| Welcome, Mr. Ford. We're glad you could make it here-- surprised that we have less snow than Washington? {laughter around the room} No, please-- we know you're busy and are happy to rearrange our agenda so that you can move on to your next appointment. Well, since you asked, we normally start with reports from elected officials. If there are active campaigns, we get campaign reports next. Sometimes we have speakers about topics of issue-- campaign techniques, how the voting system works, "clean money, clean elections". Yes, you're right-- our meetings can get very interesting-- we typically have about twenty people attend out of our sixty or so members; and we have some, maybe we'll call them "lively", discussions.
So, some years ago, one of our esteemed members coined what has become to be known as "Bill's rules". He speculated that to be successful, a candidate had to have six people who were absolutely rabid-- would walk with them in all weather, phone bank for hours on end, and work tirelessly for the campaign and another twenty-five to a hundred people who were less available but still enthusiastic: to walk with the candidate, phone bank, do lit drops, appear at events, help with fundraisers. So the first question is: do you have that kind of support? If so, can you describe it?
[Yes-- I have strong support in my circle of friends who are eager to begin fundraising for my campaign]
That's interesting; but it's not exactly what we meant. Maybe we see these races differently than you do-- our races tend to be local and we use many feet on the ground. I understand this is a statewide race and that there will be a lot of money spent on advertising; but do you have groups of people-- again, twenty to a hundred-- in each county in the state who are going to be willing to knock on doors, meet and talk to their neighbors, represent you at events, and phone likely voters in their counties?
[Well, I expect to be able to fund an aggressive campaign and when I win the nomination, a lot of that infrastructure will come from the party]
OK... another question we usually ask is what experience do you have in actively campaigning?
[I represented the ninth district for a decade. I campaigned for that office.]
We put a lot of value into door-to-door, phone banking, and attending events. Can you tell us what your plans are?
[I intend to have a listening tour, like the one Senator Clinton did. And go to county fairs. And listen to people.]
Hmmmm..... Moving on. How do you plan to use a seat in the US Senate to help improve New York?
[I'll work in the best interests of the State. I'll work to represent my constituents and their viewpoints]
That's fine, Mr. Ford-- but kind of boilerplate. Isn't that what everyone says?
[I'm sorry-- I don't understand-- what were you looking for?]
Well, for starters, New York pays more in taxes to the Federal government than it receives back. How do you plan to address that?
[Well, I'll be an active advocate on behalf of the great State of New York]
So-- again-- a non-answer. That's fine. When you say you'll represent the viewpoints of your constituents, what do you mean?
[?]
Well, for starters, most people in this room favor repealing "Don't ask, don't tell", would like to see a single payer health care system, and want to see the wars ended as quickly as possible.
[Those are all complex issues that require collaborative work in the Senate and I wouldn't want to rule out any options before I'm seated]
{Collectively, the people in the room look at their watches}
Can you tell us how your views have changed since your run for the Senate in Tennessee four years ago?
[Well, I'm certainly not rooting for the Titans any more]
{laughter}
[I'm older and I'd like to think wiser-- I'm more open to gay marriage than I was four years ago.]
{uneasy shuffling}
[No, really-- it's not just because I'm running in NY and not Tennessee. It's my own wisdom]
OK. One of the objections to you that has been raised is that you are very downstate centric. Can you tell us about your visits, impressions of, and plans for upstate?
[Well, I go to Westchester county all the time]
{Stunned silence. An aide whispers something in his ear}
[Also, I was in Rochester recently-- had a great trash meal {another whisper} um, I mean garbage plate]
But how do you plan to help improve upstate?
[Seems like a great place to me already! {He smiles. We frown}]
OK.... but we feel economically depressed. How can you address that from the Senate?
[Well, I plan to advocate on behalf of my constituents and bring home as much federal dollars as I can]
Well, thank you for your time, Mr. Ford. I think this conversation has been very... enlightening. |
