Nikoko
26-04-2005, 23:32
2005 Mayoral Campaign Blog Entry Pilot
"You know... Our campaign manager needs an assistant..."
*Flashback*
Three years ago I approached the principal of my high school during a field trip, it took me hours to work up the nerve and I was simple and straight to the point. "I want to get into politics..." Yeah, I know, not exactly the poetic words in which a career gets launched. His wife works in the office of a federal senator from our state, so I assumed he could point me in the right direction.
He said he would have a word with the campaign team of our new Temporary Mayor who was running to complete the two unfinished years of our old Mayor's four year term. The previous Mayor, David Hollister was extremely well respected and did many great things for Lansing, he also chose Mr. Benavides to govern the city until an election could be held to decide who would finish the term.
He also supported the Temporary Mayor during the campaign with these exact words. "You can't do that much damage in two years..." This is when I established my routine of tracking down my extremely busy principal every day and bugging the hell out of him until he did what I wanted. So eventually in the last few precious weeks as school was winding down, he managed to get the phone number to the private residence of the Mayor.
It took me a day or two to dig up the courage to do so, but I called. Now, before I go any further, allow me to describe my frame of mind. I was a sophomore in high school with a very low grade point average. I had no plans for the summer and most of all... I wanted a job. So when the Mayor's wife picked up, I explained who I was and why I was calling. She was a very kind and intelligent woman, who spoke with a slight accent.
I asked if this whole campaign thing paid well, she kindly told me that they did not have the money to actually hire anyone currently but they would love a volunteer. Ouch. Yes, before you say anything, I was indeed your average naive know-it-all so popular with the current generation of American Youth. She gave me the number of a Tim Russell, who was in command of the grass roots campaign to defeat the Arch Evil Career Politician™ but more on that later.
I kindly thanked her and dropped the phone, slumped onto the couch exhausted, nerves worn. I had that blank thousand-meter-stare that infantry would come home with after seeing heavy trench fighting during the Great War. I briefly wondered what would come of this, yet I was young and my attention span was measured in nano-seconds, so instead of thinking about it further I turned on the television and happened upon a little known animated series called Sailor Moon running on Cartoon Network.
Sailor Moon is an anime which is based entirely on the idea that young anatomically correct teenaged girls with super powers fighting evil in short skirts would attract an audience. Good call. Sometimes I still wonder who really won World War Two. Forgive me; I’ve strayed off topic… I had no idea how much my life would change after that short little phone call. Tim Russell would become a personal demi-god to me during the course of the campaign and he never let me down.
I soon found myself standing in front of a non-descript building in the heart of downtown Lansing. Only three blocks away from the State Capitol and City Hall, it had at one time served as the meat processing and distribution facility for the entire city. After adjusting my clothes one last time and sucking in my stomach I walked through the single door into the small office and was welcomed full heartedly. At first I felt like I stood out, the majority of the office staff and volunteers were of Hispanic ancestry, whereas I was half Italian.
However I would quickly find such feelings proved false, the volunteers were extremely friendly and helpful. During the last few months of the campaign I made quite a few friends and positive memories. I would soon get to have the wonderful experience of working a phone bank, holding up a big ass sign in 40 mph wind and getting chased down the block by a drunken three hundred pound piece of white trash screaming racial obscenities. Isn’t democracy beautiful?
Then there was the rumor, now if you followed the race at all you would have heard of it. The Rumor was essentially this: The Arch Evil Career Politician™ has two lovely and bright daughters one of whom it was said was dating an African American. When her father discovered this, he quickly pulled her out of the Lansing School District. However, the real reason was really to avoid harassment she had been receiving from fellow students.
I have no idea who started the rumor and no one accepted responsibility but it is generally thought that someone from our campaign team started it. To this day I cannot confirm or deny this.
It was during this time Tim Russell taught me how to run a grass roots campaign; this would be invaluable almost two years later. During election night I was part of the last minute phone bank at the Michigan Retailers Association and got to ride in the Tony mobile. Nothing like hauling ass through the city with campaign slogans blarring through the loud speakers from inside a converted camper that was as likely to explode in a fireball that would put Hiroshima to shame as it was to get you home.
I was even allowed to remain inside the office while the final vote numbers were coming in, Tim was quite nervous and they even kicked Mr. Benavides’ out of the room, twice! Finally, the winner was announced; Tony Benavides’ would be Lansing’s Mayor for the next two years! My guy had won!
