Well, I'm thinking about running for Congress.

[txaslftist]

I live in the heart of Red Amurka, a place that they call Bush country. I've been meeting with the Democratic Party movers and shakers, and they're pretty demoralized.

The pukes took something like 75% of the vote last go round, and the Democrats can't even find a candidate willing to run against the Republican incumbent congressman. He's a man of little distinction, a wealthy businessman whose only claim to fame is that he's a "team player" with our president.

There's no money to run a campaign, and they need someone to agree to run just so they can have a name on the ballot. They're looking for a "fall on your sword" kinda guy.

I work for a living, and can't invest the time needed to run a full-fledged campaign, plus they've already said they aren't going to invest the kind of money they think they really need to run an effective campaign. Understandably, they want to invest in the races they think they can win, and this ain't one of them.

My goal, if I run, will be to win. I think I'm a better candidate than the incumbent, smarter, stronger, faster. It will mean one hell of a sacrifice for my family if I do run.

What do you think?

[GOPisEvil]

1. What Congressional District are you in?

:hi:

[txaslftist]

2. Randy Naugebaur's District; Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo.

[GOPisEvil]

4. That's a travel-intensive district.

I wish you lived down here. We need someone to run in the 10th. First-term Republican Delay-bot.

I'd have to quit my job to run - stupid Hatch Act.

[Renew Deal]

10. It sure is.

[GOPisEvil]

12. Tell there wasn't gerrymandering in 2003.

:eyes:

[Maine Mary]

25. LOL! That's pretty obvious!

But our candidate should never say never. I wish him the best of luck. If nothing else, his car will need it. :-)

[GOPisEvil]

27. There should ALWAYS be a Democratic name on the ballot.

No race should ever go un-opposed. :hi:

[jackster]

30. if this is any consolation

that district looks like a map of MASSACHUSETTS! Maybe you're really blue and just don't know it yet!

[StellaBlue]

32. Oh, GEEEEZ

I have been absent for a few years... I didn't realize how ridiculous the redistricting was....

:o

[leveymg]

3. If you don't have the time and commitment, don't run.

But, if you do, you can fundraise here. But, you'll have to convince us you have the stuff to run a good campaign and be a good Congressman.

[Renew Deal]

5. I think you described your situation well.

I know someone that ran last year. He said he thought the issues mattered more than they do. Bringing some ass kicking idealism doesn't hurt and it will be a good experience. You will have to build and maintain lots of relationships. I always suggest going to Camp Wellstone. You will learn a whole lot.

http://www.wellstone.org/camp/category_page.aspx?catID=3752

[crispini]

6. It would be a hell of an experience.

Why not start off with a seat in the State Lege? It would be a lot easier -- smaller area, less people to talk to, etc. Also your chances would be better.

But, if you wanna run, go for it. It's nice to have names in every slot on the ballot, and you will most certainly learn a lot. Just don't make sacrifices that you will later regret in your personal life.

[ewagner]

7. Run!

Don't let a single Repub seat go unchallenged.

Force the repub candidates to SPEND money. Don't let them raise money from a "safe" district and use it somewhere else through PACs, 527's whatever.

If we can at least make them work for their seats, it's a victory.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

28. Just being there doesn't mean they'll have to spend money.

And if he doesn't have the time to commit to running, it's not going to work one way or another.

An incumbent against a challenger who does little to nothing is just the same as running against no one. They literally won't even have to campaign against him.

[wtbymark]

8. I say "Go for it!"

and be loud! Expose with fact, the corruption and lies. Poke some holes in the cool-aid fog. Think of yourself as a first responder, they start the fight, they may not end it but they get the ball rollin' for others to follow. It will get people talking. Good Luck!

[FreedomAngel82]

21. I agree

You can even take a play from Rove. Figure out this guy and show him to people by flyers. Only go by the truth though and the facts that people care about. What big issues are in your state? Find out the truth about this guy on the issues that the area cares about enough to vote and spread the truth. I think what happened with Paul Hackett is people were excited about him and what he had to say and he was your average guy who didn't care what people said and he said what he felt and he had a lot of donations from around the country and people made noise.

[JNelson6563]

9. I've got two questions

that I ask of all potential candidates in my District:

Are you willing to make finance calls?

Are you willing to go door to door?

