Ok I have decided to run...now what?

[Andy_Stephenson]

Yikes. Signatures I can get...dialing for dollars I can do...door to door knocking...I can do. Unseating an entrenched Republican Hack thats a different story. I need advice on these matters. I just got off the phone with my local LD and he was nice but said my chances were at best a longshot. It may very well be...but the message is too important not to try. Suggestions...comments or a beating back to my senses would be welcome along about now.

Andy

[Renew Deal]

1. I don't know enough about your race but...

Be honest. Campaign every minute possible everywhere possible. Connect with local Dems and the DNC. Act like a winner. Give people a reason to vote for you and... Be honest.

[Gato Moteado]

2. kick your opponent (figuratively, not literally) until he goes down....

...then continue to kick him (figuratively) until your (figurative) foot hurts. then use the other (figurative) foot. don't stop until you've won and left him in a (figuratively) bloody, rotting, fetid pile.

i like your idea about getting will pitt to do some speech writing for you, too.

other than that, i have no advice but i know you'll be the republican slayer that you are. we're all behind you. when you are victorious in november of 2004 i might have to come back from costa rica and party with ya, bro.

m

[opihimoimoi]

3. Where and what level of office do you wish to attain??

County, State, Fed?

Age?

Pol background?

Direction/Goals/Focus/Issues?

Competition?

Resources?

Serious books read in past ten years?

Military background?

Leadership roles in past?

Philosophy?

Just a few questions to consider and mull over.

Opi

[UrbScotty]

10. He's running for Washington Secretary of State.

.

[catzies]

4. It's going to be your first race. Don't give up before you start!!!

And yes, your message IS too important not to try.

I think maybe you think you're in all by yourself, and supporters on a message board can only do so much. You need to find out your local party apparatus and get plugged in. You need to figure out who your base is and how to mobilize them. You need volunteers for your campaign staff including a volunteer coordinator for the volunteers who will be doing your precinct walking and assembling the mailings from your office (even if your office is your kitchen table).

[Andy_Stephenson]

8. It is so overwhelming

All the paperwork...Campaigning is not hard for me I do that anyway. The hard part is the organization I am obviously going to need.

I have literally a stack sitting here in front of me...and I don't know where to begin.

Grassroots...I guess.

[NoMoreRedInk]

47. Just make sure folks can't trace your real name to your DU handle....

because if you ever make a post, or have ever made a post, where you question yourself or make a controversial statement in the wrong way -- you just might read it in the newspaper when you start gaining traction.

[bearfartinthewoods]

5. consider spending as much money as you can scrape up

an as much time as you are willing to commit in a direct attack on the issue of paperless. without the support of a party, or mega bucks, running for election is a waste your time, imho. sorry

[OKNancy]

7. My advise is to not take the above advise

[Caution]

6. Contact AWD here

he may have some valuable insight, as he is currently running for office. Good luck! Talk to him abotu what the legal requirements are for accepting donations and I'll donate to your campaign (paypal is a great thing!)

[AWD]

28. Yes, do so...

I'll be happy to help in any way I can.

[Andy_Stephenson]

33. I sent you a pm

AWD.

[MGKrebs]

9. I just bought a book called

"How to win a campaign" or something like that. I'm only a little bit into it, but it seems pretty good.

I'll post the actual title/author when I get home.

(I just got the book to see if it would help me as a volunteer, I'm not runnin' for anything.)

[HFishbine]

17. How to Win a Local Election?

If so, not applicable to a state-wide race.

[the_real_38]

11. Run.

More of us need to - what's your background?

[Andy_Stephenson]

19. Pissed off Democrat...

does that count?

[GOPisEvil]

12. Figure out what YOU stand for, and start publishing!

Most newpapers allow guest columnists, so write an aritcle about something you feel strongly about. BBV, I believe, is your major impetus for running. Write a column about that and submit it to the newspapers. Mention that you are a candidate for that office...

[thebigidea]

13. call your opponents pigfuckers, go negative with panache

[goobergunch]

14. I don't see why you're that much of a longshot

2000 Results - Washington Secretary of State
Open Seat, vice Ralph Munro (R), retiring

Sam Reed (R) 47.1%
Don L. Bonker (D) 46.6%
Richard Shepard (L) 3.9%
Luanne Coachman (NL) 1.0%
Stan Lippmann (NM) 0.8%

The guy only won by .5% in a Democratic state...he should be beatable.

