2010: Farouk USA

Complete with a red carpet, massive white tent, air-conditioned porta-potties and the kind of stagecraft that bests even presidential runs in their early stages, Texas billionaire Farouk Shami announced his run for the Democratic nomination for governor at his company headquarters in North Houston.

"The American dream is still alive," Shami said. "I should know, because today, I, Farouk Shami, am announcing my candidacy to become the great governor of the great state of Texas."

A crowd of at least 300 filled the tent specially set up for the announcement. The program opened with the showing of an "introducing Farouk" commercial that is set to be aired in Texas television markets starting tomorrow.

Shami's message is focused on "jobs, jobs and jobs," according to campaign spokesman Jason Stanford.

Yes, that's right, Jason Stanford, who ran Democrat Chris Bell's unsuccessful bid for governor in 2006, is on day one of his new job as Shami's spokesperson.

Shami invented and patented the world's first ammonia-free hair dye, he's behind the popular CHI flat iron and BioSilk hairproducts. He's now focused on environmentally-friendly products and, well, running for Texas governor. He's pledged to spend $10 million of his personal fortune on this bid.