*Present Day*
Now I find myself in the most unexpected position imaginable. A year and a half ago my grandfather passed away, the man practically raised me, he had taught me what hard work and integrity meant. My mother was a single working parent; my father was a drug abuser who had abandoned my family long ago. Ralph Taylor was a man from a different age, a World War II veteran who had been a machine gunner during the Battle of the Bulge.
He had worked at General Motors for decades before retiring as a crossing guard. Even as his health failed him, he continued to grow fruit and vegetables, his bare hands working the soil. My grandmother had passed a few years before and now I had no one. Luckily, his death came neither as a surprise, or unfortunately, quickly. So I had plenty of time to prepare myself.
Finally, no matter how hard I tried to convince him otherwise, he voted for the Arch Evil Career Politician™ who will now be referred to as Senator Bernero for the rest of this document.
During the pre-funeral rosary ceremony of the Catholic faith, which also served as a public viewing, a tall, somewhat familiar figure appeared. It was not until one of my Aunts poked my on the shoulder and asked me a single question did I realize who it was. “Isn’t that Senator Bernero? The guy who ran against Mayor Benavides?” Yes Aunt Theresa, Yes it was… I was completely and utterly dumb founded. What was he doing here? Did he know my grandfather?
Yes and no. After the public viewing was over, I went over and introduced myself. It was then I learned why no matter how I tried, I could never convince my grandfather to vote for Mr. Benavides. One day, while Mr. Bernero was campaigning door to door he happened upon the house of an old man. That old man was my grandfather, the Senator introduced himself, and my grandfather replied “Why should I vote for you?” He gave him the normal sales pitch all politicians prepare while going door to door. Then my Grandfather did something that surprised him, he opened the door wider and said “Why don’t we go have some lemonade on the deck and talk about it.”
So they did, and they talked, and they talked, and they talked. Senator Bernero had taken time out from his own day and his busy campaign schedule to talk to an old lonely man, even though it would most likely cost him votes. He didn’t go parading this selfless act to climb a few points on the opinion polls; instead he made a friend that day.
His friend had died, and Senator Bernero, the Arch Evil Career Politician™ missed him. From that day on, Senator Bernero would have my unflinching support, but I still will never say a single negative thing about Mayor Benavides, I will always remember those who had for a time, let me become part of their close knit family.
My senior year in high school I joined the legislative internship program, every morning I would work in the office of either a State Representative or a State Senator. I requested the office of Senator Bernero and luckily the man who ran the project, Ed, an exceptional teacher who has worked most of his life in the Lansing School District, agreed. I would tell you his last name but I don’t remember how to spell it and I don’t feel like butchering the name of the man who gives me the credits I need to graduate.
I have worked in the Office of Senator Bernero for almost an entire year now, known him personally for almost two. He has supported me and encouraged me to follow my aspirations, whether political, career or philosophical. His office staff are some of the most amazing, capable and caring people I have ever met. I found Senator Bernero is a man of integrity; he really does get things done. I can see why my Grandfather liked him so much.
I have had some wonderful experiences here too, from inhaling glue fumes for hours as I cut and paste out articles from the Lansing State Journal so the office can remain informed of local events to approaching a ticking maintenance trolley which with my luck was probably a bomb. I wouldn’t trade a minute of it; my only regret is that I was forced to miss quite a few days of work, heck, they event let me take off a day or two to meet my long time long distance girlfriend for the first time in Virginia.
Senator Bernero was also very supportive of a pet project of mine. I am the leader of the Everett Nano Technology Integration Initiative, we are a group of volunteer students who are building a Tunneling Scanning Electron Microscope and designing the curriculum for a Nano Technology elective class to be taught next year. Everett High School is the first in the world to build and operate such a Microscope and to offer such a class. Best of all, it didn’t cost the Lansing School District a dime.
As soon as I graduated, I had planned to join the United States Air Force, to serve my country as my Grandfather had. Now, I may just put those plans on hold. Just a week ago Senator Bernero of the 23rd District announced his candidacy for Mayor of Lansing, Michigan. So did Mayor Tony Benavides, this race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the history of our great city. Both candidates are qualified men of honor and integrity, for awhile I also believed that I would take no part in this campaign.