[Andy_Stephenson]

16. God I love you!

your one smart cookie!

Ok now I feel better. But it is very overwhelming.

Signatures I must gater signatures. Soo as I eat I am back out the door to get them. I already have 50...968 left to go.

that is doable.

[RedEagle]

22. Was there a recount in this race?

I don't remember if there was but .5% is enough to trigger a recount if the candidates want it.

Given that Washington State has Diebold optical scan in Chelan, San Juan, Klickitat, AND KING County, hmmm.....

And Reed's Director of Elections just took over the top elections position in King County.

[Andy_Stephenson]

30. I also hear Reed

has connections to Sequoia.

Wish I could confirm that

[ShaneGR]

15. Plan on running a 5 year campaign

Do you have any name recognition in the state? Have you ever held office before? Do you have any government experience? If not, consider running for state representative, or city council, or school board (anything).

If not, your chances really are slim. People need to know who you are, and whether you have a record. Sometimes that takes SEVERAL races. And running in a statewide requires coordination, perseverience, and experience.

NOTE: Not trying to discourage, just being pragmatic.

[Andy_Stephenson]

18. I hear ya...

I said it before...I may not win But the message re BBV will get out. That is really my main objective in this thing.

[Snow]

20. But, in MHO, this is one of those offices that nobody pays any

attention to - they pick whom they'll vote for for governor and then pick the rest of the state officers from that same line. (Hmmmm. Whom would we match up with Gov. Schwarzenegger?). Anyway, you're running for this because you feel there's some major issues swirling around the functions of that office. Who ever suspected? We all just thought it was an elected chief clerk! Tell us otherwise, and why we should care. And if the other guy(s) is(are) in cahoots with some BBV companies, that could be fun as well.....

[govegan]

23. GBNC: great idea

You have my vote already, of course. Do you need a signature for something? Send me a PM. I would be glad to sign if you need a registered voter's signature to qualify.

You may very well have plans on how to get the signatures that you need.
Whatever way it happens, getting the most BBV publicity that we can is great.

I agree with Goobergrunch, that seat is definitely attainable with a good campaign. With the governor's seat up for re-election, and no Gary Locke, Democrats and everyone else should be paying close attention to statewide races.

[Andy_Stephenson]

35. I need 10 people to get ten people

to sign on the dotted line.

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/pdf/SNP.pdf

[newyawker99]

26. Good luck GBNC!!

:toast: :thumbsup:

[ShaneGR]

29. Ok, here's the first thing you want to do

Get a listing of every newspaper, news related radio station, television station, or any other media organization you can think of. Call them and get contact information for their main political reporter. Get their fax number.

Call your state party and schedule an appointment. Obtain any information on your states Democratic organizations. Ask for county by county breakdown. Call all of them, try to schedule appointments for you to come speak to their membership. Ask them when there normal meetings are.

Everytime you go to one of those events, fax every single news source in that region. Call them to confirm that they received the fax.

Oh yeah. About money. As you raise it, DO NOT SPEND IT! Save every dime you have to run advertising on radio, in newspapers, or on television.

That is my super duper "run your campaign with a fax machine, car, and cellphone" strategy. For more information on this method of campaigning, call Carol Mosely Braun, Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, or Pat Buchanon.

[ParanoidPat]

21. Research, compare, contrast, educate......

.....Thoroughly research your opponent. Compare your ideas and plans with their record. Carefully choose the best wording to contrast your campaign with the record of your opponents past actions. (Will Pitt will be a big help to you there!) Print up as many fliers as you can afford. (On recycled paper with soy based ink, and don't forget to mention that on the back!) Get out there and go to as many public meetings as you can find, introduce yourself and hand out those flyers. Above all, LISTEN to people! Let them know you want to REPRESENT THEM as their SoS and you want to know what they want from you if you're elected! :)

Good Luck Andy! :evilgrin:
You'll make a great SoS! :toast:

[stevedeshazer]

24. Do like this guy

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/office/news.aspx?news_id=218

Get into schools to talk about voting. Call Dave Ross at KIRO, Bev has been on a few times. I heard Sam Reed on there today trying to defend computer voting along with some elections guy from Snohomish County, and they didn't do a very good job, Ross had them really backed into a corner at one point.

