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Junior Chamber of Commerce - "How You Can Enjoy Politics, " 1951?
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The original documents are located in Box D14, folder "Junior Chamber of Commerce -
"How You Can Enjoy Politics, 1951?" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary
and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D14 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
56-51
chamber
HOW YOU CAN INJOY POLITICS
By Gerald B. Ford, Jr.
5th Congrossional District of Michigan
It always seens to amaze my friends that one can enjoy politics.
When I returned from my first year in Washington the question vas frequently
asked: "Aren't you pretty disillusioned with the trials and tribulations of
a Congressments life?
Frankly, I'm not disillusioned. There's nothing to be dis-
appointed about in politics if you approach the problem with a certain
basic realism. Politicians are no worse and no better than other human
boings. That's one proposition you met accept if you're going to enjoy
political life.
There are other realities one mut face. Don't hope to have much
privacy in your day to day living. You are a public servant, and as such
you must be accessible, in fact you should make it your business to be
available. Remember this: the individual problem of every distraught
constituent is most important to the person sooking advice or assistance.
The officeholder must put himself in the shoes of his constituent rather
than visualise himself as the "big" man whose aid or advice 10 desired.
Forget the clory of politics - there's none in it. Just take it
as you would any other difficult job, and if you 11km to work you'll be
happy
There is no "social security" in holding office. You must be
ready to accept any and all disappointments.
Many a past Congroseman has given vent to bitterness when the
public turned him to pasture. I can nover understand or appreciate this
attitude. Part of the game is a gracious smile if you get licked at
GERAL the FORD LIBRARY
polls. Chances are, however, you won't got licked if you've done an
honest, intelligent and energetic job.
Unfortunately most private businessen are afroid of polition.
Relatively few qualified young men have the desire or confidence to give
it a try. My advice 10, if you like people, if you're interested in human
relationships, if you have physical stanina, go to its America constantly
needs now blood in the political arena. Any antedated officeholder should
welcome a contest on the issues when a qualified, young and more energetic
citizen is villing to be a candidate. The public at all times should have
a choice. The voters are entitled to the best possible representation.
When a change is desirable and necessary the public 10 entitled to a chance
to make it. Elections by default are unhealthy for all concerned.
Insvitably questions arise when friends quis me about politics.
"What about machine politics? Are all politicians indebted to someone?"
To the first question my answer is very simple. Only lazy officeholders
and officessekers can be controlled by machine politics. Such mon try to
find the easy road to public leadership. Such individuals sell their souls
because they are too lasy to do the essential vork that builds personal
strength at the polls or because they are just plain dishonest and don't
care.
that a politician necessarily be the puppet of any group or
clique? My answer is an emphatic "no". The career of our own Senator
Arthur H. Vandenberg is perhaps the outstanding ovidence for this point
of view. Our senior Senator was never invested to anyone except his many
personal friends and admirers who have reportedly helped him succeed in
his successive bids for office. Ho has always been intelligently inde->
pendent and rightfully successful.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page Two
A look of proper preparation is a serious mistake made by
most aspirants to public office. A successful candidate must Inov
literally hundreds of people and they must have confidence in him.
He can only be independent if he personally is in contact with
hundreds of voters. The fear of being defeated because some "bis-
wheel" tireatens to tum votes against him 10 the undoing of many
& politician. No matter what the pressure group may be - a county
or state machine, an organized Lobby. or a hostile newspaper - an
honost politician will rise or fall on the number of personal friends
he can mlly to his fold. The strongest vespon in a political can-
paign is the good credited to you by word of mouth. If you know
enough people - and they feel they know you - there's hardly a political
machine or pressure group in the country that can defeat you. Such a
fundamental foundation. of course, means hard work, but that's part of
the game.
Decoming financially obligated to any group or faction is perhaps
the quickest way of hitting the skide toward political dependence and
oventual oblivion. It's a simple arion - control the purse strings
and you control the man. Too many otherwise honest efficeholders have
slipped
on
that
banana
skin.
