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{{autobiography|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox Writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox Writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]] -->
| name = Daniel R. Vovak
| name = Daniel R. Vovak
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'''Daniel 'The Wig Man' Vovak''', (born May 15, 1972) is an [[executive producer]] and [[ghostwriter]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/12/29/daily17.html|title= Casting call for Clinton movie hits D.C.|author=Plumb, Tierney|date=2008-12-30|publisher=Washington Business Journal}}</ref> for Greenwich Creations, a [[production company]] for movies and books. Vovak was the senior editor for Greenwich Post ([[Greenwich, Connecticut]]) and Movers & Shakers ([[Shaker Heights, Ohio]]), where he was a member of the Press Club of Cleveland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/storybound/2006/08_27-45/TOP/ARCH_ELECTIONS|title=Sarbanes retirement draws 28 candidates|author=Abrams, David|date=2006-08-27|publisher=Capital Gazette Communications}}</ref> Vovak was raised as the eldest of five boys in Sheffield Lake, a suburb of [[Cleveland, Ohio]]. He earned his B.A. at the age of 20 from [[Baldwin-Wallace College]], majoring in Business, Psychology, and Communications.<ref name="diamondback">{{cite news|url=http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2006/01/26/NewsonCampus/Candidate.Wigs.Out.University.Leaders-2323937.shtml|title=Candidate wigs out university leaders|author=Lowe, Brendan|date=2006-01-26|publisher=University of Maryland (Diamondback)}}</ref> Vovak is the author of "Will You Run for President?"<ref>'Vovak, Daniel, 'Will You Run for President?''; Greenwich Public Relations, 2004. ISBN 0-9728624-0-4.</ref> Vovak began writing movies in 2006, and has completed three [[screenplay]]s: [[The Blue Dress]], Redeeming Stella, and Unsilent Partner.<ref>[http://greenwichcreations.com/movies.html]</ref> Vovak is a a resident of [[Bethesda, Maryland]].
'''Daniel 'The Wig Man' Vovak''' is a Republican comedy writer,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ontaponline.com/article/11383|title=Short Cuts: "The Blue Dress" Movie|author= Patterson, Emily|date=1999-02-01|publisher=On Tap Magazine}}</ref> [[executive producer]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/02/politician-wears-wig-writes-clintonlewinsky-musica.html |title= Politician wears wig, writes Clinton/Lewinsky musical|author=Krotov, Mark|date=2008-02-04|publisher=Paste Magazine}}</ref> and [[ghostwriter]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/12/29/daily17.html|title= Casting call for Clinton movie hits D.C.|author=Plumb, Tierney|date=2008-12-30|publisher=Washington Business Journal}}</ref> for Greenwich Creations, a [[production company]] for movies and books. Vovak was the senior editor for Greenwich Post ([[Greenwich, Connecticut]]) and Movers & Shakers ([[Shaker Heights, Ohio]]), where he was a member of the Press Club of Cleveland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/storybound/2006/08_27-45/TOP/ARCH_ELECTIONS|title=Sarbanes retirement draws 28 candidates|author=Abrams, David|date=2006-08-27|publisher=Capital Gazette Communications}}</ref> Vovak was raised as the eldest of five boys in [[Sheffield Lake, Ohio|Sheffield Lake]], a suburb of [[Cleveland, Ohio]]. He earned his B.A. at the age of 20 from [[Baldwin-Wallace College]], majoring in Business, Psychology, and Communications.<ref name="diamondback">{{cite news|url=http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2006/01/26/NewsonCampus/Candidate.Wigs.Out.University.Leaders-2323937.shtml|title=Candidate wigs out university leaders|author=Lowe, Brendan|date=2006-01-26|publisher=University of Maryland (Diamondback)}}</ref> Vovak is the author of "Will You Run for President?"<ref>'Vovak, Daniel, 'Will You Run for President?''; Greenwich Public Relations, 2004. ISBN 0-9728624-0-4</ref> and ghostwriter for Terror Within.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/reader/144012356X?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib%5Fbooks%5Fpg&qid=1262618214&query=daniel%20vovak]</ref> Vovak began writing movies in 2006, and has completed three [[screenplay]]s: [[The Blue Dress]], Redeeming Stella, and Unsilent Partner.<ref>[http://greenwichcreations.com/movies.html]</ref> Vovak is a resident of [[Bethesda, Maryland]] and leads the Cinema Lounge of the Washington, D.C. Film Society, a discussion group of area film experts, for whom he writes a monthly column on film topics.[http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/lounge.htm]


