Wacky election candidates reveal problems at heart of Brazil politicsBy Maria Luisa Cavalcanti

BBC Brasil


Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva is expected to be voted in by more than a million people "What does a federal deputy do? Truly, I don't know. But vote for me and I will find out for you."

This is one of the political slogans of a man who is expected to enter the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, in the general election on 3 October with the backing of more than a million voters.

If the phrase sounds like some sort of joke, perhaps you will not be surprised to learn that this particular candidate is a professional clown.

Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, or Tiririca as he is known, started working in a circus at the age of eight in the impoverished north-eastern state of Ceara, and is now a TV comedian.
_________________________________________________________

This is what I myself think on the subject:

1. Tiririca is actually a professional clown.
2. Brazilian Chamber of Deputies is full of amateur clowns...
3. Had I been born in Sao Paulo State, I would vote for Tiririca ehe ehe ehe!
4. Voting for a professional clown would be my way of protesting against amateurs!

May God bless Tirica... At least, I shall laugh and laugh and laugh a lot!

Paulo Cesar Sampaio
Pastor/fan of Tiririca ehe ehe ehe
MSN p-cesarsampaio@hotmail.com
Skype pcesarsampaio