Thinking of running against Sweeney in NY - what do you think??

[adigal]

I started looking into this and found out that this would be a tough race. He has money and the support of the republican party. There is also another Dem looking into doing this who has a lot more influence and contacts than I do. But I am still thinking about looking into running against Sweeney. Why?

Because I am a wife, mother, teacher, who tosses and turns at night worrying about bills. I worry about the trash on TV, and the drugs in the school in which I teach and my kids attend. I worry about the way the girls dress and act, even the 10 year olds who come to my house. I worry about the country's deficit, about my friend's husband's job getting outsourced. I am a real person with real worries. Howard Dean said in a speech I heard that he believes we lost because we didn't address these "value" concerns parents have. I tend to agree. I would address them. I am also good verbally, a very good communicator, and a decent writer who cleans up okay. I don't have any major vices, few skeletons, and I have a husband who was a NYC fireman who was lied to by the EPA, and now has lung disease, like a thousand of his colleagues. I have always been registered Democrat, but I voted for Bush in 2000 - gosh, I always thought I was a fiscal conservative and a moderate socially, but those definitions have changed. I really was a Dem all along!

What do you all think about a regular person running for Congress? What kind of chance does someone have who does not have high-powered contacts? Can it be done, especially in New York? Or is it a waste of time? I wrote about this in dailykos also, am honestly looking for suggestions. Thanks,

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Run.

Then tell your story. Speak the truth.

[Andy_Stephenson]

2. Go FOR it!!!

Build a good team early...and talk to everyone about your "vision"

Start raising cash now...because the first question out of party hacks mouths is..."How much money have you raised?"

[Webster Green]

3. You voted for the chimp in 2000?

WTF?

Do you favor more censorship of the media? Would you favor escalating the idiotic drug war? It sounds like you would.

If that is the case, please don't get into politics.

[adigal]

4. No and No

I do NOT favor censorship - I am a teacher and I have had to fight very hard to teach some books that the religious right wanted banned in the school in which I used to teach. But I do favor keeping kids from going home and spending hours in front of that garbage, just as Howard Dean does. Solution: fund after-school programs, so parents don't have to worry about where their kids are and what they are doing.

And, NO, I do not favor escalating the war on drugs. Perhaps if we straightened out the school funding from real estate taxes (in NY) then the poor kids could have a good school, just like the rich kids can. And then maybe, just maybe, drugs would not hold the attraction for them that they do now.

But we ignore these fears of parents at our peril. We will continue to lose if we just refuse to admit that they are there.

[Webster Green]

7. Good!

I think the key to the drug problem is to simply tell the truth about the effects and consequences of drug use. Lay it out without all the lies and bullshit, then legalize all of it for adults. Humans always have, and always will seek ways to change their perception through substance use. The goal should be risk reduction.

Good luck to you!

[FreedomAngel82]

10. I agree

And no to censorship in school. That's just wrong to do because kids are at school to learn and to explore and to be educated about the world. Not just one ideology the rightwing wants.

[snowbear]

9. I don't get it....

How anyone could vote for that pathetic scumbag even in 2000 knowing how he ran Texas. :puke:

I'm glad you've seen the light. But scootch over Webster cause I'm in shock too! :o :o :o

Good luck if you decide to run though.. :)

[kentuck]

5. Absolutely...

even if you have a primary opponent.

[Ramsey]

6. Contact Emily's List

Do it now. PM me and I can give you the people to contact. If they agree to help you, you have a great chance of winning.

[mandyky]

11. Also try talking to the other Dem who may run

compare notes and issues and such, and also apply at DFA for help.

[adigal]

14. Ramsey - how do I PM you? Thanks,

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. The little yellow note icon by our names if for PMing :^)

[FreedomAngel82]

8. I think you could do it

Try it. Start making contacts in the area. Tell them your ideas and plans. Make a website and lay out your plans on there and make flyers for it and everything. I would go for it. Get in touch with EMILY's list. They'll help you money wise. http://www.emilyslist.org They help women candiate's all over the country. You can also contact the DFA and Jim Dean. It would really help if you could get them to help you as well. I've heard good things with DFA.

[Nite Owl]

12. I'm in your congressional district.

I have met the other woman who is thinking of running. She has good credentials. She is worried that maybe Republicans won't cross over and vote for her but she is connected. The fact that you have crossed over and voted for * could give you a check in the plus column with some Republicans in fact. Dems here are pretty riled up to get Sweeney out. Do you go to the DFA meetings at all? That's where I met your possible opponent, she came to speak with us and she went to the group in Troy also. She worked for Hillary and has financial connections to raise funds. If there is any way you want me to put you in contact with some people let me know. You don't have your profile turned on so try to email me here at DU.