==The Blue Dress==
==The Blue Dress==
[[The Blue Dress]] is a [[movie]] in production in Washington, D.C., as of October 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2008-10-17/news/0810160093_1_wig-man-middleton-film-office|title=Wig Man Goes Hollywood. Via Philly.| author=Vozzella, Laura|date=2008-10-17|publisher=Baltimore Sun|quote=Daniel "The Wig Man" Vovak is making a movie: The Blue Dress, A Comedy About Bill & Monica}}</ref> The screenplay begins in June 1995, shortly before [[Monica Lewinsky]] was hired as an [[intern]] at the [[White House]] and ends in January 1998 shortly after [[Matt Drudge]] reported [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]]'s affair and the [[Lewinsky scandal]]. The non-political movie does not cover the [[impeachment of Bill Clinton]], though it does cover the issues behind it, using [[humor]].
[[The Blue Dress]] is a [[movie]] in production in Washington, D.C., as of October 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2008-10-17/news/0810160093_1_wig-man-middleton-film-office|title=Wig Man Goes Hollywood. Via Philly.| author=Vozzella, Laura|date=2008-10-17|publisher=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> The screenplay begins in June 1995, shortly before [[Monica Lewinsky]] was hired as an [[intern]] at the [[White House]] and ends in January 1998 shortly after [[Matt Drudge]] reported [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]]'s affair and the [[Lewinsky scandal]]. The non-political movie does not cover the [[impeachment of Bill Clinton]], though it does cover the issues behind it, using [[humor]].


[[Paula Jones]] has said that she will play herself.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1870544_1870543_1870458,00.html|title=Paula Jones Slept here| author=Dillon, Hughe|date=2008-12-12|publisher=Time}}</ref> Dave Clark will play [[Linda Tripp]]. [[Scott duPont]] will play Izzy ([[Michael Isikoff]]). Monica Lewinsky will be played by [[Ashley-Rebekah Faulkner]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bluedressmovie.com/2008/09/bill-monica-movie-is-all-red-one-and-blue/
[[Paula Jones]] has confirmed she will play herself in the movie<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1870544_1870543_1870458,00.html|title=Paula Jones Slept here| author=Dillon, Hughe|date=2008-12-12|publisher=Time}}</ref> and has agreed to do an upcoming event for the [[Maryland Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-08-07/news/0908060046_1_wig-man-paula-jones-rosie|title=Paula Jones and 'The Wig Man'|author=Vozzella, Laura|date=2009-08-07|publisher=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Dave Clark will play [[Linda Tripp]]. [[Scott duPont]] will play [[Michael Isikoff]]. Monica Lewinsky will be played by [[Ashley-Rebekah Faulkner]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bluedressmovie.com/2008/09/bill-monica-movie-is-all-red-one-and-blue/
|title=Blue Dress Movie press release|date=2008-09-22|publisher=Blue Dress, LLC}}</ref>
|title=Blue Dress Movie press release|date=2008-09-22|publisher=Blue Dress, LLC}}</ref>


