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ye 4 “ak qansor re Reng Tear = ns THE CANDIDATE: John J. Staradumsky. whose name is on the “ —Journal-Builetin Photo oy KRIS CRAIG March 10 Demecratic presidential primary ballot. . By JONATHAN SALTZMAN Journal-Bulletin Staff Writer BURRILLVILLE — One thing ‘came abundantly clear when hn J. Staradumsky showed a vis- yr his phcto-ID card from a 10- vy stay in state prison four years 10: This is not your typical presi- mtial candidate. Staradumsky, the only Rhode Is- nder among 15 candidates whose imes will appear on the ballot in e state's Democratic primary ‘arch 10, was jailed in February 388 for failing to pay child sup- ort for his twins. That was not his only brush ‘ith the law. In the past few years, 1e unemployed truckdriver has een convicted of refusing to take a alcohol breath test and of as- aulting a man outside a Coventry rugstore. A charge of assaulting a voman in Burrillville last year is vending. Staradumsky, 50, has also been ighting the West Warwick police n the courts since 1983, claiming hat Officers manhandled him vhile a fire destroyed his video yusiness that year. Police main- ained. he was behaving belliger- mntly. Interviewed in his Mapleville railer home yesterday, Stara- lumsky denied that his legal prob- ems or brief prison stay under- nined his candidacy. “To me they’re not skeletons,” he said. “They’re war wounds from fighting the political ma- chine.” Staradumsky contended that his arrests, repeated vandalism of his cars and burglaries of his homes over the years bespeak a nebulous conspiracy by a “vicious political system” to discourage ordinary cit- izens from seeking public office. In the last decade, Staradumsky has unsuccessfully tried to get on the ballot for U.S.,senator, gover- nor and attorney general — al- ways thwarted, he said yesterday, by politicians. But, to his pleased surprise, Star- adumsky learned a week ago that state Democratic Chairman Mark Weiner had granted his request to be placed on the presidential pri- mary ballot. Weiner said he has never met Staradumsky and knows nothing about him. But he placed his name on the ballot with the likes of Ar- kansas Gov. Bill Clinton and _for- mer Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tson- gas because, he said, “it’s not up to me to decide who should be or should not be a candidate.” Staradumsky said he has- no campaign organization or money. He has been unemployed since 1985, he said, spending five years on workers’ compensation and the last two years on welfare. ‘We could have had Saddam out of there, dead or alive. I think Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and | Dorothy Lamour could, have walked up the road to Baghdad to take him out.’ I Still, he considers himself a bona fide candidate. “J am the average American,” he said. “And I’m qualified for the job. _.. Ym intelligent. I have an inde- pendent thought. I can think.” Sitting in a living room that fea- tured a large aquarium, ceramic panda bears and a framed velvet rendering of Jesus, Staradumsky offered his views on foreign and domestic affairs. @ On the Persian Gulf war: He faulted President Bush for allowing Saddam Hussein to remain in pow- er after allied forces crushed Iraqi troops. “We could have had Sad- dam out of there, dead or alive. I think Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour could have walked up the road to Baghdad to take him out.” longest shot in presidential primary @On U.S.-Japanese relations: He said President Bush should have demanded — not requested — trade concessions from Japan dur- ing the President's recent tric there. “Since World War II, we've rebuilt Japan ... and they've bit our hand off up to our elbow.” © On peace efforts in the Middle East: He said Israel should relin- quish land on the West Bank to ac- commodate a Palestinian state. “I've always been a friend of Israel. but Israel has to give in on some is- sues.” @On education: The system must be completely overhauled be- cause “children can reach colleg¢ and still not be able to read or write.” © On welfare: “I believe in ¢ workfare system. There’s no incen- tive for people to get off welfare.” He attributed his own unemploy- ment to medical problems and said “Pm going to be looking fo: work.” Staradumsky said he expected tc campaign throughout Rhode Is land. If he does well in the primary he will try to get on the ballot ix other states. He also said he woui like to debate the other Democrati candidates. “Give me an hour debate wit. ‘them, and’ I-think I-can,have th public on my side,” he said. an