Somehow you have to get into the newspapers and make yourself known to people in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Yes, they are right-wing places, but there are Dems there. Being a Democrat in Washington is a pretty good thing. Can you paddle over Snoqualmie Falls in a clown suit or something? They just have to know who you are.

And get a website!

Just some ideas from an armchair quarterback.

-ps- I hope to get some signatures in Vancouver over the weekend....

[ShaneGR]

31. HEY! THAT IS A VIOLATION OF ELECTION LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is using a government website to promote his re-election! He cannot do that. He has to separate the campaign from his job.

Quote:
Seattle... Secretary of State Sam Reed today kicked off his third statewide campaign to inspire young people to vote. Reed demonstrated touch screen voting machines at West Seattle and Burlington-Edison high schools.

Call the state Dem party and point this out.

[Maine Mary]

42. How is he violating election law?

If you are going by that quote alone it's not a violation. (I haven't checked out the site) Is there anything about the guy's re-election bid? THAT would be a vilation but not the quote you sited above.

[Le Taz Hot]

25. Might I suggest contacting your State Dem organization

as a start? If the state organization won't help you (they may not, you're an "unknown") try starting with the largest local Dem. organization near you and start that networking. Organizing. DAMN! And that's my specialty. If I were in Washington, GB&C, I'd be more than happy to help.

You need connections, guy, and fast! Start the schmoozing A.S.A.P. You'll also need a staff -- your local Dem. organizations should have Volunteer lists. Don't forget the union halls, senior centers, colleges, Democratic presidential candidate organizations (Dean?) -- that's just off the top of my head. But don't forget those volunteers, you're not going to be able to do this alone.

[eridani]

55. Start with the 46th district

http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/dfinder.cfm

Find out when their meeting is and go to it. I downloaded your petition form and will be taking it to my So. King Co. Kucinich meeting this Saturday.

Also, Michael Moore will be at the Paramount this Saturday the 25th. Make up a bunch of your petitions and get signatures there.

[greatauntoftriplets]

27. Talk to people at the state Democratic party re...

things like a campaign manager. You need someone to organize fundraisers, appearances, etc., etc. How about a spin doctor?

[Lars39]

32. Get shoes with good arch support, eat well, get enough sleep, and last

but certainly not least........actually ask people for their vote. Sounds corny, but it is something that candidates sometimes don't actually do. They'll talk about themselves, what they want to accomplish and how, but they often do not say the magic words.
Good luck! :hi:

[Generic Other]

34. We need to make you a "leftwing" Tim Eyman

Pierce County has absentee ballots. No glitches here. Cut the polling places across the state in favor of absentee ballots.

Voting absentee is convenient and voter participation has increased since they were mandated. You ought to talk to Pierce County's former Democratic auditor and the head of the county party for years. She's retired, but could be a fount of knowledge if you called her. She's a crusty old lady who collects charm bracelets and still wears a beehive hairdo (Silver haired). She's cool. I don't know her, but I bet she'd help a fellow liberal.

One thing is true. The current SOS, no one knows who he is. No one much cares either. He's not old Ralph Monroe who had the job for 17,000 years. So there is not much name recognition with the current guy. I don't even know what party he is in. A Repub, I hope.

I think you need to promote the absentee ballot, too. Be as single minded on the issue as Tim Eyman is on initiatives. Tell everyone you want to count our votes. That that's your job. That you are in town to keep 'em honest. And save taxpayer dollars. To tell you the truth, before BBV, I really didn't know what the hell an SOS of WA did. Probably no one in the state cares much. You have to make us care. Make us believe that there's a critical need to have an honest count.

I am thinking about how to promote you. I know some people who led a demonstration onto I-5 last year.

:)

[Andy_Stephenson]

36. I am of a single mind.

I walked up to a house today...knocked...told the lady what I was doing...she is a poll judge. She was more than happy to sign and to take a sheet to fill.

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/pdf/SNP.pdf

[stevedeshazer]

38. Advocate for total vote-by-mail

We do it in Oregon, it's popular, it works, it raises turnout.

[kentuck]

37. A degree of luck and anger is involved....

You can be lucky if the populace are angry at the incumbents and may be rewarded with votes you would never expect to receive. When all else fails, remember what Arnold said, "I will be a governor for the people..." In times of anger, being for the 'people' never fails to be a winning issue.

