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Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
* Earlier this morning I posted some of the “rules of the road” bestowed upon every Capitol Fax intern.
Rule #1: Assume everyone is wearing a wire.
Rule #2: Don’t go home with an intern.
Rule #3: Friends aren’t necessarily the ones that pick-up the check. Friends are the ones that bring you chicken soup when you’re sick. Stick with your friends.
There are a few others, but you get the gist.
Question: What advice would you give to someone that might be joining a political campaign for the first time?
We have done a QOTD like this in the past, and the responses were exceptional. I figure the timing is just about right for us to revisit the topic. I think I even saw a comment suggesting such a QOTD, so have at it.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:44 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Don’t try to impress the boss/candidate/campaign manager with your humor or personality. Impress them with your work.
Comment by BL Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:52 am
If anyone assures you, “This is perfectly legal”, assume that it’s probably not.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:59 am
Mouth = closed.
Ears = open.
Comment by Tom Servo Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:59 am
1) Listen. Learn. Do not “Teach”
2) Be Seen.
3) Be heard … when asked
4) Walk a precinct with;
a “True Believer”,
a “Paid Operative”,
a “Friend”, and
“someone you just met at the champaign”
You will learn loads.
5) Learn as much as you can about polling and direct mail and the relationship.
6) Ask. If you don’t know, ask. Save everyone time and money.
7) Everyone starts at the bottom. Be VERY weary of those who didn’t.
8) Being “Pals” with the candidate is good. Knowing the people “behind the candidate” is better.
9) Campaigns are not all “glamor and fun”. IF you get lucky and get some “playing time”, it will be long hours, seemingly menial tasks, and critical to what needs to be done.
10) You don’t need to be a “people person” but its a “people business”. Know the difference.
11) Never fake a precinct walk. A good Crew at the office always knows. Always.
12) Go out enough after work to be seen, don’t go out enough to get a reputation.
13) Laugh. Just laugh at the right time.
14) Be ready for the “after” - good or bad, there is always a letdown.
15) No two campaigns are ever the same. A first good experience might not be what you will have every time after.
16) collect all the mail pieces from both sides and save them. You learn more away from something then actually in that moment.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:00 pm
Everyone has a reason for doing campaign work be they paid or volunteer. Figure out their reasons.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:01 pm
Embrace your role, whatever it is. Don’t try to move up or play someone else’s role.
If you work hard, keep your head down, sacrefice for the team, do the grunt work without complaint, and don’t overstep your bounds, you’ll impress your colleagues and they’ll want to work with you again.
If the senior campaign team wants to work with you again, you’ll have a future in campaigns. If they don’t, you won’t.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:02 pm
As a freshly minted young grad and new bureaucrat, one of the office greyhairs told me the 3 rules for public service longevity were:
Never Complain
Never Explain
Never Admit
I’ve avoided breaking #1 to a respectable degree, but broken #2 a lot and #3 on occasion.
Comment by titan Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:04 pm
If you are asked to be “the driver” for the candidate or the campaign manager, take it before they change their minds.
Then, follow the rules everyone is giving above … to the “T”.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:08 pm
Trust is something that is built in small increments over a long period of time.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:10 pm
if the fbi comes to talk to you–not that you have done anything wrong–make sure you have your lawyer present. you dont want to get someone else in trouble. (credit to zeke)
Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:11 pm
Never underestimate the power of people walking precincts and never overestimate the value of money.
Play your lane
Always be willing to listen
Pay attention to written notes
Never date crazy
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:13 pm
If you are asked for your honest opinion on anything, give it. Don’t think you are helping by guessing “what answer are they look for?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:14 pm
See a psychiatrist.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:16 pm
OW, your #8 worries me. I know I’m naive, but shouldn’t the voters be the ones behind the candidate?
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:19 pm
Don’t ever lie.
