On campaigning

This blog post is unprecedented, as I begin it on my lunch hour at work. I’m saving it to a Word file then e-mailing it to my regular address from my work e-mail account. But, seeing as I’ll have a Central Committee meeting tonight and I wanted to get this as well as a summary of my endorsements online as early as possible, I’ve chosen to use this method and give up my lunch hour to do so. I’ve attended the Central Committee meetings monthly since just before I filed back in June, and tonight’s meeting should be a wrapup for the current crop and something for the four newcomers to get up to speed with.

It may seem a little strange that I actually put up a campaign for the position seeing that I’m essentially unopposed; it’s just a matter of whether I come in first, seventh or somewhere in between. But when I was working the Republican booth at the Farm and Home Show, I got a couple comments where the person had sent in their absentee ballot and told me, “I’d have liked to vote for you but I didn’t know you.” To me, if you’re a Republican, it’s probably best that you know the people who represent you in party matters and where they stand on issues.

So I decided to put together a small flyer that I could introduce myself with and outline my platform. For those of you Republicans who are reading this in an area that’s roughly bounded on the east and north by the U.S. 13 bypass, on the west by Beaglin Park and Civic Avenue, and on the south by Schumaker Pond, you already should have this because I would’ve dropped this by your door. (I covered this in a week on foot and by bicycle, 400 flyers worth!)

For those who didn’t see it, the body of the flyer reads as follows:

On September 12, vote in the Primary Election for…
Michael Swartz
Wicomico County Republican Central Committee

I’m running to change the Wicomico County Republican Party for the better, and make it the majority party in our county. I believe that the Party should:

● Reach out to young adults and get them involved with the political process
● Encourage contested primary elections – no “free rides” for incumbents
● Take advantage of the power of the Internet to inform and educate voters

If you want the “status quo” you can vote for all seven of us. But if you want progress please make just ONE vote – Michael Swartz for Central Committee!

I have nothing against the other six men who will be joining me on Central Committee, but the way I worded this was intentional. It’s a way of polling whether there’s a mandate for change out there. If I do well in the precincts that cover the areas I’ve delivered my fliers to, it tells me that people want some things done differently. I know that many others will read this on monoblogue but I get roughly 75 to 150 readers a day, so I’m only going to reach 100 or so voters this way and that won’t be enough to tip the scales in most areas.

But those people I actually talked to in my rounds were generally positive about my agenda, particularly about getting more young adults involved. I looked up the dates of birth of most of my fellow Central Committee members from Board of Election info and I found out that, by about six years or so, I’m going to be the youngest person on Central Committee (we’ll range from 41 to 83, with the average age about 60.) Another way of expressing my goal is, that the next time this position is up for election in 2010, I’d like people who were born in the 1970’s, 1980’s, and even 1990’s to seek the post. And make us work for re-election. I actually enjoyed getting out and doing this little bit of campaigning I did – I was dog tired at the end of a couple days but this last weekend I really liked getting out and biking through neighborhoods I’d never gone through in my travels.

Actually, I’ve done literature drops for quite a long while. I think the first campaigns I worked on were in 1995, and I was one of those who did the leg work in several areas of Toledo trying to spread the word. (As it turned out, that was a year the Republicans there scored some rare victories.) But in doing this I’ve come up with some tips for others who do that work, I’m sure many of us will be doing that between now and November.

First and foremost, be prepared. It’s best to have (or make up) a logical walking list of the areas you want to do the dropping in. I spent time before I went out writing out a list on a small sheet of paper I could stick in my pocket and look at as I went.

One rule I follow is that if I come to an address on my list where I see a “No Trespassing” sign posted, I respect the owner’s private property rights. In that case, if they have a streetside mailbox I’ll tuck the flyer in between the mailbox and post (it’s illegal to place a flyer in the mailbox itself.)

