Web Log
Nov 2, 02:07 AM | Author: head zoo keeper | Category: 2004 campaign
what surprised me the most
A couple of weeks ago at a house party, someone asked me what surprised me the most about being a candidate and running for office.
I thought about the question, and I thought,”The amount of political backroom dealing that I see (none of which benefitted me)? The amount of money it takes to run a campaign? How hard campaigning is?”
Well, it wasn’t really any of those things. Politics really was just what I expected it to be… unfortunately. And experiencing what you always thought of politics has been disillusioning. Because you go in with such great hopes of changing how things are.
This campaign was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had, both good and bad.
But a week later, I realized what surprised me the most, was this—this campaign has made me a better person.
When you think about entering politics, a part of you doesn’t want to enter because you worry about turning into, basically, a politician. You know there is some great unknown out in this world that magically turns people into individuals that you no longer respect.
Now, I really know what some of those “unknowns” are. It’s basically money and endorsements because it is hard to win without either. You see why people are willing to compromise themselves to just win.
I had the luck of having less money and endorsements.
What I did have was LOTS OF PEOPLE—high school students, youth and college student leaders, community organizers, activists and organizers.
When you have people, folks that you love and respect the most in the world (including your mom!), working on your campaign for no reason or money, you start to feel a lot of pressure. You feel pressure to be the best candidate possible for the people that are sweating and working hard for you—someone who stands by their principles and their community. I no longer minced my words on my views on equity for students and families of color and what real education should mean for our communities. How can you?
You are most accountable to the people that help you the most, the people that are gonna help you win a campaign whether it is your volunteers or your largest donors. There is no doubt to that.
I am lucky that the people that have helped me the most are people that I believe in fighting for and representing.
THANK YOU everyone.
Jane
November 2, 8:30pm
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