A candidate who will go to the mat

Here’s an off-kilter campaign strategy: Let the 134 other candidates hopelessly split the vote while you coast to victory by capturing one of California’s most neglected minorities -- the sumo wrestler vote.

Kurt “Tachikaze” Rightmyer, a 220-pound middleweight wrestler from West Covina, is angling to become California’s first sumo governor (second, if you count Gray Davis).

Does he actually believe he can win? Of course. “There’s a lot of finesse in sumo wrestling that I think ideally suits me for campaigning,” he says.

C’mon, Kurt. Wake up and smell the 370-pound Japanese man sitting on your chest. You don’t have a chance.

But Rightmyer, whose sumo name, “Tachikaze,” means “wind from a sword stroke,” insists it can be done: “We live in a media-saturated culture. I really believe it’s possible for an unknown to get his message out.”

Among other things, Rightmyer’s platform calls for giving all new small businesses a three-year reprieve from state income taxes. He also wants to build an outdoor dohyo (wrestling ring) at the governor’s mansion so legislators can settle their differences in a manlier fashion.

More important, if elected, Rightmyer could become the first person sworn into office wearing a big black diaper.

“It’s not a diaper,” he insists. “It’s a mawashi.”

Whatever.

Quote of the day

From Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry:

“California is embarrassing itself hugely, and people are starting to forget about Florida, and all the hard work we Floridians did to become the top national laughingstock. Well, I have a message for you Californians: We’re not going to take this lying down. You’re in the limelight now, but there’s another presidential election coming, and we’re going to be ready. We’re bringing back the chads.”

Total recall madness

Missed any episodes of Recall Madness? Visit our archives at www.latimes.com/recallmad ness.

Late-night blotter

“There was talk of bringing Al Gore to California to help Gray Davis out, but there was concern that Davis and Gore in the same state would cause some kind of rolling personality blackout.” (Jay Leno)

Senior advisor: Ann Harrison. “Recall Madness” is published on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the Calendar section. E-mail comments or ideas to roy.rivenburg@latimes.com.