I started with sorting paperwork as part of Operation Sell-the-House. And what should show up first? A box of campaign paraphernalia from my 1988 run for the Oregon legislature. A campaign that ended up in a narrow margin loss.
Budgets. Newspaper articles. Endorsements. Buttons. Campaign literature.
Lots of good memories. And a reminder that I could never imagine wasting more of my life with political activity. Especially, as a candidate.
And who is that guy in the photograph? It is hard to believe I was ever that young. But the 39-year old guy in the brochure is now over two decades older.
So, off goes most of the stuff to the city dump. With a few reminders to keep me from stepping into the arena again.
The photograph at the top of the post is the cover of the campaign's first brochure. But this is my favorite photograph.
Having no children of my own, I borrowed my brother's son, Ryan, to highlight the "schools" policy in the brochure.
Ryan is now in his 30s with a son of his own -- both of whom I should see this coming weekend at Thanksgiving dinner in Portland.
12 comments:
Probably a very educational experience. Good memories no doubt.
I actually remember that campaign, sorry I voted for Polyester. Hehehe, those silly temptations...
Well, I certainly learned a lot about what I did not want to do in life.
I have a big bag of buttons that I will sell at a discount.
I can't imagine ever wanting to run for office. It must be the most thankless job imaginable and no matter what you do, someone won't like it.
Being a candidate is a psychological roller coaster. Most politicians appear to lack something in their lives that they believe can be replaced with the adoration of voters. And they then discover that a whole lot of people dislike them -- often simply because they are politicians. From experience, it is a humbling process.
I know you said no selling anything, but some political stuff is valuable, like the metal political buttons.
I also have stacks of play programs going back to the 1960s. They also have a sales value. But the bother seems far greater than simply giving them to the Salvation Army. Some of the political buttons go back to the 1930s.
looking good and trim in those blue jeans in the soccor photo.
A handsome lad of 39 you were. Keep one or two for memories' sake.
They may come in handy for future posts.
It certainly was a different era.
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