THE INFAMOUS "20 QUESTION" SURVEY

For years, candidates from all across the country have, from time to time, solicited my endorsement or financial support.  And while all were well-intentioned candidates who, in their heart, believed in their own campaigns, too often they were looking at their endeavor through rose-colored glasses.  They "felt" they were going to win...but had not objectively analyzed their race or their campaign. 

So to weed out those running on a wing and a prayer from the dead-serious candidates who legitimately had a shot to win, I developed a survey of 20 questions which candidates seeking my support have to answer before I will even consider backing their campaigns. 

Just asking candidates to complete the survey often eliminates many non-serious candidates who aren't willing to go through the trouble of honestly and objectively evaluating their campaigns.  This is where we, to put it in politically incorrect terms, separate the "men from the boys."

If you are running for any office anywhere and are seeking money, support, endorsements or other campaign assistance from anyone, especially me, you should complete the "20 Question" survey, if only for your campaign's internal use. 

While your answers still might not lead to an endorsement or financial support, the exercise alone will greatly benefit your campaign.

1.) What seat are you running for and where?

2.) Why are you running?

3.) What are your qualifications?

4.) What campaign training programs have you attended?

5.) How many votes do you need to win?

6.) What’s wrong with your opponent?

7.) Are you willing to tell the voters what’s wrong with your opponent?

8.) Generally describe the political & demographic make-up of your district?

9.) What’s your “game plan” for winning?

10.) What are you going to do differently from others who have run for this seat and lost?

11.) How much will your campaign cost?

12.) What will you spend the money on?

13.) How much have you raised so far?

14.) How much of your own money have you put into your campaign?

15.) How do you expect to raise the balance?

16.) Who is working on your campaign (manager, consultants, advisers, etc.)?

17.) Who is supporting your campaign (endorsements)?

18.) Are you going to campaign full time?

19.) What are your top THREE issues?

20.) What is your campaign’s web site address ... and can you accept online contributions?