How to Be a US Politician, Local to National
U.S. Activism and Politics Forge Strong Alliances
Nov 12, 2008
It isn't impossible for Joe or Josephine the plumber to run for office, Sara Palin did it. Learn where to begin and how to succeed on the political scene.
Getting into politics is like the Olympics -- many try, few are chosen. But it isn't impossible, especially locally and regionally. Sara Palin claimed she came out of the kitchen and into the governor's office. It might take a year or more, but you can do it just like Sara.
Here's What to Do:
- Be an actor. Wear lots of hats. You can get involved in politics, especially locally. Some jobs are volunteer, like municipal councils in small towns, others are paid. You won't get-rich-quick, particularly if you're honest, ethical. But you can make a difference in your community. Get up to speed on issues. Become a political star.
- Become visible. Volunteer on boards and committees. Develop a point of view and let people know your position. Write letters to editors. Call talk shows. Attend political meetings, lectures and gatherings. Go to council meetings. Join local organizations. Make some positive noise.
- Volunteer. Voters want involvement, concern. If you're going to represent them they want you hands-on, not a figurehead. Show you're not in it for ego. Take ownership in the community. Meet people. Offer to do PR for local boards -- that gets you "face time" with media.
- Communicate. Fine tune your writing, speaking, problem solving. Read about the the political constituency you're shooting for and brainstorm solutions in front of them. Attend a meeting and explain your ideas, or write letters. Visualize both sides of questions. Attend to detail and train yourself to remember what you see and hear.
- Become an expert. Consider a degree in law, business, economics or politics. Select two or three issues terribly important to the constituency -- study them. Read. Explore. Inquire. Spend time considering issues and determining your stance. Be able to explain yourself in under 60 seconds.
- Learn candidate requirements. When its petition time, communities published requirements. You get those from City Hall, county offices, or the state capital depending on your chosen path. You need signatures from constituents to put you on a ballot. Get it done early.
- Learn what the parties stand for. Locally, learn each group's platform. What do they believe in? Do you agree? How about the nationalDemocratic and Republican parties ? Learn about them. The system will make more sense and you'll make more sense when you speak.
- Run for dog catcher. Low-level offices are hard to fill. You have a good chance of winning by getting on the ballot and showing your face. Do the most superb job ever done in dogdom. Send media releases out about every catch. Be honest, but dramatic. Then run for higher office.
- Age isn't a stumbling block. Candidates range from high school to octogenarians, many are women. For example 18-year-old Devin Mauney sat on the Tucson Arizona school board, and everyone remembers Margaret Thatcher.
- Maintain sanity. Politics is an emotional battlefield. Reactions run hot. Stay focused, clearheaded.
- Develop a campaign. Count on spending money. If you're running big seek expert advice about fundraising. For the small scale, create a brochure outlining your agenda, background and goals. Include your recent, friendly photo. Mail and e-mail. Knock on doors. Enlist friends and family. Prepare for hard work.
- Figure out where to spend election evening. Don't be surprised if you lose. If you win, throw yourself into the job enthusiastically. Prepare for the next battle, retaining your new-found ability to influence people in a positive way.
What You Need
- Desire to serve
- Thorough knowledge of issues
- Money
- A presence
- Boundless energy
- Ethics/honesty
- A well constructed platform
More to Consider
Politics: More than you might want to hear
Differences between political parties
The copyright of the article How to Be a US Politician, Local to National in Political Activism is owned by Maryan Pelland. Permission to republish How to Be a US Politician, Local to National in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