If you have changed your mind about something be able to explain why, otherwise it looks like you lied.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:20 pm
Ignore all polling and work as hard as you can
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:21 pm
=Everyone has a reason for doing campaign work be they paid or volunteer. Figure out their reasons. =
Identify and occasionally hang out with the ones who are doing it simply because they see it as their duty and obligation as Citizens. (There are a few.) If you see them run at some point, run after them.
Fast.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:21 pm
Don’t assume the polls showing your candidate winning are correct. Always work as if you are trailing by 10 points; the time to relax is after the election.
You get votes one or two at a time. Be honest about your candidate and respectful of their opponent. You’re more likely to get listened to. Example - Before the recent primary, while wearing the candidate’s shirt after an event, I was asked about a certain candidate by someone who had just moved into Springfield. My answer was: “I’m supporting X because I’ve known him and his wife for this many years, and he’s done this and that. The other person would also be good in the position, but I think my guy will do better.” After listening to my wife and I, the person I was talking with said they would probably vote for who I was supporting.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:21 pm
It’s not nearly as glamorous as you probably think it is.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:24 pm
- PublicServant -,
Here, “8A) If a candidate is running their own campaign, odds are you are not in a very well-run campaign”
“8B) Good campaigns have good people working there, see how they go about their business”
Better?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:26 pm
Politics is messy and can get very nasty. Don’t take things personally.
Comment by NIref Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:26 pm
If you are trusted enough to “know” things, then keep them to yourselves.
You are not impressing anyone by blabbing inside information.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:28 pm
Especially when a primary is involved, there will be folks working for the other guy/gal. Presumably you will be at this for a long time. This campaign will end, and there will be others. You don’t always get to pick with whom you will work on the next campaign, and you will see some of those folks again, except now you will be expected to work together. So, always be honest and above-board, and never sell out your integrity for any one candidate. Candidates come and go, but you are always you, and there are a lot of other folks out there doing the same thing that you will run into over and over again. You may have to live with many of them if you want to survive.
@OW #7- absolutely right about everyone starting at the bottom. That ought to go for candidates as well as worker bees.
Comment by Team America Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:29 pm
Don’t rely on a particular candidate/organization for future employment.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:29 pm
=Politics is messy and can get very nasty. Don’t take things personally. =
Unless, of course, it’s directed at you personally. In which case, don’t run. Make eye contact, don’t flinch, and WALK away.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:29 pm
@OW - Much. Thank you sir!
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:29 pm
Get out while you still can!
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Consultants work for the campaign, not the other way around. Consultants are salesmen, be skeptical of what they try to sell you.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Always smell good.
Altoids, gum, deodorant and sprays are your friend.
Keep extra dress clothes, especially shoes, in your trunk.
Change your clothes, especially your shoes, after spending more than eight hours in them. This will keep you feeling good and fresher than everyone else.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:35 pm
If you “badmouth” someone in “confidence”, it always gets back to who you badmouth. Always.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:35 pm
Oh, and in follow-up to my 12:21, you can usually spot those who are doing it out of obligation and duty because in most–not all-cases, they’re the ones that the pols and their consultants are keeping at bay because they “don’t trust them.”
You’d think that’d be counterintuitive but unfortunately no longer with the ways things “run” today.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:37 pm
There are already several “Never”s above. Here is another one: Never assume. As in, never assume you are being told the truth, that something is legal if your gut is telling you it is not. Always verify. And I concur with: never lie. If you establish the reputation that you never lie, it will serve you well.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:38 pm
=If you “badmouth” someone in “confidence”, it always gets back to who you badmouth. Always. =
Never listen to hearsay on the campaign trail. Those are called “whisper campaigns.” Motives for whisper campaigns vary, but they’re usually extremely twisted. Hence the need to for a whisper campaign, rather than the “initial whisperer” being able to address it directly as most others would.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:43 pm
So true. If you don’t know, say that and find out
the answer. And yes, always be honest. Never lie. You’ll be found out.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:43 pm
Expect that people may ignore your advice. I remember when young Brucie Rauner asked what he should do in a campaign for the first time I said “Just be yourself”
Comment by Publius Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:47 pm
Do not become too emotionally invested.
