July 18, 2007 - Observations on Becoming a Politician

“He called me several months ago to assure me he would not run against me,” Dr. Ken Winters (Ky Senator-R) said. “I’ve known Carroll for a long time and have trouble thinking he’d make such a personal commitment not to run and then turn around and announce he intends to run. A person’s word is the most important asset they have in life.” (Paducah Sun July 17,2007)

As a political observer for 35-years my advice is simple to anyone considering going into politics these days.

Forget it. Get over it. If you go in as a humble and honest person your chances of coming out as one are greatly impaired.

However, since there are those of you out there who cast common sense to the side and insist you “can make a difference” consider these observations and consider taking some of this advice:

1. Understand politicians are held in more disdain than used car salesmen and lawyers and that is truly sad since they are charged with running our governments and spending our hard earned money that we pay out the kazoo in taxes. However, that is the fact. Congress’s approval rating is 16% even below President Bush’s. So, accept up front you are joining this elite club. Ask yourself how do you propose to change this torrid image? Stake out your turf and stand up for something that the average man and woman can support you on and that you believe in. For example, in Kentucky advocate rolling back the meetings of the impotent legislature to every two years, as in the past, and you will become a hero overnight. Or, run on eliminating the state income tax and replacing it with an across the board sales tax or fair tax so that everyone pays and see how that resonates.

2. If you decide to run a campaign then for goodness sakes run for something and run toward something that you are very passionate about. Politicians who run against issues (consider the Hopkinsville’s Mayor race) simply don’t inspire and motivate anyone except their base. And trust me your base can’t get you elected.

3. Stay on the high road although this won’t be as easy you would think – there will be temptations to get down and into the dirt coming from all camps. Your junior consultants and wanna be power brokers will be telling you to get down and dirty. Use some common sense. The public is tired of all this crap. Be different by staying out of and above the fray.

4. Remember you no longer have a private life and anything you ever did in your private life is now game for public fodder. If you were, or are, an adulterer, womanizer, tax cheat, or simply a dishonest “wanna be” you will be found out and exposed. If you had sex of any kind with “that woman” admit it up front and ask for forgiveness with tears in your eyes and quivering lips as you drape yourself in the flag and hold the New Testament (or Koran, Book of Mormon or whatever). It might work with a few voters.

5. Voters don’t expect any politician of any ilk to ever really keep his or her word once elected. If you truly want to be different keep your word and let people know you did --- for the sake of me I can’t figure why anyone with integrity would join the ranks of politicians but then I have matured in 57-years and obviously have become a cynic on politics.

6. Expect the unexpected --- they (the public, media and your opponents) will come after you with a vengeance and your family life, if you have one, may not be able to withstand it. Ask yourself is it worth giving up your family to hold some office?

7. If you are going to be a politician you must be committed to it. Learn from the masters such as former Congressman Carroll Hubbard and Frank Albert Stubblefield. Send out birthday cards, anniversary congratulations, and get well wishes even to those people you never knew. They will be flattered and they will think highly of you for it.

8. Be a good fundraiser by promising the moon and at least delivering a star or two. Or, be independently wealthy and see if you can buy the seat like Mayor Bloomberg is obviously thinking he can do. It might work. And then again it might not. However, you have to be persistent in politics. Lose today, run again totally made over tomorrow.

Finally, consider all this seriously before you change your life and join the ranks of the professional politician. There are much nobler professions for good men and women.

Until next time.
Dr. Darryl
L. Darryl Armstrong
ARMSTRONG and Associates

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