[Hippo_Tron]

39. I like the idea of kicking him literally better n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

40. Good for you to run...

My friends and I were talking about how screwed up the system is that you need big bucks just to get your name out. Just pour your heart into it and even if you don't win, you'll gain the respect of a lot of people.

[Generic Other]

41. Here's what you will be helping to clean up in Pierce County!

No kidding. It's someone from the auditor's office ejecting a citizen activist from the premises.

on edit: Forgot the link!

http://www.geocities.com/judgetanner/page8.html

It could get dirty on the campaign trail, GBandC.

[Andy_Stephenson]

43. I have a lot of soap

to clean up the dirt.

[Generic Other]

44. The incumbant's friends...the usual suspects, I see...

During his term, Secretary Reed hopes to improve voting equipment with technology that is simpler for consumers to use, more convenient, and clearly records voter intent.

“This is the 21st Century. Technology in Washington State must remain on the cutting edge,” said Reed. “Our goal is to lead the nation in elections administration and ultimately voter turnout.”

Vendor Information:

Cowlitz County
Elections System & Software
Product: “iVotronic”
www.essvote.com/main.html


Pierce County
Hart Intercivic
Product: “eslate”
www.hartic.com

Snohomish County
Sequoia Voting Systems
Product: “AVC Edge”
www.sequoiavote.com

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/office/news.aspx?news_id=150

[Andy_Stephenson]

51. I am looking for his connections to

sequoia...I am sure he is getting his palm greased.

[JohnGideon]

45. Contact Your State Dem. Committee, Then the Counties

Call the chairs of all of the county groups and go to their meetings, talk about what you want to do for them. Remember, it's never about You; only the people. You may not get a lot of support at first but don't give up. You have to get a name out to the public. Be places. Call the parades and see what you have to do to get a float (a convertible auto) in the parades. Daffodil, Strawberry Festival, Ellensberg Rodeo, etc.

Remeber if no one knows who you are you aren't going to get the votes.

[maxanne]

48. what he said

You need to get hooked up with the party. You need an organization, including a manager if that's possible - but you need volunteers to help you get those signatures and go door to door. You need them for fundraising, too. Don't be afraid to ask for money. A website, with donation capability is essential.

You need a handout to give people when you're out campaigning. Just a simple sheet with a picture that has some info about you and where you stand.

First - work on the infrastructure of your own organization.

[NoMoreRedInk]

46. Act like you belong and he doesn't. Everybody likes a winner....

I wish I lived in WA so I could vote for you.

[lysergik]

49. I'm no professional..

..but I would think that you need to come up with an agenda of sorts, of course BBV is going to be your pivotal issue and a very important one to every voting citizen in Washington State. But you need to address all the other issues that come with being SoS and take a stance on them and use that to publicize the campaign and compare and contrast against Evil Sam.

Also get a website up as soon as you can, I'm sure that there are plenty of techies here, like myself, that are willing to lend a hand in anyway we can; web development, graphics, hosting recommendations, research, databases, etc etc etc. Very inexpensive, very effective in getting your message out and excellent for getting campaign funds electronically. This also allows you to solicit campaign help.

Find connections for stickers, decals, t-shirts and the like so when it comes to that point, you're ready to leap on it and get it done and don't have to spend critical time getting the word out. Also great for helping raise campaign funds.

Like others have suggested, get published, start with letters to the editors of the major papers in Pugetropolis (Times, PI, The Sun, TnT, Olympian, KC Journal, etc) then try for OpEd pieces. Be truthful, be open. Also work on radio shows, Dave Ross, Dory Monson, Bob Rivers (Prime morning drive time!)

EDIT: Also, put your mug on Metro buses if possible, like the jobless tech guy is doing, talk about good advertising!


Looks like this is a very possible realization. We're here Andy!

[Andy_Stephenson]

52. I am no good at web design.

I can send you pics of me if you wanna do a page. Wonk has offered to help as well. I will pay for the domain registration. All I need is the page.

[lysergik]

57. Neither am I. But someone.. (Calling all web designers!)

..out there has to have the uncanny ability to whip up a real nice page. My web page coding skills lack the "neat" functions of web design, like frames, tables, etc.

Someone out there step up and give Andy a hand with this important aspect of his campaign!

