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Al "Dick" Perry has hit the big time: A mention on the Rachel Maddow show.

Meanwhile, Dustin Volz of Cronkite News reports:

There is at least one new Republican voter in the state. Al Perry said he had to switch party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in order to run, noting that the last Republican president he identified with was Abraham Lincoln.

Perry, whose middle name is Richard, said he thought about registering as Rick Perry, but didn’t want the hassle he might get from the other Rick Perry on the ballot — the governor of Texas. So he went with “Al ‘Dick’ Perry.”

The Tucson Perry’s platform calls for creating a fairer tax rate for the middle class and reforming the nation’s “legalized bribery” system of campaign contributions and lobbying.

Even though he’s in the race, Al Perry is disappointed that Huntsman is not: “The funny thing about Huntsman is … I’d probably vote for him. He’s the only guy who said anything that made any sense.”

Volz also reports on Project White House 2012:

“I think it’s wonderful that the state of Arizona offers this chance for the people,” said Jim Nintzel, senior writer for Tucson Weekly. “Arizona is all about freedom.”

Nintzel’s effort to get ordinary people on the ballot — including Al Perry, among others — began in 2008 when he learned a candidate only had to fill out a two—page form and have a notarized signature to be listed for Arizona’s presidential primary.

He continued Project White House this year, offering the paper’s endorsement to the Republican and Green Party candidates who perform best in a series of challenges.