==Political activity==
==Political activity==
The youngest candidate to ever compete for [[President of the United States]]{{Failed verification|date=December 2009}}, in 2003 Vovak (at 31 years of age) focused on the states of Iowa, Connecticut, Ohio, and Texas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9997416&BRD=1842&PAG=461&dept_id=335645&rfi=8|title=Small ideas, a white wig: keys to a non-declared candidate's future?|author=Alban, Gary|date=2003-08-12|publisher=Ogden Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080501062838/http://www.pellachronicle.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10024805&BRD=2517&PAG=461&dept_id=492837&rfi=6|title=Is he really running for president?|author=Hatfield, Hal|date=2003-10-08|publisher=Pella Chronicle}} dead link</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2003/11/13/TopStories/wig-Man.Running.In.2004-556656.shtml|title='Wig Man' Running in 2004|author=Brulliard, Nicolas|date=2003-11-13|publisher=Daily Texan}}</ref> Vovak's presidential campaign essentially ended on January 11, 2004 when he was ejected from the final Democratic presidential debate. Coverage of this debate described Vovak as "obviously a goof".<ref name="duke">{{cite news|url=http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/mmedia/features/campaigndiary/campaign_blackandbrown.html|title=Campaign Diary: Pre-empting the Republican threat|author=Walker, Justin|date=2004-01-11|publisher=Duke News}}</ref> Vovak stated that this dismissal was merely because he was a Republican.<ref name="duke" /> On January 19, Vovak was defeated in the Iowa Caucus by President [[George W. Bush]].
Vovak has stated he is the youngest Republican candidate to ever run for [[President of the United States]], in 2003, when at 31 years of age he focused on the states of Iowa, Connecticut, Ohio, and Texas. After entering the contest against [[George W. Bush]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1050774/posts|title=Bush challenger campaigns in Sioux City|author=Hayworth, Bret|date=2004-01-03|publisher=Sioux City Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2.4489/wig-man-running-in-2004-1.1112353|title='Wig Man' running in 2004|date=2003-11-13|publisher=The Daily Texan}}</ref> Iowa's Governor [[Tom Vilsack]] jestfully labeled Vovak "an invader from the East" as Vovak sporting his white wig, fired a question to the Governor during the Iowa Press Convention. <ref name="ogden">{{cite news|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9997416&BRD=1842&PAG=461&dept_id=335645&rfi=8|title=Small ideas, a white wig: keys to a non-declared candidate's future?|author=Alban, Gary|date=2003-08-12|publisher=Ogden Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2003/07/25/news/news1.txt|title=I want to be president|author=Beaudette, Cynthia|date=2003-07-25|publisher=Muscatine Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2003/11/13/TopStories/wig-Man.Running.In.2004-556656.shtml|title='Wig Man' Running in 2004|author=Brulliard, Nicolas|date=2003-11-13|publisher=Daily Texan}}</ref>
Vovak ran on the campaign theme of "Small Ideas for America" and drove a truck he named "Air Ford One," <ref name="ogden" />making people laugh on the campaign trail as he criss-crossed various states.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2003/10/09/news/20031009-archive1.txt|title= Wig-wearing candidate's road to White House runs through Ames|author=Rank, Scott|date=2003-10-09|publisher=Iowa State Daily}}</ref> Vovak's presidential campaign essentially ended on January 11, 2004 when he was ejected from the final Democratic presidential debate. Coverage by a college student of this debate stated that Vovak was dismissed merely because he was a Republican.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/mmedia/features/campaigndiary/campaign_blackandbrown.html|title=Campaign Diary: Pre-empting the Republican threat|author=Walker, Justin|date=2004-01-11|publisher=Duke News}}</ref> On January 19, Vovak was defeated in the Iowa Caucus by the President.


In July 2004, Vovak entered the U.S. Senate contest in Illinois, seeking the Republican appointment after [[Jack Ryan (politician)|Jack Ryan]] withdrew.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040812185759/http://www.morningsentinel.com/news/2004/0727/Region_Cent/022.html|title=No big-wig, man in car declares candidacy for U.S. Senate seat|author=Jones, Mike|date=2004-07-24|publisher=Morning Sentinel}}</ref>. [[Alan Keyes]] was appointed as the Republican candidate and was defeated by [[Barack Obama]].
In July 2004, Vovak entered the U.S. Senate contest in Illinois, seeking the Republican appointment after [[Jack Ryan (politician)|Jack Ryan]] withdrew.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040812185759/http://www.morningsentinel.com/news/2004/0727/Region_Cent/022.html|title=No big-wig, man in car declares candidacy for U.S. Senate seat|author=Jones, Mike|date=2004-07-24|publisher=Morning Sentinel}}</ref>. He was interviewed to run against [[Barack Obama]] during a special meeting of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.life.com/image/51140002|title=Republicans Meet To Select A Senate Candidate To Run Against Barack Obama|photo=Olson, Scott|date=2003-08-03|publisher=Life Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1539160.html|title=What GOP lacks in resume, it makes up in character|author=Brown, Mark|date=2004-08-04|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> though they picked [[Alan Keyes]], who was later defeated 70% to 27%[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_United_States_Senate_election,_2004].


