Product Description

This is your first and last stop for everything you need to know about winning the political game in the modern world of expensive, competitive campaigning.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #198947 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 220 pages

About the Author
As a candidate, elected official, political consultant, media analyst, editor, lawyer and educator, Ron Faucheux gained a unique perspective on politics and is one of the world's top experts on campaign strategy and elections.

Customer Reviews

Lists for the candidate to work through
The book provides a long set of lists for the potential and declared candidate. There is no mention of getting along with your political party.

Decision to run:
1. Do I want the job?
2. Do I know what I want to do with the job?
3. Can I take the time?
Etc.

25 first steps:
1. Make a final, irrevocable decision
2. Determine the rationale for your candidacy
3. Get your resume in order
...
7. Raise seed money
8. Get professional help
...
10. Take a poll
Etc.

Elements of Campaign strategy
1. Position strategies (the issues)
2. Message sequence strategy (prepared sequence with desired emotional path)
Timing and intensity strategy (build intensity over time)
Mobilization strategy (rely on word-of-mouth)
Opportunity strategy (be opportunistic)

Crafting your message:
1. Do the demographics
2. Profile voters
3. Identify a winning coalition profile
Etc.

Art of attack:
Be believable, clear, logical, etc.

Estimating costs:
Raising money 1
Raising money 2
Raising money 3
Etc.

Spending money:
Hiring consultants
Buying media time
The perfect image
Slogans
Debates

And, Handy Tips for the Campaign Trail:
1. Don't let the bastards get you down
2. Always keep your cool
3. The goal is winning
Etc.

There isn't much use of anecdote. The book offers nothing but simple and direct advice.

Decent book; geared toward big-money candidates with pre-existing connections
When I ran for office in 2004, I purchased four or five how-to-run-a-campaign books, and while they all included some unique insights (this one included), RUNNING FOR OFFICE was easily the least helpful of the bunch. The worst aspect of this book is that it presupposes that you're going to be running a big-money campaign as a Democrat or Republican, and that you have wealthy friends and/or political connections. If that is the case, then do you really need this - or any - book? I would not discourage a potential candidate from purchasing and reading this book, but it should not be your first or only choice. There are much better how-to-run-for-office books out there. Check my other reviews.

Excellent Resource For The Modern Campaign!!!
Ron Faucheux does an excellent job of laying out what you need to know when you are running for office. You can be assured that every word in this book comes from working on over 100 campaigns.

This is a resource for the candidate, campaign manager, and staffer alike. All can use this book to help in the modern campaign.

Topics include: a checklist for before you announce, strategy, message, fundraising, voter contact, using consultants, debating, and more!

I think that every candidate and potential candidate should read this book early on. It gives valuable advice that helps in every step along the campaign trail.

Along with RUNNING FOR OFFICE, I suggest buying WINNING ELECTIONS also by Faucheux. These two books complement each other and will guide you through election season.