the righties are always going to have more money so we'd be wise to focus on our ground game. Good luck with the program!

Hey folks, there's no info on this great program at the Politicorps link above??

Found this on The Bus Project's website (towards the bottom of the homepage)

From the Directors of Trick or Vote and other b*tchin' youth and young adult programs, comes PolitiCorps. The critics have already weighed in: "Sweeeet!" - Napoleon D. "So good that it deserves its own colored plastic bracelet!" - manufacturer of LiveStrong wristbands "The best political immersion program outside of DC!" - biased Bus person

Calling all students. Looking for your next bold move? We invite all college students to apply for PolitiCorps. Oh future leader of Oregon and/or the nation, leap into action. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Participants of the program will:

network with existing Oregon leadership be exposed to the electoral process – and (potentially) ballot initiative campaign management learn aspects of grassroots organizing such as message development and delivery, fundraising, talking to the press, etc. help lead cutting edge political projects and events attend classes each week led by civic leaders, public officials, motivated activists and leaders of the creative class and then some...

And you won't be alone. With our mentor/buddy system, you will be supported throughout the program. Apply here for the summer or apply for the year, depending on who you are: College students, download the summer program application. College students graduating in May/June 2005, check out the year long program application.

All college students welcome to apply for summer, including graduating seniors. Graduating seniors, however, are encouraged to check out the year long program

These links include job descriptions too! I know, I know: Wow.

The Deadline for all applications is rolling (much like the wheels on the bus), but the sooner you get your application in the more likely there will be available positions, so apply now

Please send completed applications to our new address: 333 SE 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Albert.... Obviously, that politicorp.org link was no good. I've now fixed it. Thanks for heads up!

LT, you threw out an aside that I think is worth exploring... unless someone has a powerbase...

Are you suggesting that we should run candidates who have NOT yet done the hard work of meeting voters in their community, getting well-known as a thoughtful leader, and already had the opportunity, means, and ability to make meaningful change?

Is a legislative run supposed to be the place for training wheels?

Methinks not. Caucus operation or no, anyone who seriously thinks they ought to be in the legislature making state policy ought to a) know a few people, b) have made positive change already, and c) be recognized as thoughtful on the issues by their community. Right?

The most outrageous thing that I hear from time to time is when someone is out organizing their friends, neighbors, and like-minded souls to actively make positive change - and the criticism comes firing back, "Yeah, he's just doing that to build a base to run for office." My only response: "Oh yeah? If you want to run, why aren't you out organizing people in your free time?"

Isn't that exactly what we want people to do?

Solon, you throw a lot of rocks, and I won't get into a point-by-point, but I am seeing a pattern here that I'd like to discuss.

On the one hand, we're hearing a lot on BlueOregon from folks who say things like "I want to help. No one calls me. When I volunteer, they have nothing for me to do."

On the other hand, we all know that there were (and will be) dozens of campaigns putting hundreds of volunteers to work - some of them just building the base of the pyramid by calling in more volunteers. Anybody who's spent any time on a campaign, paid or volunteer, has done time calling down a list of hundreds of people asking them to show up.

And here's the rub. It's really, really hard to get people to show up. And yet, here we are now, with people telling us that nobody ever calls 'em.

Either one of two things is going on. Somehow, miraculously, you (and the others) have managed to avoid getting on the various volunteer databases. Or, you (and the others) are not interested in doing the things that campaigns have for you to do. Making calls, stuffing envelopes, planting lawn signs, going door to door, standing on freeway overpasses, handing out lit, etc.

To paraphrase Charlie Burr from another thread, "You know, we'd rather just take a couple of shifts on a phone bank - never mind your brilliant strategic thinking."

Is that what's going on here? Or am I all wet?

Actually, you're both right, Solon and Kari.

Most groups and campaigns out there need a lot of help. But many (dare I say most?) are really really bad at using volunteers. Names get lost, databases don't get updated, and turn-out calls don't get made. Because that takes time, and often volunteers end up being flaky, or more trouble than they're worth. I can't tell you the number of times I've signed up to help, or to be put on e-mail lists, etc. and gotten nothing in exchange.

