Involved in Politics? (1 Viewer)

[RightinNYC]

So, who out there is involved in politics?

Who works/volunteers for a campaign, is active in interest groups, has roles in their parties, carries petitions, makes phonecalls, etc? Even outside of these areas, there are many more people who are involved in politics tangentally, ie serve on school boards, are active in their unions, etc.

No need to be too specific if you don't want to give away too much, but I'm just curious as to how many people here participate...

I'd love to see people on here take the interest they show on this board and translate it into political action. If anyone wants to know how they can best get involved in their local, state, or national political scene, feel free to ask me and I'll offer whatever advice I can.:2wave:

 

[Pen]

Excellent topic, Right.

I am an independent, so I don't support one party over another. Logistically, hands on participation isn't something I can do, but I do put my money where my mouth is. I invest my personal time in learning about the candidates with the hope of choosing the best one. Frankly, I'm not keen on the bunch as a whole.

 

[nightmare]

Up until March 2005, I was actively involved my College Republicans and YAF. The CR group actively supported our community, state, and national candidates.

As an active member at that time, I have done countless phone banks, registration booths, neighborhood walks, and even had the honor of being involved at a 2004 presidential debate.

As my dissatisfaction with the Republican party grew, I found these activities waning, as it was difficult to find candidates who I personally supported. When a candidate comes along that I can get behind, regardless of party .. I offer my time.

 

[Patrickt]

I vote and I read as much as necessary to know for whom and for what I'm voting. I have also attended fund-raising activities for people I wished to support locally, some Democrats and some Republicans. That's it.

 

[Paladin]

As said, nice topic. If you are going to bitch about the way things are being done, take the lead and try to affect change the way it should be done.

I caucus and have served as a delegate to the county convention. In 2004 I decided that the delegate positions should be left to the younger people. And that turned out to be a lot of fun. I got to advise the advisors on how to politic!

In the caucus selection process, everyone divides up behind their candidate. If a candidate lacks the needed percentage for viability, his supporters have to get behind another candidate. The more supporters a candidate has, the more delegates the send to the next level. I'm happy to say that Dr. Dean lacked viability so his supporters had to back a different horse. The guy from the Edwards office didn't know how to proceed, so I got to take over and managed to entice several of the Dean supporters to swing our way. Our caucus supported Edwards over Kerry, I like to think I had some small part in that.

On the other hand most of the Dean supporters refused to show support for anyone other than him. About then, I decided that Dean was rather single-minded.

In 2008, I plan on caucusing again, only my goal is to serve as a state and national delegate. I have also contemplated running for elected office, but have been dissuaded by how ruthless the arena is.
ted

 

[Pen]

Ted, do you have any thoughts at this moment on who you would recommend? Quite frankly, I don't care for any of the media's front runner choices. That would be with the exception of Molly Ivan's choice of Moyer; he is unelectable, but he would certainly shake up the dems in their lack of a decided platform.

Just another rebel without a clue...

 

[Paladin]

do you have any thoughts at this moment on who you would recommend?

Right now, it's tough to recommend anyone. I like Mark Warner and Tom Vilsack (Iowa governor :shrug for Democrats. I Wouldn't mind if Zell Miller ran on the Republican side. I would caucus for Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia, in an instant. The man is the most honest gentleman I have ever met.
And I would also support Gov. Jeb Bush against Hillary or Dean every day. I like how he operates and strikes me as intelligent and honest.
There is a gentleman running for senator in Minnesota, Mark Kennedy, as a rep. His ads are a breath of fresh air, funny and open. I think he is up for re-election, I hope he wins either way.
I will probably end up supporting whoever seems to genuinely want to reunite this country. I hate seeing rep/cons and dem/libs fighting like they do. Argue points and issues, but when the day is done, eat dinner with each other. Whatever happened to each side considering the other the "loyal opposition"?
ted

 

[Pen]

I will probably end up supporting whoever seems to genuinely want to reunite this country. I hate seeing rep/cons and dem/libs fighting like they do. Argue points and issues, but when the day is done, eat dinner with each other. Whatever happened to each side considering the other the "loyal opposition"?
ted

What a breath of fresh air that would be! Thanks for the input. :2wave:

 

[Deegan]

Well I tried to participate, but it was not worth the energy, nor the cost. Still, we need good people to continue to try, I just don't have the faith I used to have in my party, and I don't see another viable choice at the moment, so I wait patiently.

 

[hipsterdufus]

So, who out there is involved in politics?

Who works/volunteers for a campaign, is active in interest groups, has roles in their parties, carries petitions, makes phonecalls, etc? Even outside of these areas, there are many more people who are involved in politics tangentally, ie serve on school boards, are active in their unions, etc.

No need to be too specific if you don't want to give away too much, but I'm just curious as to how many people here participate...

I'd love to see people on here take the interest they show on this board and translate it into political action. If anyone wants to know how they can best get involved in their local, state, or national political scene, feel free to ask me and I'll offer whatever advice I can.:2wave:

I regularly work for candidates in GOTV efforts and canvassing.

Right now I'm working for Casey, in his effort to
"Dumprick 2006".

I'm also active with Democracy For America (DFA), FAIR and MoveOn.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Ted, do you have any thoughts at this moment on who you would recommend? Quite frankly, I don't care for any of the media's front runner choices. That would be with the exception of Molly Ivan's choice of Moyer; he is unelectable, but he would certainly shake up the dems in their lack of a decided platform.

Just another rebel without a clue...

I saw Moyers live in Pittsburgh last year. What a great speaker.

Trying to get all of the Dems on the same page on every issue is not feasible. Personally, I would hope that it never happens.

It seems like the only time Dems get the opportunity to speak publically about platform issues in the media is on C-Span.

That's why I get C-Span 1,2 & 3.

 

[Pen]

Ted, have you noticed that the Republican solidarity is showing signs of fracture? I have so many thoughts as to why that may be happening, but I fear I am causing a threadjack.

Do you have any interest in starting a Dem/Rep strategy discussion with me? Partisan shouting (sometimes referred to as debate here) not allowed?

 

[Pen]

I saw Moyers live in Pittsburgh last year. What a great speaker.

And a great thinker of all of the complexities of the world we live in. I think he would make a great President just from a common sense point of view. T'aint going to happen, though.

 

[aquapub]

I have worked on 5 campaigns for politicians, two for issues. I write, do phone banks, etc. I worked a rally once and got to shake PB's hand. I also attended a viewing of the 2nd presidential debate at a convention with Cheney, but he was completely out of reach. I saw the back of his head from ~100 yards away.

 

[RightinNYC]

My first real experience came when I volunteered for GWB in 04 in PA, which was quite a nice introduction to the politics of losing. Since then I've had pretty good luck however. =) I worked on the mayoral campaign in NYC in 2005, and helped with a campaign in Queens. This summer, I came to DC to work in a Congressional office and to start a consulting firm. Depending on what happens, I should be involved with a pretty decent race this fall. This should be an interesting year.

 

[RightinNYC]

I regularly work for candidates in GOTV efforts and canvassing.

Right now I'm working for Casey, in his effort to
"Dumprick 2006".

I'm also active with Democracy For America (DFA), FAIR and MoveOn.

Casey is far and away the biggest lock for this fall.

I'm sorry, if the reps were smart they'd hang santorum out to dry. No need to spend money on a losing race.