You're Nobody Til Somebody Drafts You?

By: Lowell
Published On: 4/23/2006 8:44:49 AM

The Washington Post has an article today on draft movements fo 2008 Presidential candidates (alas, no mention of "Draft James Webb for Senate").  Anyway, my favorite quote is by John Hlinko, a great guy who I got to know during my involvement in the 2003 Draft Wesley Clark movement.  I'll never forget the first Draft "MeetUp" I attended, in early July 2003, after seeing Wes Clark on Meet the Press, Googling him, and finding out that there was actually a movement - led by Hlinko - to draft the guy.  Pretty cool!

Well, today, Draft movements appear to be a dime a dozen, although the vast majority don't succeed of course.  Thus, we have (Virginia) Eddie Ratliff's "Draft Mark Warner," (Virginian) Peter Feddo's "VoteHillary.org," and "Grassroots for Gore" - a group that includes (Virginian) Alice Marshall.  Hey, what is it about Virginia and Drafts anyway?  Is there something in the water in the state known as "the mother of President?"  Perhaps there is, perhaps there is...

Anyway, my favorite quote from the Washington Post article comes - not surprisngly - from John Hlinko, a brilliant "guerilla marketer" who's a master of the one-liner.  Basically, Hlinko argues, "if not one person of the millions with Web access has taken the easy step of putting up a campaign-draft Web site, candidates 'should really consider whether they can gather support in the long run.'"

In other words, you're pretty much nobody if you're not drafted these days. Or at least have a strong, active, bunch of grassroots supporters (like David Englin did in 2005)? 

So, where does that leave candidates like Harris Miller, pursuing the classic, money-heavy, insider-connected, "top-down" approach to running for office?  My guess?  In no-man's land, high and dry, up a proveribal creek without a proverbial paddle, a solitary tree falling in a forest and not making a sound.  Cuz, the thing is, if you're not drafted, according to John Hlinko, you ain't got nuttin' going for you.  Sorry, Harris, but we grassroots/draft types have picked our candidate for Senate this year, and - sad to say - it ain't you.


Comments



My MeetUp Experience (Newport News Dem - 4/23/2006 11:34:31 AM)
I got involved in the draft Clark movement. I remember getting together in July 2003 for the first MeetUp. Twelve of us got together in Norfolk, got a table, and loked around and wondered, "okay, now what"! From that we ended up with over 100 people showing up by the end of the year.

I would not have missed the ride for the world!

By the way, Warner - Clark '08!



Better title? You're Nobody Til Somebody Drafts You? (Josh - 4/23/2006 1:42:41 PM)
this has been bugging me all day.


Just to make you happy, Josh... (Lowell - 4/23/2006 3:06:04 PM)
I'll change it. Ha. :)


Now I'm feeling the LUV! (Josh - 4/23/2006 3:35:24 PM)
Thanks for the VP notes, too.  you da man!


Pic's not showing (Vivian J. Paige - 4/23/2006 7:26:34 PM)
I'm not seeing the first picture in the article. Is the link broken?


There's Deak!!! (elevandoski - 4/23/2006 10:02:19 PM)
I miss that smiling face!  That's Steve Deak (far left), former Chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.  He moved to Atlanta last year.  He was the greatest! 


John Hlinko (Mark - 4/24/2006 9:30:07 AM)
was also the genius behind the DC Curling Team, to raise awareness of the under-represented DC Area in the United States Legislature.

He has had a lot of success with most of his efforts, and yes, he is hilarious.



DC Curling and, don't forget... (Lowell - 4/24/2006 10:41:33 AM)
Act for Love!