Have you ever considered running for office?

[quaoar]

We are always looking for things that we can do -- ways to get involved and make a difference.

The most obvious way is to run for public office.

I very nearly ran for mayor of the town I lived in a few years ago. And lately I have thought seriously about running for the state legislature.

The odds of winning are slim since I live in a very Republican area, but I figure that at the least it would be the experience of a lifetime.

So who here has dreamed of running -- and why don't you?

[Kitka]

1. I am working towards it.

I am working within the Democratic party here, making connections, getting our party stronger, etc. I'm in an overwhelmingly Repub county of over 100,000 people... but I'm working towards it.

[DarkPhenyx]

2. Yes

Just as I have considered forming my own party since all the major ones are irrevocable corrupt.

[AlFrankenFan]

3. Yes but I'm only 14

and school elections are a matter of popularity and even if you do get elected you're just a figurehead. But I may try it. My issue will be how the school just pisses on our first amendment rights, I kid you not. Hehehe I wrote an On Demand essay about it for a standardized test and they were probably really pissed that there was a kid that was concerned with something other than more school dances.

However, my step-dad, who ran against Chris Cox (R-48th Dist. of CA) in the primaries as a Republican got in second place. He's now a recovering Republican and is thinking about running against Cox in 2006 or 2008 as a Democrat. I know it's a slim chance in conservative Orange County but the middle class here far outnumbers the rich in Newport Beach...and that is the group of people that need help.

[NEDem]

4. Yes

But being in a severely repug state and region I have come to the realization that I'd have to compromise too many of my beliefs in order to get elected. I think it would be a great honor and privilege to hold elected office.

[Andy_Stephenson]

5. Trust me

It is the hardest thing you will ever do.

It wore me out in more ways than one. Better have a thick skin.

[WindRavenX]

6. Yes, I want to be President one day

Since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be president.
Hillary has been a great inspiration for me.
But I'm a realistic person; I realize that a short, liberal woman has no real shot. So I'm thinking Senate one day, after a few decades of teaching :)
FWIW, I'm 19.

[Birthmark]

7. I would have

But you know how some people have skeleton's in their closets? Well, I have an archaeological dig. :)

[OnionPatch]

8. Same here....

I could keep them busy for years digging out my past!

[quaoar]

9. Oh hell

If voters in 2000 were willing to forgive Bush for drinking, whoring, going AWOL and being generally stupid and incompetent, they'll forgive anything.

[davsand]

14. Skeletons are a minor issue in many races.

Obviously it matters what kind of skeletons they are--but many transgressions are not really a barrier in a lot of races. If you think that every elected official has NEVER smoked pot or done stuff their Mom would be horrified at--then you are mistaken.

Bad credit or even bankruptcy is not a biggie either. Many races at a local level are pretty much based on getting out there and making an impression on the voters. Shaking hands and knocking on doors will take you a long way. Anything much beyond a county or city race, however, can open up your life to inspection.

Now if you hacked up your entire family a few years ago--well, THAT is a different story (unless you can spin it as a transitory insanity, that is!)

If you want to run, then DO it--just choose your race with your history in mind.


Laura

[thatgemguy]

10. Yes

I ran for city council before in a town I used to live in. Paid for the campaign "out of pocket"(about $600).

My wife is trying to talk me into running for Township Trustee in our new neighborhood in four years. I'm seriously considering it...
:-)

[Zynx]

11. I've thought about it.

However, I have a fear of public speaking. ;-)

[unblock]

12. i'm making my millions first.

i've never been especially interested in state legislature. governor, sure, though i see myself more as a congresscritter.

and realistically, i don't think there's much point of running these days if you're not a millionaire. pathetic, but true.

[DemWitch]

13. Definatly...

unfortunatly I work for the government now, so I can't even run without resigning, and I'm not able to kiss good pay and excellent bene's goodbye... BUT... I have one retirement account earmarked for my run for office in the fall of 2018 (I retire in July of 2018). I'm just not sure if I wanna run for State Assembly or US Congress. New York's legislature needs a good enema, but on the other hand I can't stand Bohlert...

[BiggJawn]

15. No.

I filed bancruptcy, I have trouble paying my bills (sometimes because I just forget to open them and write the damn cheques) I lost a house in a foreclosure, I've been arrested for a traffic violation (no insurance) I've been treated for depression and other psych problems (connected with my last divorce) Oh, that's right, I forgot, I've been divorced TWICE, and I have a history of not being too particular where i stick my pee-pee, and there's something like 50-odd women out there who could say "Yeah, I fucked him..."

The ReTHUGs would have a field day with me. Never mind what I STOOD for or wanted to bring to the table, it'd be all about the bonepile in the basement.....

Thank you, Newt Gingrich, for re-setting the bar....