April 01, 2008 04:15 PM UTC

Polis in Space: April Fool!

• 6 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

We just got an amusing press release from CD-2 candidate Jared Polis that appears to be a self-deprecating play on his own wealth and propensity for “stunts.” And we love the name of the Russian Space Agency official: “Ivan Fuldya.”

Right day for it anyway, follows.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                        APRIL 1, 2008

CONTACT: Dayna Hanson, (720)936-7034

Dayna@polisforcongress.com

POLIS TO GO WHERE NO CANDIDATE HAS GONE BEFORE

BOULDER, CO – Jared Polis announced today that he will be taking his campaign where no campaign has gone before.

In an effort to highlight the impact of global climate change, Jared Polis announced today that he will be going to space as a space-tourist on a private space launch next month.

He plans on blogging for 24 hours from orbit and having a live call-in information session to report first-hand on the impact of global warming on the polar ice-caps.

“To show that we are all one world, one people, and that our destiny is shared I will blog for one full rotation around the world.”

Polis’s 7-point plan for reducing carbon emissions is on his website at www.polisforcongress.com .

Polis will be the sixth space tourist ever, and the first Congressional candidate to spend time in space. Senator John Glenn, a former astronaut, returned to space after he completed serving in public office. The five previous space tourists are:

1. Dennis Tito (American): April 28 – May 6, 2001

2. Mark Shuttleworth (South African / British): April 25 – May 5, 2002 – First African in Space

3. Gregory Olsen (American): October 1 – October 11, 2005

4. Anousheh Ansari (Iranian / American): September 18 – September 29, 2006

5. Charles Simonyi (Hungarian / American): April 7 – April 21, 2007[9]

The trip will be on a Soyuz spacecraft in conjunction with the Russian Federation and Space Adventures, Inc. The mission is scheduled to launch on May 12th, 2008, and will last five to seven days.

“Jared Polis will spend at least five days in space accompanied by a highly trained pilot and crew” said Ivan Fuldya, chief scientist and spokesperson for the Russian Space Agency. “In orbit, he will see how global warming is affecting our blue sphere of life”

Polis stated that the full costs of the mission would be included in an upcoming campaign finance disclosure, including over a million dollars to offset the carbon emissions generated by the mission.

“Despite the humanitarian nature of the mission, we will be disclosing the full costs as a campaign expense because we value openness and transparency,” stated Polis. Polis also plans to shoot a commercial from orbit.

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Jared Polis wishes you a very happy April Fool’s Day!