|
First, I would run a completely self-financed campaign. I wouldn't allow donations from other persons or groups even if they tried (this being imaginary counterfactual world, let's just say I have a big pile of money).
Then I would pledge to serve only one term, so that reelection concerns or popularity polls could all be extricated from my thinking. I would be free to make completely unpopular decisions regardless of what the special interests or some stupid poll said. I'd be immune.
I would never appear on any of those Sunday morning windbag shows. I'd spend my Sundays either in my state with my constituents, in my office working, or watching football at home.
I would refuse to meet with lobbyists. Ever. I wouldn't meet with them, I wouldn't talk with them, and I would have absolutely no pipeline of communication at all with them. I would ask any lobbyist or crybaby interest group to immediately leave my office if they even tried.
I would meet only with regular, individual citizens from my state; people who purported to represent a "group"---nope, they're lobbyists, so, you, OUT!
If some crybaby group or Republican politician was "offended" by something I said and demanded an apology, I would refuse, under all circumstances. I say what I mean and mean what I say and you always know where I stand. In fact, I would dig in some more and repeat the "offensive" statement; I'll be dammed if I ever give a blubbering forced apology on the Senate floor like certain people (who shall remain nameless).
|