Comments on: Why Politics Matters

By: Joe Garecht

Joe Garecht — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:27:38 +0000

Thanks Hugo! Glad we have been able to help!

–Joe

By: Hugo W. Merida

Hugo W. Merida — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:58:59 +0000

I try to read all newsletters and articles published in this website. As a new into organizing political parties and campaigns, it helping me in a bundle.. I got involved because ..POLITICAL REALLY MATTERS …!!
thanks you guys..!!

By: Joe Garecht

Joe Garecht — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:46:03 +0000

Yancee, thanks for sharing that story. You’re right — too often all we hear about is the “bad,” when so much good happens in the political realm as well.

By: Yancee M. Hardy

Yancee M. Hardy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:23:23 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Politics is and should be considered an honorable service. A couple of years ago I worked on a campaign were we learned of some philandering that our opponent had engaging a few years before well after he was married and had children. Much to my surprise, the candidate I worked for ordered us not to reveal or discuss what we had learned with anyone… to include our personal friends and family. He even went so far as to say that he would fire anyone who did so. The reason being, he didn’t want to harm or embarrass his opponent’s family. The candidate I worked for was a few points behind in every poll and ended up losing the election, but never once did he cave to the pressure and temptation to expose the other candidate. I was thoroughly impressed by his conduct and behavior. I hope he runs for office again someday, and I hope that there are more men and women like him out there. Our country stands in great need of them.

Yancee M. Hardy
Utah

By: Joe Garecht

Joe Garecht — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:50:10 +0000

Danny,

Good points — you also outlined another reason why campaign operatives and volunteers need to be careful who they are working for… if you are working for a candidate who just doesn’t care, or who runs a half-hearted campaign (and I’ve seen plenty of them) you’re doomed — rare indeed is the campaign where the good work of the staff can make up for the poor work of the candidate.

Joe

By: Joe Garecht

Joe Garecht — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:47:30 +0000

Michael,

Thanks for your thoughts – you make some good points. And you’re absolutely right — most people dislike congress, but like their individual congressman or woman.

The point you make about the mass media is well taken — I guess the question is, which is worse: Adams supporters impugning Andrew Jackson’s wife, but 1/2 the voting public never hearing about it, or a modern politician saying something more benign about an opponent, and it being broadcast on news channels and internet sites 24 hours a day for two news cycles?

By: Michael Adkins

Michael Adkins — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:21:23 +0000

Yes, politics matters. People are, however, frustrated with the political system more than with any individual elected official. It is like deriding lawyers, but when you need one you change your opinion quickly. People do not like Congress, but invariably vote for the incumbent.

I agree that there have been nasty times in American politics. Today’s mass media magnifies the ugly side of politics more than ever before. Note how old your examples are, for instance. Through most of the 20th Century both sides of the aisle argued and fought, but after hours they remained civil. True compromise, where each side gave something up to get what they wanted, was far more prevalent, even during the ugliest times, than it is today. Even, the Dixiecrat’s use of the filibuster during the contentious civil rights legislation of the sixties was less than the current usage. I hate to say it but I kinda miss the days of picking candidates in smoke filled rooms. Our more democratic method of candidate selection has been far uglier, and the quality of the candidate is no better.

By: Danny L. McDaniel

Danny L. McDaniel — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:11:41 +0000

Great article, Joe! I would just add that everything depends on how bad you want it. The best cheerleader for a campaign is an energized candidate. No one can take the place of a good candidate that works hard and knows the fundamentals of the game: not the volunteers, not the campaign chair and manager, not the party establishment. For the most part, no one believes you can do it until after you have done it. The candidate is the face and personality of the campaign and nothing can take their place. No matter what office you are seeking, your life is now public record and open for all to read. Take advantage of it! Relish in it! You are part of the truly chosen few!

Danny L. McDaniel
Lafayette, Indiana