Oh Eight
It’s been over a year since I’ve been pretty much completely prepared for an election. Two since I planned on running in the 40th General (or a by-election if it ever came up). Three since I started planning on running in the riding of Calgary West as an Independent.
As I sit here, I meditate over my reasons for not running in the 39th, as I posted in February 06.
There were a number of factors involved in not running. First and foremost would be campaign financing. I’m not running a campaign that I cannot be able to run a brochure or two, and be able to phone canvass properly. That said, most of my potential financial contributors have families, and Christmas isn’t the time for me to be asking for money for politics. And there really is no point to running a finance-less campaign unless it’s to get my name out, and there’s much more productive ways to do that..
Second, considering that this election was poised to create a small minority, another thing I wanted to avoid was asking for money then and then in 6 months from then. While minorities are great for running as an independent, it seemed to me that my level of pre-election preparation was not enough to warrant running then and then again soon thereafter. While I suspect that an election will not take place until *at least* November but more than likely next Spring/Summer, had the minority gone Liberal, we may have seen a much closer election.
Of course, it didn’t help that I started a new job at the end of October and life was just busy all-around. In the end, the decision was really a matter of not being able to run a strong campaign. I have appreciated all the strong words of support, though, and I do still intend to run eventually.
Well, I was incorrect about the length of this minority, but I think in general - as much as I would have achieved getting my name out - I think I made an intelligent decision for the 39th. Although, for *that* election I could have received $5,400 per donor, instead of the $1,100 I’m limited to now. Oh, and people could have given me $25 in cash (which was reduced to $20 by Bill C-2)…
Over the time that I’ve spent preparing since January 23, 2006, I have met a lot of people - and my name seems to have gone to all ends of the country as I have random people supporting me from all ten provinces. Even though my speech was not the biggest event of the year, the people who either heard or read the speech have had nothing but good things to say. My website continues to become more and more popular, and my name pops up on more and more websites dedicated to elections in Canada.
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I never have. I merely set goals. Two years ago, I began working on readying myself for Federal Politics. In 2008, I might have the chance to prove that I’m ready.
One Response to “Oh Eight”
When it comes, I think you’ll be ready and there is no doubt that you will have help both financial and on the policy front from folks both near and far.
Cheers,
P
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