Just a personal question, I personally have never met or have never given any Chance to personally meet a real politician that serves in office? But my question is: Have you ever met anyone like a Governor? A Senator? A Judge? A Mayor? What was your impression of meeting them if you did? How would you react or respond if you were in the same room with a “legitimate”democrat/Republican that serves in office?
I am in the UK and am not going to name names but I was part of the selection process for a possible member of parliament who was a socialist, a guy genuinely interested in his constituents, and based on that, got my vote. On winning at the next election he started off by standing by every promise he made at the selection commitee. As years went by he moved up the pecking order to, lets just say, second in command with a very high profile job and then top of the tree. He shifted so far to the right that he became unrecognisable from the young man with plans that would have served us all well in parliament.
Sort of... I had a "Government and Economics" teacher that went into politics several years after that class I was in. He got locked up on corruption charges not long after that. Seems he wasn't paying attention in the class he was teaching.
I had the opportunity to meet the Governor of our state in a work setting….very impressed with his personal integrity and focus on the best decisions for the people of our State.
I knew Tony Benn, Lord and Lady Cohen (He was the founder of the Alliance Building Society), I knew one of The Labour Government's Lord Chancellor - Lord Elwyn Jones, I know and regularly correspond with my present MP - Dr Caroline Lucas MP, and many, many Trade Union leaders back in the day.
None in person HOWEVER for one of my classes in college I did a phone interview with the mayor of the town I was living in at the time, I actually dont remember a bunch about it , it was not that difficult nor was I told what I could or could not ask I was limited to about 15 minutes though
Sitting Governor & Sitting Congresswoman' State Senator & Rep. Politicians are always "on". People who serve deserve consideration and respect.
Here's a tip on dealing with politicians: Whomever gets in their ear last with a coherent position will influence their discussion or vote! Witnessed that myself after talking to a local politician over lunch, right before an important vote. He echoed what I told him exactly, cause he probably remembered that, and voted as I hoped (unexpectedly on a Cannabis issue!)
Met many on a national level due to my work before I retired. I even had a couple help me with a personal problem with a government agency. All were very approachable, really wanted to do the best for the community and nation, even though our political stance didn't totally align.
Knew one personally, before he ran for office. He was praised by many people in our community, for the money he fed into the economy. easy to spend tax dollars. But some one's going to get it.
I have met quite a few. I have met 3 consecutive mayors of Los Angeles. I have met a number of state representatives. I have met a few senators.