So I met with a Poilitcal advisor..state reps could play big role in

MagCFO · #1 11-21-2006, 05:23 PM

our future.

I mentioned several weeks ago that I was going to be looking into running a campaign for a state house seat in 2008. I met with a high ranking Atlanta Democratic strategist last Friday. She's ran the campaigns for many of Georgias most powerful US House reps, Senators and state reps. First, let me say that I would not being running for a political office just because of my feelings about poker or online gambling. That would be ridiculous. Online gaming would be pretty far down the priority list of things I would be compassionate about, but none the less, my stance on the issue would be obvious.

We'll call the lady I met with "B". Here are some of the interesting things I noted from our meeting.

1) First and foremost, our right to gambling online may very well come down to decisions made at the state level. B mentioned that this is something politicians are aware of and there could be plenty of money behind a candidate that would push this issue (legalizing it at the state level, which will be necessary no matter what Congress does).

2) To run for a state house seat in Georgia, you need to raise at least $100k, $150k would be better. B said not to let that worry me. There are tons of sources for campaign funds, including other Dems that don't have close races and organizations who have an interest in my state wide agenda. She felt I was a strong enough candidate on paper to make fund raising not much of an issue. That's not as much as a pat on the back for me as it is the general field in state races is a little weak. I've got a masters degree, a successfull busines person, etc, so that automatically puts me a little ahead of the field.

100k was a little more than I was expecting. But all the fliers, signs, campaign staff, polling costs, phoning banks, etc add up. If I wanted a prayer of winning, I need $100k.

3) B said not to worry about anti-gambling people. She said you'd want to make it something pretty far down the list, and maybe not something you really even address publically. Close supporters will know where you stand. US House Rep John Lewis (from Atlanta) has tried to get casino's in Atlanta for years and the only way he will lose his seat is if he dies. She said "we can spin that issue to where your opponent won't want to address it at all." [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] cool how that works.

4) problem #1, the person holding the seat in my district is a well liked Dem women. B told me I wouldn't get support from the local or state wide Democratic party if I ran against this women and that lack of support would make it nearly impossible to win. The good news is, I planned on moving soon anyway, so she pointed out several districts in Atlanta that are held by Repubs, and support from the Democratic party would be huge for a candidate trying to win one of those seats. Several of the areas were where my wife and I were considering moving anyway.

5) Interesting part I thought...B said for a new candidate to come onto the scene, it's necessary for that candidate to meet with the big players in Atlanta. Big players being guys like Roy Barnes, former Governor of Georgia and a powerful democratic leader in Georgia. B said, "Roy's going to want to meet you as soon as possible."

That was kind of scary, like it's the mafia or something. B mentioned if you don't make the big players feel like they were included, they will make sure you can't win. Scary....this is just for a state rep seat that takes like 10,000 votes to win.

So now I have a much clearer picture of what needs to happen if I want to run. I'd have to be moved by April 2007 (you have to live in a district for a certain length of time before you can run), which may or may not happen, we will see.

It was definitely neat talking to someone right in the middle of the political process. She had a lot of interesting things to say.

The most important thing though is this....we're going to have to take this fight all the way to the state political level. You need to get to know your local state rep and figure out where they stand.

If poker is important to you, you're going to have to help fight this fight at all levels. Even if Congress overturns the Ban, there are still state laws slowing us down.

Berge20 · #2 11-21-2006, 05:38 PM

Sounds about right. Perhaps a bit more money, especially if it is the Atlanta media market.

Keep at it, seems like you are making the right moves to at least get a realistic feel for where you stand.

MiltonFriedman · #3 11-21-2006, 05:47 PM

" Big players being guys like Roy Barnes, former Governor of Georgia and a powerful democratic leader in Georgia. B said, "Roy's going to want to meet you as soon as possible."

That was kind of scary, like it's the mafia or something. B mentioned if you don't make the big players feel like they were included, they will make sure you can't win. "

Mag, relax ... they are members of a club you are seeking to join. Of course, they want to meet you. It would be rude not to meet them as soon as possible. Look at it this way, if you meet them, and you get a nod, then they will not back someone else for the slot. Meet them, head off any primary fight at the pass and garner their support for the general election. .... and for God's sake, do not compare them to the mafia again, not even in your own mind, it is just politics. ....

MagCFO · #4 11-21-2006, 05:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds about right. Perhaps a bit more money, especially if it is the Atlanta media market.

Keep at it, seems like you are making the right moves to at least get a realistic feel for where you stand.

[/ QUOTE ]

The thing that makes the state rep races a little cheaper is there's no TV ads. The TV ads are very expensive in ATL obviously. They reach 4mil people, but there may be only 75,000 voters in your district.

I'll drop the mafia references. I understand the process, I just thought guys like Roy Barnes wouldn't really care who's running for a small state rep seat, but I found out I was wrong.

Berge20 · #5 11-21-2006, 06:00 PM

True, you would never use TV. Radio though is possible, although as you point out, the same problem arises. Just can't target the actual voters of the district, so it isn't at all an efficient use of money.

Mostly direct mail, phones and knocking on doors...that's the ticket.

Of course the party guys want to know who you are. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

MiltonFriedman · #6 11-21-2006, 06:02 PM

"I just thought guys like Roy Barnes wouldn't really care who's running for a small state rep seat,'

That is how guys like Roy Barnes got to be guys like Roy Barnes and stay in power, even when they hold no office. ALL politics is local.

The best of luck to you, and do not forget to drop a line at 2+2 when you need funding.

MagCFO · #7 11-22-2006, 01:46 PM

Thanks guys, I'll keep everyone involved. It will be a great learning process regardless. I'll be sure to drop 2+2 a line if/when the fund raising begins [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Just got an email this morning that I need to set up a meeting with some people so they can meet my wife. I've forwarned her and she's ok with being part of the process.

Could get interesting.

odellthurman · #8 11-22-2006, 03:35 PM

You need to get opinions from other consultants/advisors. Don't let one advisor butter you up and just go with it, without doing more due diligence. You should understand that many of these folks are just looking for clients and may not be completely honest with you about your prospects.

MagCFO · #9 11-22-2006, 05:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You need to get opinions from other consultants/advisors. Don't let one advisor butter you up and just go with it, without doing more due diligence. You should understand that many of these folks are just looking for clients and may not be completely honest with you about your prospects.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I understand that aspect of it. You have to understand that I wasn't looking for someone to tell me whether they think I can win or not. What I need from a consultant is someone who is connected in the local politcal scene. I've been told by rock solid sources that this is the person to get in with.

That's all I really need. I need her to get me a meeting and endorsements from Roy Barnes, John Lewis, and others. If she can do that, she's hired.

Now, when I mean hired, I don't mean I'm going to start paying her out of my pocket. If she can't help me raise moeny, she doesn't get paid. She understands that.

Patrick del Poker Grande · #10 11-22-2006, 08:12 PM

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4) problem #1, the person holding the seat in my district is a well liked Dem women. B told me I wouldn't get support from the local or state wide Democratic party if I ran against this women and that lack of support would make it nearly impossible to win. The good news is, I planned on moving soon anyway, so she pointed out several districts in Atlanta that are held by Repubs, and support from the Democratic party would be huge for a candidate trying to win one of those seats. Several of the areas were where my wife and I were considering moving anyway.

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Carpetbagger!