Thursday, January 22, 2015

When Running for Office is a Question



Over the years, some people have approached me about running for political office. [A few persistent souls still do.] One time I came close to running but eventually decided that another candidate would do a better job. I stayed out of the race and watched him lose in the primary. It was a reminder that nothing is certain in politics.

Anyway, if you've thought of running, here are some standard questions:
  1. What will be the effect on your family and job?
  2. Are you well-versed on the issues?
  3. Can you afford to run?
  4. Are you willing and able to put in the time to campaign?
  5. Can you win?
  6. Do you have skills and insight which can contribute to the public good?
  7. Do you have the background, temperament, and character to be both a decent candidate and a decent public servant? [And yes, those are two very different things.]
  8. Are you and your family willing to put up with the craziness and abuse which can accompany a political campaign?
  9. Are you indeed the best candidate or would this just be an ego exercise?
  10. Are your talents better used out of political office?
Oh yes. There's one more. Do you want to run?

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