Hey DUers, why don't you run for public office?

[RiverStone]

Many times I've pondered how totally cool it would be, to actually BE on the floor of the House or Senate - at either the state or federal level - actually proposing, drafting, or voting on legislation! I love a healthy debate and DU can deliver any political junkie a daily fix of political bantering with ease. And yet, we are by and large - the constituents of someone else; rather than drafting legislation of our own design - we vote for people to do it for us.


QUESTION: What about you? Ever thought of putting your name on a ballot and taking all that talent and word-smithing and wisdom on the road to benefit the Democratic party? What's stopping you? Or if you have run for office, would you do it again? :shrug:


My ANSWER: I'd totally dig being in politics minus one thing - I don't want to give up my privacy. If I hit it big...what of my kids, my girlfriend, my quiet life in the woods, some rather risque (but damn fun) escapades in my past? Would all of it go under the microscope of public opinion? I prefer to live simply and privately - and I don't own any real ties (ok a few very silly ones) and I still wear sandals to work. Somehow I fear that I'd have to compromise too much personal life to live a public political one.

I'm just here at mid-life --- wondering if I have a political future ---- naw, not yet anyway. And you?

peace~ :hi:

[peacetheonlyway]

1. 5th District Washington State (Issaquah, king county) , I'm there

been toying with it, not this post pushed me over the ledge.

running for state senate seat in a gorgeous part of washington state.

The dems have let the 2 house and 1 senate seat go relatively uncontested!

am running and running a lean mean fighting machine..



**** You have a future too. why not run now. how can it hurt. it's best to get your name recognition out there as early as possible.

Go ahead. what else have you got better to do than retrieve our country from bad democrats and bad republicans???

[gateley]

2. You'd be in some good company in Washington State. nt

[RiverStone]

3. congrats!

Wow, your going for it peacetheonlyway!

May the force be with you! :thumbsup: :hi:

[The Straight Story]

4. Not for me

My wife is too ill for me to take public office. Let alone all the hell I would have to put her, my daughter, and myself through.

Instead of running myself, which I would love to do if things were different, I choose to be a part of the process of getting those elected in my stead who best represent my ideals.

All I want is a simple life, where people in power remember why they are there - to represent the people.

A government by the people, and FOR the people.

Sadly, so many today see government as elected by the people and for the government and their own selfish desires.

They run for office not to make MY life better, but to make their own lives and those of special interests better.

One thing I don't like about HRC is that I feel she is in it for her, and not for me - or you, or others on the left.

Too many career politicians - would that I could run and run for the people and their needs.

[RiverStone]

10. your making a difference

Being part of the process is what matters the most - and you are! Both by contributing here on DU and out there working for those who best represent the important stuff. I also try to do my part --- phone banks, meet ups, Dem booths at the county fair. And the best candidate that truly exemplifies ***self-LESS*** is Dennis Kucinich.

BTW, healing wishes to your wife.

peace~

[gateley]

5. Biden said the other day, when explaining they need 60+ votes, "or give us

100 democrats". And I thought we have to do that!

There are so many people on DU who are so knowledgeable and articulate and wise, I'd like to see that happen.

Trust me, I'm not a person who could do the Dems justice -- but I'll certainly support those who would.

[orleans]

6. pretty much the same reasons you have.

a colorful (and wonderful) past,
responsibility to family
financial reasons
lack of time to campaign because i'm too busy dealing with financial reasons
too much of a colorful past

[Bluebear]

7. Because God didn't make Adam and Steve!

:silly:

[sandnsea]

8. no temperament for it

'oh fuck off' just rolls too easily off my tongue.

[murielm99]

11. You might have the right temperament for

some of the grassroots stuff.

I am a foot soldier because I shoot off my mouth too much to go any higher. I piss off too many people, even at the local level. Despite that, I have had many people tell me privately that they appreciate me speaking up. That, and the money it takes to run for office is just too much.

I work as a precinct committeeman and county officer. I work on people's campaigns, and try to get progressives elected at the local and state level. Some of them become good enough to run for higher office. Even if they have no desire to do that, we need them at the county and state level, too. You would be surprised how many important decisions are made by county boards, and how they impact the quality of all our lives.

Grassroots workers and office holders often have the opportunity to attend the conventions, too, and make their voices heard as delegates.

In some ways, I feel like I can never do enough at the local level. But the last seven years have taken a toll on my health. I have always meant to ask some of our Democratic congressmen and senators how they do it without collapsing. Someday I will remember to ask that, along with all the other things I always have to ask.

