Campaign blues

[PenforPrez]

So I've been trying to volunteer for the campaign of the Democrat running for governor here in Missouri, and once again, I find myself being ignored. Every time I have tried to volunteer for a statewide campaign, I have never heard from anybody or placed in any position. I have been proactive in trying before, and that didn't work.

Now you would think it would work the other way. You would think they would want as many volunteers as they could get, especially those with experience in local politics, as I have. Makes me wonder if I have to run for office to do it. :p

Paul

[eastcoaster782]

This web site might help: Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com)

Sign up for free on DFA-Link and search for the groups in your region. Better yet, try contacting someone from "Change for Missouri." It's possible you may meet people there who could hook you up with better contacts on these campaigns. If you have any specific questions or need some advice, PM me.

Hope this helps!

Also, DFA has a training event scheduled for April 14 in Columbia. I've been to trainings in the past and DFA does a very good job at preparing people for campaign work. :D

[PenforPrez]

This web site might help: Democracy for America (www.democracyforamerica.com)

Sign up for free on DFA-Link and search for the groups in your region. Better yet, try contacting someone from "Change for Missouri." It's possible you may meet people there who could hook you up with better contacts on these campaigns. If you have any specific questions or need some advice, PM me.

Hope this helps!

Also, DFA has a training event scheduled for April 14 in Columbia. I've been to trainings in the past and DFA does a very good job at preparing people for campaign work. :D

I already know all the MO DFA people. ;) I have no end of trouble keeping in touch with them too, and I've known them for years. Couldn't go that weekend anyway; I plan on being in Minneapolis.

Paul

[slimjim]

So I've been trying to volunteer for the campaign of the Democrat running for governor here in Missouri, and once again, I find myself being ignored.
Paul

That's because no one listens to anything a democrat has to say!!!!!:p

[PenforPrez]

That's because no one listens to anything a democrat has to say!!!!!:p

Here in Missouri, the Missouri Democratic Party and the MO DFA don't listen to each other. That's just as bad. :rolleyes:

Paul

[29 forever]

Who is the Dem running in Missouri Paul? I heard it was going to be Jay Nixon.

Anyway, I'm not sure why they are ignoring you, you really seem to know your stuff when it comes to politics, or at least I thought so that time we met up & talked.

[PenforPrez]

Who is the Dem running in Missouri Paul? I heard it was going to be Jay Nixon.

Yep, Jay Nixon, and thank God for it. He's the best Democrat we have. Robin Carnahan will run for Secretary of State again. She'll make a wonderful governor. . . someday. :)

Anyway, I'm not sure why they are ignoring you, you really seem to know your stuff when it comes to politics, or at least I thought so that time we met up & talked.

I had the same problem in 2000 when I tried to volunteer for Mel Carnahan's Senate campaign. I had an inside connection into the office in Mel's hometown. He told me to call them and use his name, and I got a bunch of muttering about "We'll see what we can do." Had the same problem in 2004 when I tried to volunteer for Bob Holden's reelection. In retrospect, maybe that one was a good thing. ;)

Geez, I'm not asking for money or a pound of flesh. I want to help candidates that I believe in. My only hope is that Missourians are so disgusted with Matt Blunt that the Nixon campaign is overrun with volunteers. Nixon's going to win, the question is by how much. :huge:

Paul

[politicaljunkie]

Get involved in the local (St. Louis, or whereever you are) young democrats or democratic party. MO had one of the hottest senate races in 2006. It will have one of the hottest gubenatorial races in 2008, and possibly one of the hottest senate races in 2010.

MO will be a key battleground state in the presidential election next year. MO has voted with the winning presidential candidate every election for several decades. The candidates will know that if they don't win MO, they wont win the election. Your services will be in great demand. But get involved now. The DNC's 50 state strategy is always ongoing, and they are using the current down period to build the state party.

[PenforPrez]

Get involved in the local (St. Louis, or whereever you are) young democrats or democratic party. MO had one of the hottest senate races in 2006.

No Young Democrats organization where I live; no young Democrats to organize. The local Democratic organization ignores me in favor of a bunch of septuagenarians who needed to be put to political pasture 20 years ago.

Despite all the political connections I have, I'm having to do this all on my own.

It will have one of the hottest gubenatorial races in 2008, and possibly one of the hottest senate races in 2010.

If Kit Bond runs again in '10, no chance. The '08 governor's race will be anti-climactic. Jay Nixon will win in a landslide. :)


Your services will be in great demand. But get involved now. The DNC's 50 state strategy is always ongoing, and they are using the current down period to build the state party.