Also, I try to be as quick and unobtrusive as possible. I’m not necessarily out to speak to each voter – if they are outside I’ll certainly be happy to speak to them but, first of all, for a lit drop I’m trying to cover territory rather quickly and secondly, having a politician come knock on your door in many cases gets the same reaction as one has when a telemarketer calls. I’ve found the best scenario is having a porch with a storm door because I can roll up the flyer and slide it inside the pull handle, generally it stays there pretty well. If there’s a doorknob or the lever won’t hold the flyer in place, then I slide it under the doormat, or under some object on the porch to hold it in place. And I chose red as my color because it contrasts to 98% of doors so the literature is visible from the street – someone will pull in and wonder what’s on the door handle.

The other portion of this post (as I’ve arrived home now) will be my response to the NAACP questionnaire, called “Value Our Vote!” As it states on what would be the cover:

The questions in this document have been framed to require a candidate to indicate their support or opposition to a critical NAACP policy area. The NAACP position on each of the questions is one of “SUPPORT”. If a candidate answers “OPPOSE” to any of the questions, please ask for an explanation for that response. This is why Mary Ashanti got a five page letter, out of 20 questions I think I opposed 17 or 18.

Here’s what I wrote back:

August 11, 2006

Mary Ashanti
NAACP, Wicomico County Branch
P.O. Box 1047
Salisbury, MD 21804

Dear Mary:

Enclosed please find my responses to the 2006 NAACP Candidate Checklist. Since there are a number of these items that I oppose on principle, I decided that it would be easier to handle this in a letter format. I’ll begin as your checklist does, with Section I: Education.

Section I: Education

Promoting School Readiness – Enhancing Resources and Opportunities in Early Childhood

Do you support or oppose universal preschool?

As I read the question, I am led to assume that the intent of the NAACP is to have compulsory preschool similar to compulsory school attendance for children from kindergarten to the age of 16 to 18, depending on state law. In that case I OPPOSE universal preschool. To me, I believe it should be up to the parent whether to send their child to school before they attain the regular school age. Some children are simply not ready to socialize and mature at a later age than others, thus to place them in a situation where they are forced to interact with other children leads to a disruptive environment for both that child and the others in the class. To me, parents know best whether their child is ready for such a situation.

K-12 Academic Resources: Giving students, communities, and schools tools for success

Do you support or oppose fully funding the “No Child Left Behind Act”?

Because there is nothing in the Constitution that dictates a federal role in education, I feel that NCLB was a mistake to adopt in the first place. To answer the question at hand, I OPPOSE fully funding the Act. However, that is not to say I don’t think states shouldn’t make a priority of funding education. Moreover, “tools for success” to me means teaching basic subjects and not the politically correct curriculum that seems to be present in primary and secondary education today – meanwhile history, geography, English, basic math skills, and economic education are sorely lacking in today’s high school graduates.

Affirmative Action – Safeguarding Equality

Do you support the continuation and expansion of affirmative action in education and employment in order to ensure equal opportunity for women and people of color?

Affirmative action as a concept was a good idea when adopted. However, it has developed into a quota system in many cases, where a person who may be more qualified is denied an opportunity because of gender or pigmentation. Personally, I believe there should be a Constitutional amendment that reads as follows:

“Congress shall make no law that codifies discrimination for or against any person based on their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This Amendment shall also be construed to include a prohibition on Congress enacting additional criminal code or punishment solely based on these factors.” To me, that is true equality under the law and I OPPOSE artificial “safeguards” like affirmative action.

Section II: Health Care

Access to Health Care – Ensuring our Health

Do you support or oppose universal health care and the expansion of existing public health resources such as Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP?

Universal health care run by the federal government would be a colossal mistake. In countries such as Canada and Great Britain, wait times are longer for required procedures and health care is rationed because of a strain on resources from people who believe their health care is “free.” Thus, I OPPOSE universal health care – however, a Massachusetts-style act to mandate people carry health insurance may be worth a look at the state level.

