If I tried to recruit congressional candidates from DU ?

[kentuck]

How many could I get? Could I get one from each state? Could I get one from those states with "weak" representation of our Party? Just out of curiosity, how many candidates do you think we could recruit if we needed to? Or would that simply divide our Party more than it is already? Any input?

[American Tragedy]

1. Personally, I would love nothing more than to work in the government

I've fantasized about being a legislator for years, joining the ranks of the great men and women of American history who changed the relationshop between government and the people, who guarded freedom and rights and protected the innocent.

However, I consider political campaigning in America today to be one of the most dehumanizing, brutal, shallow and disingenuous processes in the world. It's the smiling until your facial muscles twitch, shaking hands until your palms are chafed. It's self-consciously referring to religion and your family. It's trying to be as average and unoffensive as possible, suppressing any originality or intellectual pursuits so that people won't reject you out of jealousy and intolerance. It's a high school popularity contest on steroids.

It is an exercise in carefully contemplated falseness that would literally drive me to the point of being suicidal.

There is no way that I would ever present myself as a candidate for public office. I have to believe that there are many others who feel the same way that I do, so I'm not sure how much luck you'd have.

[kentuck]

2. Do politicians really have to be the way you portray?

I ran for Congress in '98 and I refused to take any money from any special interest and I was called a "non-Democrat" for doing that. I lost but it was not money alone that lost it for me. I was in one of the most safe Republican districts in the nation. I got almost exactly the same percentage that every other Democrat before me had gotten in the same circumstances, with money and without. But I didn't feel like I sold my soul when it was over...It's not that difficult to win the nomination. Just give a good speech at the county and/or state assembly. The people are waiting for someone to give their vote at that time...especially if there is not an incumbent. :)

[American Tragedy]

3. That's just the way I see it.

For me, of course, it's not even relevant yet, since I'm too young to be a candidate.

[kentuck]

4. Your perspective is very interesting...

coming from a young person such as yourself....What do you think has molded these ideas you have about running for public office??

[kodi]

5. Better vet us first. I bet many of us are ex-pirates on the Jolly Roger

And I bet a few are ex-pirates in the Jolly Roger as well.

:spank:

[kentuck]

6. You mean like some of them in the Congress and Senate now?

Nobody is lilywhite pure...most especially those that try to portray themselves as such. :)

[mhr]

7. What About The Money - To Be Competitive Where I Live

One must raise a minimum of $ 3,000,000 dollars.

Ouch!

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Call me back in about 20 years

I'm 18 right now and frankly I need to go to college and then do something outside of politics first. Oh yea, I'd also like to work as a strategist before I take a stab at running for office.

[DemoTex]

9. I am considering it ..

Against Charles Taylor (R-NC) in 2006. That's where it stands now. I have issues. I inhaled once (maybe twice!). The rest of my resume is a patriot's dream (250+ air combat missions in RVN, no DUI's, no other convictions). That is a hell of a resume, eh? Oh, I once got drunk. Sorry, no witnesses.
Mac


My last office picture

[kentuck]

10. i think we could get support for you on DU....

I don't think a couple of tokes disqualify anyone that lived thru the '60s. I say go for it!

[lwin]

14. A Southerner, an Airline Pilot, and a Democrat?

No way... O8)

[DemoTex]

16. But ... but ... I love dogs!

That's the rub! DOG-LOVER! INSOMNIAC! QUEER BROTHER! Only 249 combat missions, not 250! LIAR!

Shhhhhh!

[mhr]

15. Can't Believe Your Letting The FO Fly That Approach ;-)

BTW - which cockpit is that and which runway?

About all the flying I get to do these days is on my home simulator practicing instrument approaches. Gotta keep that scan up.

The flying business is sure getting murkier. I wonder how many years we have left for a large commercial fleet - what with peak oil and all.

[sandnsea]

11. Replace DeFazio?

I don't think you'd want me to do that. lol.

[kentuck]

12. I said one of those states with "weak" representation...

:)

[sandnsea]

13. I know

I was teasin' with ya!

[evlbstrd]

17. I'm a Nam era vet but

I smoke an awful lot of dope. Still, I live in a Blue district/city/county in a Red State. Never arrested, never raped or killed. Was even a clown on Armed Forces TV. Hey, maybe I am qualified!