Rich Williamson: Virtual Candidate?

UPDATED 4/13 (see below) They've popped up all over Alexandria--signs advertising the city council campaign of Rich Williamson. Williamson goes by his first name on his signs, but that's not as unusual as his choice to post a cartoon version of his face on them.

Williamson hasn't answered my e-mail asking him about this unorthodox campaigning, but I did poke around on his campaign Web site, where I discovered that "cartoon Rich" and "real-life Rich" aren't too dissimilar. I kind of like the idea of having a councilmember who can double as an IM icon.

UPDATE 4/13 Williamson wrote me back yesterday:

Well, the most important thing in politics it seems is to be noticed!  I figured by using the maximum allowed size of 2' by 2' and an attention getting image, it would generate more interest in a drab name on a well contrasted color once again.  There are only so many ways to arrange shooting stars! :)  I am an "out of the box" thinker, and I wanted my sign to reflect that by voting for me voters are not going to get more of the same tired rhetoric.  At the same time, it shows hopefully that I am approachable and don't think I have all the answers.  I'm relying on the voters to help me define the direction of the city.