Kari Hart is the head intern for ‘The Changed’ political party. She also blogs for the campaign’s website, www.itsjustzombies.com.

Nicholas Buckman took a short break from his busy schedule, campaigning for the senate to sit with Kari. During the interview, there were many interruptions from aides and party heads, asking Buckman many questions. These interruptions have been excised for ease of reading.

Kari (Apex): It’s not the end of the world, it’s just zombies.

Buckman: (Laughing) That’s right.

Apex: How did this slogan come about?

Buckman: Christian Scott. Our whole movement starts with him, down to the smallest of ‘tag lines,’ including ‘We are united in our decomposition.’

Apex: There are many changed who find the term ‘zombie’ extremely offensive.

Buckman: And good for them. It is an offensive term, if used out of hate and malice. We use it in the slogan as an acknowledgment that those of humanity who have not changed do see us as zombies. It’s a humorous attempt to bring those of us who haven’t changed into the fold.

Apex: That’s a very political answer.

Buckman: I am running for the senate.

(Laughter from Kari and Nicholas.)

Apex: What would you say to a person who has not changed to get them to understand our plight?

Buckman: Read our book, The Changed. It details the start of our political movement, written with first hand knowledge of the events leading to me running for the senate. And it’s a damn entertaining read.

Apex: You’re not portrayed in the most favorable light at all times in the book…

Buckman: As it should be. I’ve changed a lot in the past six months. I’m a better person now than I was before the change. The book is a truthful telling of a major event in history, warts, maggots and all. Thank God the writer chose to tell the truth instead of sugar coating things.

Apex: Do you really think you can win?

Buckman: There are many different definitions of ‘winning.’ Getting media attention for our fight for civil liberties, that’s a win. If one soldier hesitates and decides NOT to pull the trigger of his flamethrower, that’s a huge win. Slowing down the decomposition process, that’s a win.

Apex: Do you think you can win a seat in the senate?

Buckman: Oh, that?

Apex: (laughing) Yeah, that!

Buckman: I have no doubt. Of course I’ll win.