The Weekly's "Whatever Happened To…" feature (January 22) prompted one reader to inquire about the whereabouts of Aaron Russo, the part-time Las Vegan and former Hollywood producer who mounted a colorful but unsuccessful push for Nevada governor in 2000. We caught up with Russo as he was leaving Los Angeles, heading to Arizona on the first leg of a nationwide, 30-day trip to drum up support for his campaign for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination. As usual, Russo was feisty, flippant and distrustful of the media.
What have you been up to since you ran for governor in 2000?
I've been battling cancer, being with my family and planning for the rest of my life.
Cancer sidelined a planned 2002 run for governor. How is your recovery going?
The recovery is over. I did strong alternative medicine treatment. They [doctors] wanted to remove my bladder and prostate, but vitamins and supplements stopped the cancer, and I had surgery to remove malignant tumor from my bladder. Now I feel great. I'm ready to rock and roll, baby.
What prompted you to run for president? When did you first know you wanted to campaign for the White House?
I don't remember when I decided to run, it just sort of came upon me … as for why I'm running, people are voting against George Bush or against John Kerry but not voting for anybody. They're voting for the lesser of two evils, but they're still voting for evil. I'm going to give people someone to vote for. I will bring change to the country.
Why should I vote for you?
Because you believe in freedom. America is becoming a socialist country and a totalitarian country, it's becoming a welfare state—we're letting illegal immigrants in—the federal reserve printing monopoly money and George Bush is spending money like a drunken sailor while cutting taxes at the same time, thus creating a deficit and inflation. His tax cuts dishonestly inflated the economy. Meanwhile, the Democrats want to spend more—as Bush does—and want to raise taxes, which creates poverty. The only solution is to cut taxes and spending at the same time, and no one else wants to do that but me. I'm the only one with the guts. Plus, I have a higher profile and much more political experience than the others [libertarian presidential hopefuls].
What would the first 100 days of a Russo presidency be like, and what would you do to help the economy?
I would abolish the Patriot Act, end the war in Iraq and work to defend borders from illegal immigration and terror. I can't answer what I'd do about the economy because there are too many issues about the economy [to consider] without knowing the numbers.
Let's play word association. Patriot Act.
Tyranny.
The war in Iraq.
Senseless manslaughter.
George Bush.
Fascism.
Democrats.
Knuckleheads.
GOP.
Fascism.
Bush foreign policy.
Murder.
Why did you run for governor of Nevada?
I feel the federal government doesn't follow states' rights or follow the Constitution and someone has to stand up for states' rights.
How would have governed differently than current chief Kenny Guinn?
I would've not allowed a tax raise, abolished plans for Yucca Mountain and cut spending.
Elaborate on defeating Yucca.
As governor, you have the right to go the Supreme Court to stop it. It is the court of jurisdiction. The court can't deny the hearing of a case. It makes no sense going through all these other courts.
Elaborate on the economy.
I would've cut spending by looking at the budget and making tough decisions—across-the-board cuts if need be. I know how to budget. I've made many, many movies in my life and am probably the only Hollywood producer that has come in under budget in all my movies.
Rate Guinn's performance on 1-10 scale, 10 being best.
One or a two. I don't see anything good he's done for the state of Nevada.
Rate Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance as governor of California. Did you vote for him?
I'm impressed with Arnold. He's standing up for what he believes in and working hard at the job. He cut back the automobile taxes, which is one of things I wanted to do when I was running for governor of Nevada. It's not an ego trip, he wants to do a good job, he wants to do a good job.
So you voted for him?
I didn't vote. I was out of town.
The party set a non-presidential election year record in 2002, getting candidates on ballots in 49 states. How does this bode for party's White House chances?
I don't know. I imagine it would be a plus for me.
Your website has quotes from Bette Midler, Jack Nicholson and the late Dr. Robert Atkins, who says, "If I could count on only one man to take on the federal government to defend alternative medicine, it would be Aaron Russo." How'd you meet Robert Atkins?
I don't know how we met. Oh, I know, we met in 1994. He was thinking about doing a movie about alternative medicine, so I called him, we spoke, and I went to New York to meet him. It was the beginning of a loving friendship. Why are you asking me about Dr. Atkins? I thought this was about what happened to me and what I've been up to?
It is. I saw the blurb about Dr. Atkins on your web site and was curious. Do you keep in touch with Midler and Nicholson?
Bette, no. Jack, yes. …Where is this coming from? I thought this was about me and what I've been up to, yet you're asking about Bette and Jack and Dr. Atkins. What's your motive? Come on, you work for the Greenspuns, what's your real motive, be honest?
I saw these things on your website and they piqued my interest.
Come on, what's the real story? What's your agenda? Tell the truth.
I am, and there is no agenda, no ulterior motive. [Spirited defense follows] … bosses aren't making me ask these questions … I can think for myself.
That's good to hear.
How much do you have in your campaign war chest? How much will it take to beat Bush?
I haven't started [fund-raising] yet. That's not the question, money isn't the question. The question is about reaching the American people and changing this country. I intend to beat him with passion, by promising to restore the Bill of Rights and by stopping the totalitarian mode of this country. America is not America anymore. If you want to fight Osama, we can fight him by keeping America free, not by taking away people's rights. I can't raise enough to compete with Bush, but I can raise enough, through radio, Internet and television, to get the message out.
Any plans to return to Hollywood?
Running for president is keeping me busy now.