Or how many times I've gotten 30 volunteers to sign up for something and had 15 show up. Or how many times I've put 12 hours into training a volunteer only to have them decide they'd rather do something else.

I don't know where the DPO is on the spectrum.

But it's entirely possible that they're somewhere in the middle -- not calling everyone, but calling people they know they can count on. Because sometimes organizations simply don't have the resources in volunteer management that they should, and the tried and true are the most efficient group of folks to go after and get.

I don't think it's a Republican v. Democrat thing, I think it's unique to each organization. So if you want to help out, sign up for some of the groups that are good at using volunteers, Solon. Or hell -- start your own, if you've got a lot of energy to use.

....or just start showing up and being useful. Standing around exclaiming, "why doesn't anyone have something for me to do?" isn't useful.

I've been on a lot of campaigns where someone just showed up, started working on something that wasn't getting done, and then never went away. Those folks are the campaign rockstars - the people you don't have to ask. They just show up and do.

One prime example: a guy named Sean Sinclair, who showed up one day on the Hooley '96 campaign. He worked hard and wouldn't go away. By 2002, he was Kulongoski's campaign manager. Today, he's a leading political adviser to Senator Harry Reid.

Just show up. Hard, good work will get noticed and rewarded.

Hey Guys:

I was worried this posts might not be controversial enough to really warrant that many threads- guess I was a little off base.

To respond to some of the comments:

Steve Buckman: The trainers are folks who have experience WINNING tough races (not just running them) and are interested in passing on skills to younger activists. Lisa Grove, who will be talking about messaging and market research, has won 41 out of 41 ballot measures for example.

I am not aware of many other pollsters with that record.

Now, it's true that Kerry and Bush had roughly the same $$, but overall, there's generally more conservative money out there than for progressives. There will always be exceptions, but last cycle, my campaign was outspent by nearly $4 million.

Steve, you've mentioned the rural vs. urban divide on several posts, and might be interested to know that this will be a focus of one of the classes. Also, in addition to field work, students will be required to do service projects throughout the state. I'd love to hear your thoughts (offline) on what some useful projects could look like in your neck of the woods.

Solon: I've been fundraising for this (pro bono) so it will not be something that just caters to the "elites." The whole point of raising the money is so we don't make it cost prohibitive for the kids to participate and we get a diverse group.

Also, the program's about more than just winning some elections- we're seeking to engage people with skills that they can use to improve their communitites, either through the political process or otherwise.

I agree with you (and Evan) that some campaigns don't use volunteers as effectively as they could. All the more reasons to train people how to do this, no?

LT, I skipped you, my apologies. You wrote:

What I am suggesting is the question of whether there are any next generation Jim Hill or Peter Courtney candidates out there.

I hear what you are saying. The dream scenario for this program, and obviously we can't guarantee this, is that by engaging the best and brightest now, we end up training the next Tom McCall, Defazio, Hill, or Courtney.

I can tell you I looked over some of the applications last night, and I was extremely impressed. But obviously those are some big shoes to fill.

Re: "Salon"

Hmm.... went to last progressive happy hour.... not happy with Jeff Smith......thinks that he has a better idea of how to run campaigns that people with actual experience.... is under the impression that Ds are losing statewide when we're not....unnecessarily sarcastic and self-important...

Salon, I have to warn you that a self-appointed "strategist" by the name of Jenson Hagen may have taken over your email account.

I had the opportunity to attend the Governor's candidate training for the last election cycle. It featured many of the speakers that are on the roster for the Bus Project gig, and (along with the League of Women Voters training) it was the most useful distillation of best practices and practical advice that I saw during the election cycle.