On October 13-17, 2005, Vovak organized the [[3rd Party National Conference]] ("3PNC") in Manchester, New Hampshire, which 19 [[political parties]] attended.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20061013222825/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/NEWS01/110150129|title=Third parties gather in Merrimack|author=Meighan, Patrick|date=2005-10-15|publisher=Nashua Telegraph}}</ref>
On October 13-17, 2005, Vovak organized the [[3rd Party National Conference]] ("3PNC") in Manchester, New Hampshire, which 19 [[political parties]] attended.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20061013222825/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/NEWS01/110150129|title=Third parties gather in Merrimack|author=Meighan, Patrick|date=2005-10-15|publisher=Nashua Telegraph}}</ref>


On September 12, 2006, Vovak was a Republican candidate on the primary ballot in Maryland, receiving 4,063 votes and placing fourth among ten candidates as he lost to [[Michael Steele]].[[http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/primary/office_US_Senator.html]] A profile of a college campaign stop at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] was described with students "doubled over laughing" when they met with Vovak.<ref name="diamondback" /> In 2006, Vovak sued Donna Duncan of the Maryland Board of Elections regarding "The case of the vanishing 'the.'" Vovak contended the Maryland Board of Elections illegally changed his name on the ballot from Daniel 'The Wig Man' Vovak, to Daniel 'Wig Man' Vovak.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/feb/12/20060212-112231-7870r/|title=Candidate flips his wig over listing on ballot|author=Ward, Jon and Bellantoni, Christina|date=2006-02-12|publisher=The Washington Times}}</ref><ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewbalchannel.com/video/9804435/ |title=WBAL Candidate Profile:Daniel Vovak}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/30/AR2006083003017.html|title=Wig Man Won't Sweep 'The' Issue Under the Rug|author=Hernandez, Nelson|date=2006-08-31|Publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref> In September 2006, Judge Ronald Silkworth ruled in his favor on the [[merit (legal)|merits]] of the case, even though he dismissed the case on [[jurisdiction]] grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballot-access.org/2006/09/08/the-wig-man-wins-declaratory-judgement-on-nickname-dispute/|title=“The Wig Man" Wins Declaratory Judgment on Nickname Dispute|author=Winger, Richard|date=2006-09-08|publisher=Ballot Access News}}</ref>
On September 12, 2006, Daniel "The Wig Man" Vovak was a Republican candidate on the primary ballot in Maryland,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2006/08/28/wig-man-vovak/|title=Pick the Wig Man for Maryland Republicans|author=Clifford, J|date=2006-08-28|publisher=Irregular Times}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=December 2009}} and was defeated by [[Michael Steele]]. A Steele spokesperson described Vovak as a "joke", and a profile of a campaign stop at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] was described with students "doubled over laughing".<ref name="diamondback" />


On June 28, 2009, [[The Washington Post]] listed Vovak as similar to the fictional character of Jefferson Smith, in the movie [[Mr. Smith Goes to Washington]], staring [[Jimmy Stewart]]. Vovak was listed third, following President Barack Obama and Governor [[Sarah Palin]]. Others listed included: President [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Ross Perot]], Senator [[Michael Bennet]], Samuel "[[Joe The Plumber]]" Wurzelbacker, Interior Secretary [[Ken Salazar]], President [[Richard Nixon]], Supreme Court Justice [[David Souter]], Senator [[Roland Burris]], and Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/23/AR2009062302343.html|title=Power Player| author= Mundy, Liza|date=2009-06-28|publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref>, In November 2009, Vovak ran for Maryland Republican Chairman but lost to [[Audrey Scott]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2009/10/gops_vovak_to_scott_w-w-welcome_to_the_internet.html|title=GOP's Vovak to Scott: W-W-Welcome to the Internet|author=Bykowicz, Julie|date=2009-10-30|publisher=Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2009/11/daniel-vovak-for-maryland-republican.html|title=Daniel Vovak for Maryland Republican Chairman|author=Albero, Joe|date=2009-11-13|publisher=SBYNews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://darknessrising-steffen.blogspot.com/2009/11/whigging-out.html|title=W(h)igging Out|author=Steffen, Joseph|date=2009-11-11}}</ref>
⚫
Vovak's political views include a desire to have [[Tax Day]] the day before election day to "motivate voters to vote based on their tax bills", negative feelings towards the [[Maryland State Flag]], leniency towards [[Paris Hilton]]'s legal troubles, and anti-discrimination feelings towards [[Pluto]]. In his campaign vs. Michael Steele, he hired a [[psychic]] campaign manager, saying "My volunteer campaign staff deduced it was less expensive to hire a psychic campaign manager who would curse Michael Steele, than to spend a half million dollars on consultants. Nancy Reagan used a psychic, and I admire her. We got a good deal on a great psychic."<ref name="tpm">{{cite news|url=http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2006/09/midterm_roundup_61.php|title=Midterm Roundup|author=Craw, Ben|date=2006-09-11|work=[[Talking Points Memo]]}}</ref>