Now, I am in turmoil. If I campaign for Senator Bernero, some would call me a turn coat. However, if I remain withdrawn from this election, I would be no better then those who are apathetic to the future of our city, our nation, our world and ultimately, humanity. Shortly after the Senator’s announcement, he invited me to lunch. The choice I had to make was extremely difficult.
We talked about the upcoming campaign, during the course of the conversation, after stealing some of my fries, which left my quite dumb founded I assure you, he paused and said one simple sentence. This sentence that I, in my short eighteen years of life, with only a high school education and a year or two of political experience, would have never expected to hear.
"You know... Our campaign manager needs an assistant..."
Things never turn out the way you expected. One moment, you’re an imperfect high school student with an ego the size of the Hindenburg with a major superiority complex that leads you to believe that you can eventually rule the world, then you’re a imperfect out of work eighteen year old with an ego the size of the long defunct Colossus with a major superiority complex that leads you to believe that you can eventually rule the galaxy. Even if our Campaign Manager turns down my application, my enthusiasm for my future will continue to soar.
The campaign breaks down to essentially this: Do you believe the local government should remain on its current course, or should we try something different? I believe there is no right or wrong answer and that it is a matter of choice. Not racism, not evil or corruption, as the media and certain psychotic elements of our great city would try to make you believe. That’s right folks, you heard it here first, neither candidate is in fact the anti-Christ.
I can say just one last thing, August 8th, 2005, another Taylor, maybe not in last name but in blood and spirit; will vote Virg Bernero for Mayor. I will not ask you to do the same; I will only ask that you vote for the candidate you feel can best meet Lansing’s needs, that is Freedom, that is Democracy, that is America.
This blog will follow the course of events of the 2005 Mayoral Race from the view of Brandon Fortino, who is a volunteer of the Virg Bernero for Mayor Campaign. It will serve as a testament of one of the greatest political races Lansing has yet to experience for the generations who have yet to come. May it also serve as a source of insight into who I am and who I am may become.
Sincerely,
Brandon “Jinkguns” Fortino.
P.S.: If you haven’t guessed it, I have a flare for the dramatic. ^_^;;
NationStates: Tonight April 26th, 2005 Senator Bernero of the 23rd Michigan Senate District will be on The Daily Show with John Stewart on the Comedy Central Network. I was present during the taping and it really is some funny stuff. Check it out!
"You know... Our campaign manager needs an assistant..."
*Flashback*
Three years ago I approached the principal of my high school during a field trip, it took me hours to work up the nerve and I was simple and straight to the point. "I want to get into politics..." Yeah, I know, not exactly the poetic words in which a career gets launched. His wife works in the office of a federal senator from our state, so I assumed he could point me in the right direction.
He said he would have a word with the campaign team of our new Temporary Mayor who was running to complete the two unfinished years of our old Mayor's four year term. The previous Mayor, David Hollister was extremely well respected and did many great things for Lansing, he also chose Mr. Benavides to govern the city until an election could be held to decide who would finish the term.
He also supported the Temporary Mayor during the campaign with these exact words. "You can't do that much damage in two years..." This is when I established my routine of tracking down my extremely busy principal every day and bugging the hell out of him until he did what I wanted. So eventually in the last few precious weeks as school was winding down, he managed to get the phone number to the private residence of the Mayor.
It took me a day or two to dig up the courage to do so, but I called. Now, before I go any further, allow me to describe my frame of mind. I was a sophomore in high school with a very low grade point average. I had no plans for the summer and most of all... I wanted a job. So when the Mayor's wife picked up, I explained who I was and why I was calling. She was a very kind and intelligent woman, who spoke with a slight accent.
I asked if this whole campaign thing paid well, she kindly told me that they did not have the money to actually hire anyone currently but they would love a volunteer. Ouch. Yes, before you say anything, I was indeed your average naive know-it-all so popular with the current generation of American Youth. She gave me the number of a Tim Russell, who was in command of the grass roots campaign to defeat the Arch Evil Career Politician™ but more on that later.
I kindly thanked her and dropped the phone, slumped onto the couch exhausted, nerves worn. I had that blank thousand-meter-stare that infantry would come home with after seeing heavy trench fighting during the Great War. I briefly wondered what would come of this, yet I was young and my attention span was measured in nano-seconds, so instead of thinking about it further I turned on the television and happened upon a little known animated series called Sailor Moon running on Cartoon Network.
