In a stunning development that could radically alter the electoral
landscape in the upcoming midterm elections, the singer Michael
Jackson announced today that he would run for the seat vacated last
Friday by former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.)

Mr. Jackson told reporters that he had never shown much interest in
politics before, but added, "When I started reading about Mark Foley,
I realized that the House of Representatives was my kind of place."

The platinum-selling recording artist drew big crowds in his first day
of campaigning, delighting onlookers in Orlando by getting out of his
limo and dancing on its roof.

But in one regrettable gaffe for the novice politician, Mr. Jackson
kissed a baby in Daytona Beach and then dangled the child from a hotel
balcony.

"My bad," Mr. Jackson later said.

House Republicans expressed muted support for Mr. Jackson's election
bid, with Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert saying that he knew of
nothing in the singer's past that would prevent him from serving ably
in the House.

"Michael Jackson has done a lot of positive things, especially in the
field of mentoring," Mr. Hastert said.

According to Buddy Schlantz, a veteran talent agent and observer of
the entertainment scene, transforming himself from King of Pop to
congressman from Florida could prove to be a shrewd image makeover for
the tabloid-ready Mr. Jackson.

"In the outside world, Michael Jackson seems weird and maybe even a
freak," Mr. Schlantz said. "But once he's in Congress he'll seem
perfectly normal."