==Political opinions==
⚫
Vovak's political views include supporting a swift and immediate [[death penalty]]; being pro-choice on [[abortion]] in the first trimester and pro-life in the second trimester; believing drug use is immoral but [[marijuana]] ban is more immoral; believing prayer is a [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] right; thoroughly supporting gun owner rights; and being against the [[Patriot Act]]. [[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Daniel__The_Wig_Man__Vovak.htm]] Vovak also desires to have [[Tax Day]] the day before election day to "motivate voters to vote based on their tax bills"; believes the [[Maryland State Flag]] is ugly; was lenient towards [[Paris Hilton]]'s legal troubles, and believes [[Pluto]] should be renamed a planet. In his campaign vs. Michael Steele, he hired a [[psychic]] campaign manager, joking "My volunteer campaign staff deduced it was less expensive to hire a psychic campaign manager who would curse Michael Steele, than to spend a half million dollars on consultants. Nancy Reagan used a psychic, and I admire her. We got a good deal on a great psychic."<ref name="tpm">{{cite news|url=http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2006/09/midterm_roundup_61.php|title=Midterm Roundup|author=Craw, Ben|date=2006-09-11|work=[[Talking Points Memo]]}}</ref>


==The Wig==
==The Wig==
Vovak was given the nickname "The Wig Man" by [[John DiStaso]], senior political reporter at the New Hampshire (Manchester) Union Leader.<ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewbalchannel.com/video/9804435/detail.html?taf=bal|title=Candidate Profile:Daniel Vovak}}</ref> According to his website, Vovak wears the wig because:
Vovak was given the nickname "The Wig Man" by [[John DiStaso]], senior political reporter at the New Hampshire (Manchester) Union Leader. DiStaso said, "It was all pretty random really. This guy came in with a wig running for President, I think. I just referred to him as 'The Wig Man.' I didn't put it in quotes; I didn't think anything of it. It was just a guy with a wig, so I called him 'The Wig Man.'" <ref name=video>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewbalchannel.com/video/9804435 |title=WBAL Candidate Profile:Daniel Vovak}}</ref> According to his website, Vovak wears the wig because:
# It is a clever idea to help movie audiences remember him,
# It is a clever idea to help movie audiences remember him,
# It saves millions of dollars in advertisements with free media coverage,
# It saves millions of dollars in advertisements with free media coverage,
# It evokes the Whig roots of the Republican Party and its reliance on the founders' version of the United States Constitution.<ref name="tpm" />
# It evokes the [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] roots of the Republican Party and its reliance on the founders' version of the United States Constitution.<ref name="tpm" />


==See also ==
==See also ==
* [[United States Senate election in Maryland, 2010]]
* [[Maryland United States Senate election, 2006]]
* [[Maryland United States Senate election, 2006]]


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Revision as of 07:01, 5 January 2010

Daniel R. Vovak
Pen nameThe Wig Man or The Whig Man
OccupationExecutive Producer, Ghostwriter, Screenwriter, Author
NationalityAmerican
Period1995-present
Website
http://www.GreenwichCreations.com/

Daniel 'The Wig Man' Vovak is a Republican comedy writer,[1] executive producer,[2] and ghostwriter[3] for Greenwich Creations, a production company for movies and books. Vovak was the senior editor for Greenwich Post (Greenwich, Connecticut) and Movers & Shakers (Shaker Heights, Ohio), where he was a member of the Press Club of Cleveland.[4] Vovak was raised as the eldest of five boys in Sheffield Lake, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his B.A. at the age of 20 from Baldwin-Wallace College, majoring in Business, Psychology, and Communications.[5] Vovak is the author of "Will You Run for President?"[6] and ghostwriter for Terror Within.[7] Vovak began writing movies in 2006, and has completed three screenplays: The Blue Dress, Redeeming Stella, and Unsilent Partner.[8] Vovak is a resident of Bethesda, Maryland and leads the Cinema Lounge of the Washington, D.C. Film Society, a discussion group of area film experts, for whom he writes a monthly column on film topics.[3]

The Blue Dress

The Blue Dress is a movie in production in Washington, D.C., as of October 2008.[9] The screenplay begins in June 1995, shortly before Monica Lewinsky was hired as an intern at the White House and ends in January 1998 shortly after Matt Drudge reported President Bill Clinton's affair and the Lewinsky scandal. The non-political movie does not cover the impeachment of Bill Clinton, though it does cover the issues behind it, using humor.

