"How to Prepare to Run for Political Office"

[wildflower]

Anyone here read eHow.com? I think it's a kind of wikipedia (user-written guide) on how to do all sorts of things.

Anyway I happened to see this featured on the front page today:

How to Prepare to Run for Political Office

Tired of the same meaningless sound bytes from candidates year after year? Is there a local issue that has you hopping mad? Think you can do a better job than the people who represent you? Don't just sit there - help fix the problem by running for office.

A few snips:

1. Take a personal inventory. Do you have the time, family support, name recognition, drive to win and public speaking skills necessary to run a good campaign?

snip

4. Volunteer for causes like the PTA if your passion is education, or the neighborhood watch if you're interested in fighting crime.

snip

6. Research the office you want to hold. Who will vote in the election, what will you do as an elected official, and what legal obligations do you have to meet? Your local Board of Elections can help you with demographics and legal questions; attending meetings of the office you want to hold will familiarize you with the duties.

more at

http://www.ehow.com/how_18207_prepare-run-political.html

Anyway, I thought some of you might either find it useful or want to add your own tips to the page.

-wildflower

[Ranec]

1. I've I wondered about this sort of stuff

I'm just not the sort of person who would succeed in an election, but I've always wondered about where locally elected people come from.

I guess the local chamber of commerce, church groups, and PTA's breed a lot of them.

I usually just flip a coin when it comes to decide how I'm going to vote in the local elections. I always wonder what sort of connections lead to victories. It isn't necessarily the one with the most yard signs.

[pearl]

2. Thanks a million Wildflower

That is an excellent resource. I'm about to venture into
political consulting because a friend of my sisters wants to
run for office.

[wildflower]

4. You're welcome! I'm glad it helped someone. n/t

[TX-RAT]

3. Know well your past, least someone remind you of it.

Rule number one when running for office.