# Why don't YOU run for political office? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 26, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458 "2010-02-26T00:29:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/41 "2010-02-26T12:35:33Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > On a more serious point, how many here would consider running for election as issue candidates - not because they had a reasonable chance of election but to raise the profile of issues important to them? Now this I would be more interested in. It encourages specialisation or expertise in specific areas, rather than a Jack of all trades, master of none ethic. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/42 "2010-02-26T12:37:47Z")
There are a few Dopers who have run or are running for public office. I don’t because I would want the media scrutiny, I’m not charismatic and I’ve dealt with politics before and came away feeling as if I needed several months of long, hot showers. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/43 "2010-02-26T12:38:05Z")
Well, it would just be unfair to all the other candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/44 "2010-02-26T13:00:30Z")
Too many sex scandals with super-models. OK, only in my dreams. In truth, I do not have the patience required for a life in politics. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/45 "2010-02-26T15:52:50Z")
I dipped my toe in (getting to the stage of my nomination being discussed, and having a reasonably senior local party position) when I realized I was unwilling to be a good little party line boy for the rest of my life. Since then of course the skeletons have pushed the closet door open and have now taken over the entire bedroom, so if I were to want to now, that ship has well and truly sailed. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/46 "2010-02-26T16:06:02Z")
I already am in office, and let me tell you, its a lot of work. - **TD** , Captain Kick-Ass of Planet Awesome ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/47 "2010-02-26T16:10:04Z")
Reminds me of a quote which (dim memory) I will probably butcher and have no attribution for but it goes something like: \*“Those too smart to run for public office are doomed to be ruled by people dumber than they are.” \* ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/48 "2010-02-26T16:14:30Z")
I take pride in having an honest job. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/49 "2010-02-26T16:24:48Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > They won’t let me be God Emperor…anything less than that is, simply put, not worth my time. > > VIVE LA EMPEROR!! > > -XT No one “lets” you become God-Emperor. That is not what “God-Emperor” means. I have too many skeletons. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/50 "2010-02-26T16:42:38Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > I have skeletons in my closet, as does everybody else, but I don’t feel the need to put my family through the wringer and air private matters to feed my vanity. And that’s what it is, vanity. > A local office isn’t such a big deal. I could run for borough council or the school board if I thought it would matter. But a national office? Not a chance. True, some things just are not worth it. The “opposition” will dredge up anything they can from the past, to use against you. If they don’t find anything, they will make it up. They will take completely irrelevant things and crucify you over them. Etc. > [@foolsguinea](#): > > I was talking to a friend of mine who has a poli sci degree, & she keeps finding political work, but she’s loathe to run for office because she doesn’t want to either bite her tongue or have to tell people in this conservative area what she really thinks of the Bible. And I think, why not try anyway? I don’t expect a race for the legislature to be like picking a bishop, what do I care about her personal lack of religion? And there are plenty of people–conservative people–in this district that feel the same way. Are they going to vote for the fake-devout person in the privacy of the voting booth just because of what Ma would think? Some people do care about that, at least long enough to demonize you and win the election for themselves. But it isn’t just religion. No matter what your opinion is, you will be The Beast, The Enemy. If you stick to something you are stubbon and stupid. If you change your mind or position, you are spineless (and stupid). In short, no matter what, you are painted as a vile piece of garbage by someone. And you have to bit your tongue a LOT. > [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > I may if I’m old enough to do. In fact I wouldn’t mind being Presidents of the United States or even Emperor of Terra. Before you do, take a look at some photos that are readily available on the web… “Before and After” pictures of various former presidents. They go into the White House looking fit and strong. Four or eight years later, they have aged. They REALLY aged. You gotta wonder, why would anyone willingly put themselves through that. No matter what you do, it will be wrong. No matter what happens anywhere in the world, it will be your fault. You will be well and totally screwed. It just isn’t worth it. Run like hell. > [@Todderbob](#): > > … I’m too much of a loudmouth, who’ll say (far too readily) that someone’s a moron. That would be one of my problems. It wouldn’t go over too well, during a Town Hall or debate, to lose my cool and yell “What are you, fucking stupid?”. My campaign would be over in the first five minutes 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/51 "2010-02-26T16:42:59Z")