Paula Jones has confirmed she will play herself in the movie[10] and has agreed to do an upcoming event for the Maryland Republican Party.[11] Dave Clark will play Linda Tripp. Scott duPont will play Michael Isikoff. Monica Lewinsky will be played by Ashley-Rebekah Faulkner.[12]

Political activity

Vovak has stated he is the youngest Republican candidate to ever run for President of the United States, in 2003, when at 31 years of age he focused on the states of Iowa, Connecticut, Ohio, and Texas. After entering the contest against George W. Bush,[13][14] Iowa's Governor Tom Vilsack jestfully labeled Vovak "an invader from the East" as Vovak sporting his white wig, fired a question to the Governor during the Iowa Press Convention. [15][16][17] Vovak ran on the campaign theme of "Small Ideas for America" and drove a truck he named "Air Ford One," [15]making people laugh on the campaign trail as he criss-crossed various states.[18] Vovak's presidential campaign essentially ended on January 11, 2004 when he was ejected from the final Democratic presidential debate. Coverage by a college student of this debate stated that Vovak was dismissed merely because he was a Republican.[19] On January 19, Vovak was defeated in the Iowa Caucus by the President.

In July 2004, Vovak entered the U.S. Senate contest in Illinois, seeking the Republican appointment after Jack Ryan withdrew.[20]. He was interviewed to run against Barack Obama during a special meeting of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee,[21][22] though they picked Alan Keyes, who was later defeated 70% to 27%[4].

On October 13-17, 2005, Vovak organized the 3rd Party National Conference ("3PNC") in Manchester, New Hampshire, which 19 political parties attended.[23]

On September 12, 2006, Vovak was a Republican candidate on the primary ballot in Maryland, receiving 4,063 votes and placing fourth among ten candidates as he lost to Michael Steele.[[5]] A profile of a college campaign stop at the University of Maryland, College Park was described with students "doubled over laughing" when they met with Vovak.[5] In 2006, Vovak sued Donna Duncan of the Maryland Board of Elections regarding "The case of the vanishing 'the.'" Vovak contended the Maryland Board of Elections illegally changed his name on the ballot from Daniel 'The Wig Man' Vovak, to Daniel 'Wig Man' Vovak.[24][25][26] In September 2006, Judge Ronald Silkworth ruled in his favor on the merits of the case, even though he dismissed the case on jurisdiction grounds.[27]

On June 28, 2009, The Washington Post listed Vovak as similar to the fictional character of Jefferson Smith, in the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, staring Jimmy Stewart. Vovak was listed third, following President Barack Obama and Governor Sarah Palin. Others listed included: President Ronald Reagan, Ross Perot, Senator Michael Bennet, Samuel "Joe The Plumber" Wurzelbacker, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, President Richard Nixon, Supreme Court Justice David Souter, Senator Roland Burris, and Governor Rod Blagojevich.[28], In November 2009, Vovak ran for Maryland Republican Chairman but lost to Audrey Scott.[29][30][31]

Political opinions

Vovak's political views include supporting a swift and immediate death penalty; being pro-choice on abortion in the first trimester and pro-life in the second trimester; believing drug use is immoral but marijuana ban is more immoral; believing prayer is a First Amendment right; thoroughly supporting gun owner rights; and being against the Patriot Act. [[6]] Vovak also desires to have Tax Day the day before election day to "motivate voters to vote based on their tax bills"; believes the Maryland State Flag is ugly; was lenient towards Paris Hilton's legal troubles, and believes Pluto should be renamed a planet. In his campaign vs. Michael Steele, he hired a psychic campaign manager, joking "My volunteer campaign staff deduced it was less expensive to hire a psychic campaign manager who would curse Michael Steele, than to spend a half million dollars on consultants. Nancy Reagan used a psychic, and I admire her. We got a good deal on a great psychic."[32]