Why do you think I'm trying and feel such an imperative need to do so?

Paul

[PenforPrez]

When fate hands you a lemon, you make lemonade. Even if the lemons aren't quite ripe yet.

At the local Democratic meeting this evening was a local guy who is a bigshot in the Jay Nixon for Governor campaign. The proverbial light bulb goes off, and I decided to tell the guy I was trying to volunteer for the campaign.

After the meeting, I made an effort to talk to the guy. Took some patience, but I was rewarded. I reminded the man we had met previously at a fundraiser for another statewide candidate in 2004, and that got me the in I needed for the conversation.

I mentioned my problem, and he asked: "What did you want to do?"
I said: "Whatever needs doing."

So he gives me his card and tells me to email him. Hey, it's a start. :)

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

Also talk to your local elected officials or their offices. Many times they can get you in touch with the campaigns or the local Dem party. I wanted to help out at a John Kerry rally in 2004. I just kept getting the run around until I contacted my state rep and Harkin's office.

Adam

[PenforPrez]

Also talk to your local elected officials or their offices. Many times they can get you in touch with the campaigns or the local Dem party. I wanted to help out at a John Kerry rally in 2004. I just kept getting the run around until I contacted my state rep and Harkin's office.

Adam

I know all of my local Democratic officials (and we elected a lot of them here in '06! :D). They're about as useful as an abscessed tooth. :torn: I need outside help just to volunteer for a campaign.

No wonder the Republicans have licked us so badly in outstate MO. :mad: If a young Republican with my intelligence and education wanted to volunteer in a campaign, they'd be going out of their way to get them in. :googly:

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

Paul, I was thinking about this over the weekend and I can see the troubles you are facing here. Believe it or not, my sister and best friend both signed up to help out in the 04 and 06 election. Neither one got a call about volunteering. Honestly, since 04 I have been doing less, because it seems the Democrats are more into the $ thing, and less into folks knocking on doors, licking envelopes, etc. Also alot of the volunteering around here is done by union and trades The work they have for me usually runs in spurts, they have me working my hind end off (usually around the election or big events), and you wont get a call for two months. I believe that St Louis will be easier on you than small town MO in this regard. I would assume also, that STL would have a full time office, just like Cedar Rapids does, so you can go down and see the Dems anytime.

[mahlerssecond]

Heres a webpage that may help.

http://www.stldems.com/

[PenforPrez]

So last week, the state Democrats call me up and beg for money.

"We'll take anything you can give us."

Sorry, I'm putting $35 in gas in my car every TWO DAYS right now, and these people won't even let me apply my intelligence and enthusiasm for their campaigns. These people need a reality check. :frustrate

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

I have been reading the local paper the last few weeks and the candidates are picking our precinct captains for the county. Where are they digging these people up? I have heard of only a couple of them, and I have been active in the local dems for close to 10 years.

Any how I need to stop by Richardson's office he just opened here in town and put my name down to volunteer.

[PenforPrez]

I'm still torn. I don't like John Edwards, but I support him because I think he's the only one who can win. Needless to say, I can't muster the enthusiasm to campaign for him. I hate Hillary and I can't get fired up by Obama either. I'm just hard to please. :p

Meanwhile, they keep talking about Al Gore, and he says he's not going to run, in usual politician doublespeak. I keep hoping and praying he will run; Al Gore is somebody I DO have enthusiasm for. I could campaign for Gore 24-7. So, I have to play a waiting game and see if Gore gets in.

Meanwhile, I still desperately want to campaign for Jay Nixon's gubernatorial campaign here; Matt Blunt MUST go for the sake of Missouri. We need a governor that realizes contraception does NOT cause abortions. :googly:

But I am still without help, and I'm looking to move very soon. I'm thinking of just waiting till I move to St. Louis, and making an appearance at the office there. I'll be very pissy if they brush me off in person; I'm tired of this crap.

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

I am kind of in the same boat. Hillary hits me as an elitist and too much of a polarizing figure. Obama doesnt have the experience. Edwards is actually my second choice. I like Richardson right now due to his experience he brings (UN Ambassador, Secretary of Interior, Govenor of New Mexico). But as it gets closer to caucus and election I will support whoever the people put up.

[PenforPrez]

I am kind of in the same boat. Hillary hits me as an elitist and too much of a polarizing figure. Obama doesnt have the experience. Edwards is actually my second choice. I like Richardson right now due to his experience he brings (UN Ambassador, Secretary of Interior, Govenor of New Mexico).

