Little boy blue sings campaign tune at HUB

If you saw him in the HUB yesterday, you might think Brent Barbe was feeling a little blue.

"It's our way of showing we can be both silly and serious," said Barbe, who walked around the HUB with fellow USG Presidential Candidate Michael Landsberg dressed in a jacket and tie.

The pair received funny looks and offered political and personal advice to many students who had different reactions to the sight.

The pair was compared to the Smurfs and the Madagascar Revolutionary Council, which ran a 16-inch phallus and a plastic fish in the elections last year.

"We've gone from dildos to Smurfs," said Matt Garrett (graduate-chemistry). "I guess it's more family-friendly."

At the very least, the stunt made some students aware of the elections.

"It makes you more aware of the people (running) other than hanging up signs," said Sarah Frank (sophomore-biobehavioral health).

However, some students were not as impressed with the stunt.

"I'd probably say 'Don't vote for him,' " said Michael Grill (junior-actuarial science).

The other USG candidates had a variety of reactions to their blue counterpart.

• Wesley Bowser likened the stunt to when the Incredible Hulk turned gray and underwent an increase in intelligence.
  

  "He is the gray Hulk," Bowser said. "The man's knowledge of comics is impressive."
  

• Jason Covener said he was not as amused by the stunt and said the ticket should focus on the issues and realistic solutions.
  

  "If he can make fun of himself and make realistic proposals, then I'm all for this," he said.
  

• Jaime Desmond said the stunt showed Barbe's willingness to follow through on his promises, before posing for a picture with the pair.
  

  "But I think it's leaning more towards purple," Desmond said about the color.
  

• Thane Fake said he did not understand the purpose of Barbe dying himself blue, but liked the idea of lightening up the campaign.
  

  "If it's for school spirit, then I'm all for it," Fake said.
  

• Christopher Pirrotta, Darin Loccarini's running mate, said he thought there are better ways to campaign.
  

  "It's not the most productive way to get elected to USG," Pirrotta said.
  

• David Lubkemann said the stunt was a great way to reach more students and make the campaigns more fun.
  

  "It's been fun (running) with them," Lubkemann said of the unconventional ticket.
  

• Blaine Rummel said he did not know how to react to Barbe's blue face.
  

  "It's totally his prerogative," Rummel said. "I'd just like to know why he's blue."
  

• Christine Robbins, Hank Saur's running mate, said she thinks it is a unique idea and use of the ticket's time.
  

  "Blue is a very good color on you," Robbins said to Barbe after running into him yesterday.