The Lion's Den

[H2O Man]

To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep
No more; and by a sleep, to say we end
The Heart-ache, and the thousand Natural shocks
That Flesh is heir to? 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep,
To sleep, perchance to Dream ……
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered Country, from whose bourn
No Traveller returns, Puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of.
Thus Conscience does make Cowards of us all ……
With this regard their Currents turn awry, ……
Be all my sins remembered.
-- Hamlet


Malcolm X used the first few lines of this powerful soliloquy in one of his speeches at Harvard. It’s been taking up some space in my mind today, since I started driving home after a medical appointment. One of my doctors -- a registered republican who often votes for democrats -- asked me if I would be running for a seat in the state assembly in the next election.

To run? Or not to run? That’s the question. I am, by nature, prone to counting numbers in regional election contests. I would not run, if I didn’t think there was a chance of winning. And from my estimates, there is a chance to win.

I think that one of the problems that people who are sincere about wanting social justice is that we hope that someone else will do for us, what we need to do for ourselves. Also, too many potentially good candidates are discouraged, because we inhabit republican areas. It’s far more likely, for example, for a democrat to win an election in NYC or one of the other urban centers, than in the very republican rural regions in upstate New York.

In the past two election cycles, I’ve assisted five candidates in “local” elections, in an area where about 60% of registered voters are republicans, 25% are independents, and 15% are democrats. Each of the five candidates have won. As their campaign manager, I’ve focused on harnessing every possible vote -- including all registered democrats, the majority of independents, and a significant number of dissatisfied republicans.

To run or not? I’ve spoken to five groups: teachers unions; social workers unions; environmentalists/the Democratic Left; carpenters unions; and the Democratic Party. I have friends and associates who would invest time and money, if I were to run. It could be done.

[Buns_of_Fire]

1. Do it!

I think you'll find nothing less than full support around these parts...

[H2O Man]

3. Thanks!

Much appreciated.

[livetohike]

2. There would not be a better candidate than you H2O Man

Please do it!

[H2O Man]

4. I'm leaning towards it.

There are a couple factors that I need to deal with in order to be ready to run, but I've got the time needed to do that. Today, I spoke with a few of the people that I would need to assist me, and everyone is saying "let's roll."

[octoberlib]

5. Absolutely do it! nt

[H2O Man]

10. Thank you.

I am probably going to.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Please, do run.

I'll support you in spirit, and action, and with a humble out of state cash contribution to your campaign should you decide to run.

[H2O Man]

11. Wow.

I am honored to have friends like you. You don't know how much that your message means to me.

[greytdemocrat]

7. Go get em!!! Great idea!!!! nt

[H2O Man]

12. Right.

I think that we need to start running candidates who share our values. And that includes from the local level, up to the White House.

There's some tension on DU regarding President Obama. Some people support him strongly, and others disapprove of him. But I will speculate that all of us recognize that Obama would be leading in a very different manner, were there more decent people in state and federal government.

[scarletwoman]

8. So, would you second guess a decision TO run more than you would second guess a decision NOT to?

That may be the test.

[H2O Man]

15. I'm lucky that

I have a good team around me. i include my two sons, now both in their late 20s. They are both very capable thinkers, with impressive insight of things political.

My younger son reminded me of something I've said to all of my children: when you approach the end of your life, you tend to regret those things you failed to do, rather than those things you did. I think that this is, in many ways, the same idea you express here.

Thank you. I really do appreciate it.

[scarletwoman]

17. Well, I can't help but have the feeling that this is something you know that you can't not do.

I'm sure you'll have some great support. Just mind your health and carry on. If it looks like the next step then it probably is.

Best wishes always.

[Romulus Quirinus]

9. go go go! nt

[Bluenorthwest]

13. You must, you should, I hope that you do...

nt

[Cleita]

14. You are too honorable to be a politician.

I would like to see you do it, but go in with eyes wide open and those that watch your back. I never realized what nasty business politics was until I worked for a candidate, a Democrat. Even the other Democratic incumbents didn't have a problem with triangulating and some back stabbing to achieve their ends.

[Octafish]

16. Godspeed, H20 Man!

New York and your country need you.

[CK_John]

18. Run, and remember most GOP office seekers run not to win but to advertise their business.

I've run in a very red area west of Albany back in the 80's, where the GOP can tell by 10am who died since the last election by the vote count at 10.

It was a great learning experience and made a lot of friends but lost by 1570 to 565.

You can't win without a ticket. Good Luck.

[MisterP]

19. let French electronica answer that question

[Beringia]

20. That would be exciting

Then you can be the one accepting meetings.

[NYC_SKP]

21. Kick. (nt)