is this serious? i can't tell if it's a joke or not. if it is, then it's funny. if it's not, then what?!

I was shocked and alarmed at the thought of him actually running and then appauled and embarrased for 'Clay'at the verbiage he chose for his official-looking postcard. google saves the day again for accuracy/cross checking. But it's really not funny. How can the Independent be proud of using someone's picture and putting them in a mock advertisement; make psuedo attacks on Libbyy Dole and make him look like an idiot? Seems irresponsible to me. Lets do a parady of tight-ass Bob Geary and see how he feels.

OK, I love it. But can you guys at the Indie tell me who the target of this "punking" is? Also, do you think that Clay COULD win?

Yeah, eke, it's a joke. Glad you liked it. Same for you, ncvoter. It was meant to punk, I suppose, several things, including the noncommital Democrats who should already be in line to challenge Dole, another of the primary objects of this parody. Clay, I hope, is the least of the teased by this ad. Could he win? Quite possibly. People love him, and he's old enough. Saying things about Liddy Dole these days doesn't seem like an idiotic thing, Joann. Sorry you were upset!!

As you can see, I am from Ohio, so this little postcard is making its rounds...as most things having to do with Clay do. Many people, me for example...one of the few liberals even in the State of Ohio these days....see the postcard as satire and realize you are making some important points about voter apathy. And many of us find the ad humorous. But then again, there are some fans of Clay who are concerned that the ad contains no disclaimer (if it does, please let me know) and that it requests money be mailed to the Democratic Headquarters there. Although these are not my own personal concerns (as I said, I think the ad is a hoot), I wanted to see if you could address these issues before the Claymates who may have left their sense of humor along with the political affiliations at the door turn this innocuous satire into a something other than what I see as its intended purpose. BTW, I was in Raleigh this weekend(yes, for a Clay concert) and if he can incite people on Capitol Hill the way he did the crowd that night, he certainly has my vote! Great city, progressive and beautiful...I will surely visit again.

Hey there, Joan. Glad you enjoyed Raleigh and the parody. The link to this site should make it pretty clear that it's a parody, what with the author's names, the suggestive ellipsis and the comments below. And, if they're just seeing the graphic, not much we can do about that. But, yes, again, it's a parody.

TERRIBLE...YOUR NON-FUNNY JOKE (ON CLAY)... What is with you people...another slam on Clay...I understand you throw in a disclaimer in your comments here stating that you hope Clay isn't offended and gets the joke...Clay is the best sport in the world about personal criticism and, usually, since he is so quick witted he tells the joke on himself before the rest of you idiots in the media get a chance to... Seems the NC publications especially are so quick to put down and poke fun at Clay...there was a time when you should have delighted in the success of your home town heroes... At first glance I thought the joke was kinda cute...always love to see pictures of Clay's handsome, wholesome face...then, when I read the accompanying text, I noticed you took a shot or two at Clay like when you said "Bring those strapping, young, handsome servicemen (and women) home now!" I think this was another lame attempt to call Clay gay...(he has repeatedly said he isn't..see Rolling Stone article from 2003)... Here's the details of the crime Clay continues to perpetuate on NC...sings like an angel, has millions of fans, sells out every concert venue he performs at, runs the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to promote inclusion for kids with developmental disabilities, promotes and pumps up the reputation of NC at every chance he gets, and his fans attend Clay events and pour money into the local NC economy. Go see Clay in concert just once and you will realize he is the "real deal"...he can sing like a son of a gun and his personality on stage is absolutely delightful...my husband and I call Clay concerts "family joy fests" because all generations love him and they have so much fun during his concerts...that is what keeps them coming back for more...we just saw Clay in concert in California and a group of 20 women flew from Japan just to see him and there was also a group of women from New Zealand... Why don't you make fun of and tear down somebody who deserves it like some of the joke "pop stars" who party every night and are only concerned in their own pleasure? Clay is a genuine good guy...

Just fyi, I like Clay Aiken. Or I did when he was on "American Idol." Haven't seen him since nor heard a whole lot about him. (I listen to WSHA.) But when I learned he'd be 30 in time to take Liddy Dole's seat, I thought: Man's a proven vote-getter and a credit to his mama. Name me a better Senate candidate.

Re: "I think this was another lame attempt to call Clay gay..." Is being gay lame? Offending Clay? We hope not. Why should he be offended? We don't find being gay to be an insult, and we're not calling him gay. So you equate being gay to criminal? Interesting. We're poking fun at the suggestion that he's gay and the public response (including our own!!!) to that suggestion, not whether or not he's gay.