1. I need a job (not true for Smulowitz, who was already employed as a physician); some say that was true of Harry Truman; if so, he was not alone.
2. A passion for governance, and desire to make a difference.
3. Family tradition; some families seem to field one elected official or state employee after another; it is just what those families do.
4. A single issue upon which the candidate has a burning passion (very different from ‘a passion for governance’) that energizes that person to seek office.
5. A sense of entitlement; because the candidate has held another office, or served as a general, they are convinced they are “owed” or “own” the right to that office.
6. Incumbency, the sense that someone has come to “own” an office; reflected in calling the senate seat “Ted Kennedy’s seat.” The corollary is it is seen as somehow disloyal or disreputable to challenge an incumbent [note I totally disagree that any incumbent “owns” their seat and should not be challenged; all elected offices belong to the people].
7. A desire for the attention and excitement that running for office and holding office guarantee.
Many candidates may represent more than one of these qualities. But I look to try and determine motivation these days – as I have said before, I have a kind of political PTSD from supporting a candidate who turned out to be a major league phoney – John Edwards.
Consider adding one more to the list: Power and influence.
Though I suppose that #7 could also appeal to one’s id…
…for supporting Edwards. His affair doesn’t negate his passion or his ability to serve well in public office.
If you ask Rielle the affair ignited his passion 😛
Maybe the Huffington Post article a few weeks ago is relevant. I must admit that I’ve not met a successful politician that wasn’t snakelike smooth.
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p>HEY – Why do we vote for them? Is one of us voters born every minute?
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p>;o)
2. Yes, some people do like to “give back” to their community.
3. You say tradition, I say perpetuating hackerama.
4. Christy Mihos.
5. Our democratic state legislature.
6. ”
7. Its an ego boost.
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p>I liked John Edwards. Unfortunately, he chose to think with the wrong head. A stiff penis has no brain.
…and..uh…maybe some Seven for dessert….
Expanded first into indigent defense generally, then into access to justice, and may be slowly morphing into a #2 except that there really are many issues I don’t know much about, just as there is probably no one who knows more than I do as to the child welfare system, juvenile justice, access to justice and indigent defense, though there are certainly some who know as much as I do, no questions.
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p>I originally sought my seat on the Democratic State Committee to get access to justice & indigent defense into the Platform and as an issue being thought about and an area being improved.
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p>THAT is most definitely still in its very early stages; not much progress with this yet, or so it seems to me.