Whom a politicien accepts more than a for
dollars for his compaign from any one individual, he's treading on
dangerous ground. Popular support through many small contributions
10 infinitely better than a "Daddy" who will hand over one big check.
Ilven though compaign funds are most helpful, money is not nec-
essarily the Open Sosane to office. A hundred friends who know the
Page Three
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
candidate and believe in him are more valuable than an equal number
of costly billboards. It's surprising how a hundred friends multiply
into a thousand or more. Money is not the key to political success.
avinging back to the Washington scone, a Congressman is frequently
asked what of the lobbyists who are reputed to wield DO much power over
our federal logislation. The greatest lobby in the world is the public
itself and that's as it should be. A strong member of the House is not
intimidated by prossure groups or minority factions screening for special
privileges. Anyone who protends to control two. three or five thousand
votes is a froud in 999 instances out of a thousand. Americans are
not sheep to be led around blindly in this mannor by some self-styled
lobbyist. The lobbyist who tries to threaten a representative is an
imposter. However, I do find lobbyists useful in many respects: put two
lobbyists on opposite sides of the fence working to prove their point
and you'll have two of the most thorough researchers you can find. Lobby-
ists can and should be used in this vay. That 10 their legitimate function
and nothing else
The Administration has dono a great deal of talking about the
vile lobbies that are allegedly roadblocking the enactment of desirable
legislation. Lobbyists are said to be lurking behind every door on
Capitol Hill. Regardless of the propaganda that has been spread, regis-
tered lobbyists who must identify their master and their income, are
not all poverful. Actually the greatest single and most dangerous
group of lobbyists are those in the federal government itself. When
the bureaucrate set out to pressure for an appropriation or a legis-
lative proposal. Senators and Representatives should be on guard.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page Four
Government exports should be called upon to testify before Congressional
committees but the bureemorate should restrain themselves thereafter.
Unfortunately, some top bureencrate do not so limit their propaganda
activities and when on the warpoth their techniques are pretty ruthless.
The fear of insecurity in office has boon at the bottom of most
scandals involving public officials. However, the occasional spectacular
cases of infidelity which como to public view should not be taken as a
norm of what politicians are 11ke. I know quite well most of the young
mon in the House of Representatives and can homestly say they are a fine
group of citizens and devoted to their particular political philosophy
They will romain in Washington just as long as they keep working toward
the true quirit of their jobs: namely. to sorve the public intelligently,
honostly. and with courage.
It is regrettable that more young non do not make a career of
politics. Likewise, it is unfortunate that young businessen who have
a great stake and interest in their community do not 800 fit to give more
time to routine political affairs. All businessmen today have a vital
stake in the political affairs of the nation. The tax situation alone
necessarily affects practically every decision.
You don't have to be an officeholder to enjoy politics. For
most citizens it's satisfaction enough to Imov that their public affairs
are in the hands of onpable leaders. Dut what can a young businessen
contribute to politics if he hasn't time to run for a full-time office?
The answer 10 really simple - devote sono leisure time to political
affairs. You will find 10 10 fun and won't cost anything except a few
hours' vork.
Page Five
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
It's always surprising how for people really understand what
makes a political party what It is. Assuming that you're not 100%
sold on the policy statements or even the candidate or candidates
of the party you have eupported at the polls. what are you going to
do about it? Where do you start!
First of all, there is no such thing as a political party aside
from the citizens who participate in its essential but routine activities.
Traditions. principles and other elements do carry on ad. infinitum but
the participants, the true fibro of a political party, are always changing.
In my opinion, one of the greatest faulte of our two major parties 10 that they
are dominated by professionals rather than ansteurs. Greatness in party
politics is always at its highest measure whon nonprofessionals get in
and throw their weight around. Professional politicians loath anotours -
they belittle them and pooh-pooh their idealisns and accomplishments.
The explanation to simple. They fear anatours. And vir not? Amoteurs
can not be bought. Although you as on amatour my not find yourself
welcome at the first party anthoring you attend, don't be brushed off
or intimidated. Be patient and persistent. There's a place on the team
for you and your friends.
