Washington - Former Ambassador Duke, the flippant, hard-partying character in Garry Trudeau's satirical Doonesbury comic strip, has formally announced his intention to seek the US presidency.
An animated Duke appeared on CNN's Larry King Live vowing to streamline public education by letting children watch one teacher per subject on cable television from home and to corral the homeless at the swanky estate of a friend.
The character, inspired by "Gonzo" journalist Hunter S. Thompson, has a resume that includes stints as governor of the territory of American Samoa and ambassador to China. He also has a Web site promoting his candidacy, http://www.duke2000.com.