HIV/AIDS – Supporting the Battle to Save Lives

Do you support or oppose increasing public finding for clinics and private health centers that provide free and/or subsidized HIV prevention and treatment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS?

On a state level, I would SUPPORT this, although I’d call out for churches and other private charities to step up their humanitarian support for these victims, particularly the innocent children.

Obesity – Campaigning for a Healthier Diet

Do you support or oppose mandating that food and beverage vendors in government facilities provide products that promote healthy nutritional choices and raise awareness about healthy eating habits needed to combat diseases such as obesity and diabetes?

I OPPOSE a mandate on this, but do encourage vendors to do this voluntarily. As a person who has lost quite a bit of weight in the last year I found that self-discipline with a little help from pharmaceuticals (which, by the way are not covered by my health insurance) has gone a long way in combating my own case of obesity and reduced my risk for diabetes, heart disease, etc. But everyone has choices in life to make, I chose to take advantage of medication that helps to curb my appetite in an effort to retrain myself to eat less and make the exercise I already did more effective in dropping my weight.

Section III: Criminal Justice

Fair Trials and Sentencing – Advocating for Equal Justice

Do you support or oppose the reconsideration of full-term sentences?

Because each case is different and it’s apparent that the NAACP wants a blanket position on the issue, I choose to remain neutral with my answer. There are extreme cases where this is warranted but on the average I would say there’s no need to reconsider sentences.

Rehabilitative Services – Reviving Rehabilitative Education

Do you support or oppose restoring voting rights for ex-offenders?

Once again, this is a case where a lot depends on the nature of the felony, and the willingness of the ex-felon to be a contributing member of society. Maryland has a law that already allows ex-felons to regain voting rights if they meet certain conditions and it seems like a fair enough law as is. To the question as worded I remain neutral except I would oppose a federal law mandating this.

Death Penalty – Divorcing Death and Penalty

Do you support or oppose imposing a moratorium on the death penalty?

In this case, I OPPOSE such a moratorium. People on death row have been convicted by a jury of their peers and have gone through a number of appeals and judicial reviews. I’m convinced that one who is sentenced to death has done the crime and it’s been mandated by the state that they should be put to death for it. Some states choose not to institute the death penalty and that is their right and prerogative to do so.

Section IV: Economic Empowerment

Employment – Supporting a Fair Wages (sic)

Do you support or oppose increasing the minimum wage by $2.10 for all employees over the next two years?

I OPPOSE a raise in the minimum wage, as it’s a proven job killer for those on the low end of the scale. Fewer than ½ % of employees now actually earn the $5.15 wage and most of them are teenagers. Furthermore, an increase in the minimum wage will exacerbate the illegal immigrant problem as more employers may decide to pay substandard wages “under the table.”

Minority-Owned Business – Building Entrepreneurial Success

Do you support or oppose the creation and maintenance of local and state programs to foster the growth of minority businesses?

I SUPPORT programs that foster the growth of all businesses, not just minority-owned ones. But an important part of fostering growth is also pruning programs that have run their course or outlived their usefulness.

Economic Reciprocity – A Fair Return on Investment

Do you support or oppose the creation of laws promoting economic reciprocity?

I’m not sure I understand the concept well enough to form an informed opinion on the matter, so I will remain neutral on the subject.

Section V: International Affairs

Immigration Reform – Continuing to Build on America’s Promise

Do you support or oppose immigration reform that creates a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

You mean illegal immigrants. To me, the law is the law and unless there’s a threat to themselves or their families because of their opposition to a tyrannical government, illegals should be sent back to their country of origin. Political asylum is one thing, economic asylum is another. I would (and do) strongly OPPOSE such reform.

Darfur – A Campaign to End Genocide

Do you support or oppose the deployment of U.N. troops to protect civilians in the Darfur region of Sudan?

