Introduction
Running for congress is a wanting process; it requires a lot of proper planning, wide range of political knowledge, devotion and commitment to the whole process. Nothing is more important to a successful campaign than committed leadership. Early campaign planning and strategic organizing is paramount. To win or loose the election will depend greatly on these values.
First, knowing why you are running is essential. Be able to bring out your objectives clearly. ” It’s my desire to serve my people” isn’t enough. Note that people are interested in not only hearing about problems but they also want to hear about the solutions you have for their problems. So, know what you want to accomplish and be clear about it. (Lee, 2004)
Necessaries
Learn how to listen to people. People will not just want to hear what you have to say but they will want you to know and care about what they think. According to Lee, if you can’t be have the troubled to ask relevant questions for their concerns, then they wont trouble themselves to vote for you.
Prepare pamphlets, handouts, and banners with your slogan, address, e-mail, phone number, name and your portrait. The website should be functional.
One can not run for congress alone. You need people who will assist in advertisement, pooling, preparing speeches, creating and developing positions, scheduling your time, planning on how to respond to your opponent attacks and organizing volunteers (persons who will prepare letters, receive and make calls on your behalf).
Running for congress is an expensive exercise. Planning for fund raising is a base for successful campaign; have board of governors who understand the fund raising ordeal. (Seth,1994). The congress should be the one to raise the campaign funds from others because potential donors prefer to be asked by their peers for their support rather than being hit for money by fund-raising professionals and may suspect such professionals of being self serving, less than candidate. Raising funds personally from others also shows commitment and therefore motivate prospects to positive action.
Do grassroots and organizational mobilization and lobbying. Cover every part of the nation by moving personally from one place to another, using print and electronic media among others. Prepare your speech and articulate it well to address peoples’ expectations.
Friends and acquaintances is the greatest group that might influence your elections prospects. (Student community and Leadership Development, 2008) tell them who you are, your values, reasons why you are vying, and what makes you the best for the position. They will advise you and ask them to help you in campaigning..
The second group that may influence your win is the organizations such as clubs, churches, community based organizations among others. You can attend their meetings, participate in their activities. Start with the organizations that you are part of. Speak to them to know that you are vying
The community is then the largest group that will influence your prosperity. You can interact with them by attending their social events, calling for meetings, media talk shows. Let the campaign leaders introduce you to as many people as they can.
Fellow candidates. Attend other candidate’s forums. It does not necessarily have to be your opponent but other candidates running for different positions. This will give you a chance to sell your ideologies to people attending the meeting.
The media group. Seek a chance to sell yourself through media. Have interviewed by journalist. This has an advantage because it will reach many people at once. The media will help you to advertise your meetings, sell your ideas and provide an opportunity to respond to people’s questions. (Watt, 2000).
Conclusion
As noted earlier that running for congress is an expensive exercise; that every activity calls for money. One has to pay for all costs during campaign. Therefore you need to raise a lot of money. Several activities during campaign include advertisements, preparing posters and banners, pamphlets, traveling, making phone calls and hiring personnel like political consultants, campaign organizers require quite spending of money. According to a republican senator in America, money is one of the most important aspects in politics. The role played by finance has been controversial for long in America (watts, 2004). The controversy is due to anxiety about the increase in campaign spending. Some states in 1960 advocated for some limit on campaign finance and laws were put in place to check that.
After all is said and done, success in campaign depends on good will, good friends, good ideas and good luck.
References
Lee, H (2004): How to Run for Congress. Indian university, US.
Seth, B. (1994): Essentials of Long-Term Care and Administration. Aspen publication Inc. US.
Student community and leadership development. (2007): Campaign Tips. Yolk University. New Yolk
Watts, D. (2000): Understanding US/Uk Government Politics. Manchester University press. US