Yeah, that happened. I’ll tell you about it a little lower in the diary because first I want to catch you up on the comings and goings of being a candidate.
I have a fifteen and a half year old daughter (who just got her driver’s permit), a thirteen year old son who becomes a bar mitzvah in three weeks, a wife, and a full time job. Those things alone (and all of the kids attendant activities) should keep a modern American man very busy. And they do. But I’m also still on the board of our local theatre group, the Chamber of Commerce, and I’m still a sitting City Commissioner. To say that my time is scheduled is an understatement. Add in a campaign/candidacy for City Council, and you get a guy who is constantly up to his neck in things to do. Very little down time – lots of stress. In fact, I haven’t fallen asleep before one in the morning in weeks and my body naturally wakes me up at around 5:45 (I still can’t get out of bed until 6:30 though). Yeah, this is tough stuff! LOL
Since I last wrote, I had to get my petition signed so I can go on the ballot. In Mountain View, a candidate only needs 20 signatures, but the City recommends 30 just in case someone who signs isn’t registered to vote. I’ve also written my 200 word ballot statement and decided on a ballot designation. The ballot designation is that word (or up to three words) that follows your name on the actual ballot. For example, “Incumbent” or “Attorney” are typical. Since I am neither of those things, but I am a Family Financial Planner, I decided to go with that. The rules for which words you can and cannot use are quite strict. The 200 word ballot statement was excruciatingly difficult to write. Narrowing one’s entire philosophy, campaign message, and ideas into a few words that you hope don’t alienate more than half the voters is challenging.
On the 23rd of July, the first endorsement interview process was held for those candidates who were interested. In this case, it was sponsored by the AFL-CIO Labor Council, which brought together labor representatives from all over the Bay Area. After responding to a 67 question questionnaire (yes, it was extraordinarily long!), the candidates were brought into a room, sat in a line, and were fielded four questions (we each had one minute to respond). Our audience was approximately 40-45 union reps. Given it was our first time doing this, it was nerve wracking and exciting. I didn’t do well on one of the questions because the question was worded in such a way that I just couldn’t understand what they were asking of me. Unfortunately, it was my turn to go first. The other candidates who responded afterwards had a chance to think about what they would say. After the event was over, one of the Labor Reps actually came up to me and apologized for the question. She said it was an amalgam of three different labor group’s questions, all trying to fit into one. Suffice it to say, that didn’t make me feel any better, but at least I now knew why the question didn’t make any sense! I have no idea if I’ll eventually get their endorsement, but the process was illuminating.
It turns out that the varying labor organizations (UniteHere, SEIU, etc) can endorse independently of the collective, if they wish. So last week, I had another interview with a different group, and I felt I was in my element. And still, in about a week and a half, a third labor group is conducting their own process.
The deadline for filing to become a candidate ends this coming Friday. That is, after Friday, August 8, there will be no new candidates. Right now, there are 9!!! For a refresher, there are only 3 open seats, so the odds aren’t really that compelling for any single candidate. And, it’s a very tough field of competitors. Each candidate has his or her own very accomplished strengths.
I came home from work yesterday to find my campaign yard signs had arrived. I’m very excited about that! What do you think? (that's my daughter the super model!)
I’ll conclude with the title of this post. I’ve been trying to walk as much as I can given the limited amount of free time I have. In general, it’s been a great experience, if not a little tiring. I’d say my ratio of actually reaching a voter is about 50%, but it really depends on what time of the day it is. This morning, I was humming along, having a great time, shaking hands etc, when one gentleman opened up his door. After introducing myself, he immediately came out side onto his porch, shut his door, and said, “So. You’re a Jew, right?”
Given this isn’t what I was expecting, but understanding immediately this wasn’t going to go well, I was on guard. I actually kept telling myself to stay calm, listen more than speak, etc. In fact, the first thing I said was that I should probably just leave, but he persisted. His whole intent was to get me to feel anger towards the Israeli’s for killing children. He wanted to know my position on the whole situation. I just wanted to leave. I couldn’t imagine any of the other candidates having to suffer through such an inquisition. He transitioned to how god must be so angry as to how the Palestian’s are being treated and that his Christian god is so loving, and, and, and…honestly, I could only think of how I would extricate myself from this situation. I tried backing up…he followed. I tried changing the subject, he wouldn’t let me. Finally, I just said, and because he had really made me upset, “One is a terrorist group using innocent people for shields hell bent on killing every single Jewish person on earth, the other is a functioning democratically elected government trying to protect itself. I hardly think they’re morally equivalent.” At this, he handed back my campaign literature and said that “We won’t see eye-to-eye on the issues.” I can’t even remember if I wished him a good day.
That really shook me up. In fact, that was hours ago (note: diary written on Saturday, published on Sunday) and I’m still upset. I’m upset that I didn’t handle it the way I think I should have. I’m upset that geo-politics were brought into my local campaign for council. And I’m upset for being labeled “a Jew” in what was certain to be a pejorative.
Most people who are “politicians” have a thick skin because the abuse one takes for being in the public arena. Locally, we are normally shielded from it because honestly, we fix potholes and want to keep the budget balanced. I am not a “politician” by training or background, but today I became one out of necessity. I have to be aware that some people are just not sensitive to the idea that they can be mean.
As always, thank you for your support.
Website: www.mountainviewken.com
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