There’s a new presidential candidate, but his backers have their tongues planted firmly in their cheek. And “Planted” is a very apt word for the campaign of “Chris P. Carrot.” Joe Haptas with PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — calls himself Chris Carrot’s campaign manager.Chris P. Carrot is a 7-foot orange mascot for PETA who, Haptas says, wants to be the next president, a carrot “with vision for America.” He says the candidate wants animals and humans to be free of exploitation, and we should think about how animals are treated. The campaign’s described as “not garden variety,” and Haptas says it’s publicizing the candidate with advertising and appearances. He says all kinds of things are planned, even campaign songs you can hear at the website www.carrot2004.com, and they’ve purchased billboard ads in Iowa and New Hampshire. Haptas says the carrot candidate will be “all over” Iowa in the next couple weeks and plans to follow the better-known candidates around. The campaign includes a VICE-presidential candidate, too. The running mate is Colonel Corn, who he describes as being “all ears.”