eyesroll
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Fri Jul-18-03 10:12 AM
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So...any advice for a soon-to-be candidate's wife? |
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Yep...my husband is running for Congress. (Am I allowed to post the details in P&C once he gets a press release?)
Has anyone ever been in this position? Anything I need to know to avoid dooming his candidacy or becoming a Stepford Wife?
(I do not look good in pink.)
To be realistic, he's running in Wisconsin's 5th, against a moderate Dem for the primary, eventually for Sensenbrenner's seat. So, really, as a long shot, my husband has nothing to lose. Can the same be said for me? (I'm cool with being a Washington Wife, even if I stay here, but I'm a bit nervous about the local press and such.)
(I do know I'm not supposed to use the words "long shot" to describe his candidacy if I end up talking to said press.)
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
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ithinkmyliverhurts
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Fri Jul-18-03 10:39 AM
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1. I'd ask my spouse for some parameters. |
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It depends on what type of campaign he'll be running. Yes, even spouses become part of the message. Doesn't mean you have to change anything yourself, of course; you may have to tonedown a sacrastic streak or maybe even amplify it. It just depends. And don't let your husband get away with: just be yourself. That line means nothing and will only bring problems. Maybe get a list of things you MUST NOT do (spit in public, tell reporters to eat , or get caught eating California cheese, for example).
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eyesroll
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Fri Jul-18-03 10:52 AM
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We have a campaign adviser, so I think I need to ask him, too.
I did already tell him I'm not going to get pregnant for political purposes (so, yes, I'll need to tone down the sarcasm in public).
I suppose I'll need a haircut (not an image-changing one; I'm just too scraggly for photos right now).
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Rose Siding
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Fri Jul-18-03 10:52 AM
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I'd like to advise to just be open and sincere but I have no idea if that is what would "work".
My subjective response is that maybe you'll have a chance to meet lots of people and listen to what they say- even offer a bit of hope and gain insight of how the govt should relate to them.
I'd keep a journal.
Best of luck to you both.
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Rose Siding
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Fri Jul-18-03 10:52 AM
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I'd like to advise to just be open and kind but I have no idea if that is what would "work".
My subjective response is that maybe you'll have a chance to meet lots of people and listen to what they say- even offer a bit of hope and gain insight of how the govt should relate to them.
I'd keep a journal.
Best of luck to you both.
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oneighty
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Fri Jul-18-03 11:08 AM
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be "Hit on" a lot. My wife was.
180
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eyesroll
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Fri Jul-18-03 11:18 AM
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I'm already in a male-dominated industry (or, more specifically, I edit a trade publication serving that industry), and while I must say the vast, vast majority of people I meet at trade shows are wonderful people, every now and again I just get utterly grossed out.
(Like by the one guy who tried to get me to help him cheat on his wife -- who was upstairs in the hotel sleeping, as was his infant son.)
But thanks for the heads-up. (I did get hit on by a freelance photographer working for one of the presidential candidates at the WI Dem convention...)
180, what did you run for? Did you win? (Feel free to ignore that if you're trying to retain your anonymity.)
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oneighty
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Fri Jul-18-03 12:03 PM
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blm
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Fri Jul-18-03 11:14 AM
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it's a tough position to be in, but, I think many would prefer you just be the unashamed, unapologetic liberal that you are.
Best of luck to you both, and please keep us posted on how we can be of best help to you.
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Clete
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Fri Jul-18-03 11:19 AM
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6. Don't give the opposition anything to criticize you about except |
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what works in your favor. I think Hillary Clinton could be a role model. She stumbled at first with her tea and cookies remark, but has metamorphosed into this articulate woman not to be messed with.
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catzies
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Fri Jul-18-03 11:25 AM
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I'm the PAC chair for a national organization that gets women elected, but the same advice we give our candidates would apply to you as well. Here's a snippet from our handbook for candidate training I don't think I'll get in trouble for sharing. **************************************************************** ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THE ATTENTION?
Can you face a crowd and convey your convictions? Can you handle 18 matters or 18 people vying for your attention all at once? How well do you perform if you haven’t had enough sleep? Are you good with people? Can you delegate authority? Can you attract and maintain a strong team? Do you know how to handle criticism without taking it personally?
Those with the best survival rates are usually those with a good sense of humor, high self-esteem and a base of friends and supporters who will help them through the rough and tough times.
Not everyone is born to lead, especially when you consider the public scrutiny associated with candidacy and holding office. Naturally, some women feel more secure than others speaking before a crowd, asking for money and support talking to the press or living the “fishbowl” existence of a candidate or elected official.
Some critical questions to ask yourself before you decide to run:
How do you respond to rejection AND compliments?
How well do you handle self-promotion?
How do you respond to sharing your personal life with the public?
Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing your physical and emotional stamina when deciding to run because a campaign can be 15-hour days and the stress of being under constant scrutiny can take its toll on the hardiest of souls. How you handle the increasing press of people, speaking engagements and other requests for your time and presence, and demands of your staff will determine just how well you survive the election process. Running for office is like starting the most disciplined of diets. You’ll have many new restrictions that you must approach realistically. Can you keep up a neat, attractive appearance? Even though no one you have ever met or seen in the media that holds elective office has been perfectly built, educated and experienced, take some time to consider the image you want to project and the steps needed to accomplish that if you’re not there yet. Give yourself enough time to look and feel your best. And don’t forget that the most important time of the campaign may be the time you spend alone, whether it’s in your office during the day, in you car while driving to campaign events or at home at night at the end of your very long day. Maximize your waking hours but balance that with the time needed to recharge your batteries.
EVERYONE HAS A CLOSET
One of the issues that has taken the forefront especially as the media covers candidates and campaigns is the entire past of the candidate in question. No one is perfect. Everyone has stumbled, consciously or unconsciously into circumstances that they would rather not have in the list of experiences. Because women are generally perceived to be more honest, the public can be more jolted when a woman’s indiscretions or perhaps unsavory past is thrust into the public eye. No one thing may eliminate you as a candidate; it’s how you handle this type of issue that may impact the voters’ response. Just be prepared for the worst case scenario and determine early in your campaign just what your responses to those questions will be. Don’t overlook your professional resume when it comes to being honest about your past. Reporters have a field day when searching out inconsistencies or flat-out falsehoods in a candidate’s own written profile. Having discrepancies in you own resume featured on the front page of your local newspaper may easily destroy your chances of ever holding elective office.
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Yupster
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Fri Jul-18-03 12:04 PM
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JCMach1
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Fri Jul-18-03 12:15 PM
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10. Hire a cleaning service, buy a good pair of shoes |
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and prepare to work your buns off over the next year...
It is VERY hard work with lots of UPS and DOWNS.
My experience comes from running for the Florida Legislature in 2002. My wife worked as my campaign manager as well. It was a HUGE district which could be compared to the average CD size.
We put 30,000 miles on a brand new car!!!
Good luck and may your diety bless you!!!
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eyesroll
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Fri Jul-18-03 12:27 PM
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12. Thankfully, our CD is urban/suburban |
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...I basically commute across it every day for work anyway.
I won't be the manager -- I'll probably be editing stuff, that sort of thing. But, shoes. Yes.
Thanks to everyone for the good advice!
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RUMMYisFROSTED
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Fri Jul-18-03 12:17 PM
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