If you look at the competition sites: www.joeydwilliams.com [1] and www.nanwhaley.com [2] you’ll see their pictures prominently displayed. If you look at their literature, their picture is prominently displayed. If you watch Nan’s videos- she’s in them (with a creepy voice over talking about what she’ll do, as if she can’t speak for herself).
Here, you have to hunt for my picture.
Why?
Because, in a city where election maps split down the center of town based on race, I don’t want to be a part of that. Granted, the likelihood of me being an African American with the name “Esrati” is pretty slim (although most people are confused about its origin and make bad assumptions) so I can’t totally avoid it. The reality is, we don’t put our pictures on the ballot (yet, thank you) and if you haven’t heard my name from me or my campaign helpers knocking on the door- or remember it from the news, or saw some chalk on a walk, or a sign in a yard- I’ve not done my job.
Of course, I’ve had to do this all on a shoestring budget because I wouldn’t dare accept a $5K donation to my campaign (if you have that much money- find a real charity).
Politics isn’t about kissing babies, shaking hands, and smiling for the camera- at least it shouldn’t be. It should be about debate, discussion, compromise and civic duty. It should be about doing what’s best for the people- not the people who fill campaign war chests. Win or lose Tuesday- I’ll know that I tried to run an honest campaign- based on ideas [3] for our future.
It’s up to my readers to tell their friends, and their friends to tell their friends- that there is substance here, not just a pretty picture.
Politics isn’t about kissing babies, shaking hands, and smiling for the camera
Politics isn’t all about kissing babies, shaking hands, and smiling for the camera, but it is in fact partly about that. If voters don’t like you, they won’t vote for you.
It’s great–really, it is in fact great–that you have the guts to say what you feel about Dayton, to put your money where your mouth is in terms of being transparent, to post a bunch of ideas, to host a site on which Daytonians can engage with you. That’s a model of what all candidates ideally should do.
Being a maverick, having a reputation for not being the same old same old, etc., is also fine.
But, as I’ve said elsewhere, part of being a successful politician is being able to get elected. You’ve said in comments on another post that you don’t want to be a journalist because you don’t think you can earn a living that way. Something to think about, however, is that journalists, unlike politicians, don’t have to be likeable; they can gain an audience by being unlikeable and stirring shit. You want to be a politician, and I’m not able to think of any politician who’s been elected to office who isn’t at least somewhat likeable.
Having met you, I can say honestly that I like you well enough; you haven’t managed to piss me off (unlike someone else currently running for office in Dayton, who might, should I ever meet him, actually be likeable). I guess, come Tuesday, we’ll see whether enough people either like you enough to vote for you or want change badly enough to vote for you despite not liking you.
You gotta’ be loved by the people. Rhine milks that sweet old-lady vibe all the way to the bank.
Thank you from all of us for not posting your picture. Allow me…
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2317949374_c1ddea8734.jpg?v=0
And, so many years later, the city commission is still having illegal secret meetings, and still ignoring the people they were elected to repesent.
If this is all new to you, google Esrati and mask and learn how five courts said I was right, and mike turner was wrong
Mr. Lauri,
I believe I have met you. Didn’t you come to a Southeast Priority Board meeting once last year? You look familiar.
No, I’ve never been to any priority board meetings.
Ambrose, the link that you put up is of a terrorist. What does that have to do with this topic?
Pictures of terrorists can be scary. Ambrose, I am confused. Do support terrorism? I certainly hope not. I really don’t think it is funny.
@gene-
the picture is of me- going back to the commission when they were debating cutting off all citizen comments from the Commission meetings.
Read the full explanation here: http://esrati.com/mission/Mask.htm
Gene,
Hey, it was Halloween when I posted it but Gene you’re 100% right. That picture of Dave does insight terror in many and many more if he gets elected. Good thing we don’t have to worry about Dave winning though. Terror avoided!
I always thought that was a picture of an upset Iranian woman…
Close pizzabill, but it was just Dave being professional with his actions like always.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2317949374_c1ddea8734.jpg?v=0
I’m going to keep it short and simple. I like your ideas, and I like what you’re about. We need more people like you in this city. If you’re planning on running again I’d love to help however I can. Thank you for your dedication and hardwork, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Thank you InDaytonForLife. Thank you.
Keep reading the site. We’re going to pull the curtains back and let the sunshine in on the workings of this city.