Sailor Moon is an anime which is based entirely on the idea that young anatomically correct teenaged girls with super powers fighting evil in short skirts would attract an audience. Good call. Sometimes I still wonder who really won World War Two. Forgive me; I’ve strayed off topic… I had no idea how much my life would change after that short little phone call. Tim Russell would become a personal demi-god to me during the course of the campaign and he never let me down.
I soon found myself standing in front of a non-descript building in the heart of downtown Lansing. Only three blocks away from the State Capitol and City Hall, it had at one time served as the meat processing and distribution facility for the entire city. After adjusting my clothes one last time and sucking in my stomach I walked through the single door into the small office and was welcomed full heartedly. At first I felt like I stood out, the majority of the office staff and volunteers were of Hispanic ancestry, whereas I was half Italian.
However I would quickly find such feelings proved false, the volunteers were extremely friendly and helpful. During the last few months of the campaign I made quite a few friends and positive memories. I would soon get to have the wonderful experience of working a phone bank, holding up a big ass sign in 40 mph wind and getting chased down the block by a drunken three hundred pound piece of white trash screaming racial obscenities. Isn’t democracy beautiful?
Then there was the rumor, now if you followed the race at all you would have heard of it. The Rumor was essentially this: The Arch Evil Career Politician™ has two lovely and bright daughters one of whom it was said was dating an African American. When her father discovered this, he quickly pulled her out of the Lansing School District. However, the real reason was really to avoid harassment she had been receiving from fellow students.
I have no idea who started the rumor and no one accepted responsibility but it is generally thought that someone from our campaign team started it. To this day I cannot confirm or deny this.
It was during this time Tim Russell taught me how to run a grass roots campaign; this would be invaluable almost two years later. During election night I was part of the last minute phone bank at the Michigan Retailers Association and got to ride in the Tony mobile. Nothing like hauling ass through the city with campaign slogans blarring through the loud speakers from inside a converted camper that was as likely to explode in a fireball that would put Hiroshima to shame as it was to get you home.
I was even allowed to remain inside the office while the final vote numbers were coming in, Tim was quite nervous and they even kicked Mr. Benavides’ out of the room, twice! Finally, the winner was announced; Tony Benavides’ would be Lansing’s Mayor for the next two years! My guy had won!
*Present Day*
Now I find myself in the most unexpected position imaginable. A year and a half ago my grandfather passed away, the man practically raised me, he had taught me what hard work and integrity meant. My mother was a single working parent; my father was a drug abuser who had abandoned my family long ago. Ralph Taylor was a man from a different age, a World War II veteran who had been a machine gunner during the Battle of the Bulge.
He had worked at General Motors for decades before retiring as a crossing guard. Even as his health failed him, he continued to grow fruit and vegetables, his bare hands working the soil. My grandmother had passed a few years before and now I had no one. Luckily, his death came neither as a surprise, or unfortunately, quickly. So I had plenty of time to prepare myself.
Finally, no matter how hard I tried to convince him otherwise, he voted for the Arch Evil Career Politician™ who will now be referred to as Senator Bernero for the rest of this document.
During the pre-funeral rosary ceremony of the Catholic faith, which also served as a public viewing, a tall, somewhat familiar figure appeared. It was not until one of my Aunts poked my on the shoulder and asked me a single question did I realize who it was. “Isn’t that Senator Bernero? The guy who ran against Mayor Benavides?” Yes Aunt Theresa, Yes it was… I was completely and utterly dumb founded. What was he doing here? Did he know my grandfather?
Yes and no. After the public viewing was over, I went over and introduced myself. It was then I learned why no matter how I tried, I could never convince my grandfather to vote for Mr. Benavides. One day, while Mr. Bernero was campaigning door to door he happened upon the house of an old man. That old man was my grandfather, the Senator introduced himself, and my grandfather replied “Why should I vote for you?” He gave him the normal sales pitch all politicians prepare while going door to door. Then my Grandfather did something that surprised him, he opened the door wider and said “Why don’t we go have some lemonade on the deck and talk about it.”
So they did, and they talked, and they talked, and they talked. Senator Bernero had taken time out from his own day and his busy campaign schedule to talk to an old lonely man, even though it would most likely cost him votes. He didn’t go parading this selfless act to climb a few points on the opinion polls; instead he made a friend that day.
His friend had died, and Senator Bernero, the Arch Evil Career Politician™ missed him. From that day on, Senator Bernero would have my unflinching support, but I still will never say a single negative thing about Mayor Benavides, I will always remember those who had for a time, let me become part of their close knit family.