How would you & about spending some leisure time on politics?
Where would you start? What would you do? The answers and suggestions
require a brief review of the fundemental political organization chart.
If you have never had any experience in politics there's a fair
chance you've never heard of a County Convention. In Michigan the key
to the situation is the Country Convention. Each voting precinet - that's
Page Six
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
your own neighborhood area - elects a delogate to the County Convention.
Somewhere in an obscure corner of the primary party ballot you will find
a name or two tucked any and more often than not fifty votes for one
candidate will elect him.
How many times have you cone into a voting booth and vondered
whenyou should elect for "delemte"? You've probably never heard of
the individuals who have taken the trouble to put their own names on
the ballot as a candidate for delegate to the County Convention. The
requisite petitions can be obtained from your County Clerk. Twenty-five
signatures on a potition filed with the County Clork puts your name on
the ballot. In altogether too many cases someone with a selfish motive
has bothered to sponsor a mumber of delegate candidates. Professionals
and "bosses" know whore to pit their strongth. The county delegate is
the key to "bossism". If you want an uncontrolled local convention get
a bunch of delogates in the field. the not run yourself for delegate
this spring? It takes only a for minutes to nominate yourself by cir-
culating your potition and lotting your friends hnow you want to parti-
cipate in the affairs of your government. The experience will prove
most interesting.
Next, lot's assuno that you've decided to run for delegate. Your
potitions have boon filed. You round w fifty friends in your neighbor-
hood and got them to pull your lever. Yes, you're elocted. It's probably
that simple. Now you're in politics and the fun begins.
Your chief duty as county delegate is to attend the County Con-
vention which is hold within a week or ton days after the primary election.
Page Seven
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
AS a duly elected delegate a notice will be sont from the County Clork
giving you the details as to time and place.
The County Convention should be a vital gathoring of citisons in-
terested in the true representative government. Unfortunately in many
instances such conventions are formalities where the professionals in the
past have carried out an ostablished routine.
The delogates to the convention oloct a chairman and other convention
officers. Frequently delegates will adopt party platforms similar to the
policy statements approved at state and national conventions. In most
instances, however. a county convention vill not draft an all-inclusive
party policy statement but rather approve individual resolutions portinent
to the area and its problems. This 1s where well-informed anateurs can be
constructively helpful. If you are a delegate and want to promote a specific
point of view on a local, state or national issue, by all means come to
the convention with your resolution and the necessary facts to support your
idea.
the County Convention in addition has this important function. Each
county in Michigan sends a member of delegates to the party state convention.
Kent County precincts and townships elect approximately 150 delegates to the
County Convention and in turn send about 80 delegates to the State Convention.
The state delegates normally are those who were elected at the precinct
level and who want to participate in the party deliberations with others
from all over the state. A little personal compaigning at the County Con-
vention usually insures designation as a delegate or alternate to the State
Convention.
FORD & LIBRARY QERALD
Page Eight
The State Convention is where the character of the party is
largely determined. A party 10 pretty much what its delegates and
candidates make of it. At the party State Convention this fall the
following officers will be nominated: Secretary of State, Attorney
General, State Tronsurer, and Auditor General.
Although those non are not the "top brass" of the party, for there
are the Governor and Lieutenant Governor who are nominated by the direct
primary mothod, their conduct in office has a lot to do with the public'
estimate of a party's qualifications for future approval.
After attending one or more state conventions you should have
the "feel" of politics. You will have an insight on how local and state
political problems are handled. Your initial reactions night not be too
satisfactory but please be patient. Moro good will result from your
participation than from your absence.
Because State Conventions are large and unrieldy affairs - in
our own state there are approximately 1500 delegates - quite often some
individual or group assemes a position of leadership behind the scones.