It seems to me that there are a couple of levels here and both are important. First, as many have commented, you have to hear what works from people that have made it work in any and all environments. Second, the individual candidates and their staffers have to customize within the framework laid out by the pros. I can look back on '04 and see where many candidates flat refused to do the drudge work of knocking on thousands of doors over the course of scores of days. Not mentioning specific races, it's still inevitable that these unsuccessful guys who refused to take input would in turn blame the larger organizations like FuturePAC that tried to make it happen.

The second part goes to concerns voiced by Steve B and LT among others. How to customize and disseminate the message. Yesterday I read this article which was forwarded to me from the Rural Organizing Project. The author cites Mormon missionaries as an example of committed volunteerism.

He also offers the concrete examples of crushing credit card debt and lack of health services as two pocketbook issues that can show Republicans as the fiscal enemies of the "man in the street".

This seven page article is more useful in a practical way than "Elephant" and "Kansas" combined.

Or maybe it is just another resume builder for Jefferson Smith

I don't know JS that well, but I do see him, and have seen him at lots of events. And what's wrong with building a big resume - isn't that the way we get to run for the bigger offices?

I think the sooner we figure out how to support each others' leadership instead of bashing each other, the sooner we'll take out Gordon Smith, and take back the Oregon House of Representatives.

There's not a great model out there for us to draw on, so we'll just have to make it up as we go along. We could start with "treat others as you'd like to see yourself be treated", gossip about others less, and we could just be outlandishly supportive whether the other person is perfect or not.

Here's a start: I see Jefferson Smith doing some good, hard work organizing this thing called the Bus Project. Which does interesting campaign stuff that I don't see happening in a similar way elsewhere. I raise my glass to Jefferson Smith and the Bus Project - ride on!

To Kari Chisolm who provides this space for us to figure things out - kudos - it's fun, easy to use and perhaps may help us get out shit together.

btw, just reading the current issue of YES! Magazine. It's all about media and has some cool stuff in it.

Here's the rub- I have yet to see anything concrete come out of the Bus Project. To me, they seem all talk and no effective action. Which in no way disregards the heart for the issues that many of them have; however they seem green in actual effective operations. This is why I am not on any of their volunteer lists; I don't volunteer for people who are incapable of effectively managing and utilizing my time and energy.

I'm with you Salon on this one.

I think there's room for many chefs in this kitchen. There's room for the Bus Project to send a bus filled with canvassers to a district in Salem or Ashland to support a progressive Dem or R, and there's room to spend money and time trying to improve the Dem Party. I also liked Solon's post believe it or not. And see the side that says: have a problem with the way things are being done? Get in there and start cooking!" which resonates with me, as well.

Hey Pdxkona Screw off.

How many Hundred person canvass days have you put together? How many debates have you had with over 1000 people? How many of the candidates you worked for won? You're an idiot. You have no clue about the Bus. I probably would be nicer but you don't courage to post your real name.

The Bus has only every tried to be value-added and we eat a ton of shit because of it and it’s pissing me off. Pdxkona, you ass, you should be on your knees thanking god that Jefferson quit his six figure job in New York to come back here and help start this thing. Ask Doc. Bates if the Bus is effective. If you have a clue as to who that is, you moron. I have never had minute of my time wasted but the Bus and I have spent more time working for them that just about anyone else. I’m glad you’re not on any of our lists because you’re a douche bag.

Just to clarity about Solon's point of "wasting" money. The Bus does more with less than any other political organization in this state. So he can suck my ass too. I don't believe for one second that's Jensen. Jensen has the balls to use his real name and always has that's why even thought we don't agree all the time I like him.

Kari sorry for the harsh language I think you're super. Edit away I’ll still love you.

Joe Baessler

pdxkona: To me, they seem all talk and no effective action.

I actually think contacting voters at the door is pretty effective (not that that's all they do), but what would you suggest they be working on? Are you saying that skills trainings are not effective?

Also, for what organizations/campaigns do you volunteer usually?

As a manager of the Ringo vs. Witt race in 02, our campaign was the first beneficiary of a bus canvass. At the time, a lot of people thought that there wouldn't be 50 people showing up, let alone 100+, and that the numbers would trail off after that.

