DUers Should Run for Office. Why Not? Create the Change!

[MineralMan]

I'd like to encourage DUers who have strong opinions about how government should be run to put their names forward as candidates in the 2012 election. Many state legislature seats will be up for election. It's unrealistic to propose that unknowns run for Congressional offices, but state legislatures are a great starting point, and have a history of newcomers with ideas getting elected. Filing dates are still pretty far off, so there's time to think about this, but the time to start thinking about it is now. You may have to get petitions signed, or come up with a filing fee. If you don't have money, most states have a way to get around that through petitioning.

So, if you believe you know how to turn things around and are fired up about it, why not take the big step and run for office? If you're angry about government, why not do something about it? Become the progressive candidate for your state assembly or senate district, if it's open. Start campaigning today. Tell the world about your ideas and see what happens. Who knows? You could be part of the change.

[fasttense]

1. One big problem - MONEY, not enough of it. n/t

[Whisp]

3. some here think that Obama is an evil corporatist ass kisser

because he needs MONEY to get re-elected. Some are appalled at the idea of all the MONEY going into his re-election.

Well I say if one thinks that, become the change and change the system! run for office yourself, as the OP says, but run without MONEY! because you wouldn't want to be called a corporatist ass licker, would you?

silly people here fill my day with amusement, I tell ya.

[davidthegnome]

6. Does he really need a billion dollars and more?

Sorry, but that's just sick. That money won't come free or even cheaply, deals will have to be made, promises kept. The corrupt and wealthy will benefit and the rest of us will get to sacrifice some more. Little pieces of "insignificant" environmental regulation will be done away with. As for the (absurd!) notion of actually making the corporations pay taxes? Not likely.

I don't think that's cause for amusement. No one expects the President to run a campaign without funds, but the cost of this one...

[MineralMan]

8. Actually this thread is not about running for President.

It's about running for a state legislative seat. You don't need a billion to do that.

[Shiver]

23. I wouldn't be surprised to find that with Citizens United in effect,

the Repubs will manage similar amounts.

[MineralMan]

4. Not for state legislature offices. Money is not needed, if you're

willing to show up everywhere and walk your entire district to shake hands and talk to people. If it's important to you, you'll willingly do that, and people vote for people they've shaken hands with. For those races, money is not the issue. Commitment is the issue.

[lumberjack_jeff]

18. I considered running for state representative.

I was advised by the local democratic party that I'd need to raise $30k during the primary to get their support.

Money IS the issue.

edited to add;
Also, I spent 12 years as a city councilman. Generally a pretty low key affair, except for the last election. I accepted an unsolicited $200 campaign donation from a friend, and I still feel an obligation to him even though I lost.

I hate asking for money, for any reason, and if I do, I am not the kind of person who can accept your money and not have it influence my later decisions.

It takes an unusual blend of personal characteristics to win an election, and they don't have much relationship to the personal characteristics which make a good legislator.

[MineralMan]

24. Depending on the district, party support may not be critical.

In some districts, it is, but not in all. In any case, establishing a candidacy gives you a platform, letting you state your positions.

You're right, though. It does take a certain mindset to be a candidate for office.

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. Here in the Kochs' home state money does indeed matter

The Kochs buy elections starting with the governor and on down to local school boards and city councils. They are a machine and the only way to beat them is by raising lots of money.

[JCMach1]

5. +1000, when this DUer did it in 2002 there just wasn't enought money

and you sure as hell couldn't count on the Florida party.

So, basically it was me and the grassroots in a state legislative district bigger than many congressional districts. I put 100K on a new car in less than 6 months.

So if you jump in... just know what to expect.

[MineralMan]

7. So you lost your election? Did you try again?

Running for office isn't easy. It's very hard work. I've helped campaign for candidates who had time, but no money. Three of those won their election. They did it by talking to everyone in their district in person. Hard work? You bet, but they won.

[JCMach1]

17. The stress was numbing to me as I am not naturally an outgoing person...

I had to develop that side. There is also a huge learning curve... just trying to not look like an idiot on TV takes work even if you aren't an idiot. And yeah, the screen adds 20lbs.

I ended up getting basically the % as Bill McBride did against an entrenched Repug. incumbent in a horrific year for Dems.

I was so hopeless for my state that I took a great opportunity to work in the UAE and have been here since.

If I do campaign work again, it won't be as the front man!

[MineralMan]

20. I understand that. Politics is definitely for the extrovert.

I've had to learn to overcome my nature to do campaigning and GOTV work. It's not easy.

[JCMach1]

28. I did it, but the public persona was an acting job, pure and simple...

I also had no idea mastering a camera and reading a teleprompter were not easy skills. Who knew?

[Solomon]

2. LOL Watch the excuses fly in.

[ieoeja]

9. I would. But I'm an asshole. And lazy.

[MineralMan]

10. Well, that's probably not a winning combination...

:rofl:

[monmouth]

12. Oh, it is if you're a repub...LOL...n/t

[timtom]

29. Took the words right out of my mouth. (n/t)

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. You go first

[MineralMan]

13. I did that once. I lost. My health doesn't allow it any longer.

Besides, I'm very, very happy with the state legislators in my district. They're excellent. I campaign for them.

[ladjf]

14. A reincarnated Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin or Jesus

would have no chance of being elected to a high political office in America. Or, for that matter, they wouldn't be allowed to teach in most public schools. Why? Too honest and too reasonable.

Duers, on the other hand, might be crooked and wild enough to garner some votes.

[snot]

15. K&R'd.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. It's happened before:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x268301

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1482307&mesg_id=1482307

[MineralMan]

21. Thanks for those links to DUers who've done it.

[Armstead]

19. I'm not sure of the intent of this OP....... Is it snark or sincere?

If it's sincere I'll answer for myself this way. If the Democrats ever want the GOP to win a seat, then they should run me against the Republican. I'd be so bad as a candidate I guarantee the Republican would win.

We all have different skill sets, and not everyone is cut out to be a politician. But most do apply themselves to advance goals in whatever ways they can with their own skills, resources and time.

But anyone who does feel like they suited as a candidate ought to run.

If the OP is snark (because that is often used as a put-down here (Yeah well if you know so much then run for f'in office) then my response is the same.

:)

[MineralMan]

22. It's a serious proposal, not snark.

[The Straight Story]

25. We did create the change, we voted for those who said they were going to make a change

And when they don't, it is our job to call em on it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

26. It's one thing to sit back and bitch and moan all the time. It's yet another to GOVERN.

DUers think they know everything until they are forced to open their eyes to the reality of what it means to govern.

If you are smart but can't run due to the money, then help progressives get elected at the local and state levels. That's where the real action is.

Until then, the bitching and moaning is unnerving.