This can be. and usually 10. a self-sppointed leadership but the influence
is only as great as the number of delegates that can be influenced. A
"state-wide machine" cannot exist unless delegates are villing to follow
a certain individual and his cohorts and one of the easiest accomplish-
monts that amatours can achieve is the break-up of the nicely planned
strategies of professionals. Professional politicians blow thoir corks
when anatours mess things up so to speak. Like the witch in the Oz books,
they dissolve in vater - they can't got to first base if independents
throw a bucket over them.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
Page Nino
It has been my observation that most of the time the only reason
the "bosses" of a convention got what they vant is because delegates are
indifferent or uninformed. A qualified candidate can be promoted and
nominated at a State Convention when delegates are well-informed as to
his morits.
Regionalism plays a bis. and perhaps an essential, part in a State
Convention. Figuratively speaking every town and city seeks a man on the
party slate and when the horse-trading begins various delegations may voto
in blocks. However, this is not congulsory if you are a duly qualified
delegate and want to act independently. If the individual delogates in a
delegation elect to vote independently, they may. such independence is an
anothema to professional politicians for it breaks up the vell-laid plans
of the super stategists. If there are no "blocks" to be traded, it is well
nigh impossible for any one person to dominate the convention. A qualified
candidate with a Inmilred personal friends in a convention has an excellent
chance of cotting nominated, especially 11 those friends are scattered
liberally about the state. It 10 wholesome that a man seeking office at a
state convention nood. not necessarily be obligated to any boss or faction.
Strong candidates can stand alone.
Like a pyramid, the building blocks of which party politics is
comprised build upward to the national convention lovel. Delegates to
national conventions. at least from Michigan, como from the "grass-roots".
Some states bind their delogates to vote for the Presidential candidate
in whose nano they have boon elected. Others are froo to do as they 000
fit. Many sincere party members fool that a national convention invariably
Page Ten
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
comes up with the wrong man for the party and the nation. something can
be dono about this situation but it takes a tremendous effort by a group
of amatours working tooth-and-nail for a worthy candidate to put him
over. It would be tough to rid a party of the professional "king makers"
on the national level, trub they can be defected. I personally feel it's
about time the Republican party had another smateur-dominated convention
like the one that nominated Wondell Wilkie
When he went to the convention
the "boye" said he didn't have a Chineman's chance. Amatours made him a
Prosidential candidate and under different circumstances he might well
have prevailed.
You can onjoy politics if you do not lose your patience.
You will
soldom be disappointed if your motivations are unselfish. Soldom do many
modern politicians enter the fray expecting politionl spoils and cash gnins.
The more correcn failing 10 grood for fame and prostige. Dosens of spectscular
political figures have sowed the soods of their own demise by being too
ambitions without warmanting the public trust they sought.
Voters are not dumb. Despite the absurd interpretations of
national politics with which Hollywood regales us from time to time,
incompetents do not got very for in this game. Recell for the moment
the truly great figures of American political history and measure them
as you see fit. Is there any great man in the annals of our history
who Vas not sincere? Is there any great mon who the not henest? Is there
any great man who vas not down to the core a devoted amotour who had as
his only notive service to his country in the best vay he Butr fit? If
there are, they are not great by my definition. Greatness in the end is
Page Bloven
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
measured by a man's independence and courage of conviction. They
enjoyed politics, certainly. They enjoyed it or they never would
have endured the hard vork and emoting self-discipline that public
office demands.
Politics can be fun. It oan be one of the finest sources of
personal satisfaction a nen can experience. To serve others well is
after all one of the highest notivations in our civilisation.
Let no urgo your participation. Begin by running for procinct
dolegate 1h your own neighborhood this fall. Our nation is going
through some of the most critical years in the history of markind. The
problems we face call for leadership of the highest calibre, and the
public as a whole deserves a choldee between condidates. In the rents
of those who bolong to the Junior Chamber are mon who can provide the
sort of leadership America needs. You too can enjoy politics - just
take it step by step: be patient and persistent, and above all don't be
discouraged if 10 takes a little while to bring about the changes you
doem necessary. The changes you and others desire undoubtodly should
be made. Who else but you can bring them about?
Page Ivelve
FORD & LIBRARY GLRALD