Hillary can't win. I've said before, I'll say it again. You can't win the Presidency when 40% of the country hates you! That doesn't work.

I like Bill Richardson, but I know the Republicans would skin him alive on the whole mess at Los Alamos when he was Secretary of Energy. The only problem John Edwards has is that he's completely full of shit! But that's how America fell in love with Bill Clinton!

Another full-of-shit Southern moderate? Can't miss! :heehee:

Paul

[ebruening]

Meanwhile, I still desperately want to campaign for Jay Nixon's gubernatorial campaign here; Matt Blunt MUST go for the sake of Missouri. We need a governor that realizes contraception does NOT cause abortions. :googly:

What?! Dude, that sounds WAY too much like my Catholic high school "reproduction education" class. Separation of church and state is a good thing...it's too bad that so many politicians can't help but mix the two :eek:

[PenforPrez]

What?! Dude, that sounds WAY too much like my Catholic high school "reproduction education" class. Separation of church and state is a good thing...it's too bad that so many politicians can't help but mix the two :eek:

That's why Matt Blunt abolished all public funding for contraception in Missouri. "Contraception causes abortions," he said. :googly:

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

I just got a call about attending a Hillary Clinton rally here in Cedar Rapids. I guess Bill is going to be campaigning with her. Somebody at church must of said something about me (and others) being pissed about her last visit. She had a private home get together and didnt invite a lot of key democrats.

[PenforPrez]

I just got a call about attending a Hillary Clinton rally here in Cedar Rapids. I guess Bill is going to be campaigning with her. Somebody at church must of said something about me (and others) being pissed about her last visit. She had a private home get together and didnt invite a lot of key democrats.

That's Democrats for you. Being all divided and unable to agree on a damn thing.

Will Rogers was right 80 years ago: "I don't belong to any organized political party. I belong to the Democratic Party." :rolleyes:

Paul

[PenforPrez]

I might have my wish. :)

Today, the local Democrats had their golf tournament. As the event was about to wrap up, I had one of those moments of absolute dumb luck.

One of the two Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor came to the event close to the end. I was asked to go greet him at his vehicle and bring him into the fold. A young man followed by an older woman.

The young man is running for office. Ex-Army intelligence, small business owner from suburban St. Louis. The older woman turned out to be an old friend from the St. Louis Dean campaign.

It was suggested that the candidate tour the golf course in a cart. I went with him, laid out the basics of the local Democrats, and expressed my own thinking on the current administration and we got to know each other. He said I was a bright person, and I know I impressed him with my anger at the current administration and my own political ambition.

The candidate made a speech at the dinner that followed the golf tournament that was met with sort of a lukewarm reception. I told him that this was a tough crowd. A golf course in a Republican county is a tough sell for any Democrat. ;)

Me and the old Deaniac got to talking about old times, and she offered to get me through DFA grassroots training. They seemed to think I could be of great service to their campaign, especially when I move.

So, maybe I'll become a top flunky for the lieutenant governor. Hey, two months ago, I was cleaning hotel rooms. ;)

Paul

[PenforPrez]

So tonight, I called my old Deaniac friend who is basically running the campaign of the candidate I met last weekend. She was sick with bronchitis; she's been a heavy lifelong smoker. But she was elated to hear from me, and invited me to join her and the candidate at a parade they're going to in Joplin, MO this weekend. Might be an overnight trip. That's gutsy. Joplin is one of the most Republican parts of Missouri.

10 days ago, I thought myself doomed to political oblivion. Now I get to hang out with a big shot candidate and take a long trip and appear with him. :D My Deaniac credentials are my golden ticket to the upper echelon of this campaign. I knew it had to pay off SOMETIME! :rolleyes:

Paul

[Kragthorpe]

Dean is not a ticket to the upper echelon of any campaign you want to be in, should you be wanting to win.

Did she have bronchitis, or was she just horse from going, "We're going to California, then to Alaska, then to Michigan, then to Kentucky, then to Nevada, then to Texas, and then we're going to take back the White House, YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Biggest joker ever. I'm hard pressed to think of a bigger lightweight candidate in the last hundred years.

[mahlerssecond]

Dean is not a ticket to the upper echelon of any campaign you want to be in, should you be wanting to win.

Did she have bronchitis, or was she just horse from going, "We're going to California, then to Alaska, then to Michigan, then to Kentucky, then to Nevada, then to Texas, and then we're going to take back the White House, YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Biggest joker ever. I'm hard pressed to think of a bigger lightweight candidate in the last hundred years.

