The power of the Internet, the power of blogging, the power of Daily Kos is that it puts politics back in the hands of the people... where we all know it rightfully belongs. Forget the red, white and blue campaign websites with their consultant-sanitized messages and carefully constructed doublespeak.
You don’t have to participate in CSI: Election to try and uncover the meaning behind the sound bites. You don’t have to squint at the campaign logo, deciding whether you see the vase or the two faces. You don’t have to do it because you, gentle reader, have the Blog Workers Industrial Union and Benevolent Society—and the BWIUBS has your back.
Here at BWIUBS, we’re asking the hard questions. Cartoon characters. Mascots. The walls of the candidates’ high school bedrooms. We asked every Democratic candidate for Governor, Senate and the House of Representatives to answer twenty questions for your edification. The questions are still being sent to candidates, and answers will be posted in the order they are received. Candidates are notified in advance of the posting of their answers so that they can join us if they desire, and we will post a diary Monday through Friday between 10 and 10:30 AM EST for your reading and commenting pleasure. Join us for some fun and camaraderie as we get to know the people who want to represent our interests across the country.
If you would like to join the BWIUBS, you can join our Facebook group or follow us on Twitter. You may also email us at bwiubs@gmail.com for information or to help with this diary series or other BWIUBS endeavors.
In the hot seat today is one David Krikorian, Candidate for Congress in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District. He will be facing off in November against one of the more reviled Republicans around- Mean Jean Schmidt. I'm sure you'll agree David is one brave soul as he is the 1st contestant in Candidate 20 ?s!
On with the show:
BWIUBS: Looking at your district/state on a map...what does the outline of your district resemble?
David: Ohio 2 looks like a Tall Ship sailing westward
BWIUBS: What is your favorite crayon color?
David: Blue
BWIUBS: What is your favorite thing about being a candidate?
David: Meeting people
BWIUBS: What is your least favorite thing about being a candidate?
David: Being away from my family
BWIUBS: When you were growing up, what did you want to be and why?
David: I wanted to be an entrepreneur. My head was full of ideas.
BWIUBS: IF you were on death row, what would you want your last supper to be and who would you want to cook it?
David: My grandmother made the best ethnic Armenian food
BWIUBS: If you could run for office in any other district/state...where would you do so and why?
David: Mayor of NYC – If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.......
BWIUBS: Favorite sport and team in that sport?
David: Baseball is my favorite sport and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been my favorite team since I was a kid in the 70’s.
BWIUBS: Most recent book you read?
David: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl and Come Home America by William Greider
BWIUBS: What kind of car do you drive?
David: Used Saab 9.3 turbo sedan
BWIUBS: Favorite character in the movie "The Breakfast Club"?
David: Judd Nelson’s character because he spoke up for himself and others based on what he believed, not to say what others wanted to hear.
BWIUBS: Where are you when answering these questions?
David: Talking with my wife Elena, sitting by our Christmas tree in our family room.
BWIUBS: Best meal you've had at a banquet since becoming a candidate?
David: Thanksgiving dinner at the VFW post in Milford, OH
BWIUBS: If you could be any cartoon character...which one would you be?
David: Underdog because he’s cunning, brave and underestimated by his enemies
BWIUBS: The day after the election, win or lose...which amusement park would you prefer to visit and why?
David: Legoland in San Diego. My kids would love it.
BWIUBS: If you could come up with a new animal as the mascot for the Democratic Party which animal would you pick and why?
David: I’d have to say a Dog. Man’s best friend and loyal companion.
BWIUBS: What is your favorite board game and why?
David: RISK – self explanatory, the game of strategic conquest
BWIUBS: What was the last movie you saw in a movie theater?
David: No Country For Old Men. Great flick
BWIUBS: As teenagers, many of us had posters of our favorite movie stars, musicians etc on the walls....what was on the walls of you room as a teenager?
David: Lawrence Taylor – NY Football Giants, greatest linebacker ever
Rolling Stones – You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need.
BWIUBS: Last but not least....say one nice thing about your Republican opponent.
David: She’s always happy to see me :)
And there you have it folks...feel free to ask David more questions in the comments and if he doesn't make it in to answer them himself, I'll forward the questions to him and we'll post his answers in a Saturday wrap up diary is necessary!