BEFORE BEATTY: GRACIE ALLEN RAN FOR PRESIDENT

BEFORE BEATTY: GRACIE ALLEN RAN FOR PRESIDENT

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Ronald Reagan wasn't the first entertainer to run for president: Comedienne Gracie Allen ran for higher office as well. In 1940, Allen actually ran for President of the United States on the "Surprise Party" ticket, a satirical party invented by Gracie and hubby, George Burns. The campaign was covered for "Life" magazine by photojournalist William Carroll, and is featured in the new book, "Gracie Allen For President 1940" (Coda Publications). Carroll says Gracie's campaign received more attention in 1940 than Warren Beatty's current campaign for higher office. In fact, Gracie managed to attract 300,000 people on a 34-city whistle stop tour to Omaha, Nebraska, where the Surprise Party held its nominating convention. Although the campaign was just for fun, Gracie did have some serious opinions -- including wanting Congress to be paid strictly on a commission basis. Gracie didn't win the 1940 election but, according to Carroll, she did receive almost 2000 write-in votes.