@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I think Golden (and St. Clair, we don't actually have a Dem nominee yet) and I approach the job differently.
There are too many issues to cover each by tweet, but the biggest difference between me and the D/R candidates is what I believe the actual job description is.
There are too many issues to cover each by tweet, but the biggest difference between me and the D/R candidates is what I believe the actual job description is.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I think at the end of the day when all the chaos is put aside the job is to make sure the words that end up on the page are always a net improvement to constituents (and everyone impacted) with an eye to the vulnerable. There will always be trade-offs, winners/losers, etc.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk To me the job is to take the law as it is now, and make it "better" (which is a broad concept because federal law is broad). It is a big job with a commiserate paycheck. Doing that properly requires it to be a full time job and you must read every single bill before you vote,
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk There should never, ever be a question as to whether or not reps have read the bills (spoiler, most no longer do), or for whom your reps are working (spoiler #2, it's usually campaign donors). There also should be transparency in why/how voting decisions are made.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk The focus is very different than anyone else running, so I campaign the way I think the job should be and I live that message fully. I do it in several ways.
1. I demonstrate my proficiency in reading bills and how I think.
1. I demonstrate my proficiency in reading bills and how I think.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk 2. I refuse all campaign $. This is a job with a paycheck (and quite possibly the worst job interview ever). If I buy in to the system, I disqualify myself from the job due to the inherent ethical conflict. There simply are not enough hours in the day to fundraise and make law.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk The consequence of that is members of Congress spend their time continually courting donors rather than devoting their working hours to the law. Time is finite. To get and stay elected in the current model you need to fundraise million(s) per year.
That's a lot of bake sales.
That's a lot of bake sales.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I'm not doing it. I refuse. I think it's unethical and disqualifying. However, I acknowledge you cannot get elected without $. People have to know who you are and why they should choose you.
I don't want to touch $.
Give the $ to CD2 instead.
Use the market for good.
I don't want to touch $.
Give the $ to CD2 instead.
Use the market for good.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I ask people to do 2 things with $ they would give me campaign.
You're in Wells, right? CD1, but same news market. We have very little news in Maine. Give the $ to a CD2 charity. If enough people do, I'll be on the news and won't need ads.
You're in Wells, right? CD1, but same news market. We have very little news in Maine. Give the $ to a CD2 charity. If enough people do, I'll be on the news and won't need ads.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk If you are tired of all of the fundraising (I sure get enough of those emails and I'm not even registered in a party), then the other option is to shop.
Any small businesses, anywhere in the district, anything you want to buy, any amount.
Any small businesses, anywhere in the district, anything you want to buy, any amount.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk Maine is pretty astonishing at gossip.
We have hundreds of little towns.
If a few folks in each town get orders and start scratching their head about people buying their stuff because of congressional campaign...well, it's past who ditched their snowmobile in a lake season.
We have hundreds of little towns.
If a few folks in each town get orders and start scratching their head about people buying their stuff because of congressional campaign...well, it's past who ditched their snowmobile in a lake season.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk Aren't those more productive, helpful methods of using money than political ads and ridiculous flyers?
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I also let way (WAY) more of my personality through than other candidates. There is no question who I am. Isn't that what you want?
I want to know who is making my law, warts and all. I don't want a scrubbed, sanitized, perfectly polished version.
I want to know who is making my law, warts and all. I don't want a scrubbed, sanitized, perfectly polished version.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I want someone who actually would enjoy the job of reading federal law (I do, you probably don't want me at a holiday dinner), who knows how it impacts people (uh, family law, I see how a huge chunk of fed law hits the average Joe).
That's who should make law.
It's a day job.
That's who should make law.
It's a day job.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk The pens in my hair aren't there for tv.
I always have pens in my hair.
(Seems safer than in a pocket if you want Sandra Bullock movies...and women's clothes seldom have good pockets anyway)
I always have pens in my hair.
(Seems safer than in a pocket if you want Sandra Bullock movies...and women's clothes seldom have good pockets anyway)
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I'm a bit meandering since I'm up with a cold and a conscience tonight.
At the end of the day, or 2-something am, my campaign asks a fundamental question you won't see in others, D or R.
At the end of the day, or 2-something am, my campaign asks a fundamental question you won't see in others, D or R.
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk Can a qualified, reasonable, moderate, middle class person who would be proficient at the job and enjoy it be hired despite the circus, reality tv job interview for less than $5k?
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk I think it's possible.
Wouldn't it be amazingly cool if anytime someone said "normal people don't get elected," "they all sell out," or "you have to take money in politics" instead of a head nod, the answer was "well, up in Maine..."
Wouldn't it be amazingly cool if anytime someone said "normal people don't get elected," "they all sell out," or "you have to take money in politics" instead of a head nod, the answer was "well, up in Maine..."
@KickingBullG @TwoBroadsTalk This is a *really* long way to ask, can I interest you in some artisnal CD2 jam?