[smartvoter]

13. Do it and don't look back. nt

[DinahMoeHum]

16. In addition to Emilys List and the DFA, you might also want to look into

Progressive Democrats of America www.pdamerica.org

21st Century Democrats: www.21stcenturydems.org

(The first 2 orgs listed have information about campaign/political trainings, including "Camp Wellstone". If they don't, they can link you to trainings)


League of Pissed-Off Voters: www.indyvoter.org
(this group is youth/minority/hip-hop oriented, but they have a great book out called "How To Get Stupid White Men Out Of Office"; available at most bookstores. It's chock full of stories of how regular everyday people got voted into office, "fought City Hall", etc.)


Good Luck! Keep us informed.

Oh, and you might want to post this in the "New York" discussion group, too.


:kick:

[TriMetFan]

17. Go for it.

Senator Patty Murray ran on a shoe string and was known as the mom in red tennis shoes. What I'm trying to say is it can be done. Senator Murray even though she is not my Senator has turn out to be a Great Senator for us here in the Pacific Northwest.

[Liberty Belle]

18. 2 candidates running in a primary has some advantages,

if the candidates agree not to trash each other but instead to focus on what's wrong with the Bush administration and the Republican candidate you're both running against. Explain your own strengths and visions, and let the voters decide who they like the best.

In our district, it looks like we're going to have a very interesting race shaping up. Two Dems want to run against a conservative Republican well known for his support of the armed services and the Christian coalition.

One candidate is a progressive minister who will speak out about the lack of moral values in today's GOP, such as failing to care for the poor, the sick, children and the elderly.

The other candidate is an antiwar ex-military intelligence officer/green beret who can speak against the war and point out tactical blunders made by his opponent, a member of a House Committee that has made many key decisions relating to the war.

I think we should sell popcorn and charge admission when these two guys take the stage.

[frictionlessO]

26. That sounds awesome!! My bet is on the ex intel officer. If the

local wingers don't brand him a traitor and have it stick that is.

I will most assuredly be interested in that race, thanks for heads up!

[Liberty Belle]

30. The minister candidate plans to be quite outspoken

in exposing the hypocrisy of the Christian right. He wants to get the truth out more than he wants to win a primary election, and I think he's going to get a lot of Christian voters doing some real soul-searching about the candidates they've supported in the past.

His forthrightness may lose him certain votes, but I think he'll also wake up some people in this working class conservative community. So even if he "loses" to the military guy, the people win.

[frictionlessO]

37. Very very true... oh to have every part of our country be so lucky... n/t

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. If you have the desire and the ability, go for it! It is true that

having more than one Dem run for a primary race can actually be advantageous to the party in the general election.

I have a huge desire to run, but it's just not the right time.

Find the contacts. Are you a member of your local Democratic Executive Committee? If not, contact them and see what kind of support they can give you. Monetarily and with contacts.

Hey, the current rep from my district was elected at least twelve years ago and his qualifications were as an orthopedist. If a mediocre bone doctor can become a crappy representative I see no reason why an excellent "regular person" couldn't become a spectacular one.

Money, money, money. Start fundraising. Do you have the opportunity to attend Camp Wellstone? Talk to other people who have run in the past and pick their brains by conducting a "post-mortem" on their campaigns. They'll give you the skinny on what to really expect and perhaps give you guidance on what pitfalls to avoid.

Good luck!

[Senator]

20. If you run on the stolen elections...

...you will tap into the mother lode of energy, support, and yes, money (including some of mine) that was the real force that powered the Dean phenomenon.

This is especially resonant in your district because Sweeney was the thug who yelled "Shut it down!" to start the "riot" in Miami/Dade in 2000. (Also wouldn't be a bad campaign slogan: "Sweeney: Shut him down.")

While this may or may not win you some "former" Repubs like yourself in the general, it will certainly serve you well with the Dem rank and file in the primary.

--

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. If the elections are really stolen,

why would they not steal it from her? :shrug:

[KoKo]

21. Go for it realizing that "politics itself is a dirty business." But, we

need fresh faces and voices. Great Idea!

[adigal]

22. Thanks for all your suggestions -

I am taking notes, writing them all down.

I really appreciate your thoughts.