They were wrong. Fair enough. But what's such horseshit is, skeptics should be HAPPY they got it wrong. The fact that there's real grassroots support for this type of activism is a good thing for progressives. To make the argument that the bus hasn't helped leg candidates or develop young leaders is pretty off the mark.

The larger point here is that it will always be easier to sit on the sidelines and really not doing anything than to stick your neck out and think big. I have a lot more respect for someone who goes for greatness and comes up short than someone who sits on the sidelines second guessing everything, but never doing sh*t.

Now, now, boys... enough with the language.

I happen to agree with Chubby and Charlie... The Bus Project is about organizing people to help make progresive change in this world.

Sure, like every organization - and every political campaign - there's a lot of wasted effort. That comes with the turf. But do they accomplish great things? Yes. That's easy to see.

I tend to think of political campaigns like those great old Viking sailing ships. As long as 70% of the oars are moving in rhythm and the right direction, that's success. Even if 20% are rowing backwards, and 10% are having waterfights.

The media and the armchair strategists like to spend their time second-guessing TV ads - but the real work of politics is getting on the street and knocking on doors. Personally, I can't stand that stuff - but it's one of the only things that works every time.

And here's to the Bus for making canvassing sexy again.

Wow, Lots of comments on this thread. I hope it becomes an indication of the interest in the program.

Some thoughts in response:

"Bus effective?" I think so. It's always hard to tell the particular impact of any given input, but here's some data. Over the past 3 years, Bus volunteers have knocked on roughly 170,000 doors. They've supported 10 State Senate candidates. 9 of them have won. (With lots of help -- "Victory has a thousand fathers; Losing is an orphan.") All for the budget of less than a single targeted State Senate district. A story: the last time I remember make this "ineffective" critique was a (Republican) State House candidate in 2002 (I haven't met him, but I hear he's a pretty good guy), who reportedly said when told about the Bus: "sounds like a big waste of time." Subsequently, that election Bus volunteers knocked on over 3000 doors for his opponent, who won by 40 votes.

Young People: Don't give up on them. In 2004, youth turned out at higher levels than any election since 1992 (Clinton's first election). And young people were the only age demographic that Kerry won. I also think that they are our best hope for a progressive future.

Leadership Development has its advantages. Already, one of our kids has gone onto Stanford to start the Roosevelt Institute -- the first student-run think tank, and his model's being copied at other schools (he was just featured in the S.F. Chronicle). Charles McGee looks to be a real leader in the black community (currently running in a tough school board race). Sarah Masterson's about one of the most talented people with whom I've had the pleasure to work. There's more too. Building for the future often has almost immediate demonstrable results.

Tim: Sorry if I was a jerk. I honestly don't remember being a jerk, but I suppose that's when we can each risk being one. Know also that while I think we're having a hard time winning on some pretty important issues statewide (school funding, environmental protection, Lottery fees, etc.), I actually have tremendous respect for the folks who have been working so hard in Oregon politics. I don't think we need a slaying of the elders and experts, I think we need more experts and more elders (along with more canvassers and activists, etc.). (Also, to be clear and contrary to occasional opinion, I know I can be a schmoe. But I'm all I've got.)

Resume builder for Jefferson: Never thought of "grassroots organizer" as something that would boost my resume. Certainly not good for the pocketbook (or the ego, frankly, posts like that sorta sting -- oh well, we're all big boys). Hopefully a bit good for the State, though.

Anonymous posts seem to post a bit of a problem in the blogspace. I'm very new to this weblog thing -- although I've been hanging out with Markos (of the Daily Kos) this week (namedropnamedropnamedrop) -- but it seems that the same bloke could post things agreeing with himself, thereby creating a false buzz. I don't know who the critics are (or "critic" is), but I do hope that we create a norm of naming ourselves in posts, so that we know if it's people with other motives at heart. (For instance, if I were a right-wing operative, I would spend time causing infighting among progressive folks, so they spent their time on those silly fights rather than trying to make the world better. Oh well. This last paragraph by me might have been sorta stupid use of pixels. Oh well.)

