Michael Patrick Cooper was born Dec 3, 1966 to Dennis and Audrey Cooper. When he was eight months old, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism).

 

Growing up was very difficult for Michael. He was often teased, and the medications needed to fight this disease would not be invented for decades. With a tremendous amount of help from his family (and teachers) Michael completed high school in 1985. If he were to list his heroes, his sister (Sarah) would be at the very top. For 5 years, Michael worked at a Sheboygan, Illinois scrap metal company (until it closed). From 1989 to 2003 he worked as a telemarketer for The Progressive Policy Forum, a non-profit organization in Chicago.

 

Due to the passage of the "Do Not Call List," Michael lost his job earlier this year. For the past four months, he has worked part time doing maintenence for the Chicago School District. He currently lives in Sheboygan with his mother. Sadly, his father passed away in 1996. Michael is active on his softball team, and is very well liked by his co-workers.

 

Now that he is running for President, he has very little time for softball or work. He has learned (as we all have) that campaigning is itself a full time career, and we are looking forward to the election.

 

Michael has always been a peaceful person. He was taught at an early age to resolve conflicts with words, not with violence. After 9/11, Michael was very sad to see the country he loves gradually march down the path of war.

 

After seeing countless news reports of Iraqi civilians (who died at the hands of our 'smart' bombs) he decided to go to several peace rallies. Michael's sister, Sarah, was already very active in the anti-war movement, and introduced Michael to her friends at ANSWER and 'Win Without War.'

 

At one event, Michael met the man who has now become his Policy Advisor, Roger Steinberg. Roger has been active in the anti-war movement for many years, and is a leading advocate for the impeachment of George W. Bush. Among other things, Roger has been arrested for participating in demonstrations in Chicago, San Francisco, and most recently Washington D.C. Roger was very influential in getting Michael to run for president. In addition to teaching Michael about peace activism, Roger was instrumental in educating Michael on the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Michael is very well informed on most world events, and is aware that our freedoms are being trampled.

 

With his sister's support, and his friend's advice, Michael Cooper is very confident that he will be the next President of the United States. Please do your part to ensure that it happens.