How to get elected?

[realtonygoodwin]

If you seriously wanted to run for, and win, elected office, up to the US Congressional level, what would you do to get there?
Consider education, career, lower offices held, training, location, volunteering, campaiging, and other choices, etc. What kind of time frames you are looking for as well.




Just looking for some brain-storming from most of us, and some success stories from those who have won elections.

Thanks!

 

[Philhelm]

Money. Lots of money.

 

[cjm]

If you seriously wanted to run for, and win, elected office, up to the US Congressional level, what would you do to get there?
Consider education, career, lower offices held, training, location, volunteering, campaiging, and other choices, etc. What kind of time frames you are looking for as well.




Just looking for some brain-storming from most of us, and some success stories from those who have won elections.

Thanks!

I ran across this video on "organizations to join before running for office" a while back:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?390181-8-Orgs-to-join-before-you-run-for-office

The archived "activist toolkit" sub-forum has a lot of good stuff in it.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/forumdisplay.php?59-Activist-Toolkit

 

[FindLiberty]

Find your local chapter of the JBS. Ask questions (and shut up...)

They know exactly how it's done (for good or bad).

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Become a convincing liar and manipulator.

 

[gerryb1]

http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/School.cfm?SchoolID=21551

Learn how to run an effective campaign. Winning in politics is about one thing: the number and effectiveness of activists on both sides.

PM me and I can probably get a coupon code to bring that cost down to $50 -- they have dorm rooms and give lunch and dinner, so your only other cost is a megabus or plane ticket.

 

[belian78]

Become a convincing liar and manipulator.

This is the way, just ask Matt. The end justifies the means and wot wot.

 

[Drex]

Have a lot of passion when you speak. If the voters see your passion in your message maybe they will see how much you believe in it

 

[AJ Antimony]

The million dollar question.

It's sort of logical, really. You want to be elected? Then you need people to vote for you. The bigger the office, the better the reason they need to vote for you.

This is why it's generally best to start at small, local offices and work your way up. People just don't have the funds, friends, and supporters needed to win a big congressional race right out of the gate. But individuals generally do have enough friends to be elected precinct committeemen for starters. The idea is you start at a small, local position then do a good job. Then you can credibly say "Hey I did great things as a PC, I'll run for county chairman." Then you run for state legislator, then Congressman, then Senator, etc.

If you really want to get elected to a big office as fast as possible, then the best thing to do is start meeting local Republicans. As many as possible. Become friends with as many as possible. Make it known to them that you have all the qualities needed in a good candidate without ever actually saying so: you're sharp, very knowledgeable, give great speeches, strong work ethic, commitment, clean background, etc. Then, as soon as some office opens and they are searching for a candidate, just maybe your name will pop up. But again, the easiest way to show this is to already be an elected official in a smaller office. You'll actually have tangible experience being a candidate and being an office holder.

 

[acptulsa]

Get your brother a job at Fox News.

 

[cjm]

http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/School.cfm?SchoolID=21551

Learn how to run an effective campaign. Winning in politics is about one thing: the number and effectiveness of activists on both sides.

PM me and I can probably get a coupon code to bring that cost down to $50 -- they have dorm rooms and give lunch and dinner, so your only other cost is a megabus or plane ticket.

I think they did a one day event in Lynchburg a while back. I couldn't attend due to a scheduling conflict, but I'm interested in attending one of their events someday. Thanks for bringing them back up on my radar.

 

[TomtheTinker]

It depends on how well you lie, cheat and steal.

 

[realtonygoodwin]

I ran across this video on "organizations to join before running for office" a while back:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?390181-8-Orgs-to-join-before-you-run-for-office

The archived "activist toolkit" sub-forum has a lot of good stuff in it.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/forumdisplay.php?59-Activist-Toolkit

http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/School.cfm?SchoolID=21551

Learn how to run an effective campaign. Winning in politics is about one thing: the number and effectiveness of activists on both sides.

PM me and I can probably get a coupon code to bring that cost down to $50 -- they have dorm rooms and give lunch and dinner, so your only other cost is a megabus or plane ticket.

Have a lot of passion when you speak. If the voters see your passion in your message maybe they will see how much you believe in it

The million dollar question.

It's sort of logical, really. You want to be elected? Then you need people to vote for you. The bigger the office, the better the reason they need to vote for you.

This is why it's generally best to start at small, local offices and work your way up. People just don't have the funds, friends, and supporters needed to win a big congressional race right out of the gate. But individuals generally do have enough friends to be elected precinct committeemen for starters. The idea is you start at a small, local position then do a good job. Then you can credibly say "Hey I did great things as a PC, I'll run for county chairman." Then you run for state legislator, then Congressman, then Senator, etc.

If you really want to get elected to a big office as fast as possible, then the best thing to do is start meeting local Republicans. As many as possible. Become friends with as many as possible. Make it known to them that you have all the qualities needed in a good candidate without ever actually saying so: you're sharp, very knowledgeable, give great speeches, strong work ethic, commitment, clean background, etc. Then, as soon as some office opens and they are searching for a candidate, just maybe your name will pop up. But again, the easiest way to show this is to already be an elected official in a smaller office. You'll actually have tangible experience being a candidate and being an office holder.

Thank you all!

 

[cjm]

http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/School.cfm?SchoolID=21551

Learn how to run an effective campaign. Winning in politics is about one thing: the number and effectiveness of activists on both sides.

PM me and I can probably get a coupon code to bring that cost down to $50 -- they have dorm rooms and give lunch and dinner, so your only other cost is a megabus or plane ticket.

I think they did a one day event in Lynchburg a while back. I couldn't attend due to a scheduling conflict, but I'm interested in attending one of their events someday. Thanks for bringing them back up on my radar.

I saw that the leadership institute has a free webinar scheduled for the 9th of January: http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/LIVE/upcoming.cfm?ID=21689

I signed up for that and have watched a few other presentations they have archived on their web site. Thanks again for the suggestion, gerryb1.

 

[realtonygoodwin]

I am actually moving to VA in a few months, so I may try to find some time to attend some of those events.