Political accessibility: Have yoou ever met your Rep or Senator or Mayor?

[Stinky The Clown]

This is a poll about how much access you, as a citizen, have to the people you supported with your vote. Have you ever met the people you voted for *after* you voted for them? I'm not talking about campaign appearances. I'm talking about after they've assumed the office for which your vote was part of the reason they're in that office.

I'd also be interested to know if you had a chance, but for whatever reason, chose not to meet the person. In other words, they made themselves accessible and you chose not to see them. The reason need not be cited. It could be laziness on your part or disgust for the rep. That's not what I'm polling.

Also, while this could rate a 'NO' vote, have you ever met an aid to your rep? Someone who you had confidence was a viable conduit back to your rep. Someone *almost* as good as your rep. I've put in two choices for this, too.

Lastly .... by 'rep' I mean any elected official. It might be a Congressman or Senator, or a mayor or county exec, a city councilman or alderman. Even a member of your school board. In this context 'rep' is an all purpose term.

Please leave comments, too. In praise, in disgust, or just to say something relevant.

[mak3cats]

1. Sometimes you have to make your own chances...

After years of being appalled and disgusted at the state of national politics, I decided that to make any real changes, we need to start locally. So I joined the Democratic committee in my city. The mayor (a Democrat) comes to every meeting.

[OzarkDem]

13. Agree

Take the time to go to their web site, look at their schedule and visit them at a town hall meeting, etc.

If they're Dems, you'll definitely see them if you become involved in your local Dem party.

I have found that GOP elected officials are less acessible, available only for fundraisers.

[dmkinsey]

2. If you get involved in the Party it's really quite common

I've spoken with both my Senators several times (Carl Levin and Debbie Stabinow)
I see local officials all the time.

[SCDem]

3. Political accessibility is a two way street

When I decided to become active locally in politics it wasn't difficult at all to have access to my officials who were democrats. I've been at about 1/2 dozen events this year where I not only saw them but also were able to thank them or share my concerns.

This election cycle is my most active one yet in my 3 decades here on earth and it will be real interesting if most of my candidates win because I've met the democrat for governor 3 times - am actively volunteering for the Sec of Education and am a big fan of the democrat who is running for Commision of Agriculture and have attended funtions for the democrat running for Lt Gov as well.

I think politicians are accessible if you make yourself accessible - especially if you are in the same party. I think it is the rare, honored and senior incumbant - like my wonderful Congressman - that is easily accessible to all constituents no matter what party affiliation.

I should try to contact my two senators more often - they are both Republican - one is vile the other is tolerable - but I think they bank on people who disagree with them not to write letters or call or show up at functions because it is just like a drop in the bucket. I should do more but I'm working on it.

[Epiphany4z]

4. I joined our local Democrat group

we get guest speakers all the time..I also go to meet the candidate night and other functions..if you want to meet them you usually can...the local group is great because its usually small and they sit and listen and exchange...I have been having a great time...Meet some great people and it really does feel good actually be part of the good fight.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. You mentioned a candidate .......

.... have you met a pol who is already in office?

[Epiphany4z]

8. I haven't personally yet

However, others in the group have. It is a small group...40 or so members.. and I have not been a member all that long ....anyway..It is not an everyday thing but it does happen from time to time. Meeting them is probably more likely to happen if your active and it really has been fun.

I do agree there needs to be more connection with ..we the people...I think public funded elections would encourage more of that. An Issue I hope catches on it has so many pluses.

[CTyankee]

18. My congresswoman (DeLauro) and mayor (DeStefano)

Not privately, but with others. For De Lauro it was about setting up a larger post office in our part of New Haven. For DeStefano I met him in my local supermarket and also at a fundraiser for him running for governor. I am on the same page with both of them on issues.

[nickinSTL]

5. I haven't...

but, I haven't tried that hard, either.

I have met both my State Rep and State Senator, though.

My State Rep I met at a Young Democrats meeting back when she ran for the seat originally, and I met my State Senator at the local library...she was giving a talk and I was working there setting up the TV/VCR/DVD for a video the group she was talking to was going to show.

[abluelady]

6. My Rep Hides

Like George Bush he doesn't expose himself to any situation that might be unfriendly. I know people who support him who get invitations to town hall meetings. When I call his scheduler, I am told he is not holding any meetings. He also does not have an email address. A real prince.

I have met the Democratic rep in the neighboring district. He shows up everywhere.

[sandnsea]

9. Mine are out and about all the time

They hold regular townhalls where they're really easy to meet. The local Dem club holds annual receptions for them and this is a teeny town of 7,000. We might have to travel 60 miles or so to meet the Senator, he can't get everywhere, every single year. But we travel that to go shopping anyway. I don't know how it is in bigger states, but here it's pretty easy to talk to your reps if you just get up off the couch.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Its even easier in populous areas

Congressional districts, for example, are far smaller, geographically, than in more rural areas. You're to be commended for making a longer trip. I wish more people would.

My point in doing this poll was to see how many feel the people they elect make themselves available face to face with their constituents.

