MULE MAN STUBBORN ON POLITICS

JOPPA, Ill. -- When it comes to politics, Joe Altenberger is downright mule-headed.

A self-described "hard-shell" Democrat, Altenberger backs his party every chance he gets. Putting a special "kick" into those efforts is his political companion, Della, a 14-year-old mule who instead of pulling a plow parades around the area in support of Democrats.

"A lot of people don't know my name," says Altenberger, owner of a farm near Joppa. "But, they know me as the `Mule Man.'"

Altenberger and Della are no strangers to people throughout the Midwest.

"During the presidential campaign, we appeared in parades and rallies throughout the area, including a rally at Paducah for an appearance by Bill Clinton," said Altenberger.

Altenberger and his mule cut a wide swath during the 1992 campaign, including two visits to Cape Girardeau on Sept. 16 when Barbara Bush appeared at the Southeast Missouri District Fair, and a week later, on Sept. 23, when Tipper Gore made a campaign swing into Cape Girardeau.

"We covered the entire state of Arkansas during the campaign," said Altenberger. "We appeared in rallies in a total of 11 states."

Altenberger and his wife, Wilma, were invited to attend last month's inaugural event at Washington.

"We were invited to be in the inaugural parade," he said. "But we didn't take Della with us."

The Altenbergers had planned to make the trip, hauling Della in a horse-trailer.

"We even made a special blanket for Della to wear in the parade," said Altenberger. "But, somewhere along the inaugural way, Della's pass never came through. It's a long trip and the weather was less than ideal. We didn't want to haul the mule there if she couldn't get in the parade."

Altenberger did participate in the parade, however.

"I have this big cowbell," he said. "I marched in the parade and rang the bell."

Altenberger said he and his wife did not have a chance to meet Clinton during the inauguration activities. But, he said he did visit with the president Thursday at St. Louis.

"I'm impressed with Clinton's ability to remember people," said Altenberger. "Once you meet him, he'll know you the next time you see him. Anytime he's in this area, I'll be there."

Speaking in reference to Clinton's latest economic program announcement, Altenberger said, "I don't think he will hurt too many people. I don't mind paying a little extra."

Altenberger said he told Clinton Thursday that he "should get tougher on cutting expenses in the government," and that "he should cut down on some of the give-aways."

Appearances of Altenberger and Della are not confined to political events. Two weeks ago, he was invited to take part in a parade at Metropolis, Ill., when the new Players International Riverboat Casino arrived in that small Southern Illinois town.

Altenberger, a farmer and semi-retired construction worker, said he first became interested in politics in 1974.

"I started devoting more time to farming and less on construction then," he said. "I ran for county commissioner in Massac County. As a Democrat, I wasn't supposed to have a chance, but I made a good run at it, losing by 150 votes."

Altenberger became interested in national politics in 1988 when he attended a Michael Dukakis rally in Pine Bluff, Ark.

"After I met Dukakis and his wife at Pine Bluff, I really got interested and followed them all the way through the campaign. I also met Gov. Bill Clinton in 1988 in Arkansas."

He later met Clinton again, during a Democratic rally at Sterling, Ky.

"He was not an announced candidate at that time," said Altenberger. "But he mentioned that he might run for president in 1992. We talked, and I told him I'd back him if he ran."

Della is Altenberger's third mule. "At 14, she's sort of middle-aged," said Altenberger. A mule can live to be 25 to 30 years old. Her owner believes she may have one more presidential campaign in her.

Many mule generations ago, in 1828, Della's cousin, the donkey, became the symbol of the Democratic Party. The donkey was used as a political symbol by Andrew Jackson after his opponents called him a "jackass" after the 1828 campaign.

By the 1880s political cartoonists such as Thomas Nast had established the donkey as the symbol of the Democratic Party.

Altenberger and his wife are parents of six children.

"My kids think I'm crazy sometimes," he said. "But, I like people. I'll be retiring from farming soon, and will probably go into full-time politicking then.

"The 1993 inaugural was my first," he said. "But, I hope it's not my last."