You've recently advertised your participation on major websites such as Wikipedia, Twitter and Facebook. Why do you think having a strong internet presence is vital to politician campaigning?
The Internet in many ways is making the political process more democratic and inclusive than it's been in recent decades. It bypasses a lot of the traditional barriers to political involvement, and allows the candidate to make direct contact with supporters and bring them news and information not filtered by the mainstream press. It's an extension of grass-roots politics and no modern campaign can ignore its impact.
You stated on your blog, "God willing, I will seek the Maryland Legislative District 27 Senate seat in 2010...". Why have you chosen to run again for this office in 2010?
The Senate district in which I live has been represented by the same man for thirty four-plus years; he is also the Senate President and arguably the most powerful man in Maryland politics. On his watch, our state has become one of the highest taxed in the nation, and we are among the top ten nationwide for highest cost of doing business and highest cost of living. His policy decisions suggest he has lost touch with the struggling families of his district and the state, and is more concerned with his party's power and his own, rather than the needs of others. I offer true servant leadership and a promise to transform, not just reform, Maryland government. My goals are to let people keep more of what they earn, zero-base the budget every year and make every program justify its budget, develop performance plans for all government programs and monitor their progress toward achieving outcomes that do the most good for the most people, and terminate programs that aren't delivering. It's your money, not theirs and we need less taxation and more representation.
Article comments
1 - Ruvy
JJ,
You probably remember me, and not too kindly.
So, let's start with the positives. All in all, you did a good job. You did get the interviewer to answer some serious questions and reveal his views in important ways that go beyond the standard sound bytes. That's good.
Even though this impressed me as a "puff piece", I'm not a mean person and realize that you're a kid, without a whole lot of experience.
A suggestion for you, a friendly one. Next time rry to interview someone whose views you find less aligned with you own. You will find that you naturally make the questions sharper and tougher and you will push the interviewee more....
Don't be discouraged! Keep writing! Nice job!
2 - J.J. Biddinger
Ruvy,
Thanks for the tip! I understand what you mean, but the reason I chose to interview Ron Miller was because I had worked with him in the past. In the future, I may interview people with other stand points. This was a starting point. :)
I appreciate the encouraging words!
God bless,
J.J. Biddinger
3 - Ruvy
JJ,
You're welcome. There are others here who are far more experienced at doing interviews than I - Mark Schannon and Dave Nalle (nawl) come to mind immediately. Look at their work with respoect to politics. Also, you can look over the arhives for interviews that other writers have done here and maybe get in touch with them for some tips on the rougher interviews when you choose to do them. There is a woman who reviews Christian books (find her in the book section) - hopefully she will be happy to give you help and encouragement.
Just because I disagree with your ideas (and I do) doesn't mean I will discourage you from expressing them. On the contrary. Tough debate will help you hone your own thoughts clearly, so you yourself understand what you think, and you yourself can reach insights because you actually understand what you believe and the roots of those beliefs.
I've learned things from other writers here, and changed my mind on a number of issues because they made sense - and I realized they were making more sense than I was.
I've learned soething living in Jerusalem that I never forgot. You never know who you will meet, and you never know whom you can learn from. Irene Wagner - whose shit list I am on because of my remarks on your previous article - is one such individual. Silas Kain is another; Glenn Contrarion is yet another; Stan Denham, an Australian jurnalist who goes under the name STM or Silver Surfer, is yet another.
4 - Ruvy
Just a last word, JJ. I hit the "post comment button" a drop too fast.
[Non English content deleted]
Blessings from Samaria,
Ruvy
5 - J.J. Biddinger
Ruvy,
Thank you very much for the tips (again)! It's very much appreciated. I have aspired to be a writer, so your encouraging words are welcomed. :D
God bless you,
J.J. Biddinger