If you do these two things you have half a chance. Additionally, one way for people to learn about the importance of local party building is to run for office. When you go hat in hand to countyparties looking for aid and they have none to give, it becomes apparent that there is endless gruntwork to be done. Of course, when you come across county parties that are healthy and able to help you, you enjoy the benefits of the hard work that was done.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Julie

[crispini]

18. "endless gruntwork to be done"

ain't that the truth?

[cry baby]

11. It just infuriates me that the almighty dollar rules everything.

The $$ dictates whether or not you will be able to win in politics. It doesn't matter if you're the best person for the job. Without $$ backing, no one will know your name.

And I also find it curious that the Dems won't invest some $$ to try to affect change in that district.

If you get your name out there this election, even a little bit, you might be able to run again next time and people will already have some name recognition.

[crispini]

19. It's called "prioritizing."

People do it all the time. Spend the money on the ones you think can win.

[cry baby]

20. You're right, that is today's politics.

sad.

[crispini]

29. It's common sense.

It's done in daily life too. If you only have so much of a limited resource, you have to watch where it goes.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. It's sad but true

Too bad it wasn't like the old days and went by whether or not you could play a fiddle. Heh heh. I was watching a biography of Al Gore's dad from the DNC 2000 and a guy was saying how two brothers once ran for governor and when they would go around campaigning and play the fiddle and the guy who played the fiddle best would win. LOL. :crazy: Now days it's money and smearing. Oy!

[stellanoir]

13. If you have the slightest inclination to run

then talk to your family and if they are willing to go through the ordeal then go for it.

I would imagine a working class hero might just be very appealing in these times. Don't play by conventional rules, keep your costs low and be completely frank in all your interactions. Go out with good humor and take the pulse of your area and ask questions wherever you go about your potential candidacy and whether or not people are pleased with their current representative. People generally don't appreciate being told what to think by politicians and pundits.

The money will follow.

Good luck.

[INdemo]

14. Are you from Indiana

Are you from Indiana and thinking about running against Sauder? He can be beat pretty easily..........Go for it

[mcscajun]

15. Go for it!

I'm in a similar circumstance at the local level.

No challenge has been made by a Democrat in this town as long as I've been living here. The county vice-chair asked me to run just so they'd have a name on the ballot. I agreed.

Start looking for someone to do the job of your treasurer to handle the accounts and reporting requirements. They're a bitch. :)

[FreedomAngel82]

16. What I think is

only if your heart is in it and you truly want to be in Congress. Are you running because you care about the issues and can really try to change things or are you running because the party just needs a name? If you do run you should give the people something to really believe in and show what you can offer that this other guy can't. Just him being rich and not really "one of the people" wouldn't be enough (see the Bush love). What reason would they have to vote for you and why would other democrats vote for you? I think those are question's for yourself too.
:hug:

[oneighty]

17. From experience

In running for the New York State Senate in circumstances similar to those you are facing I can say go for it.

You will learn many things you do not wish to know. You will find campaign money unavailable. You will wear your car out. You will wear yourself out. You will make few friends and many enemies. You will have to guard your wife or husband from circling vultures (Wives are special prey). You will emerge bloody and defeated.

But at last you will say "By golly I tried."

And good luck to you.

180

[FreedomAngel82]

24. Even John Kerry failed his first attempt

He learned from his mistake's and ran again and won and have every since. I think you could probably learn a lot from his campaigns and other democrats as well. I think you have just as good a chance as Paul Hackett. You might not win but you'll at least feel good for putting up a fight too. :)

[Maine Mary]

22. I'm a former State Rep. of 3 terms

Though a state legislature campaign cannot begin to compare w/a congressional one, my circumstances were very similar. In 1994 I was asked to run against an incumbent R in a district that is only 24% Dem. (This is a blue State but there are R pockets like this- particularly in the north were I live)

Anyway, I was a "paper candidate" as no one thought I'd come even close. I worked hard at it anyway and captured 45.3% of the vote. On my 2nd try, I lost by 158 votes. Finally in 1998 I won, preventing my R opponent from serving his 11th term.

The point of this story is that if you make the commitment to run, don't let the odds discourage you. Just work hard, do the best you can and who knows, you may be successful. And if you do lose don't hesitate to try again. Good Luck :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

26. Yay!

That's so neat of you. :) That reminds me of a state senator now running for Frist's seat. You can find out her story at http://www.kurita2006.com It's very inspiring I think.

[StellaBlue]

31. Yes - GO FOR IT!

All I know about you is that you are a Democrat and a regular working person. That's all I need to know. You're what we need.