[sandnsea]

12. I do some of that

Mostly I show up when I know the door knocking and phone calling needs doing. Our local group is pretty entrenched. We have a lot of retirees who have lots of time and money for committees and travel and all of that. We also have a pretty strong group of anti-war activists, but they tend to organize separately. We're moving things more to the left, so hopefully that will be reflected in some of our development and other local issues. It is astonishing how much these people do. Kerry rode in a bicycle fundraiser yesterday, just a little spare time weekend thing. I think some people are just set to GOOOOO.

[Greyhound]

9. I'd love to but I have no connections in the party establishment and way

too many old girlfriends.

Also, I'd never get anywhere because my principles are not for sale, but one term telling people what really goes on and who's doing it would be great.

I wonder if anyone would care...

[Ian David]

13. As long as there are photos of me on a leash with a ball gag in my mouth.... no. n/t

[MedleyMisty]

14. I don't have the money or the free time.

When I was little we had this cool old dictionary with the Constitution in the back. I read it and decided I wanted to be President. Didn't give up the dream until around high school when I realized that the daughters of factory workers from a relatively poor rural town don't have a chance in hell. I don't have millions of my own for a campaign and I'm not willing to sell my soul to corporations to get campaign money, so oh well for me.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. My reason of not running against my Rep. Congressman: I must resign my

job to file for an office at a state or federal level. Good news: I'm only 3 years away from retirement.

[LynneSin]

16. Too many skeletons in my closet

but I'll help support any DUer running for office

[flying_wahini]

17. Because my very BIG mouth would get us in trouble....

someone would pick me off in a parking lot......

[Lil Missy]

18. Because my past would never survive the scrutiny!

[TX-RAT]

19. I'd have to compromise too much personal life

That's an understatement! My last 16 years of a 30 year career was as an elected official. It's not for the thin skinned or weak hearted. You have to watch what you say and do, every minute of every day.

[RiverStone]

22. Makes me wonder if the trade off is ever worth it?

Thanks for serving in the capacity you did TX-RAT, for 16 years.

Question: Did you sense that the other elected people you served with were doing it for the right reasons? You know the saying - "absolute power corrupts absolutely" - just wondering if actually serving brings out the best (or the worst) in personalities?

I hope your experience was still a rewarding one! :)

[TX-RAT]

24. "absolute power corrupts absolutely"

Any time a person represents more than 1 vote, the seed for corruption will always be there.


"just wondering if actually serving brings out the best (or the worst) in personalities?"

Yes and Yes

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. No thanks. I'd rather do something useful.

"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." Thomas Paine

[porphyrian]

21. I wouldn't do that to my friends and family.

Besides, I do a good enough job of making a fool of myself without all the press and competition.

[Javaman]

23. I'm incapable of lying...

I can't lie, I'm terrible at it and can be spotted a mile away if I do. And I have this really annoying habit of telling people exactly how I feel regardless of what they think.

Sadly that disqualifies me for political office.

I wouldn't pass the entrance exam.

[BlooInBloo]

25. Because no-one would vote for me.

[porphyrian]

32. I would.

:evilgrin:

[BlooInBloo]

33. Awww! :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. i have a laundry list of valid reasons.

[madokie]

27. hell I'd prolly get run out of town on a rail if I was to try

in fact it makes me shutter just to think of it.

[CottonBear]

28. I've been encouraged to do so by the Mayor & Commssion of my town

Two big reasons: My big mouth and I can't afford the time away from my work.

I know someone who just got elected to serve as my county representative. They're doing a great job. It is their first elected position won in their very first campaign!

I have served as an unpaid appointed county board member which was very interesting.

[Blue_In_AK]

29. I have many too many skeletons in my closet.

They would tear me to shreds.

[freestyle]

30. Been there, done that, have some T-shirts left

I just ran for office, and came in second to someone who will be a complete tool of the establishment. It is not the scrutiny that is the problem, but the total loss of private time while campaigning. The best thing about the day after an election, win or lose, is having your life back. I did have to think about my past, but I don't have any terribly exotic mistakes, and only a few incredibly profane posts here concerning Bush. I think I would get a pass for that.

If you are thinking about running, the only advice I would have is pick a race you have a real shot of winning, sharpen your message, know how many votes you need, get comfortable asking for money, and jump in with both feet. Nothing changes unless we get the people energized to make change.

[kineneb]

31. too depressed from caring for Hubby

I don't have the energy to even keep up with all the household/garden stuff. Talk to me in about 5-10 years, after I have a chance to recover, if I do at all.