Work hard, talk little, listen more.
Don’t complain; be positive.
Don’t put too much credence in the polls.
Careful what say in dealing with reporters, the public and opposition campaign workers.
It is ok to say I don’t know.
Try to know.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:53 pm
Bring band-aids to your first day of parading with your favorite candidate. No matter how comfortable you think your shoes will be, you’ll need the band-aids.
;)
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Shake hands and support the candidate, there will be many of them.
Marry the policy. It remains constant.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:57 pm
Know what kakistocracy means.
Comment by Kakistocracy Kid Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:00 pm
Never say no to the Treasurer.
Comment by John A Logan Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:00 pm
Have a very clear knowledge of who you are, what your values are, what your ethics and morals are, and where your ultimate personal “lines in the sand” are, and NEVER cross them.
Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Never get in an argument with the press. You buy your ink in pens by the dozen; the press buys their ink in barrels by the ton.
Comment by East Central Illinois Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Not to ride OW coat tails or correct him in any way but the additional part of his #8 is; Candidates come and go, win or lose. The people behind them are perennial. If they are good you will see them every campaign. They are the kingmakers. They are the people candidates seek out. For a reason. They are where the power lies. If they like you. You will succeed. But you have to follow all of the other rules posted above.
Comment by Irish Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:07 pm
(Tips cap to - Irish -, nice add, and adding…)
Spread credit around where credit is due.
Teammates are looked at for favorably than credit hounds.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:10 pm
The campaign manager didn’t hire you to be James Carville.
Do the boring, menial tasks 100% accurately and deliver them on time, and never take a day off.
If you can do that for one month, it likely will be noticed, you’ll have a little more leeway to take a day off, and you may have a chance to voice an opinion on a campaign issue.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:13 pm
I think a corollary to #3: “Just because a person is friendly to you doesn’t mean he/she is your friend.”
And my favorite: “No one has your best interest in mind except you.”
Comment by Anon-MCMLVII Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:14 pm
If the candidate treats you like garbage…
quit.
It’s not gonna be any better after they win.
Comment by Lobo Y Olla Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:14 pm
Focus on the issue, not on the people.
Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:15 pm
Even if you win, you may really lose.
Comment by Scott Cohen Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:17 pm
Some people will vote for your candidate no matter what. Some people will never vote for your candidate. Some people can be persuaded to vote for your candidate. Spend your time on the third group, unless times are tough and you need to recharge your batteries with the first group.
Comment by Quizzical Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:18 pm
Don’t ever get quoted in the press –that’s your bosses job.
Comment by woodchuck Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:21 pm
Take care of yourself first. It is not worth it to stop going to the gym, stop eating well, stop paying your bills. The time it takes for self care 1) doesn’t hurt the campaign 2) lets you make it to the finish line in one piece. Don’t be a jerk and put all the work of keeping the home front together on your spouse or you will not have a spouse and the campaigns will be in the rearview mirror.
Comment by Rayne of Terror Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:31 pm
Pretty simple: Identify enough supporters to win. Stay in contact with them. Always campaign like you’re 10 votes behind.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:35 pm
Volunteers should never work harder than the candidate.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Follow the money.
Trust, but verify.
Carry a bail bond card, especially when covering a story in Cicero.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Thank your regular volunteers profusely - especially the ones that show up in the rain with food - home baked goods - or to just check in and walk a precint. Then thank them again.
Comment by in absentia Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:41 pm
Don’t wear a purple power tie and a Carhartt jacket together.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Whether staff or candidate…don’t wear a coat into events (unless it is pouring rain). If you do, people notice when you arrive (with coat) and when you leave (again with coat)…plus it wastes time to retrieve your coat as you depart for the next event.
Comment by Practical Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:54 pm
Never talk to the press.
Listen, learn, then operate. In that order.
Never talk to the press.
