Candidate Vetting Tips

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THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S SUCCESS'99 2600VirginiaAvenue, NW, Suite100 * WashingtonDC20037 * (202) 333-0008 * www.LP.org Candidate Criteria T he following is simply a recommended set of guidelines for affiliates to use in the . candidate selection process: General Appearance: The candidate should be willing to offer a professional appearance. This includes being well groomed, and in busi- ness attire. Professionalism: The candidate should be willing to learn techniques of public speaking, professional debating styles, public contact. Philosophy: The candidate should be willing to read the Libertarian Party Platform of both your state and National party, and be prepared to either defend or deny the planks contained in both. Financial Resources: The candidate should be of sound financial health, and made aware of the potential drain on resources. The ideal candidate will have a steady job that they are proud to include in their biography, and the financial resources to invest in their own cam- paigns. (At least 5%) Skeletons: The candidate should be made aware that anything in their past could become public knowledge. That the public "right to know" includes their personal, and financial lives. Those who have serious negatives in their past or current lives should give serious consid- eration as to how public knowledge of these issues could reflect upon their lives and the reputation of the party. How to select suitable candidates Extremism: Recognizing that this is entirely a judgment call, and that all of the positions of the LP can be considered extreme, the local affiliate must make some kind of judgment as to whether a potential candidate is simply too whacked out to represent us publicly. The fact that an individual does not meet, or is unwilling to try to meet all of the above criteria does not preclude them from being involved in campaigns. There is an entirely different selection process for campaign managers. Those whose personal lives simply cannot tolerate public scrutiny can be every bit as vital to the process by serving as a campaign manager.

Transcript of Candidate Vetting Tips

Page 1: Candidate Vetting Tips

THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S SUCCESS'992600VirginiaAvenue,NW, Suite100*WashingtonDC20037* (202) 333-0008*www.LP.org

Candidate CriteriaThe following is simply a recommended set

of guidelines for affiliates to use in the. candidate selection process:

General Appearance: The candidate shouldbe willing to offer a professional appearance.This includes being well groomed, and in busi-ness attire.

Professionalism: The candidate should bewilling to learn techniques of public speaking,professional debating styles, public contact.

Philosophy: The candidate should bewilling to read the Libertarian Party Platform ofboth your state and National party, and beprepared to either defend or deny the plankscontained in both.

Financial Resources: The candidate shouldbe of sound financial health, and made aware ofthe potential drain on resources. The idealcandidate will have a steady job that they areproud to include in their biography, and thefinancial resources to invest in their own cam-paigns. (At least 5%)

Skeletons: The candidate should be madeaware that anything in their past could becomepublic knowledge. That the public "right toknow" includes their personal, and financiallives. Those who have serious negatives in theirpast or current lives should give serious consid-eration as to how public knowledge of theseissues could reflect upon their lives and thereputation of the party.

How to select suitable candidates

Extremism: Recognizing that this isentirely a judgment call, and that all of thepositions of the LP can be considered extreme,the local affiliate must make some kind ofjudgment as to whether a potential candidate issimply too whacked out to represent us publicly.

The fact that an individual does not meet,or is unwilling to try to meet all of the abovecriteria does not preclude them from beinginvolved in campaigns. There is an entirelydifferent selection process for campaign managers.Those whose personal lives simply cannottolerate public scrutiny can be every bit asvital to the process by serving as a campaignmanager.

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THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S SUCCESS'992600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100 *Washington DC 20037 * (202) 333-0008 * www.LP.org

Candidate EvaluationA comprehensive personal evaluation for candidates

A. My greatest personal asset as a candidate is:

B. My next two most important assets are:

c. My greatest personal weakness is:

D. My next two personal weaknesses are:

E. These things in my background will be campaign assets:

F. These things in my background will be campaign liabilities:

G. Beyond what I can personally control, these two factors are prime assets:

H. Beyond what I can personally control, these two factors are prime liabilities:

1. Here are five (5) people who will help me get elected:

1.2.3.4.5.

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J. Here are five (5) people who will work to get me defeated:1.

2.3.4.5.

K. Here are three (3) prime issues I will advocate;

1.2.3.

L. Here is one (1) basic strength of each issue:

1.

2.

3.

M. Here is one (1) basic weakness of each issue:

1.2.3.

N. I will NOTdo the following things, even if not doing them will cost me the election.

1.2.3.

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PERSONAL DATA

FullName: ~--------------------------

Preferred Name In Print: _

Present Home Address: _

City/State/Zip: _

Telephones: HOME: BUSINESS: _

Birth date:________________ Birthplace: _

Parents' Names (If deceased, please indicate): _

Parents' Present HorneAddress; ---' __ ---' _

.City/State /Zip: ~ ____'_ _

Marital Status: Single: 0 Married: 0 Divorced: 0 Widow(er): 0

Spouse's Name: _

Spouse's Home Town: _

Children's Names & Ages: _

Date Of Marriage: _

Children's Status/Location (In the home/at college/working [where], etc.): _

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION

Employer/ Address: .. _

Professional or Business Title: _

Years In This Position: Years With Employer: _

Present Employment Background (include dates and titles): _

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MILITARY SERVICE

Served In Military: YES:0 NO: 0 Branch of service: ------------------------------

Highest Rank Held: Date of Service:----------- --------------------------------

Briefly Describe Military Service (Including major assignments, decoration, and honors):

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Membership In Civic Organizations ( List offices held, dates): _

Church Membership: _

Public Offices Held (Include dates): ~ _

Office Being Sought: _

Incumbent? Open Seat? Length of Term: Salary of office $: _

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

. Please list any additional information that may be helpful to a writer preparing any public communi-'cations'concerningyou,including'any'speciat:qualificatiuIIs;':training~"Dreducationyou'ffiighLhave: .....had which directly relates to the office you are seeking:

Please attach any previous personal bio's or resumes.

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Other Professional Experience (Include dates and titles): _

Briefly Describe The Duties And Scope Of Your Present Position: _

Special Accomplishments/Honors;' _

Business/Professional Memberships (Show offices held/.ciat~sJ;_. _

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

High School (List name of school, location, graduation date): _

Honorsj Accomplishments/Activities: _

College (List name of college, location, major, degree, andqraduation.vdate for each attended):

Honors/ Accomplishmentsj Activities: _