RE: Would you consider running for office?

[Face_in_the_Crowd]

I'm writing this in response to a thread I saw a few days back with this same subject line. I am a recent addition to the Democratic Party and new to DU as well. In the short time I have been here I can't begin to describe the wealth of information I have been introduced to. The depth of political, social, and economic understanding of many of DU's members is for lack of a better word...awesome. However I was a bit taken back by the majority of people's responses to this question which in general was, "I have way too many skeletons to ever voice my opinion."

People! Just look to our RW friends! O'Reilly has an impressive sexual background, Limbaugh has an obsession with Oxycodone, Delay has forever been linked to funding issues, and these are some of the most powerful conservative voices in the country. Do I even need to divulge into W's past?

I'm telling you 1 year ago I was a kid who didn't know what to think when it came to the issues facing our nation. Many of the insightful, compassionate, and knowledgeable threads and responses on this site have helped develop my outlook and have pushed me in THE CORRECT direction. I urge you to stand up for yourself, your family, your political party , and your country! Let your voice be heard!

Just a thought.

[niyad]

1. Welcome to DU, and great post. glad to know that the people on DU have

been such a wealth of information and insight for you, as indeed they continue to be for me.

I think one of the reasons so many would hesitate to run for office, if they have "skeletons", or even if they don't, given the complete and utter disregard for the truth that this administration has, is the level of mudslinging and character assassination that the reichwingnuts practice. even if one were willing to face it oneself, don't forget the way they go after family members as well.

[Face_in_the_Crowd]

4. I agree, but...

with the widespread skepticism of the current administration it could be the perfect time for people to step up to the plate.



"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."

Arthur Schopenhauer

[CottonBear]

2. I would consider running for public office. I've been encouraged to do so

by some people. However, I have a BIG MOUTH. I would be a one term official.
I'm more effective behind the scenes.

[existentialist]

5. So think it over

There are worse people than many one term officials. If you do worthwhile things in one term it may well be worth it.

[CottonBear]

10. I've been thinking about running for office.

A friend of mine is now a US Rep. (Dem. of course.)
My dad almost ran for (Republican) Governor of TN back in the 70's.
I turned out to be a Democrat but with my Dad's passion for politics.

[calmblueocean]

3. Recommend this for the Greatest page. People need to hear it.

You know what would be great? If Camp Wellstone had a special unit teaching prospective candidates how to best deal with separating their private life from their public life. Teach them how to answer personal questions, how to decide whether information in their past should or shouldn't be revealed, and under what conditions. Give people some confidence that they can run for state House or Senate seats without having to let the voters read their 10th grade diary.

We will never win back the country if people are too afraid to be candidates.

[Missy Vixen]

11. Camp Wellstone already does an overview of how to

deal with separating personal vs. public life in their seminars. If you can get through their press "damage control" exercises, you can run for office. I can't recommend Camp Wellstone highly enough. I went to the Seattle version in June; my husband borrowed the binder of information I received and is currently running for mayor of our hometown.

>We will never win back the country if people are too afraid to be candidates.<

Thank you. If you're running for city council, school board, etcetera, your background is of little import. Many of these offices run unopposed, or are stacked with Christian Coalition types for lack of other filings. Your opponent may have more serious "skeletons in the closet" than you think you do, and they don't want theirs exposed, either. As you climb the political ladder, you'll have consultants advising you on what to do. If you live in a state with a Progressive Majority (www.progressivemajority.org) office, CALL THEM. They have been a huge help to DH and I, and their expertise and advice is priceless.

Filing is cheap and easy. Running for public office can be scary as hell but exhilarating. We have been so touched by the outpouring of support for my husband -- not just cash, but people stepping forward to volunteer their time. I had to laugh. We live in a small town. As a result, our campaign is fairly inexpensive as campaigns go. One of DH's supporters was talking to another person in town and didn't know I was standing close enough to hear her. "You're going to vote for DH? Well, you need to write him a check for $25.00. Right now. If we all chip in, they can pay for the campaign. You also need to tell your neighbors to vote for him."

This is a chance for your friends, your neighbors, and DU to train up a wave of great candidates across the country. Just do it.

Julie

[Face_in_the_Crowd]

12. I wish you the best

[calmblueocean]

15. Thanks for all the info!

I wasn't sure how much "damage control" was taught at Camp Wellstone. Good luck on your husband's mayoral race!

[Canuckistanian]

6. Funny you mention that

The first time I ever walked into a political campaign office, I only intended to get a membership in the party. It was the local office of the Canadian Federal NDP (progressive left).

As I was chatting to the local organizer, he suddenly burst out, "You wouldn't consider running for office, would you?" I was floored, I didn't know what to say. I thought, surely there must be a lots of people who would want this.

But, alas, the local party official said that in this particular neighborhood (East Toronto), the NDP had problems attracting local candidates. It was traditionally a Liberal (center, leaning left) riding.

