Getting Started

Post #2

As I campaign door-to-door, I am sometimes asked by voters how (and why!) I first got involved in politics.  The short answer is that I care about issues and people and enjoy using my skills to make a difference.

As Congress copes with the loss of "the lion of the Senate," I reflect back on my start with Senator Ted Kennedy's presidential campaign.  I was in my freshman year at Vassar College and discovered in my Introduction to American Politics course that the views I thought were common sense (good schools, equality, clean environment, peace, etc.) made me not a moderate but a liberal!  Never having been raised with labels, I had not known where those beliefs placed me along the ideological spectrum.

Once I realized that my views were similar to Senator Kennedy's, I decided to volunteer my time on his 1980 campaign for president.  I took the Metrobus from Montgomery County to Dupont Circle, where I walked in off the street to help in any way I could.  That first day, I photocopied contribution checks.  By the end of the summer, I was paid staff and was privileged to be on the floor of the Democratic convention for the Senator's "Sail Against the Wind" speech.  I felt like I made a difference on that campaign, and I was captivated by both the issues and the process.

In America today, too many people feel incapable of having an impact.  I maintain my belief that one person can truly make a difference.  Recently, I launched a petition drive after my neighborhood had suffered through years of lengthy power outages.  When our electricity failed us 3 times in 9 days of sunny weather, I decided that the time for patience had passed.  I called and wrote to senior leaders at PEPCO, recruited neighbors, and started knocking on doors.  Last week, the heavy machinery showed up, and we finally have reason to hope that a long-term solution is underway!

My steadfast faith in the potential of every person to become an agent of change was inspired by Sen. Kennedy and the brilliant and devoted people who worked with him. It has endured throughout my career in the legislature, the nonprofit sector, and the community. I have met so many residents of District 17 and Montgomery County who make a difference every day.  Your stories drive my efforts to help make our County and our State a better place for all of us to live.  With each of us working as individuals...as well as coming together as a community...we can truly accomplish great things!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Has there been a time when you've been able to have an impact due to hard work, outreach to others, or creative problem-solving?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#2) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Great Blog Expectations

Post #1

When I first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates, the tasks were many but uncomplicated.  Learn the issues, raise money, talk to voters, and win more support than your competitors.  Now that we're into the 21^st Century, that "to do" list has gotten lengthier.

Obviously, the candidates have to personally "be" everywhere around the District.  We also have to "virtually" be present in a lot of new places.  I was told that I simply MUST be easy to find on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, and others.  I wondered how I could possibly have time to maintain all these spaces... and how many voters would truly have the time or interest in actually monitoring all these outlets?  Yes, I'm sure I could recruit a volunteer who could maintain a "Kagan presence," but that's not my style.  I am committed to maintaining my authentic voice, which means that I needed to do it myself.  My experiences.  My opinions.  My words.  [For the record, I did join Facebook in February and have loved connecting with old and new friends!]

One challenge I did decide to accept is that of creating and keeping a blog.  Having not found the time to read more than a few blogs on a regular basis, I am a bit dubious as to whether voters will find their way to mine.  Despite this, I am willing to wade in to this venture.

My initial thoughts are:

• Keep it brief.
• Keep it relevant to the readers.
• Post on a regular basis.
• Allow constructive comments-positive or negative-- with attribution. 

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Can you provide any insight as to what makes a blog worth reading?  How often would you like to see me post?  Is this length appropriate, or should it be shorter or longer?  Do you believe that anonymous comments should be permitted?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#1) you're addressing. 

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences from the campaign trail and from life in general.  My plan is to post twice each week, and I look forward to receiving your feedback.  Thanks for your interest!