“There Is Nothing To It” ~ Senator Kennedy
Relationship Building
As I highlighted in my last issue - our True Compass is right in front of us.
Our True Compass
If we want to course correct and get out of this dire situation we're in—we need to focus many of our efforts on four distinct pillars—our True Compass:
Run candidates in Every Single District—up and down the ballot.
Why: We need to give voters a reason to vote. Uncontested races create voter apathy on both sides of the political spectrum.Build a media ecosystem that allows our message, values, and solutions to reach voters.
Why: We need to fight disinformation in order to have fact-based debates that are aimed towards solutions, not political hot mic moments.Stop going from boom to bust with our organizing efforts.
Why: Community engagement is at the core of building trust with voters and enabling candidates to better understand the issues most important to voters in their district.Really lean into leadership development.
Why: Leadership development drives increased personal growth which in turn increases organizational performance and creates a competitive advantage because it allows leaders to be their authentic selves.
According to Change Research recent analysis:
Many folks are asking - how do we move voters to the polls and how do we attract young voters and new voters? They can't believe people did not vote and exercise their civic duty. But I would argue - we are asking the wrong questions at this point - we need to step back. Voting is the final step.
We are all feeling the sense of urgency, wanting to know how we get out of this dire situation! Our democracy is on the line. Across the globe, there has been an erosion of democratic institutions - and the United States is no exception because of the authoritarian playbook employed by the Trump regime.
No one organization or person can address all four pillars outlined above - it can and will feel overwhelming if we approach it that way or put pressure on one organization to "fix this." Many people are asking tough questions and are ready to take action. This is going to take multiple layers, and one of the key layers will be a bottom-up approach - with community leaders and organizers who are closest to the voters.
I want to pause for a moment and share a little more - For me, the other day was a tough day - we are going to have them - but thanks to a new friend who I actually met here on Substack - Thank you Aviv Russ - I had the opportunity to talk through my thoughts and feelings - to think differently and also validate that we need bold new actions if we want to create a future that would not otherwise exist. Change is hard, scary, and requires friction. And this is ok!
Have those moments, take a break, step away - take a walk, get some fresh air. Or as I did - I headed over to the Brewster flats for a walk - but please come back.
Now - What can you do to focus your efforts and impact?
Substack has become a post-election resource - a place to build community, share thoughts, ideas, get insights - follow thought leaders, elected officials - but what do we do with all this information? With all this frustration? The Trump Regime's destruction of the constitution and our democracy will not stop unless we stop it.
For me, it is time to focus on Running Candidates in every district up and down the ballot - and that means also supporting them 100%. We need to build out from there. If a candidate does not have the resources, the right tools, an understanding of how to maximize the use of new electoral tools, support in the form of a knowledgeable, trusted team around them, a robust volunteer network - game over. It is that simple.
For the last five years, I watched overqualified candidates work from the ground up, creating amazing robust campaign machines only to see MAGA GOP candidates not have to lift a finger. They raise money at a few statewide fundraising dinners with a national speaker flown in by the party - transfer money to the state GOP House or Senate Caucus - and then the GOP "enterprise" steps in to handle their campaigns from there. Meanwhile, an extremely high percentage of our candidates are flying solo to navigate the challenges of campaigning.
It is time to start thinking if this may be the right time for you to run for office - As Senator Kennedy would say - "There is nothing to it" - For school board, for county council, for county commissioner, for city council, for mayor, for sheriff, for State Legislature, for House of Representatives. If not you - who in your network? Remember it's not only about winning - it is about increasing voter turnout - reversing voter apathy.
The key to your success -
1) defining what winning looks like for your race and community and
2) A candidate needs to be prepared, as I like to say, “candidates need to stop learning how to run for office while running for office.”
Senator Kennedy would say - "There is nothing to it" …. BUT….
Where do you start? Well, this week as I dive deeper into "True Compass - Edward M. Kennedy, A Memoir" - Senator Kennedy's early years are a master class in relationships.
After graduating from University of Virginia Law School in 1959, Ted Kennedy, though only 28 years old and not yet a political office holder himself, served as a critical surrogate for his brother John during the 1960 presidential campaign. He barnstormed through 11 Western states, including crucial battlegrounds like Oregon, Washington, and Nevada, working tirelessly to secure delegate support for JFK's nomination. Unlike the more reserved and intellectual demeanor of his brother, Ted brought a natural warmth and conviviality to these encounters. He spent long days driving between small towns, meeting local Democratic leaders in diners, union halls, and community centers, often working 16-hour days to cover as much ground as possible.
At the core of Ted's effectiveness was his genuine talent for relationship building. He combined the Kennedy name recognition with an approachable, down-to-earth personality that resonated with Western voters who valued authenticity. Ted made politics fun, sharing jokes, stories, and sometimes even singing at gatherings, creating memorable personal connections rather than merely delivering policy speeches. Toss in bronco riding in Montana and a never-before plunge off a ski jump in Madison - Ted Kennedy was relatable and likable.
~ Credit - Edward M. Kennedy Collection
"It is about values and emotions. How voters feel about a political party and candidate." - Drew Westen
His ability to connect - to remember names, family details, and local concerns made party officials and delegates feel truly valued, fostering trust that translated into committed support for his brother at the convention. This early political work showcased Ted's natural gift for retail politics and relationship-building that would later define his own long Senate career.
"There Is Nothing To It": A Call to Action
When Ted Kennedy said "There is nothing to it" - all the time - he wasn't dismissing the hard work involved when working towards a goal. Rather, he was demystifying the process and the fear of taking that first step. At its core, politics is about people and relationships—something we all engage in every day. The art of connecting with neighbors, listening to their concerns, and building trust isn't some mystical political skill—it's fundamental human interaction.
Today, I challenge you to embrace Kennedy's philosophy: Start where you are. Whether you're considering running for office or supporting someone who is, begin by strengthening relationships in your community. Host a neighborhood gathering. Volunteer at local events. Strike up conversations at the grocery store. I do - yes I am that person who sometimes holds up the check out line - because I am chatting away. 😉 Remember names and follow up on personal details. These seemingly small actions are the foundation of genuine community building.
The path forward isn't through distant, abstract politics—it's through the warm handshake at your local diner, the remembered birthday of a neighbor’s child, the genuine interest in your neighbor's concerns. This isn't just campaign strategy; it's authentic human connection - as my dear friend Stephanie G Wilson, PhD says - its human-ing.
So take that first step tomorrow. Reach out to five people in your community you don't know well. Listen more than you speak. Find common ground. Because when Senator Kennedy said "There is nothing to it," he meant the most powerful political tool is already within you—your ability to genuinely connect with others.