Don't get me started here. I knew people that were at the Val-Air Ballroom that night, and it was noisy so he had to scream to talk over everyone.

I think Dean was out of touch that night though. He finished third in the Iowa caucus. He didnt even get enough people at our precinct to warrant a delegate at convention. And he thought he was going to win these other states.:rolleyes:

[Kragthorpe]

Don't get me started here. I knew people that were at the Val-Air Ballroom that night, and it was noisy so he had to scream to talk over everyone.

I think Dean was out of touch that night though. He finished third in the Iowa caucus. He didnt even get enough people at our precinct to warrant a delegate at convention. And he thought he was going to win these other states.:rolleyes:


Having to scream to talk over everyone is one thing. Screaming in a manic yell amidst your supporters is not presidential. For good or ill, that scream killed any chance he had.

Moreover, it's not very presidential to organize so poorly that you're even forced to scream over people at all.

[PenforPrez]

Dean is not a ticket to the upper echelon of any campaign you want to be in, should you be wanting to win.

Then why is Dean chairman of the DNC?

Did she have bronchitis, or was she just horse from going, "We're going to California, then to Alaska, then to Michigan, then to Kentucky, then to Nevada, then to Texas, and then we're going to take back the White House, YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

The lady in question is a lifelong heavy smoker. As long as she has cigarettes, she's happy. If only everyone was so easy to please. :rolleyes:

Biggest joker ever. I'm hard pressed to think of a bigger lightweight candidate in the last hundred years.

I had lost all faith in my country before I joined the Dean campaign. To see people who were not brainwashed by Bush's lies and deceit gave me some hope. I'm still proud of saying I was a Deaniac. Nobody will ever make me feel ashamed of that. Howard Dean voiced the anger of millions of people who only wanted to believe in their country again. Myself included.

Paul

[Kragthorpe]

Then why is Dean chairman of the DNC?


Because it would be an undignified position for anyone who was a former president, former nominee, or current senator or governor. As the party pecking order goes, Party Chairman is about 250th place.


The lady in question is a lifelong heavy smoker. As long as she has cigarettes, she's happy. If only everyone was so easy to please. :rolleyes:



I had lost all faith in my country before I joined the Dean campaign. To see people who were not brainwashed by Bush's lies and deceit gave me some hope. I'm still proud of saying I was a Deaniac. Nobody will ever make me feel ashamed of that. Howard Dean voiced the anger of millions of people who only wanted to believe in their country again. Myself included.

Paul



Yeah....and anger won't ever get it done in America. Dean was a head case and he's been relegated to his proper place...obscurity and that of a historical footnote. He apparently voiced the anger of millions of people who didn't vote as well.

[PenforPrez]

PATIENCE, GODDAMNIT!!

I had not heard from my friend who is the candidate's handler and scheduler about tomorrow. This had me worried. I tried calling her three times today with no answer. I figured my horrible political luck had come back and they had forgotten about me. :cry:

How wrong you can be. I just got a call on my cell from a strange number. I answered it, and it was the candidate himself! :eek: "Are you still planning on going with us to Joplin tomorrow?" :eek: :D

I explained I could not reach his handler today, and he expressed confusion. Either way, they're picking me up here as I'm on the way. And could I consider letting them use my car? If they paid for gas. The candidate's Jeep Cherokee doesn't get the best mileage.

What do I do? I could have the future lieutenant governor of Missouri in my car! But I put 800 miles a week on my car as is.

The handler told me earlier in the week that a state senator from St. Louis might join us. I asked the candidate on this. Apparently, said state senator recently got caught using someone else's ID to board a riverboat casino. That dumbass! :mad: That state senator is going nowhere for awhile.

This is why I could never win election to anything, I think. I really want to get laid, but I could never solicit a prostitute for sex. I like to play poker, but you'll never catch me on a riverboat. I don't drink or smoke anything. I'm too much of an upstanding, decent moral citizen to ever win an election. ;)

Paul

[mahlerssecond]

Welcome to the world of politics. :evil: Politicians are always going after each other for stupid little things. We had a case between a county supervisor and a city councilman a couple of years ago. The city councilman sued the county supervisor for slander for making a comment about him stalking a local newscaster in the late 90's. I don't know how true it is. I do know that the county supervisor has a mouth she can't keep shut and the city councilman is just a plain-ass prick. But, I do believe that both parties had a hidden agenda somewhere. The case was dismissed though.

