How to get elected

In order to have proper representation in our government, we must first have people who really want to represent the people, not just get elected to live off of the government and get the government perks and pensions. We should find people who are sincere about wanting to serve a limited time and make a change for the better in that time they do serve. But how do we get those people elected?

A person who is interested in serving must plan far in advance of his running for office. Most of us can't just walk in cold off of the street with ideals and expect just those ideals to get us elected. Even though we may be in the position of right, it makes no difference if we aren't heard by those who will do the electing.

Ron Paul is a good man, probably one of the best men we have ever had run for the office of president. Ron Paul had some great ideas as to how this country should be governed. Ron Paul was probably the most economically educated candidate we have ever had. Ron Paul's foreign policy, although never tried in our lifetime, is probably closest to the founders of any candidate in modern times. Ron Paul's vision of limited government matched almost exactly that vision of our founders. Lately, a lot of the pundits who for some reason didn't praise Ron Paul himself, are praising his policies and solutions, but still not Ron Paul himself. You have to wonder why.

Keeping in mind that there are a lot of Ron Paul revolutionaries that are considering a run for public office at some level in the next election cycle, I think it is important that those who are considering a run first find out why a man with Ron Paul's knowledge and beliefs could not gain ground in 2008.

The mainstream media doesn't like Ron Paul. That's OK, they don't like most Republicans. They got on McCain's bandwagon because they thought he would be easy for the Democrats to beat in November, and even if somehow he did win, he is as much a Democrat as most Democrats, certainly more than Zell Miller, or even possibly Joe Leibermann.

If someone like Ron Paul, no let's say Ron Paul, had a speaking voice and a stage presence of a Barak Obama, what would have been his chances of getting the nomination in '08? I believe he would have been unbeatable. In the war of ideas, Ron Paul was armed to the teeth, but in the war of presentation he was all but totally unarmed. Ronald Reagan did not have near the understanding of either economics or foreign policy that Ron Paul has, but he could sure deliver the lines, and that is what got him elected. He also believed in what he was doing and no one could dissuade him from following through on what he proposed. I believe he was a great president, but Ron Paul could have been a great president too. We will never know.

Those Ron Paul revolutionaries who are considering seeking elected office, this column is written for you.

1. Learn to be a public speaker. If necessary take a course or two in how to best present yourself to the public. Consider a course in drama of some kind, where you can be put on a stage in front of a lot of people and deliver lines without looking at a script or notepad. If you are sincere about what you are talking about you shouldn't need notes. Ron Paul never used notes, he knew what he wanted to say, he just didn't know how to deliver the message. To those closest to him his message was clear, but when addressing a large gathering he could not connect with the people. I am not taking anything away from Ron Paul, he is the best, but Ron Paul did not prepare his life to be a politician. It is commendable that he has chosen to serve his district from Texas, and it is within his reach to speak to his district more on a one on one basis, but outside of his district, Ron Paul will not be elected. If he decided to run for the Senate from Texas, I would be willing to bet the farm that he would not win. Finishing poorly in the Texas primary is evidence of that.

2. Learn how to debate. While you are taking your course in public speaking, consider a debating course. TV debates are not debates, they are debacles. However, it is going to be important to know how to defend your position against your opponents, whether in a primary or against the Democrat who will be opposing you. If you can't defend your position with conviction, it will be hard for your audience to believe you.

3. Study your opponent, understand how he or she attacks. Be prepared for anything they may throw at you. If there is something in your background that they might use to damage you, dig it out before they do and defend or explain it. Don't stand around with egg on your face after an opponent trys to embarrass you. Remember, you can't un-ring the bell, and if your opponent says it first, it will get the greatest coverage.

4. Look the best you can in front of your audience. You don't have to have Armani suits to make a good impression, but you should still try to dress as well as you can. You should always be well groomed, hair and nails properly trimmed. If you wear a beard or mustache, that's OK, (unless you are a woman) but be sure they are properly groomed. Remember the old saying, "clothes make the man". That may not be entirely true, but it sure adds to the whole picture of that man. Humility is a good trait, but don't be humble in front of your audience, be bold. A nice suit of clothes will make you feel better about yourself, and it is a small expense when you consider what is at stake.

5. Learn how to communicate one on one. You will be required to meet all sorts of people, and you must be prepared to relate to them in a sincere manner. If you can't convince one person at a time to vote for you, you will have a hard time convincing an audience to do the same.

6. Know the issues on which you are running. If you believe that foreign policy needs changing, find the best way to make a good argument for what you believe. Study and have answers ready when asked. Never talk on an issue that you only have a feeling about. Study that issue to death, until you have as much understanding of it as you can. Don't be put into a position of standing there with a dumb look on your face when a voter, or worse yet your opponent, asks you a question about your position. You can be sure that the media will be right there when something like that happens. You don't want that picture of you on the front page.

7. Be prepared to have your feelings hurt. If you are thin skinned, maybe you should consider some other position, like support staff for a candidate. If you can take the low blows, and you are willing to work as hard as you have ever worked, study as hard as you have ever studied, sleep as little as you have ever slept, and travel as much or more than you have ever travelled, if you have strong convictions and believe in the Constitution and will defend that Constitution, then maybe, just maybe, you will win your chosen office.

Good luck.