So why are you running for public office? Sounds like an obvious question. But many people who run for office can never really answer that or answer it in a compelling way that's interesting or memorable to the voters, you've got to have a good clear cut. answer to that. Now, you may have many, many reasons, you may have a lifelong interest in civic affairs. It may be a good time for you financial, your kids have moved away or gone to college.
None of that matters to voters. You've got to quickly learn how to differentiate between private information that's interesting relevant to family, friends versus public information. And you've got to be selective. So if you're running for school board, and the main thing you're worried about is violence in schools or reading scores, talk about that one thing and really hit it home. Focus on that issue that you care About that also presumably is of interest to voters. Now you know your community better than I do.
You know the issues that are concerning you, but you've got to figure out what's important to you and also relevant to this office, and also relevant to your community. You can't talk about why you want to cut taxes. If you're running for school board of a school board official, and there's no taxing power. You've got to make sure there's a good match. figure out why you're running for office. Now some people know exactly.
It's they are angry about Islamic fundamentalism, and they want to run to increase defense. There's all sorts of reasons, but you've got to have something that seems like a legitimate reason to other people. It can't be that. Well, I was just, you know, student government. fanatic in seventh grade. I've been a political junkie and I watch CNN and MSNBC and Fox all the time.
And I just thought it would be fun. That can't be your reason for public office. You've got to have good sound reasons of how you want to help voters. Elections are primarily about the future. What are you going to do for me? In the future, that's what voters want to know.
I can't tell you what your message is. But I can tell you You must have a message about what you're going to do for voters. How are you going to make society better if you're running for president, you got to make the whole country better. If you're running for a tiny precinct Chair of some governmental body, you've got to talk about how you help people just in your neighbor, maybe just on your street. But you've got to make your arguments in a way that resonate with your audience. It's not about what you want to hear.
It's about What the audience the voters want to hear. That's also important to you. I'm not suggesting you just read polls and say whatever voters think, presumably you've decided to make this decision to run for public office. Because there's something you do want to do. There's a vision you have an issue you care about. That's fine.
I don't want to take that away from you. But you've got to figure out a way of expressing that in a compelling way. Because we've all seen candidates in both parties. When asked the question, Why are you running for president? or Why are you running for governor and it's? Well, our state has great natural resources and I love my family doesn't mean anything.
You've got to quickly get to something meaningful to voters and let them know exactly while you're running. They might not agree with it. That's okay. They might not think that's the number one issue. But something beats nothing. People need to know why you're running for office.
So that's the first thing that's the first homework assignment for you. Write down. It could be 100 words, hundred words or less. Why are you running for office?