[PenforPrez]

Welcome to the world of politics. :evil: Politicians are always going after each other for stupid little things. We had a case between a county supervisor and a city councilman a couple of years ago. The city councilman sued the county supervisor for slander for making a comment about him stalking a local newscaster in the late 90's. I don't know how true it is. I do know that the county supervisor has a mouth she can't keep shut and the city councilman is just a plain-ass prick. But, I do believe that both parties had a hidden agenda somewhere. The case was dismissed though.

I'm no stranger to political corruption. My county's many-term collector was a personal friend of mine who got caught embezzling a couple of hundred thousand dollars from the county a couple of years ago. I never knew. Nobody else did either.

Paul

[PenforPrez]

I do know that the county supervisor has a mouth she can't keep shut and the city councilman is just a plain-ass prick. But, I do believe that both parties had a hidden agenda somewhere. The case was dismissed though.

I would say something about her mouth and his prick, but no, I will refrain. :evil:

[PenforPrez]

Today went fairly well. The candidate and his handler picked me up, and we had a lot of fun going down there. The event was fun; had a small parade for several blocks. I mostly tried to observe, but I got to talk to some voters who needed swaying. I feel I did some good. I was a bit apprehensive when it came to the nitty-gritty grassroots section, which we discussed on the way back.

My biggest skill has impressed once again: my ability to write. They really want somebody with perfect grammar and writing skill (which I definitely have) to write press releases, policy papers, etc. So I've found a way to make myself invaluable to this campaign. They may also allow me be their volunteer field coordinator in St. Louis once I move to town, which would be huge.

All good things. This is the positive action I've really needed. :)

Paul

[PenforPrez]

So, on the instructions of the campaign, I wrote a press release on the event we went to Saturday. The candidate and the manager LOVED IT! :D The manager said she couldn't have done it better herself. ;) So I've risen to become the de facto press secretary for our campaign. Not bad for two days work. That's the beauty of a grassroots campaign.

We now have a de facto campaign manager (who is actually the treasurer) and a de facto press secretary (who is a de jure dumbass :p). Now if only we had some damn de facto money! :exclaim:

Yesterday I hit a snag. I had persuaded the candidate to go to the show I attend in St. Louis which has a lot of very liberal Democratic types. His kind of voter. I had neglected to ask the show's host (a good friend of mine) to introduce the candidate. So the manager was upset with me. But the candidate managed to do his thing. And I've persuaded the host to put him on the next show. Nonetheless, when I realized the manager was upset with me, I thought my nascent political career was going up in smoke in a manner that would make Cheech and Chong envious.

I was nervous for some time afterward. But I stopped for gas on my way home, and I took a timeout. Did some deep breaths. I said to myself: "Paul, calm down. You have accomplished more politically in two days than most people with more ambition do in a lifetime. This is your chance. You just got to grab it."

I feel better now. :)

Paul

[PenforPrez]

Tonight, the candidate had an impromptu meeting for supporters and interested others. I had an interesting debate with a very young man working for Hillary's campaign (about 19 or 20) concerning Hillary's electability. He was pretty sharp, but I narrowly won on points. :)

The candidate described me to Hillary's operative as a very bright writer. Right in front of me. :redface: The de facto manager described me as "the next state rep" from my home district. As soon as I work on my apprehension and shyness. :rolleyes: Yeah, I'm pro-choice, pro-gay and pro-union. That's political suicide out here.

So, it appears I'm secure as Minister of Propaganda. The campaign kicks off in two weeks. I've got press releases to write before then. :)

Paul

[PenforPrez]

So the campaign officially kicks off this week, but the St. Louis press is referring to the campaign as a "train wreck" over some issues with the candidate and his now ex-manager. I don't see the big deal, but in politics, EVERYTHING is a big deal. If all else fails, I can solace in that Lincoln lost his first election (a state rep. race in 1832) and plenty after that.

Our intern was supposed to call me this weekend and we were going to work up a policy paper on veterans issues; the candidate served in Army intelligence. But no call came. I'm supposed to do a press release on the campaign kickoff, but I need details. I'm ready with metaphorical pen in hand anytime. :)

Paul

[PenforPrez]

So the call from the campaign's intern came in this morning. Time to write a policy paper about veterans issues. The candidate served in Army intelligence, and I know a bit about veterans issues also, having gone with my father to St. Louis' veterans hospital for 20 years. I like how it sounds towards the end. :)

Paul