Sausage or pepperoni? That is the question.
Pizza Hut is offering one lucky Long Islander a lifetime of free pizza for inquiring about either candidate’s topping of choice during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hampstead, N.Y., on Oct. 16.
“We recognize there are a lot of serious issues to be debated, but we also know a lot less serious — but no less important — ones are being discussed every night inside houses across the country,” said Kurt Kane, chief marketing officer for Pizza Hut. “So for the candidates to be able to show that they’re in tune with all the issues, we felt a pizza-related question on behalf of The Pizza Party was very appropriate for a town hall debate.”
But even free pizza doesn’t come without a price — namely, cementing one’s status as the village idiot and feeling guilty about paying for Long Island’s variety of local, well-reviewed pizza joints (Pizza Hut not being one of them).
Pizza Hut’s venture into the political spectrum began on Oct. 1 with the introduction of the Pizza Party, an alternative, dough-based movement which claims that its Big Dinner Box is the “greatest tasting economic stimulus package in American history.”
“We recognize that The Pizza Party has been celebrated inside households around the country for years, so we felt an obligation as the pizza company that promises to make it great to make it official,” said Kane.
Though Pizza Hut is serious about the offer, it’s not open to just anyone. The offer only applies to official attendees, who can register on Pizza Hut’s website.
Each candidate’s pizza preference has already turned up in news reporting. Forbes reported that Obama’s favorite pizza joint was located in St. Louis, not Chicago.
John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John’s, hosted a fundraiser at Mitt Romney’s home. Comedian Stephen Colbert joked that on the menu was Romney’s favorite pie: no cheese, no sauce, extra dough.