Is It Important To Have Experience If You're Running For Political Office

[THUNDER HANDS]

Say you were running for local office, like county legislator or even the House of Representatives, as some DUers are.

Do you think it's vital that a candidate who's running against an incumbant have some sort of "experience" being something that could relate to being a politician?

Around here, on Long Island, during the campaign season I noticed a lot of candidates running, for both parties, who had experience in business more than anything else.

But if you're running for an office and you've never run a business. What kind of experience do you say you have?

Or do you just run an issues-oriented campaign and risk being labeled an ideologue?

I've always thought about this when I ponder whether I'll ever run for office. I DON'T want to run a business. I never have. I don't like businesses and I don't like selling things to people.

But I'd like to be a legislator on some level one day, and I don't see why business experience is vital to doing that.

[rucky]

1. Niche Marketing

As a voter, would you really want to see a municipal ballot with just a buncha businesspeople on it?

If you have a good message and knock on enough doors, it shouldn't matter. In fact, you'll have a better chance of standing out & get some media attention. I say go for it - by all means!

[asjr]

2. experience

Times are different now. If inexperience in business was required we obviously have a president that fills the bill. If he could get "elected" anyone has a chance. But, if I were younger I would seek office. If you are considering it, go for it. We really need people who care these days. I have learned more in the last 3 years about politics than I ever wanted to know. And it is not pretty. All the more reason for Dems to win in 2004. With this polluted administration we may never be free again.

[AWD]

3. No

Do you think it's vital that a candidate who's running against an incumbant have some sort of "experience" being something that could relate to being a politician?

No.

It's all about message, being able to express that message coherently over and over again, and being able to LISTEN to people when they approach you on the campaign trail.

Granted, there's more to it, but master those three and you can win any election.

[Catshrink]

7. Nice sign, AWD.

How's the campaign going, Jeff?

[nostamj]

8. thanks.... but it's not the final version

which I just sent him this morning.

the text in the red/blue fields is much sharper. (I really did this one as a 'draft' for color/placement)

[Catshrink]

9. I forgot....

are you Jeff's wife? I'm having trouble keeping things straight.

The text on the red does need to be sharper -- it's hard to see. The blue part looks good. It's nicely done.

[nostamj]

10. uh, no............

certainly not Jeff's wife. just doing graphic design. (for GBnC too)

as I said, that version was more of a 'sketch' - hopefully Jeff will replace it with the new, clean version.

nost (the 'other' Jeff)

[Catshrink]

12. Oops. Sorry.

I've read Jeff's wife's posts before but obviously didn't remember her user name.

Nice work on the signs. Won't it be cool to have DUers in office??!!!?

[nostamj]

13. i understand there are at least four running

but don't recall the other names (other than AWD and GBnC)

but, if they see this and need a logo............

[democratreformed]

4. I think it should be about

leadership abilities and the individual person. There are a multitude of areas where a person can demonstrate leadership skills. Personally, I think that is what is important. I don't think a person should be held back by anything besides his or her own weaknesses. Does that make sense?

[HFishbine]

5. My Opinion

It depends on how election are covered by the local media. What's the flavor of their coverage. Do they focus on involvement in civic activites? Do they focus on home and church life? Do they focus on endorsements from other politicians and advocacy groups? Do they focus one's resume? Or do they focus on issues and proposed policies?

It makes all the differnce in the world. In my home town, an issue-oriented campaign has no chance. The media would rather cover who you rub elbows with.

[eyesroll]

6. Out here, it's usually split between lawyers and businesspeople

But that said, not everyone comes from that background.

In our state legislature, we have farmers, tool-and-die makers, police officers, construction workers, a single mom/former welfare recipient, (and lawyers and businesspeople).

In the Congressional race: Vince tests software. His opponents in the primary are a businessman/small-town mayor and a college professor. The incumbent is a lawyer.

Remember, Dennis Kucinich ran for city council at 18, without much experience at all.

Never underestimate the power of being fed up. It's gotten a lot of people elected.

[Ernesto]

11. Is experience necessary?

Consider bush & the PNAC crowd. All CHICKEN HAWKS! Now consider the swell war that they have produced & are now directing. Seems to me that had these "experts" been Vietnam veterans, things would be different today......... Notice that Colon Powwell is not the Secretary of Defense while he is the only war veteran amongst the gang... Remember Powell was the most reluctant early in the run up to Iraqnam: could this be related to his experience in Vietnam?...... This is a bush-league bunch of inexperienced, educated idealogues that are fumbling away the lives of way too many human beings.

[camero]

14. I would say I have life experience

and then run an issue oriented campaign. Politics is just as much about our belief system as well as a person's ability to delegate.

[Ernesto]

15. That's what chimp said

sorry

[camero]

16. Ah, doh

But it would work better with a Dem. Bush did not exactly come from humble beginnings. Not much in the way of life experience.

[realFedUp]

17. Are you going to be a groper MR.?

I like people who have knowledge about whatever
they intend to make a life's career...

[BuckeFushe]

18. NO, ask Bush, he coat-tailed into office on the backs of others efforts

n/t

[GinaMaria]

19. Democracy

I've always thought of democracy especially in this country as something open to everyone. Candidates should be from all walks of life and professions. Based on the needs of the country or the community, people with different backgrounds, experience, and education focus should step forward. For example, if the country or the community's need at the moment is education, then maybe a teacher should run for office. If the need is fiscal, bugetary, then an economist or accountant might be ideal to have on the ballot.

All different professional experiences can lend themselves to office holding. Show evidence of your ability to organize people, events, manage projects and large sums of money as well as a commitment to helping others and caring about your community and/or country and voters will notice.