After Katrina he made remarks[1], and here I'm paraphrasing, that amounted to saying that neighboring states shouldn't have to pay for the misfortune of other states, i.e. through FEMA.
If it's not out for the job then why is he applying for it?
Perhaps he is essentially a "protest vote" but there appears to be at least some chance that he could actually get elected?
He is not out to be president of the USA, he is out to do what he believes is right, and to do that he has to be POTUS. If that is his standpoint, then he is not ironic.
You can still have a bloated federal government administration with autonomous states, so I do not think he will be put out of work. Just look at the EU.
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07...