My name is Scott Chacon, and I am running for Congress in the East Bay area of California, in the 11th Congressional District. I am running in a "suicide" district because I don't think the way to get a democratic movement built up is to use the same tactics as the incumbent, but with 1/10th the money.
I am running a different campaign. I have decided to limit my contributions to $100 per person. I have set up an interactive website that I am blogging to myself. I have started a podcast that has been running for three months now; I am on my 20th show. I am conducting a series of community interviews. I have setup an open calendar, so people can schedule my time during the entire campaign - first come, first served. I am raising money through a series of micro-goals. I am disclosing everything possible, as soon as possible. My wife and I will personally knock on 20,000 doors by election day. I am starting 19 months out.
http://www.jointheconversation.org
I will try to post diary entries as time goes on about what I'm doing, so that people interested can follow. I have been keeping a campaign journal about everything I am doing, putting most of it in the podcasts, so that other people who want to run someday can know what is coming and learn from my mistakes. I want to find out if a normal, non-millionaire can run an effective, engaging, community based campaign. One that is not about marketing, but honesty. One that is not about speeches, but conversations. Not just the ends, but also the means.
I am finishing up my "Plan to Win" document, and my data mining and targeting projects. If you are interested in the plan or the numbers, please let me know.
I hope you'll take a look at the website and the ideas, give some feedback, send me your ideas, and join the conversation.
http://www.jointheconversation.org
Thanks,
Scott Chacon