Comment by Sun Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Candidates:
Meeting ten people on their door step is still better than going to an event with 200 supporters.
Walk all day every day, be sincere, stay away from your campaign office and staff. Tell them to break no laws or rules, and then let them do their jobs.
Never touch money or checks. Period.
Comment by Walker Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 2:27 pm
1. Are you nuts?
2. Remember that thing you did/said 10 years ago? You’ll be reminded.
3. What do you expect to get out of this?
4. Did you really think about this?
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 2:56 pm
Get your reimbursements turned in before Election Day.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:07 pm
Believe in your candidate and what they stand for. Know that your candidate can and will make a difference, this will get you through all those long days and nights.
Comment by FrustratedVoter Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:50 pm
Never let it be your whole life; the campaign always ends.
Comment by D.P.Gumby Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:52 pm
If you’re going to do this professionally,
1. Grow an exceptionally thick skin, because as the professional on the scene, you’re going to get the criticism, blame and complaints
2. Learn to lose like a professional because the bigger the office/campaign, the more likely you’re going to lose more than you win.
3. Understand that not everyone working on a campaign is there for the same reasons you are.
4. Never let the candidate travel alone with the young interns…EVER…even if YOU know its safe. Nobody else does.
5. Never get so big in this business that you won’t stuff envelopes or walk a precinct - that’s where the action is!
6. Always, always, always say thank you, even to those who hate you.
That’s enough from me.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:57 pm
“Get your reimbursements turned in before Election Day.”
Better yet, don’t wait until the end, turn in on a regular basis …
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:59 pm
Read capfax everyday
Comment by bottom rung. Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 4:00 pm
You will be stabbed in the back. Always. Do not volunteer for campaigns ever. If you want a friend in politics, get a dog. The politicos like the big money an in-kind contributions fron Stu Levine types. They will get the good jobs. True believers will be flushed down the toilet.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 4:00 pm
These are directed to the first time campaigner (and you aren’t going to be in charge, so don’t worry too much about campaign strategy). Some of these are somewhat repetitive to what’s above, but call it lessons learned from my first campaigns (very first being over 20 years ago).
1. Candidates come and go. Staff is forever. I got my second statewide campaign job when I called a friend from the first campaign who now worked for a constitutional officer asking “is this candidate ok?” That person said yes, told me of a friend who was working there, went in, saw another friend from the first campaign running finances, and heard that person say “hire him—he’s not nuts.” Even if your candidate loses, don’t be a jerk to the staff, cause the competent ones will be around for the next candidate.
2. Along those lines—a lot of the people working on campaigns are nuts. Can be good workers, but nuts. Treat them with respect and don’t bad mouth them, but don’t drink their kool aid, and don’t get too associated with them. They don’t seem to last from campaign to campaign in any real position of authority.
3. Keep your yap shut outside of the office (and in some cases, inside the office). I got told a lot of stuff by insiders because what they told me never got back to them via a different route.
4. Don’t lose your temper. I got snapped at by a number of senior staff because I was breathing in the wrong place. I didn’t take it personally, didn’t snap back, and it was forgotten five minutes later.
5. You learn more from a badly run campaign than a well run campaign. My first statewide was pretty well run. The second one—not as much. And while I was much happier and prouder of the first, I learned bigger lessons on the second.
6. Assuming you’re not asked to do anything unethical or illegal, your response to ANY request (including “run into that brick wall”) should be “sir, yes sir!” I started off as a volunteer that just showed up to the campaign offices and got hired on as staff because, even though I had a law degree (freshly minted), I was willing to come in to the office most anytime, make coffee, do photocopying and collating, compile briefing books, etc… The one time I got annoyed and said I didn’t have time to sharpen this one guy’s pencils (which was true) was later a big regret—he was a big name nationally known outside consultant, and I didn’t realize it. He couldn’t have been more gracious, but I may have lost a valuable contact because he saw me as somebody who wasn’t willing to do the scut work (which I totally did all the time—just couldn’t that one time…)
7. If you get stuck in a dingy office with just one other person, you’ve made it. I drive my wife nuts when I yell at a tv show that shows a municipal level campaign office with lots of bright chirpy people in a big room each with their own computer and lots of offices for senior staff. In reality, it’s a small number of haggard (but interesting) people crammed into a semi-furnished location where the doors may work and plaster is peeling off the walls. Money must be saved for TV and consultants, so nobody wants to spend it on rent.
