Well. Gee. I'm not sure what to say, except I'm honoured.
You folks don't know me all that well. I've been hanging here at Kos for several years, because at heart I'm a political junkie. I don't post a lot of diaries or make a lot of comments, because I'm a Canadian. This is your site and I'm mostly just an observer. I try to make a positive contribution when I can.
But a couple of days ago I got an interesting offer, and I'd like your advice in making a decision.
I'm a member of the New Democratic Party. For those who don't know, the NDP is the social-democratic party in Canada. We are more progressive than the Liberals who, in turn, are more progressive than your Democratic Party on most policies.
The NDP is the traditional third party in Canada, although we've formed provincial governments in four provinces and one territory at various times. There has never been an NDP government in my province, Nova Scotia, although we are currently the official opposition, and are about 5% above the governing Conservatives in the most recent polls.
I've been involved with the New Democrats since about 1981. In fact, I was the founding president of the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats a couple of years later. The current leader of the party, Darrell Dexter, was another founding member, and we've kept in touch off and on since then.
In 1993 I had a bit of a falling out with the party over a federal constitutional issue. I won't bore you with the details. Enough to say that I let my membership lapse, although I continued to vote NDP. Three years ago I rejoined and got involved with the party organization in my provincial constituency. I'm currently the VP of Communications.
We've been looking for a candidate for several months to run in the next election, which could come at almost any time because this is a minority government. At a meeting last Sunday, I was asked if I would run.
To put it in US terms, this is about the same as being offered the Democratic nomination for a seat in a State Legislature.
To be honest, 15 years ago I would have jumped at it. But I must admit, my jets have cooled since then. I'm 47 years old, not that old to be getting into elective office, but I would have to re-energise myself. I'm single, so no worries about family issues. I have a job that I really like and I'm really comfortable with and I'd obviously have to leave it if I won.
I like campaigning. I'm not so sure I'd like to be at the beck and call of constituents 24/7, because I'm basically a fairly private person. But I get a bit of that in my current job. I mean, it's not like being President or Prime Minister or anything.
I'm not very ambitious. I think I'd be happy to serve for 4 - 8 years and then just let it go. I'm not looking to be a member of the Cabinet, even. And I admit the money is a lot more than I'm making now. :-)
Could I win? I depends. If the current incumbent (Conservative) reoffers, I wouldn't stand a chance. But we have to have a candidate, and I suppose I'm willing to take one for the team. However, if he doesn't reoffer, well, the NDP has won this constituency before, about 10 years ago, and with a good campaign I think it could happen again.
So, what say you all? Should I go for it?