I would SUPPORT such a measure if the multinational forces were all from the African continent and the rules of engagement were such that they could take offensive as well as defensive actions. Operating solely as peacekeepers is not enough. Unfortunately, the U.N. has a poor track record in such cases.

Section VI: Civic Engagement

Voter Registration – Engaging Voters

Do you support or oppose challenging the implementation of laws that restrict voter registration and education efforts?

I SUPPORT these efforts with certain caveats. In my view, this support does not extend to opposition to requiring voters to show identification at polling places and other laws intended to reduce the incidence of voting fraud. I have a blog that has as part of its intent to educate voters in ways other than 30 second commercials, so this is a subject close to my heart.

Voter Education – Learning How Voting Can Make a Difference

Do you support or oppose funding non-partisan efforts to educate minority communities about local or state elections?

I SUPPORT any and all efforts to educate the public in general (not just minorities) about the importance of voting, and more importantly, knowing the issues and candidates that their votes are cast for. As I stated in the answer above, I’m making just such an effort and it’s not costing the taxpayers a dime. Further, I commend the NAACP for its efforts to educate voters with its three candidate forums.

Election Protection – Protecting the Vote

Do you support or oppose protecting voters from being required to show voter identification in order to vote in elections?

I feel your question as stated is 180 degrees out of phase with protecting voters. Not showing voter identification when ID’s are required for many other mundane tasks is simply an invitation to fraudulent voting by unscrupulous parties. Since I’m in favor of photo voter ID’s that are as tamperproof as possible and linked in with the computer voting machines we have in Maryland, I OPPOSE a measure like the NAACP proposes.

Veteran & Family Support – Supporting America’s Heroes

Do you support or oppose the immediate removal of troops currently in Iraq?

I find it interesting that on one hand the NAACP wishes to send U.N. troops to Darfur because of genocide but opposes our troops in Iraq who are fighting the very enemy responsible for that genocide (Islamofascists.) To truly support America’s Heroes, we must let them do the job they volunteered to do! Thus, I OPPOSE with the strongest of terms any removal of troops from Iraq prior to their mission being completed.

Emergency Preparedness – Planning for the Unexpected

Do you support or oppose the allocation of additional local, state, and federal budget dollars for emergency preparedness and disaster relief?

I SUPPORT this on a local and state level but OPPOSE this on a federal level, given their disastrous record of accomplishment in the wake of last year’s Gulf hurricanes. Also, I must say that while local and state governments share in the blame for the New Orleans fiasco, shame on residents for not taking matters into their own hands and being prepared. It must be stressed that emergency preparedness begins at home!

(Editor’s note: the last question asks if I’m a NAACP member.)

To answer the final question, I am not a member of the NAACP and as long as they are diametrically opposed to what I feel is Constitutional government, I would not consider becoming a member. As you said in one of the forums, we are all colored to one extent or another but advocating larger, more controlling government as most of your positions would does little to advance people but instead chains them into dependence on the government instead of the pillars of family, friends, and faith that used to hold sway in the black community.

With that, I will close my remarks. I do want to thank you and the Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP again for holding these candidate forums. Many of the complaints I have with the NAACP organization come from actions of its national leaders and tend to overshadow the good your branch does for the local community. I look forward to working with you on issues where we can find agreement and amicable discussions about those we don’t.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Swartz
Candidate, Wicomico County Republican Central Committee

It’s unfortunate I haven’t heard about that because it was like answering my own Ten Questions times two. I am curious how many others answered the questions and whether they were politically correct about this and agreed more often than not with the NAACP.

Tonight is my last night of campaigning, so to speak. At 7:00 in the morning the polls open and probably about 15 to 16 hours later I’ll know just how successful my little bit of campaigning was. The order of finish in the race I’m in will certainly tell a tale of what the Republicans in Wicomico County think of their party. But if I finish fourth (behind the three incumbents, who have much more name recognition than I) I’ll consider this a pretty successful campaign and start working on all the other GOP survivors’ bids for election.