My senior year in high school I joined the legislative internship program, every morning I would work in the office of either a State Representative or a State Senator. I requested the office of Senator Bernero and luckily the man who ran the project, Ed, an exceptional teacher who has worked most of his life in the Lansing School District, agreed. I would tell you his last name but I don’t remember how to spell it and I don’t feel like butchering the name of the man who gives me the credits I need to graduate.
I have worked in the Office of Senator Bernero for almost an entire year now, known him personally for almost two. He has supported me and encouraged me to follow my aspirations, whether political, career or philosophical. His office staff are some of the most amazing, capable and caring people I have ever met. I found Senator Bernero is a man of integrity; he really does get things done. I can see why my Grandfather liked him so much.
I have had some wonderful experiences here too, from inhaling glue fumes for hours as I cut and paste out articles from the Lansing State Journal so the office can remain informed of local events to approaching a ticking maintenance trolley which with my luck was probably a bomb. I wouldn’t trade a minute of it; my only regret is that I was forced to miss quite a few days of work, heck, they event let me take off a day or two to meet my long time long distance girlfriend for the first time in Virginia.
Senator Bernero was also very supportive of a pet project of mine. I am the leader of the Everett Nano Technology Integration Initiative, we are a group of volunteer students who are building a Tunneling Scanning Electron Microscope and designing the curriculum for a Nano Technology elective class to be taught next year. Everett High School is the first in the world to build and operate such a Microscope and to offer such a class. Best of all, it didn’t cost the Lansing School District a dime.
As soon as I graduated, I had planned to join the United States Air Force, to serve my country as my Grandfather had. Now, I may just put those plans on hold. Just a week ago Senator Bernero of the 23rd District announced his candidacy for Mayor of Lansing, Michigan. So did Mayor Tony Benavides, this race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the history of our great city. Both candidates are qualified men of honor and integrity, for awhile I also believed that I would take no part in this campaign.
Now, I am in turmoil. If I campaign for Senator Bernero, some would call me a turn coat. However, if I remain withdrawn from this election, I would be no better then those who are apathetic to the future of our city, our nation, our world and ultimately, humanity. Shortly after the Senator’s announcement, he invited me to lunch. The choice I had to make was extremely difficult.
We talked about the upcoming campaign, during the course of the conversation, after stealing some of my fries, which left my quite dumb founded I assure you, he paused and said one simple sentence. This sentence that I, in my short eighteen years of life, with only a high school education and a year or two of political experience, would have never expected to hear.
"You know... Our campaign manager needs an assistant..."
Things never turn out the way you expected. One moment, you’re an imperfect high school student with an ego the size of the Hindenburg with a major superiority complex that leads you to believe that you can eventually rule the world, then you’re a imperfect out of work eighteen year old with an ego the size of the long defunct Colossus with a major superiority complex that leads you to believe that you can eventually rule the galaxy. Even if our Campaign Manager turns down my application, my enthusiasm for my future will continue to soar.
The campaign breaks down to essentially this: Do you believe the local government should remain on its current course, or should we try something different? I believe there is no right or wrong answer and that it is a matter of choice. Not racism, not evil or corruption, as the media and certain psychotic elements of our great city would try to make you believe. That’s right folks, you heard it here first, neither candidate is in fact the anti-Christ.
I can say just one last thing, August 8th, 2005, another Taylor, maybe not in last name but in blood and spirit; will vote Virg Bernero for Mayor. I will not ask you to do the same; I will only ask that you vote for the candidate you feel can best meet Lansing’s needs, that is Freedom, that is Democracy, that is America.
This blog will follow the course of events of the 2005 Mayoral Race from the view of Brandon Fortino, who is a volunteer of the Virg Bernero for Mayor Campaign. It will serve as a testament of one of the greatest political races Lansing has yet to experience for the generations who have yet to come. May it also serve as a source of insight into who I am and who I am may become.
Sincerely,
Brandon “Jinkguns” Fortino.
P.S.: If you haven’t guessed it, I have a flare for the dramatic. ^_^;;
NationStates: Tonight April 26th, 2005 Senator Bernero of the 23rd Michigan Senate District will be on The Daily Show with John Stewart on the Comedy Central Network. I was present during the taping and it really is some funny stuff. Check it out!