I politely declined because I'm a semi-reclusive non-people person who didn't want the spotlight on me.

But it got me to thinking......

[carolinalady]

7. Never! I inhaled and it was more than once.

ps-I liked it and I'd do it today if I did not have teenage kids.

[Canuckistanian]

9. You should come to Canada and run for office

Specifically in Québec. The top separatist leadership candidate for Québec recently admitted that he used cocaine. And hardly anyone batted an eye. He's still the top candidate.

And you know what else? He's openly gay and it matters less.

[carolinalady]

8. dupe=sorry.

[undergroundpanther]

13. I would

I don't think I fit in the mainstream enough.
Besides I am not all that tolerant of bullies crooks liars and thugs.

I think if I was to run,because I challenge too many people's beliefs I am not into"secrecy" and pretending a bad thing is good,and I favor the peoples rights over the rights of state.corporation or church.and I am anti corporate person hood,anti-authoritarian ,and I ain't into"decorum" when it comes to confronting evil hearted people.

The elitists and greedheads would HATE facing the human equality and honesty I would promote.I would also make the white house the PEOPLE'S house again like it was in the old days. I would want THE PEOPLE to supervise me to come in abnd visit and supervise ,I would answer to them for real to the best of my ability.I would give press conferences and "national dialogs" often to help people understand things happening in the world and the country.Press would be absolutely free,corporations could not muzzle or control press.I would encourage the creation of open neutral SAFE public spaces to help heal the rifts between people in this country. I think the people who are leftward would like me alot,but the more"conservative libertarian types the people with"control issues" bigotry,greed and narcissism and people with stunted empathy would HATE me,So they'd get some CIA dude to kill me off for sure.

However I guess I would be the first president that is a self identified feline.I would just Looove to pose with Socks and Ernie on the podium as a "lets heal the nation" kinda thing to promote honest communication between different kinds of people. I don't think the "normals" would go for it,the narcissists would fear it, and I don't think this nation is emotionally ready for dealing with each other respectfully enough to cope with the kind of freedom,power and impeccable ethical responsibility I would want for all of us. Most people don't know what a Democratic kinda Anarchy is all about.

I am too wild to do the"normal" makeover without feeling like a clown in a dress.So I know full body tattoos ,cat whiskers,ears and tail and a big Mohawk wouldn't go over well P.R. wise..At least I can say for certain my election party would be kick ass ,open doors and a potluck rave/jam for anyone wanting to attend it..And it would probably end up going on for days.

I would love nothing more than to bring a creative sanity and the memory of freedom,peace,cooperation,equality,integrity and community back to America and the world,and become an ETHICAL example of honesty and conscientiousness to the world and to end this game of domination..and the sickness it creates. I would work hard to end child abuse and the opression of women and all minorities and help people who are suffering.This includes spiritual and financial abuse.
I would require in order to go to war,that THE PEOPLE must vote for it .. and if the PEOPLE do not want to go to war,we won't go to war,after all it's the People who will lose thier sons and daughters in a war ,not congress..the"leaders" ,the rich or corporations,so they do not get to make that decision.And I know the rich and statist pro domination types will HATE this idea..


And in my inauguration speech I would read These quotes...


“If there be a principle that ought not to be questioned within the United States, it is that every man has a right to abolish an old government and establish a new one. This principle is not only recorded in every public archive, written in every American heart, and sealed with the blood of a host of American martyrs, but is the only lawful tenure by which the United States hold their existence as a nation.”James Madison (1751-1836)

“What we want . . . is the complete destruction of the domination and exploitation of man by man; we want men united as brothers by a consensus and desired solidarity, all cooperating voluntarily for the wellbeing of all; we want society to be constituted for the purpose of supplying everybody with the means for achieving the maximum well-being, the maximum possible moral and spiritual development; we want bread, freedom, love and science--for everybody.”
Errico Malatesta (1853-1932)


“Nothing is so galling to a people not broken in from the birth as a paternal, or, in other words, a meddling government, a government which tells them what to read, and say, and eat, and drink and wear.”Lord Thomas B. Macaulay, 1st Baron (1800-1859)

I would not swear with a the bible.Because church and State are to be SEPERATE . Instead I'd swear in on a copy of the Constitution and the bill of rights(bill of rights on top of the constitution),because those are the REAL documents I am to uphold.. I would request a statue of Sekhmet would be present in the background (and it would be announced to anyone who was misunderstanding that is there by my personal request)I would have Sekhmet present to make sure I NEVER abuse power of office and that I am always accountable among all the people...And I would ask the people to keep me accountable to them for it is thier duty to thier country..

[KingFlorez]

14. Next year

I'm running for my city council in 2006

[calmblueocean]

16. Awesome!

Go for it!

[EC]

17. Yes, but we don't do slime politics,

only they do...

[Cleita]

18. We all have skeletons.

In my case I worry more about being able to field the questions and having the knowledge. I get forgetful. But the big problem is money.
Only the rich can afford to run for office.