American Political Experience A Campaign For Elective Office

This is a detailed account of a run for state legislature and encounters with voters, party officials, incumbents, and fellow candidates as well as job seekers, handout seekers, axe grinders, clergy, and the religious faithful. Are you considering a run for office? Can you answer why should they vote for you? Can you say, "No," and still get their vote? Do you know how we have gotten to this point? Why the system works the way it does? And why the various positions are held? Do you enjoy endless meetings, hand shaking, and log rolling? This account can help you answer these questions and know if politics is the game for you.

The passage of Citizens United by the Supreme Court in 2010 sparked a renewed debate about campaign spending by large political action committees, or Super PACs. Its ruling said that it is okay for corporations and labor unions to spend as much as they want in advertising and other methods to convince people to vote for or against a candidate. This book provides a wide range of opinions on the issue. Includes primary and secondary sources from a variety of perspectives; eyewitnesses, scientific journals, government officials, and many others.

Because every election these days is so important to the future of our great nation, the desire for the average American to choose a side and get involved is greater than ever. The size of the office being sought is insignificant; the will to invoke change is there. But with most people, there's a problem: they don't know where, how or even when to start. The average American doesn't have the money, connections or name recognition to do what it takes to get elected. That's where "The Art of the Political Campaign" comes in. As a former, candidate for political office, Brian Duewel quickly found out that there was little resource for the average guy to make the jump into the political process. That's why he authored, "The Art of the Political Campaign: How to run for elected office with no money, name recognition or political connections." As he was campaigning, Duewel decided to document how an ordinary person could run for public office. In addition to what he learned on the campaign trail, Duewel decided to ask other successful politicians what they encountered. After years of searching, investigating and surveying those officials, Duewel compiled a thorough list of advice and stories. These stories come from politicians from across the country; from mayors and county board members to state representatives and state senators - no political stone was left unturned. This is a political book that is politically free. No issues, agendas or political parties are ever brought into play. Duewel wants people to enjoy the information, advice and stories in the book without a predetermined bias. If you're thinking about running for office, if you've ever thought about making a move into politics or if you know someone who has political aspirations, you owe it to yourself to get "The Art of the Political Campaign: How to run for elected office with no money, name recognition or political connections."

Under the Constitution of the United States, those with political ambitions who aspire to serve in the federal government must be at least twenty-five to qualify for membership in the House of Representatives, thirty to run for the Senate, and thirty-five to become president. What is the justification for these age thresholds, and is it time to consider changing them? In this provocative and lively book, John Seery presents the case for a constitutional amendment to lower the age barrier to eighteen, the same age at which citizens become eligible to vote. He divides his argument into three sections. In a historical chapter, he traces the way in which the age qualifications became incorporated in the Constitution in the first place. In a theoretical chapter, he analyzes the normative arguments for office eligibility as a democratic right and liberty. And in a political chapter, he ruminates about the real-world consequences of passing such an amendment and the prospects for its passage. Finally, in a postscript, he argues that younger citizens in particular ought to be exposed to this fundamental issue in civics.