modus operandi
There was a lot of agonizing over how to have a real effect on the operations of this government at Eschacon08. In the discussion, I noticed, there seemed to be a lot of realization and enjoyment that dominance of reality-based (therefore left) opinion has been established - but we are experiencing the angst of not achieving legislative success.
Talk with our officials has mostly been by email, phone, and rallying our troops, which is a good thing, and has worked in some instances. As some one who has worked on Capitol Hill (aide to Sen. Ralph Yarborough) and in the MD legislature (campaign manager and then assistant to Del. Gene Counihan), I want to talk a bit about what goes on in a legislator's experience. This will be a short sketch, as I am right now still in recovery with a bad hand.
A legislator is elected from candidates who are able to mobilize community and politically active groups, friends and public officials, lobbyists included. I recommend taking a close look at what the candidate has done, who his/her friends and associated groups are, and choosing some one with positive achievements. Those of you who want to serve, involve yourself, and get into working with and being an active part of groups like community school, activity, and government work. You can volunteer to serve on bodies like the zoning, park and recreation, arts group.
The feelers that come into a campaign take the form of invitations to events where there will be voters - greatly welcome - phone calls, visits to forums, private home parties, etc. As to public appearances, there will be events that encourage your candidate to compromise - large right wing contingents will be present. It isn't necessary to offend, but being firm can impress any reasonable audience. And yes, the press often gives unfair colorations to the words of those that don't court them. Making defensive statements doesn't work well, often having friends make them and make those calls and letters, emails and group calling does help in those events.
Then your candidate gets elected. The legislature meets in MD only a few months, and although many ideas have been discussed and are potential for action, the staff is usually active putting together the actual bills that will come from the legislator himself, and many are being put together from suggestions by supporters, even lobbyists, to be jointly introduced by several members of the legislature. This is a good time for us as rational people to get together as a group with the official elected and talk about things that really need to happen. Being too demanding now may not work, the newly elected has had a lot of input, but hasn't gotten his/her feet wet - and may ruin future prospects of working together with the rest of the legislature - by making radical or aggressive statements. It can affect committee assignments, and those will put your elected one into a position of power or limbo, depending on how the elected positions with the existing power structure. Making an impact can be helped by public showing of support.
Very elementary comment is that the real action happens after hours. The endless meetings of committees (real legislative talent includes a cast-iron ass, as a lady delegate told me once) are a collection of information, but the legislators' questions are usually a show for the record. Most of the information used will be directly given to the legislator by one-on-one meetings with yes, lobbyists, and with Your Representatives, often public interest lobbyists (e.g., PIRG). If you have an issue that really needs work, you really ought to marshall a force of interested folks and get yourselves into the legislator's office, to present facts and be familiar with the actual existing legislation.
Much of the work is done at the endless receptions given by the various groups. During the 3 months of Annapolis, these go on nightly, and much of the work is in getting a good familiar footing with people interested in their work. Those relationships among legislators are important, as mentioned. This is where much of the real discussion, and even manipulation, happens. Staff is brought into play and yes, friends are made or not. Giving a reception by your group may be a very good idea.
There needs to be actual entering into this process by the left. I will not go on at length now, but later will give you a blow-by-blow about a few actual bills we worked on, some of which went on to become law - even national law.
My proudest achievement was being a part of getting the first bill to give protection of endangered species into law. We got votes because most Senators thought it was unimportant, but they wanted Senator's vote in exchange, for one of their pet projects. At one time I posted on this for a rightwing friend, at http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007061.php
To be continued.
Talk with our officials has mostly been by email, phone, and rallying our troops, which is a good thing, and has worked in some instances. As some one who has worked on Capitol Hill (aide to Sen. Ralph Yarborough) and in the MD legislature (campaign manager and then assistant to Del. Gene Counihan), I want to talk a bit about what goes on in a legislator's experience. This will be a short sketch, as I am right now still in recovery with a bad hand.
A legislator is elected from candidates who are able to mobilize community and politically active groups, friends and public officials, lobbyists included. I recommend taking a close look at what the candidate has done, who his/her friends and associated groups are, and choosing some one with positive achievements. Those of you who want to serve, involve yourself, and get into working with and being an active part of groups like community school, activity, and government work. You can volunteer to serve on bodies like the zoning, park and recreation, arts group.
The feelers that come into a campaign take the form of invitations to events where there will be voters - greatly welcome - phone calls, visits to forums, private home parties, etc. As to public appearances, there will be events that encourage your candidate to compromise - large right wing contingents will be present. It isn't necessary to offend, but being firm can impress any reasonable audience. And yes, the press often gives unfair colorations to the words of those that don't court them. Making defensive statements doesn't work well, often having friends make them and make those calls and letters, emails and group calling does help in those events.
Then your candidate gets elected. The legislature meets in MD only a few months, and although many ideas have been discussed and are potential for action, the staff is usually active putting together the actual bills that will come from the legislator himself, and many are being put together from suggestions by supporters, even lobbyists, to be jointly introduced by several members of the legislature. This is a good time for us as rational people to get together as a group with the official elected and talk about things that really need to happen. Being too demanding now may not work, the newly elected has had a lot of input, but hasn't gotten his/her feet wet - and may ruin future prospects of working together with the rest of the legislature - by making radical or aggressive statements. It can affect committee assignments, and those will put your elected one into a position of power or limbo, depending on how the elected positions with the existing power structure. Making an impact can be helped by public showing of support.
Very elementary comment is that the real action happens after hours. The endless meetings of committees (real legislative talent includes a cast-iron ass, as a lady delegate told me once) are a collection of information, but the legislators' questions are usually a show for the record. Most of the information used will be directly given to the legislator by one-on-one meetings with yes, lobbyists, and with Your Representatives, often public interest lobbyists (e.g., PIRG). If you have an issue that really needs work, you really ought to marshall a force of interested folks and get yourselves into the legislator's office, to present facts and be familiar with the actual existing legislation.
Much of the work is done at the endless receptions given by the various groups. During the 3 months of Annapolis, these go on nightly, and much of the work is in getting a good familiar footing with people interested in their work. Those relationships among legislators are important, as mentioned. This is where much of the real discussion, and even manipulation, happens. Staff is brought into play and yes, friends are made or not. Giving a reception by your group may be a very good idea.
There needs to be actual entering into this process by the left. I will not go on at length now, but later will give you a blow-by-blow about a few actual bills we worked on, some of which went on to become law - even national law.
My proudest achievement was being a part of getting the first bill to give protection of endangered species into law. We got votes because most Senators thought it was unimportant, but they wanted Senator's vote in exchange, for one of their pet projects. At one time I posted on this for a rightwing friend, at http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007061.php
To be continued.
Labels: Democracy, Election 2008, Liberals
posted by Ruth at 12:30 PM
1 Comments:
This is really interesting, Ruth, thanks. Hope your hand feels better soon!
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