John McAfee
John McAfee explains why he's running as an independent candidate from president.
(Howard Koplowitz)
John McAfee is apologizing. He hasn't slept for two days. Clutching an e-cigarette and occasionally scratching his blonde-streaked hair, McAfee is explaining why he decided to run for president just three days ago.
The 69-year-old McAfee, who made millions in Internet security through his eponymous antivirus program and company that he divested himself from 20 years ago. The self-described "eccentric millionaire" just arrived at his Opelika campaign headquarters, which also serves as a tech incubator that he runs.
A visionary who saw the threats of computer viruses long before anyone else, the founder of McAfee Associates is also making security the primary issue of his independent campaign for president . Except these days, he's talking about national security, and, in his view, the overreaching powers of the National Security Agency, Transportation Security Authority and other governmental bodies with security functions.
"Our government is paranoid. People say I'm paranoid. I'm not paranoid - I'm living in a paranoid government," says McAfee, who is wearing a black t-shirt with "Team McAfee" emblazoned bold white letters underneath a pinstripe sport coat and navy khakis. "Why aren't they spying on the Chinese with the money they're using to spy on me and you - they're spying on the wrong person."
But McAfee is unsure exactly how he would reign in the government - and he says any other candidate who says they have a clear plan is a fool, adding that "the real activity in government is the deals behind the closed doors."
"Anybody who tells you they have answers now is lying to you. You may get into the Oval Office and realize you have no power. The first thing is maybe a wizard comes out," McAfee tells AL.com from The Round House in Opelika, where an outdoor sign urges passersby to welcome the presidential candidate. "You're asking me what's behind the curtain. It could be a brand new automobile or it can be an outbreak of measles, I don't know. Let me open the curtain and deal with it."
McAfee says he's incensed over China using cyber-espionage to spy on governmental officials, saying the U.S. is "illiterate" in cyber warfare. Furthermore, he says America is "stealing privacy" from U.S. citizens by "charging [them] for security."
"Do you think the Chinese would allow a government where the head of state is not a computer programmer?" McAfee asks.
The 69-year-old is running as an independent candidate under the Cyber Party, faulting the Democrats and Republicans with the state of America.
"We created a government of the people, by the people, for the people. I see a government of the powerful, by the powerful, for the powerful," he says. "The only people who seem tom matter are running in the political parties. They are a machine. I am tired and I am mad as hell and I don't understand how the public isn't as angry."
McAfee says America needs to "elect someone with the capacity and the quickness to see the nightmare. I think that's why Donald Trump became so successful," referring to the Republican frontrunner. The "nightmare," in his words, is an Orwellian government.
"I've run a multi-billion-dollar company and I know exactly how the world works," he says. "They say, 'If you follow your heart, your heart will follow.' I don't feel protected. I feel like the enemy. My heart weeps for this country."
Although McAfee decided to run for president just 72 hours ago, he said friends have been begging him to run for over a year. But beyond them, he's not sure yet how much support he has.
"I have no clue. I don't even know the names of the people on my campaign," he says. "They're all apparently my boss because they're telling me what to do. But I'm learning and I'm hungry."
And we'll soon find out if America has an appetite for McAfee.