[Chicken George]

23. If you were tallying votes here you may have already won.

...I would respectfully vote against you in the primary unless your opponent also voted for Bush in 2000. Then I would not vote for either one of you. You would have to do a darn good job of convincing me that in your heart you were really a Democrat voting against our VP Albert Gore and the reasons why...You did not mention who you voted for in '04....??

[adigal]

24. Of course I voted for Kerry

and to tell you the truth, I was turned off by Clinton's shenanigans. I felt that he threw away the opportunity to do great things for our country because of a lack of discipline. And Gore, well, he was a scold in my view. Yes, he was right, and I wish we could have had him as President since 2000, but he really turned me off. I loved Kerry's intelligence and ability to see both sides.

Not everything in my life is black and white, but I respect your right not to vote for me or for anyone else with whom you disagree.

[Chicken George]

27. There is no doubt that we would get in some sort of heated exchange...

...you say that you were turned off by Clinton's shenanigans. How about the Republican's shenanigans..the numerous investigations/witch hunts not only against the Clinton's but other people in his cabinet/administrations..?? In spite of the obstruction AND the impeachment I believe he did much better than expected. The 8 year record speaks for itself and looks quite good when compared to the previous 12 years....Good luck to you if you decide to run. Yes I know I have the right to vote my conscience. And I know how I would vote if I lived in your district.

[adigal]

28. That is why I now fight against this administration

as hard as I can. I really don't plan to get into heated debates if I run. I will explain my reasons and people will accept them or not. I cannot change the past but, hopefully, even if I don't run, I can help change the future.

[adigal]

29. And, I forgot to add, in this district a liberal Dem

in my humble opinion, would have little to no chance to win. A moderate Dem would have a much better chance. The district is 2 to 1 republican.

[BloodForOil]

40. Being an Ex-Republican may help

And we need to embrace as many fellow democrats as possible, not matter what their backgrounds were. Theres no point discriminating against them and turning on them because of who they voted for before, thats if anything going to lose us votes in the long run.

Anyway, good luck on running if you decide to, 58 percent is fairly solid but can definitely be overcome.

I think that you should run, as you can later drop out anytime you want if you get second thoughts early on, but it might be hard to try and get back in later.

Good luck!

[brooklynite]

31. Make your decision with open eyes

Sweeney won the last election with 58% of the vote. Add to that the fact that districts in NYS are largely drawn to protect incumbents of both parties. So the odds are against you, although in a sea-change election, you never know what's going to happen.

That being said, there's value in running a campaign as much to spread the Democratic message as to eck out a win. Your background as a former Bush supporter (bearing in mind, you can't "prove" it and politics can get pretty ugly) and your husband's background as (I assume) a 9/11 fireman are good symbols to work on.

As a starting point, check a copy of the ALMANAC OF AMERICAN POLITICS for a profile of your district. You might also try to talk to Doris Kelly, who ran against him last year (her website's still online).

[adigal]

32. Thank you for the advice

58% is not that intimidating - not like 75 or 80% would have been. Plus, he has had some problems recently. Might help also.

[brooklynite]

33. One other suggestion...

See if you can use any moderate positions he has against him. Sweeney got about 6% of his vote from the Conservative Party line, but their alliance with the Republicans has been fracturing, and they seem to feel now's the time to assert themselves. If he's anything but anti-abortion, anti- gay marriage, anti gun control, they might set up their own candidate and split the vote.

nb - Sweeney also had the Independence Party line, which is enmeshed in controversy over its leader Lenora Fulani.

[NeoTraitors]

34. Throw your hat in the ring

right now! We need you.

[deadparrot]

35. Go for it...

I'm far away, but if you feel up for the job, GO FOR IT!! :)

[Historic NY]

36. Adigal go for it .......remember Hon. Carolyn McCarthy

her husband was killed and son wounded on the LIRR. Well she ran and won, she was a nurse by trade. With the present climate and our chance to reclaim the Governor seat here, now would be the best time. You will need support and logistics to get your message out in your district, but nothing is insurmountable.

http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/

[salin]

38. Read Patricia Schroeder's book

circa 1999. Title something like "Cleaning up the House" or "House Work"... Great book. She was first elected in a republican district - and went on to be elected many times. One of my all-time favorite members of Congress. She gives some great advice as to how to get the word out there per an election.

Read it - then run!

[Rainscents]

39. Only way I would support any candidate now... they must be honest

and truly want to represent "We The People"!