8. When the campaign ends (and it will, rain or shine), don’t be surprised if you don’t get help for the next gig. The candidate is busy nursing their own wounds if they lost, and while the good ones will hopefully take care of you, you aren’t their focus. If your person wins—awesome. If they don’t take care of you, that’ll get around, but you can’t guarantee it. But see point one–staff is forever, and if they see you as acting professionally, they’ll take care of you. Do the same when your in a more senior position later.
Comment by Gurnge Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 4:07 pm
Think long and hard before working on the campaign of any candidate whose middle name is “Milhous.”
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:05 pm
Also, Oswego, campaigns blab fake “secret” info to volunteers on purpose just to see who is talking. It is insulting and stupid, but they all do it.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:06 pm
If you have half a brain do not volunteer for these jackals–consultants–hired guns that will trow you under the bus. They beleive in nothing except themselves and are worse than the candidates.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:09 pm
===You will be stabbed in the back. Always. Do not volunteer for campaigns ever. If you want a friend in politics, get a dog. The politicos like the big money an in-kind contributions fron Stu Levine types. They will get the good jobs. True believers will be flushed down the toilet.===
===Also, Oswego, campaigns blab fake “secret” info to volunteers on purpose just to see who is talking. It is insulting and stupid, but they all do it.===
Reading your two posts, are you speaking from experience of blabbing, and thus your bad memories?
I am being snarky now. No harm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:10 pm
No blabbing…I was sharp enough to see through the spokesguys’ b.s. and my wife and I left the campaign instanter. (Candidate lost, too.)
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:13 pm
- The O’Jays -,
Well, you advice is worth exactly as much as mine …
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:15 pm
Also, trust me, you will be more remembered by the candidate if you buy a table at some b.s. chicken dinner than if you actually work a phone bank, precinct, signs, etc. Volunteers are talked down to by the consuting class, and they are used and abused. They would rather have their picture taken with some media goofball than be seen with someone with actual values.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:17 pm
- The O’Jays -,
It’s tough being a “true believer” out there…
However, there are some incredibily talented campaign people out there, bith sides in fact, and they cover all ends of the spectrum.
My last campaign is too far back to admit, and I don’t see a campaign in my future, except my own write-in campaign, ably handled by - Norseman - and his Crew, which I have yet to meet.
However, I am pretty sure there are some great people doing some really good work, and working hard with volunteers, because, from what I hear, the people who run campiagns, they all talk and know.
Sorry your experience, or even more than one experience wasn’t all you had hoped.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:24 pm
OW, I hoped to make a difference and saw the real politics and it turned me off forever. I will not name the campaigns or hired guns but they all were horrible. The candidates were ombut the flacks were social losers par excellence.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:47 pm
I did get to meet WGN’s Jackie Bange though.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:49 pm
===OW, I hoped to make a difference and saw the real politics and it turned me off forever.===
Commented on … a poltical blog.
Who knows, you may change your mind. Elections are like buses, there is always another coming soon.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:51 pm
See, a silver lining.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:53 pm
We’ll see. This is the Dawning of the Age of Evelyn.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:57 pm
===We’ll see. This is the Dawning of the Age of Evelyn.===
Two words for you.
Liability. Insurance.
You’ll thank me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 5:58 pm
I am well aware of your views on the GOP candidate for lt. Governor; just pushing the proverbial buttons…!
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:05 pm
She’s fine.
As long as she is not on my property for any period of time, withouth signing a waiver, she can campaign as much as they will let her.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:08 pm
The Tribune did not want to abolish the Office of lieutenant gov’nor when Susan Catania was running, no?
