Advice for an aspiring political leader
Kari Chisholm
I get the most interesting email. Sometimes, it's hate mail or insane ramblings from the deeply troubled.
Sometimes, it's emails like this:
My name is [redacted], a 19-year-old student who is currently studying communications, and I have a favor to ask.
I would like to go into politics. I have decided that I want to dedicate my life to not only those immediately around me, but the entire state. The favor I ask is simple, will take maybe five minutes, and will help me get that much closer to reaching that goal. All I ask is this...
If you had to give an aspiring politician one piece of advice, one sentence to hold onto, what would it be and why?
If I don't hear back I understand, you're a busy man. However if you do write back, you will make at least one young man's day.
So, dear readers, what would that one sentence of advice be? It's not so much a challenge of coming up with advice - I have lots of thoughts - but what one thing comes above all others?
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8:53 a.m.
May 20, '12
Build relationships with like-minded, and differently-minded, folks because politics is a team sport.
9:06 a.m.
May 20, '12
Shakespeare said it best:
This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
9:09 a.m.
May 20, '12
Don't be a Republican.
9:36 a.m.
May 20, '12
Hold on to your passions; endeavor to have patience. Every "moment" in history is created by years and even decades of work.
9:37 a.m.
May 20, '12
CSNY said he'd have to cut his hair.
10:31 a.m.
May 20, '12
Be yourself and don't bend who you are or what your believe based on who you are talking to; people will quickly learn you say just what others want to hear and know you stand for nothing except getting ahead.
11:28 a.m.
May 20, '12
It the words of Charles O. Porter, Oregon Congressman and Deputy Director of JFK's Food for Peace:
"When it stops being fun it's time to quit."
11:53 a.m.
May 20, '12
Don't go around telling people you're an aspiring politician.
4:00 p.m.
May 20, '12
Find an issue you genuinely care about, join others who care about it as well, and work your ass off to make a difference -- eventually becoming an effective, reliable spokesperson for the cause.
4:17 p.m.
May 20, '12
Be patient. Get a graduate degree if you can.
Only work for the causes and the people that you really believe in. It's okay if your beliefs change.
Make the people around you stronger and happier.
Don't stop reading. Any and all subject matter. The world is constantly changing. Try to keep up.
8:22 p.m.
May 20, '12
Learn to love coffee and run on a minimal amount of sleep.
9:12 p.m.
May 20, '12
At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent. - Barbara Bush
9:32 p.m.
May 20, '12
Whatever your beliefs might be, be passionate about them.
10:52 p.m.
May 20, '12
Few successful politicians ever started out as politicians right out of school, so consider doing something else before you decide to beg for the privilege of getting an Oregon State Legislator's salary (which is around 22K - 25K).
8:26 a.m.
May 21, '12
Make sure there are issues you are willing to lose your next election over. Stand up for what you believe in.
11:05 a.m.
May 21, '12
Tell the truth and work your ass off. In that order.
11:09 a.m.
May 21, '12
Don't take things personally, period.
11:12 a.m.
May 21, '12
Study the logistics of really well run campaigns.
5:15 p.m.
May 21, '12
Pay attention to what makes you angry; your passion is probably waiting for you there.
5:58 p.m.
May 21, '12
Go through whatever process you need to be really clear within yourself WHY you are running. It's really hard work, you will be pulled in many directions, and while a lot of it is fun, some of it just isn't; having that center will keep you grounded and moving forward.
8:49 a.m.
May 22, '12
Spend at least ten years working outside of politics so you learn more of life's lessons prior to trying to solve life's problems in politics.
Start a business. Try getting a small business loan from a local bank. Start a family. Buy a house. Volunteer in your community.
Be a productive participant before asking others to let you lead.
12:08 p.m.
May 22, '12
For aspiring campaign workers: If you’re working on or managing a race within the Metro area, consider commuting by bike (or bike + transit). It’s worth the modest increase in commute time. Campaign work – and pizza-fueled phone banks – can be physically grueling and terrible for your health. Having time in the morning to think about your day – and time in the evening to review the day’s events – can be invaluable.
If you’ve never been involved with a campaign, volunteer. Focus on whatever task you’re given, but also make a point to watch and learn from what’s around you. Also: If you’re at phone bank, stick to the phones. Don’t be the volunteer who distracts others by regaling fellow volunteers with your brilliant armchair strategy. But work hard and build trust, and you’ll quickly be given more responsibility and opportunities to learn.
When picking a race, don’t be shy about choosing tough races if they’re interesting to you. You can frequently learn more and build lasting relationships during the scrappy challenger races that the lobby or progressive establishment consider “unwinnable.” They’re not always right. And regardless, underdog campaigns – even ones that aren’t successful – can provide some of the greatest opportunities for learning and skills development.
12:10 p.m.
May 22, '12
And so much for the one sentence rule.
2:47 p.m.
May 22, '12
Change your major.
9:25 p.m.
May 22, '12
No one (and for good reason) trusts ANYONE who wants badly to be elected to public office. Learn who Cincinnatus was. And then choose a different career path for yourself.
11:21 p.m.
May 23, '12
^ Although, that doesn't include Nick Fish. :)
9:44 p.m.
May 24, '12
Follow your passion, yet continue to evolve. It is OK to grow and learn and never, never, NEVER forget to listen. Many more people know much more than you do!
1:33 a.m.
May 25, '12
Skills, knowledge, introspection, and maturity first.
9:02 a.m.
May 25, '12
I've never run for office, but I think you need to start by being sure what your goals are. If it is to accumulate wealth and power, there's a way to do that. If it's to strive to be a servant, to create the greatest good for he greatest number, there's a differnt way to do that..