[sandnsea]

14. No, it's how we live

A longer trip shouldn't be commended at all. In some cases, time wise, our trips might well be shorter because we aren't stuck in traffic. People make those drives to shop a couple times a month anyway. Plus, when we do get to the event, it's usually very small, 30-50 people. I've seen some events back east on CSpan, and they're pretty big comparatively. Some seem a bit more orchestrated too. I can understand people not wanting to go and listen to the same political dance they see on tv.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

11. I wouldn't go out of my way to meet Ileana.

I've ridden in the Fourth of July float with my mayor. Nice guy.

I've met Bill Nelson on several occasions where I listened to his speeches. Unfortunately, his passion and views on the podium did not match up with his votes on the floor once he got back to Washington. And I let him know about it. I also let him know the few times when they did.

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Bob Graham two years ago and even got my picture on the front page of the Miami Herald next to him.

One thing ya gotta say for dubya...he got me up off my rump and got me involved. I never was before junior hit town.

[karlrschneider]

12. Had to pick "other". I've known both my senators for many

years but never voted for either of them. As for Reps, I've met a couple of them at times...also met Jimmy Carter when he was campaigning & had Bobby Kennedy in my plane way long ago but obviously never had a chance to vote for him. I'm certain I could get an audience with Tom Coburn (puke senator) any time I wanted to but why would I bother? We both know there's no chance of any agreement on 99.999% of the issues.

[BeFree]

15. I have...

...met all my local county commissioners, the mayors, most of the council people, my state rep, my state senator, and one US senator and one US senator's aide. Other town's mayors, other county commissioners, and many state, federal, and local officials.

My US rep? Well, they'd have to hold me back from getting too close. He's a puke. One of the worst.

[mariema]

16. Feingold

makes it a point to get out to talk to his constituents. He visits every county once a year. And you can talk to him about anything, he gives every question thougthful consideration. He also doesn't have "handlers".
All in all, it is a great experience to have a representative who wants to represent you!

[slackmaster]

17. I'm on Senator Feinstein's crackpot list

:mad:

[POAS]

19. Dick Celeste, I not only met him but he helped my mother

Former Governor of Ohio
Former Ambassador to India
Former Director of the Peace Corp
Former Ohio State Representative.

In 1974 when my ill Mother was being run out of her house by her brother and sister anxious for their inheritance Dick stepped up to the plate and made sure my Mother had a roof over her head.

Dick is a class act.

[Amsterdam Hooligan]

22. I met Dick...

in Columbus...serveral times.....He signed the "Fair Share" law for the Public Employee Union, I represented....I always met with my Democratic controlled Columbus City Counsel people.......I had to be restrained from smacking Ken Blackwell when he was mayor of Cincy.....He wanted to privatize the Division of Sanitation( Garbage collectors)....They still got their jobs today.

[Cerridwen]

20. I used to work on politics with my city mayor, went drinking and

dancing with my state senator (not as in date, as in "girls night out.")

Taught ballroom dance to one of my city council members and his wife.

Met another state senator at a political function we hosted.

Met different former state senators at other political functions we hosted.

Attended political training and strategy planning retreats with yet another state senator.

And so on and so forth.


Our reps are very easy to meet when we are politically active with political causes and groups.

[tirechewer]

21. Yes, I met him....

When I was living in another district I was on the legislative committee of my union. We would go and meet elected representatives to try to persuade them of the merits of the union backed positions.

This guy was a small pale Republican who had a hand shake like a flounder which is napping. I spent the whole meeting surreptitiously wiping my palm and noticing that whenever any of us spoke he kind of glazed over his eyes and went off to his own little La La land.

My Rep in my new home district is a Democrat who is very accessible. He sends us schedules of his visits to his home office here, holds "town meetings" where anyone can come in and explains what he is doing. He also mails out frequent polls and newsletters and is open to calls from constituents on the issues. If his local staff thinks you have a hot one, they encourage you to call his DC office directly so that he can get your input faster and in your own words. I only hope he has a nice firm handshake that isn't damp and squishy. ;)

[OhioBlue]

23. I've met most local elected officials

our State Reps & Senators, my neighboring Congressman's aide and Voinovich's aide... for the most part, because of my job. I have never heard a peep out of my absent Congressman (Paul Gillmor (R) - OH-05) nor have I heard anything out of DeWine's office.

I have had the chance to meet many Dem State wide candidates and Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate because of my involvement with the local Dem party.

[DUHandle]

24. My (R) State Rep was convicted a few felonies

although I take to local pols often enough.

[tibbir]

25. To meet my representative or senators

I'd have to become active in the republican party.

[LizW]

26. Yes, and what a waste of time.

The mayor of my city called me up personally and told me to stop going around inciting people to vote him and our worthless council out of office.

:rofl:

[redstateblues]

27. I've spoken with Phil Bredesen as Mayor and as Governor

I also was behind him in line at CompUsa when he was out of office and I told him if he ever ran for anything again I'd vote for him. He did and I did.

[NJ Democrats]

28. I've met my Rep

He's a goddamn Repuke. I've meet my Mayor as well. I haven't meet Lautenberg or Menendez.

[PWRinNY]

29. I met my senator's husband and daughter

:)

[election_2004]

30. Yes, on several occasions

I've met Senator Feingold twice - - once at a human rights conference, and then again right before one of his listening sessions in our town hall.

I met Rep. Kind at a John Kerry rally at my local American Legion (he was with Max Cleland campaigning for Kerry).