I’m too conservative to be a Democrat (anti-abortion, anti-embryonic stem cell research to name two issues) and too liberal to be a Republican (pro gun control, pro-UHC, pro taxes). I’m not wealthy enough to run without party support. And I like my current job. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/52 "2010-02-26T16:46:08Z")
I’ve been thinking semi-seriously about it for the past year. The problems are threefold: First, the pay is crap (for say, the statehouse). Of course, I’m pretty poor anyway, so it wouldn’t be a step down. Second, I don’t think I could genuinely be on board with any party around here (I’m mostly-kinda a Democrat, but in many ways I’m decidedly not), which makes funding and support a big challenge. Third, I love my current work, and I’d have to give up a lot of it to devote time while the house is in session (and while it’s not as well, I imagine). Still, it is a tempting thought. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/53 "2010-02-26T16:46:24Z")
I’ve thought about running for town supervisor of my sleepy little burg (and there’s a very good chance I’d win too), but I’m enough of a people person to actually put it all together. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/54 "2010-02-26T17:07:45Z")
I thought about it, but I’m clearly not qualified for public office as I only took one school and four years to get a bachelor’s degree. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/55 "2010-02-26T17:14:33Z")
I have a veritable [Danse Macabre](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Holbein-death.png) of skeletons in my closet, so running for public office is contra-indicated. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/56 "2010-02-26T18:04:09Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > This is kind of a poll, but since there are no prefab multiple choice answers, we’ll try GD with the other political threads. > > Why not run for political office yourself? Have you considered it? > > I was talking to a friend of mine who has a poli sci degree, & she keeps finding political work, but she’s loathe to run for office because she doesn’t want to either bite her tongue or have to tell people in this conservative area what she really thinks of the Bible. And I think, why not try anyway? I don’t expect a race for the legislature to be like picking a bishop, what do I care about her personal lack of religion? And there are plenty of people–conservative people–in this district that feel the same way. Are they going to vote for the fake-devout person in the privacy of the voting booth just because of what Ma would think? > > Well, she has her job for this year anyway. > > I’m thinking maybe I should run for something. And I shouldn’t on paper, I’m a horrible candidate. I’m no leader of men, I’m often unemployed, I’m a college dropout, I’m unproven, I have no real experience in this. But I may run for some state legislature seat if no one else in the party does. Maybe this year. Maybe someday. If I’m not distracted by something shiny. If only to embarrass all the better candidates who were more respectable\*\* and \*\*more competent than I but afraid to try. Nobody would vote for me. I couldn’t sell water to a man dying of thirst… ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/57 "2010-02-26T19:04:51Z")
I have skeletons in my closet, no budget, a lack of people skills, and a grossly unusual mix of political views. I think I’d have better luck going for “Warlord.” ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/58 "2010-02-26T19:05:42Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I’m too conservative to be a Democrat (anti-abortion, anti-embryonic stem cell research to name two issues) and too liberal to be a Republican (pro gun control, pro-UHC, pro taxes). I’m not wealthy enough to run without party support. And I like my current job. Hey, I’m exactly opposite. We should be fake running mates. I’m pro-choice (but anti-abortion… I think it should be an option, but only exercised after the woman has exhausted or at least considered all other choices), pro-stem cell research, anti “gun control”, although you and I do agree on UHC, and I’m only “pro-tax” in the sense that I think we need to tax enough to have a federal surplus, not deficit. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/59 "2010-02-26T19:07:30Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I thought about it, but I’m clearly not qualified for public office as I only took one school and four years to get a bachelor’s degree. Hey, c’mon. There must be a largely-rural state somewhere that would elect you governor. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458/60 "2010-02-26T19:09:17Z")
On a smaller sized scale, I have. I’ve been a city council representative and a mayoral candidate (very similar to a city council rep). Most people will only run (unless it is their passion to be a politician) if it affects them or their own directly. School Board members are a prime example. Local politics is done for (most of) the right reasons, why does it get so shit tossed when it becomes a state or national level issue? Also, most people I know don’t fit neatly into the political categories of today’s society. This is a big problem when asking for funding from your base… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458.md?page=4)