of congress under Brazil’s constitution, forcing the clown to prove he knew his ABC’s. A judge oversaw the exam this week, and he passed, albeit barely. His score was described as “a minimum of intellect concerning the content (of a text) despite difficulties in writing.” Not a ringing endorsement, but more than enough to keep him in office despite his critic’s concerns that he was bringing the reputation of congress into disrepute. This would be the same congress that is infamous for its scandals, corruption and the misadventures of its members. SOURCE: (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/101201/oddities/brazil_politics_vote_offbeat) [Yahoo]