Unintended laughter

Not sure the NYT meant for this to be a light-hearted comedic piece, but it hit that spot pour moi:

Mr. Pearcy and other drifters and homeless people were recruited onto the Green Party ballot by a Republican political operative who freely admits that their candidacies may siphon some support from the Democrats.

“These are people who are not serious and who were recruited as part of a cynical manipulation of the process,” said Paul Eckstein, a lawyer representing the Democrats. “They don’t know Green from red.”

Putting aside the giggles of non-serious people on the ballot who were recruited as part of a cynical manipulation of the process (who would there be to vote for if this standard was enforced across party lines?), why are the Democrats really steamed, we let one of the "drifters and homeless" speak:

Reading tarot cards has taught Mr. Meadows, who is known for his purple and green jester hat, to talk a good game. “This is not the land of the free,” he told the loungers on the sidewalk, pitching himself for treasurer. “It’s the land of what’s for sale.”

He is stealing the Democrats shtick!!