The Wig

Vovak was given the nickname "The Wig Man" by John DiStaso, senior political reporter at the New Hampshire (Manchester) Union Leader. DiStaso said, "It was all pretty random really. This guy came in with a wig running for President, I think. I just referred to him as 'The Wig Man.' I didn't put it in quotes; I didn't think anything of it. It was just a guy with a wig, so I called him 'The Wig Man.'" [25] According to his website, Vovak wears the wig because:

  1. It is a clever idea to help movie audiences remember him,
  2. It saves millions of dollars in advertisements with free media coverage,
  3. It evokes the Whig Party roots of the Republican Party and its reliance on the founders' version of the United States Constitution.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Patterson, Emily (1999-02-01). "Short Cuts: "The Blue Dress" Movie". On Tap Magazine.
  2. ^ Krotov, Mark (2008-02-04). "Politician wears wig, writes Clinton/Lewinsky musical". Paste Magazine.
  3. ^ Plumb, Tierney (2008-12-30). "Casting call for Clinton movie hits D.C." Washington Business Journal.
  4. ^ Abrams, David (2006-08-27). "Sarbanes retirement draws 28 candidates". Capital Gazette Communications.
  5. ^ a b Lowe, Brendan (2006-01-26). "Candidate wigs out university leaders". University of Maryland (Diamondback).
  6. ^ 'Vovak, Daniel, 'Will You Run for President?; Greenwich Public Relations, 2004. ISBN 0-9728624-0-4
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ Vozzella, Laura (2008-10-17). "Wig Man Goes Hollywood. Via Philly". Baltimore Sun.
  10. ^ Dillon, Hughe (2008-12-12). "Paula Jones Slept here". Time.
  11. ^ Vozzella, Laura (2009-08-07). "Paula Jones and 'The Wig Man'". Baltimore Sun.
  12. ^ "Blue Dress Movie press release". Blue Dress, LLC. 2008-09-22.
  13. ^ Hayworth, Bret (2004-01-03). "Bush challenger campaigns in Sioux City". Sioux City Journal.
  14. ^ "'Wig Man' running in 2004". The Daily Texan. 2003-11-13.
  15. ^ a b Alban, Gary (2003-08-12). "Small ideas, a white wig: keys to a non-declared candidate's future?". Ogden Reporter.
  16. ^ Beaudette, Cynthia (2003-07-25). "I want to be president". Muscatine Journal.
  17. ^ Brulliard, Nicolas (2003-11-13). "'Wig Man' Running in 2004". Daily Texan.
  18. ^ Rank, Scott (2003-10-09). "Wig-wearing candidate's road to White House runs through Ames". Iowa State Daily.
  19. ^ Walker, Justin (2004-01-11). "Campaign Diary: Pre-empting the Republican threat". Duke News.
  20. ^ Jones, Mike (2004-07-24). "No big-wig, man in car declares candidacy for U.S. Senate seat". Morning Sentinel.
  21. ^ "Republicans Meet To Select A Senate Candidate To Run Against Barack Obama". Life Magazine. 2003-08-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |photo= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Brown, Mark (2004-08-04). "What GOP lacks in resume, it makes up in character". Chicago Sun-Times.
  23. ^ Meighan, Patrick (2005-10-15). "Third parties gather in Merrimack". Nashua Telegraph.
  24. ^ Ward, Jon and Bellantoni, Christina (2006-02-12). "Candidate flips his wig over listing on ballot". The Washington Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ a b "WBAL Candidate Profile:Daniel Vovak". Cite error: The named reference "video" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  26. ^ Hernandez, Nelson (2006-08-31). "Wig Man Won't Sweep 'The' Issue Under the Rug". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Winger, Richard (2006-09-08). ""The Wig Man" Wins Declaratory Judgment on Nickname Dispute". Ballot Access News.
  28. ^ Mundy, Liza (2009-06-28). "Power Player". The Washington Post.
  29. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (2009-10-30). "GOP's Vovak to Scott: W-W-Welcome to the Internet". Baltimore Sun.
  30. ^ Albero, Joe (2009-11-13). "Daniel Vovak for Maryland Republican Chairman". SBYNews.
  31. ^ Steffen, Joseph (2009-11-11). "W(h)igging Out".
  32. ^ a b Craw, Ben (2006-09-11). "Midterm Roundup". Talking Points Memo.

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