$200 DINNERS: The Bus has never had one. Our events are 20-$25. Except when they're free. Pretty much grassroots to the core.

"what is the training squad going to pocket for this little exercise?" Nothing, actually. The trainers are doing it as volunteers. Me too. It's pretty darn close to a "goodness of the heart" thing. I think this program is actually a pretty darn effective use of resources. (Not only will it build for the future, but each intern will also spend time in the field doing good work (be it political/electoral or nonpartisan/civic).)

Back to PolitiCorps: I really hope we can get the focus back on the program (and certiainly not me or my jerkiness. The credit for PolitiCorps, by the way, should not go to me, but to Julie Duryea, the Director of the Program). I think this is among the most exciting things the we've ever helped with. This week, at a conference (where I am right now) I have shared the idea with Arianna Huffington, Eli Pariser of MoveOn, Jeff Blodgett (Wellstone's original campaign manager), Cecile Richards of America Votes, Iara Peng of "Young People For", Billy Wimsatt of the League of Young Voters, Mike Huttner of ProgressNow, Hans Reimer of Rock the Vote, and a bunch of other interesting folks. So far, the feedback for the model is amazing. I think it could be a model for the nation -- and I personally really want Oregon to do more of that pioneering stuff.

In any event, I hope all the vigor of this blog is translated into canvassing days in the next election.

Jeff out.

but it seems that the same bloke could post things agreeing with himself, thereby creating a false buzz.

I don't know how prevalent this is on national-level blogs, but I've encountered it rarely locally. The one time it definitely happened, I and my readers outed the problem as being caused either by the son, or friends of the son, of one of the local mayoral candidates.

Mainly, people just need to pay attention and try to catch it if it happens.

shrug

A further thought on the Kumbaya thread. There seems to be some hindbrain stuff confusing the issue here and it can all be resolved by keeping our eyes on the prize.

As several others have noted, we don't have to get married here, or exchange big wet kisses. We just have to cooperate and offer the minimum respect due to any progressive activist who is actually walking the talk instead of sitting on the sidelines.

A lot of people that know me don't like me all that well either, and that's just fine with me.

When it comes to activism I will judge you by whether you actually do something useful. Whether you are motivated by ideology, ambition, or if you're just a political junkie makes no difference at all.

Pat I like you.

Full disclosure-from the desk of Jefferson's girlfriend: Joe & Saul (and others) have done a sufficient job defending the Bus Project with expletives and numbers. I've know Jefferson for almost four years & have heard such comments from time to time. Every time somebody says "Jefferson has best set of political tools in a generation," as has been said by some pretty knowledgable people, there are a few people who worry that he'll interfere with their own ambitions. Every time jefferson has given a big speech there are lots of people who say, "that's the best thing I've ever heard." There are also a few people who say, "I wish that were me up there" or "who does this guy think he is?"

I can tell you exactly who he is: He's someone who's set aside his life to work for the public interest. Serious people have approached him about running for 9 different positions over the past several years and each time he's said no- because he wanted to work on efforts that would support more than one candidate and develop more than one leader. Clearly the "too ambitious" critique is largely crap.

Moreover, don't we want to encourage people with Jefferson's level of talent to show leadership? We shouldn't poo-poo it, we should embrace it.

Katy

You're the real deal.

I just wanted to post something here since my name came up in several comments and this is the first time I read this thread. Funny.

Can I just say that I like you too Joe "Chubby Gazelle" Baessler. You're the real deal.

I even like Solon, Ralph McKenna, Tim and everyone else that comments here. You're all the real deal.

I enjoy the debate. It makes me stronger and I know more as a result and in the end that's what this is all about for me. Learning. Growing. Having Fun.

Keep the peace folks! You're all the real deals!