[indigo32]

50. Run GBnC Run

We're behind ya and I trust you'll do great work.

[Maine Mary]

53. I hope this might help some...

I admit I know little about a campaign such as yours. It'd be way out of my league. However, perhaps this thread from the old DU archives will give you hope and a strong determination to try as hard as you can; no matter what the odds.

"How I became a State Representative" by your's truly. :-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=3654&forum=DCForumID22&archive=yes

PS- Good Luck

[JohnGideon]

54. A Kick For Andy, Just 'Cause n/t

[MrPrax]

56. Apparantly NOT

"Signatures I can get...dialing for dollars I can do...door to door knocking...I can do."

You should be doing that instead of sitting on your ass at a computer asking for advice...

People love meeting the candidate...people love to see folks running for office if they look like their 'working'.

Don't be afraid of the electorate and point out the fact with 'undecided's that 'Your there talking to them and where's the other guy'...
Remember names and familiarize yourself with other parts of your district...
Identify the Pension Homes talk to the elderly!! they have kids and contacts...that is all it will take sometimes to bring a household over...
Remeber...by hook and crook you will win...

[eridani]

58. I'll be talking you up at meetings this weekend

Ask to have a bbv presentation at your next legislative district meeting.

[Andy_Stephenson]

59. Already have been invited to the local precinct

meeting next month. They are real excited I am running. Especially the Vice Chair. That is a good idea. I bet bev could help with that.

[lysergik]

60. Have you registered..

..over at blackboxvoting.org yet? I'm sure Bev would welcome a post over there rallying the troops for signatures :)

[Andy_Stephenson]

61. Just got off the phone with bev and I am doing that very thing

as we speak.

[lysergik]

63. I see, you now have your very own forum !

n/t

[JCMach1]

62. Doesn't matter-- get a group together and storm the trenches

You may not win, but you can raise a lot of hell.

Just expect to not have a life for about a year... it takes that kind of commitment.

Note, I ran for the Florida legislature in 2002.

Good luck!

[Andy_Stephenson]

64. I don't have a life anyway...

Just kidding...but I thrive on this so I am in my element. I just need to get organized then everything will be ok.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

65. get drunk?

Then start planning! :)

Actually just wanted to jump in and give you some support and a kick!(well not kick you, but the thread :P)

Good LUCK!!!!!!!!!!! GBNC

TWL

[RedEagle]

66. People have to be aware of the problem

And more are waking up to the danger of DRE's every day.

Might start a letter writing campaign about why you are taking this step and why you are starting now.

Need to hit a few other spots besides the voting machine issue, too.

If you need some fodder, look at the Secretary of State's web site and follow the links to educating the kids to vote. Ask yourself if this is a civics lesson or innuendo/PR slanting a lesson plan to "sell" kids on voting with certain technology.

Then find the same thing on the California web site and compare. (May be under a different title) Big difference. Reed may have a state mandate to do this, but HOW it's done and WHAT it contains should be closely scrutinized.

I thought civics was about the importance of voting and not the mechanics of WHAT you vote on.

Note the invitation at the bottom of the page to investigate online voting. The article you are linked to is 5 years old, but you can pick out the bias. Note that potential problems with Internet voting are all under the #2 type of voting and the article never reveals that those apply to all ways of Internet voting.

Note that kids can click on an e-voting experience that takes them to some games to play. That's not internet voting, but it does associate games and fun with e-voting.

Now ask people what their tax money is doing shilling for particular voting sytems (Touch Screens without paper and Internet voting) and funding Reed to go around to schools lugging the Sequoia touch screen with him to demo to the students? Imagine what those students will tell their parents when they get home? Did Reed take along an optical scan unit? Did Reed talk about the dangers of DRE and Internet voting? Or did he talk in glorious terms about the need for Washington to be an e-voting leader?

And why the heck in the lesson plans does it use a quote from Dante about "burning in hell" associated with not voting? Hey, it's not like there aren't tons of quotes from Jefferson or Franklin that could have been used. You know, some of the original patriots?

This isn't a lesson plan on civics- it's a tax payer funded long-term conditioning ad for Sequoia and VoteHere- who happens to be Sequoia's partner now and provides Internet voting and has former Secretary of State Ralph Munro on it's board of directors. Plus, Munro also took his state elections director, Gary McIntosh, with him.

This positively reeks.