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:11 pm
I dunno, I gave up reading the Tribune for Lent … in 2004-ish …
A have no affliliation with the Tribune, and I am sure they like it that way too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:14 pm
When I come down to Kendall County, please show me where the Farnsworth House is; I am thinking of bailing from Cook.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:14 pm
Find the ones in the your political party that are today’s Donald Segrettis and Karl Roves and give them ultimatums that if they try out their ruinous behaviors on you, or anyone close to you, there will be one response from you, and only once. If you know what I mean.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:15 pm
Not even John Kass? The non-committed non-conservative trying to not offend anyone?
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:17 pm
Wisconsin is nice I hear, and Indiana is stellar.
I give lousy tours, and when you’ve seen one corn field … you’ve seen one corn field.
I do wish you well in finding a campaign, but do yourself a favor, leave me out of it.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:19 pm
I do recommend the Beer Can Chicken…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:22 pm
Bill : I like your advice but I do not like consultants so I will not need to do it. Plus, I will never again let anyone get between me and the candidate himself. Or herself.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:23 pm
I am staying in Cook. I would not move to Wisconsin or Indiana. Hawaii maybe if I could swing it. Just want to see a mies van der Rohe house.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:27 pm
- The O’Jays -,
You maybe all wet on this; You should stay in Cook and run yourself. You could teach them a thing or 3 alright, alright.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:28 pm
They have tours.
Let me know 48 hours in advance so the restraining order I get has its full force…
No snark, it’s quite lovely.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:31 pm
I do like kass (wordslinger?) (phocion?) taste in Hamm’s beer.
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:42 pm
When I get my - circularfiringsquad - decoder ring out, I will understand better.
Old Style is probably better with the Chicken(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 6:54 pm
Learned Mr. OW: grandmaster of snark: what leads you to believe that
I am a-gasp-republican
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 7:01 pm
Your stylish socks(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 7:03 pm
No man just regular black socks. I was going to paint my ankles black to save but I digress
Comment by The O'Jays Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 7:22 pm
Welp, see ya around campus. Maybe you’ll find another campaign.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 7:31 pm
Hey…- The O’Jays -,
After the Beer Can Chicken, check out the Combine articles. Maybe that will help. You may volunteer before you know it.
Food for thought…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:39 pm
Be able to handle your alcohol.
Remember who the police are supporting when you get pulled over, and make sure if you are taking those signs down, they aren’t visible.
I could add something about the comfort levels of sex and desks but somethings are simply better to just be discovered on your own.
Comment by frustrated GOP Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:35 pm
Hmm. If you’re a volunteer of the “unpaid” variety (yes, there’s so much to learn), read the O’Jays’ and Gurnge’s posts a couple of times. Then refer back to MrJMs’ observation.
You’re a volunteer. If a staffer (no matter how brilliant s/he believes they are and for how long they will therefore “be around”) or an aggressive volunteer (of the paid or unpaid variety) tells you that you’re obligated to work for them x number of hours a week without taking a day off, and you’re not willing to be “obligated” to that extent, be polite (but firm) and remind them that you’re a volunteer–but that they can always pay you if they’d like.
(And try to do it politely, without giving them a one-finger salute.)
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 17, 14 @ 12:02 am
- D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
Never let it be your whole life; the campaign always ends.
Yes - agree 100%.
If you are young and think this is what you want to do with your life, ok, but have a backup plan. Learn a valuable skill - accounting or something.
There are so many variables in this business that you can’t count on anything - and the campaign always ends as mentioned above.
Comment by low level Thursday, Apr 17, 14 @ 5:39 am
A lot of great advice, especially about staff being around forever, and I’m late to the party, but just thought I’d add one more piece. Always remember that you work for the candidate and his/her ideology - your ideology doesn’t matter one whit, and you should never express an opinion in contract to that of the candidate.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Apr 17, 14 @ 10:46 am