Posted on 11/04/2004 3:34:38 PM PST by MissouriConservative
While I was casting my vote here in Kansas City, I looked at my state representative race for the Missouri House...and noticed that only one person was on the ballot and it was a democrat to boot. No Republican was running....and I was ashamed.
After talking with my lovely Mrs. MissouriConservative, I have reached a decision....I am going to run for the 44th district here in Missouri in 2006.
I know there are a few Freepers here in KC and would love to have them help in way they can. I am going to join a lot of local Republican clubs and begin networking. I not only need the physical help, but a lot of prayers and spiritual guidance. We cannot let a democrat run unopposed, no matter how democratic the district may be.
I am currently studying my opponent to be, and she has a lot of weaknesses....voting for medical pot usage, still trying to get Missouri to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, etc.
This district is changing, albeit slowly, and more people are moving to the suburbs and voting is slowly trending towards conservatives.
Whatcha all think?
The same way I square the laws on speed limits, drug usage, drunk driving laws, pornography laws, age limit laws on liquor purchases (applies to those between the ages of 18 and 21), etc.
I see these issues as being a bit different, as it to me that liquor sales on Sundays is a somewhat arbitrary and unnecessary imposition of your will on others as to when they are allowed to conduct business, but to be honest, it's not really that major an issue to me.
I generally get a little nervous any time I see attempts to restrict freedom unless I'm pretty darn convinced that it's necessary. Example: anti-smoking laws, as they apply to restaurants. Hate smoke myself, never smoked, annoyed by it, but also don't see why it's necessary to prevent others from gathering as they wish in restaurants and bars to engage in their vice; I've got a few of my own and thoroughly understand the trade-offs and have a higher regard for upholding the freedom to make the choices.
I actually find it kind of interesting to travel to other countries where things kind of shut down on Sunday, and it has its own attraction. Kind of an agreed-to community time out.
Just exploring your thinking. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
BTW, good luck with any attempt to engage in politics on the Missouri side. It's beyond me as to how anyone would have the patience and fortitude to deal with some of the stuff that goes on over there. I look at the K.C. school district, and just think "this is as intractable as the Middle East".
"I look at the K.C. school district, and just think "this is as intractable as the Middle East"."
Somewhat worse....at least with the Middle East there is more of a chance at peace.....lol
Get in touch with me. I'm over in Leavenworth but I might be able to help out a bit.
I am working on getting a good updated one with the family together. I am worried about posting my own pic....might just break the monitors of several thousand freepers......lol
Come on now.....if you are going to run for an office you have to get your mug out there. It is part of the job...I still think a good family pic with a nice out door back drop would be nice.
That's a reasonably "major" concept in a country whose main principle is individual freedom, or is supposed to be, at least I think so.
I see this as reflective of MissouriConservative's Christianity, which is a fine thing, but it's also getting to be law that respects an establishment of religion. I like better the kind that allow the free exercise of such, not the kind that mandate it.
The same way I square the laws on speed limits, drug usage, drunk driving laws, pornography laws, age limit laws
Those laws specifically protect citizens from harm, blue laws don't, the analogy, I think is not valid.
It works, like I said you have to get used to being in the public eye if you feel in you heart that you are supposed to run for office. Obeying God is what is most important, so go with it do your best and let Him do the rest.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966830407/102-0889726-0651331?v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1590770102/102-0889726-0651331?v=glance
Have you seen either of these?
My analytical side tells me that freedom should reign supreme, but my practical side has to acommodate much that that I've witnessed, which often includes a little more of a cesspool environment than I'm willing to accept.
FWIW, I think we've strayed way too far from real freedom, but I suspect that's a topic for another thread. :-)
First thing: Change your screenname or have JimRob delete your posting history at FR. You don't want to hand your opponent a smorgasboard of "radical right wing" quotes to tag you with!
All of the above comments reflect an old way of thinking that you never let an opponent run unopposed. Unfortunately, dware's results are typical of that way of thinking; and contrary to showing a strong party by having a full slate, a 3-to-1 defeat is more likely to scare off potential candidates. Furthermore, a humiliating defeat may very likely taint you (if not the party) as a joke and close future options/runs.
A smarter strategy is to run top-notch candidates with the following characteristics:
a) name recognition and/or community service and business prominence (or the understanding that it is going to take 2 years of personal contact to develop the candidate's image
b) the ability and understanding that it is going to take LOTS of money -- especially to unseat an incumbent. With MO term limits ideally you would wait until it is an open seat to better level the field.
c) recognition that you have two opponents in a Democratic district: the opposing candidate, and the district itself. Look at straight party votes in this (and past) elections to get a handle on the R to D support built in by hardcore voters.
d) plenty of time to work the campaign -- and it is your work. You will not defeat an incumbent or a democratic base by being a weekend and evening campaigner -- you will run out of time.
e) be comfortable meeting and talking to people and asking for money.
A STRONG county party (even if not large/wealthy), using its resources wisely can support a fresh candidate willing to show he means business and recognizes the challenge. If the party, however is more worried about having a name on every line, nobody will get much support (except maybe the sure things).
BACKGROUND: My county just went through this very situation to fill an open seat in a Dem District (that was made MORE Dem with the last redistricting) that had been traditionally 60/40 to 65/35. We had a great candidate: who knew he had to raise $20-30k; who was fairly well-known as a community leader; a plan as a party to work his campaign all the way (phone banks, voter ID, Lit drops, GOTV, absentee letters, signs, endorsement postcards...); and a relatively weak opponent.
His race drew enough attention and had such potential that the senate, legislative, congressional and state parties all jumped on board with donations, advertising, ... He ended up losing with only 44%...in what will ultimately turn out to be about an $80k campaign.
Our conclusion...we weren't able to defeat the Dem beast. Straight Dem party votes in the district were 2 to 3 times the Republican and made up as much as half of the votes cast in some precincts.
The conclusion:a)do your homework first
b)realize that the candidate is not your only foe
c)if you think you have name recognition and know a lot of people in your district, stand in front of a local Walmart for a few hours and see how many people you actually know (and how many actually know you by first and last name), or even better get a voter list (party's can often help here) and see how many you actually know in the district.
You are applying for a job! Know who you are going to be working for, and what it will really take to get the job.
That said, good luck on the campaign trail.
If you have a bent that way, do it! And see me for a donation in late '05.
"Correction. I did not "collect money from FR." FR does not donate money. I also did not raise money ON FR. Per Jim Robinson's criteria, I avoided any direct money appeals on FR."
BS. Here is just one example--a whole vanity which was nothing more than you asking for contributions:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/993733/posts
Two Degrees of Separation and a Double Sawbuck
Special to Free Republic ^ | 1 October 2003 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)
Posted on 10/02/2003 7:34:05 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob
Good advice. It has the clear sound of experience. And I always listen carefully to experience. Thanks for enlightening us.
Any contributions you make to our campaign, please send at least twice as much to FreeRepublic at the same time. In all fairness, the value of FreeRepublic to America is easily one hundred times the value to America of having one, card-carrying FReeper elected to Congress.
But if that ratio is applied my campaign will get contributions of a dime or so, and those just won't feed the bulldog. So please think in terms of 1 to 2.
John / Billybob 1 posted on 10/02/2003 10:34:05 AM EDT by Congressman Billybob
Enlighten me. How is this you NOT begging for money on FR?
My unsolicited advice, stick to some solid meat and potato political issues and leave medicine prescriptions to the doctors.
Great idea, I'm in Michigan, but I'll keep you in my prayers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.