My run for Congress

So if people follow my Youtube videos, they may know I am running for Congress.

It is in PA district 12, and is a special election because Republican Tom Marino vacated the seat weeks after winning it.

So I wanted to do a thread on this.

What this thread will not be is asking for any donations, sign ups, volunteers, etc. I dont want or need any of that from ATS and my friends here.

Instead I just want to update people routinely on the process in general, and then give a sort of final view of the process whether I win or lose.

Because this is a special election, there is no primary. Instead the Republicans and Democrats get to nominate somoen by there own process thatw ill then compete in a general election.

I am running as a GOP representative. I have spent hours upon hours calling people from GOP committees in teh district to get my name out there.

My big issue is I am poor and have no connections. I get grumpy noises often when I tell people I am refusing to take money from businesses, and will only take individual contributions. However, they perk up a little when I tell them I also will not be accepting any sort of pension, as I feel being in congress is a service, and I shouldnt benefit from tax payers the rest of my life. I feel that if I, quite possibly the most financially poor person running for office in recent memory can turn down the pension, maybe it will set a precedent for others to do so as well.

The next problem I am seeing running is that it is incredibly expensive and time consuming. I have to pay for background checks into myself, tickets to GOP dinners, and I am even ashamed to say I have to spend money on dress cloths because as an average working joe, I dont have many.

In addition, the time devoted to this is crazy. My wife helps me, and my old debate partner is my campaign manager, and he is as crazy as me and putting ridiculous time into helping me. Not only do I worl about 60 hours a week, but I am btrying my hardest to visit as many constituents in the district during my time off.

Poor Rob, right?

Well no not all all. No one is forcing me to ddo this, and I absolutely love it. Nothing worthwhile is easy to do, and so I welcome the challenges, and no even if I lose, this will be a great experience that will make me a better person.

Im not going to get into my positions on things in this p[ost, though it would be easy to find post of mine on ATS detailing many of them.

Instead I wanted to give a few details of what is happening.

So because there is no primary, I will have to convince Distrcit 12 conferees, who are sort of leaders in the local GOP to nominate and vote for me. the word is there are a lot of people running, so it will be an uphill battle.

If I am nominated and seconded at the convention, then I will get 5 minutes to speak. Then the top ten advance to the next round, and so on.

The difficulty is separating yourself from the pack, particularly form people much more experienced and well connected than me, in only 5 minutes. But I am smart and charismatic, so I am up for it.

I have filled out a questionnaire on all of my policy positions and background for the state GOP.

One timely question was if I have any embarrassing yearbook photos. So look for pictures of me in show choir doing jazz hands to surface.

They alos asked about online posting, and I told them I frequently post to Above Top secret, which probably makes me look like a tin foil guy, though I explained I post mostly about politics. So there is a good chance background checkers will; be going through my ats history. I hope they star and flag some posts for me.

So because of this, I will probably have less of a presence on ATS until after the election. But I will still be around, making threads and updating this one.

If I could say one serious thing, it would be this./ More people on ATS should run. Some of the people on this site seem more genuine and have a better knowledge of many political issues than many of our elected officials, even the ones I disagree with. Sure there are some we wouldnt want running (probably me to many people) but we need more regular people running for office, regardless of what country you are from.

You have piqued our interest. When you post, we take notice. Ahhh and as GOP, all the better.

Looking forward to how you get "treated" in the MSM.

Are you prepared for a smear campaign against you if an opponent is "popular" in certain spheres ?

😎best of luck😎

a reply to: Grambler


Hurry up and give us your secret safe word, so that if you do win we can at least know it's you and not an alien clone who replaced you!

And as a PA resident and the fact they will read this most likely. The Progressives in this state are destroying it, and you Neocons are just as bad! Legalize a plant you idiots!

Congratulations on making this decision. I wish you much success in your endeavour to be a congressman.

If anyone deserves it, it’s you. You are an articulate, well meaning man with much to offer your country.

GOOD LUCK !

a reply to: Grambler

My big issue is I am poor and have no connections. I get grumpy noises often when I tell people I am refusing to take money from businesses, and will only take individual contributions. However, they perk up a little when I tell them I also will not be accepting any sort of pension,...

So you want to be a politician but you don't like money ???

Embarrassment?!

Dude, you post here.

When they hit your social media history ... look out!

originally posted by: Trueman
a reply to: Grambler

My big issue is I am poor and have no connections. I get grumpy noises often when I tell people I am refusing to take money from businesses, and will only take individual contributions. However, they perk up a little when I tell them I also will not be accepting any sort of pension,...

So you want to be a politician but you don't like money ???

Hopefully he just loves his country! The fact he said he doesn't want a pension for serving makes me believe he is a rare one who actually does want to serve to save what's left of what the vultures have already stripped away from the half dead corpse called the United States of America.

a reply to: Grambler

My dads side of the family are all from small towns in Pennsylvania.
It is nice to see an "average joe" as you call it, running.

Pennsylvania has a lot of serious issues. Maybe more so than many states.
It will only get better with genuine people that don't have their hands in somebody's pockets.

My big issue is I am poor and have no connections.

Being poor is not an issue, and might even win some votes. Having connections is something you should work on.
Do you have your own facebook page for your campaign? If not start one and get your friends/family to start sharing.
What about NextDoor? Believe it or not a lot of our local political discussion happen there.

a reply to: Grambler

Ah #&#$ guys..... We have a politician in our midst! Quick, everyone, act cool!

Oh hey Grambler, what up man?



Just kidding man. Best of luck.

...

a reply to: Grambler

Do you have a history as a bartender?
If so you're in pretty good shape...

a reply to: Grambler

Good luck dude, don't let the man get you down.

a reply to: Grambler
You are the most 'real' person on here, I have liked you from the very beginning, you are smart, polite, and know what to say when it needs saying.
I have no doubt that you would make a good congressman, if you win, remember to stay that "real" person.
If you lose, we have all lost a good person that should have been chosen, well, until next election.


Good luck, Sir!

originally posted by: ketsuko
Embarrassment?!

Dude, you post here.

When they hit your social media history ... look out!

He posts, and responds on very questionable topics with some questionable answers.


Grambler, what is your educational background? What kind of work do you do?

I wish you all the best, I really do. It's amazing to see someone from here run for office.

Now, I'll be blunt. Linking yourself to this website and posting your real face on it is the worst thing you could have done if you were planning to run for office. There is so much reprehensible material here that making yourself known as a poster will by proxy paint you in the same light, in the media.

I'm sorry but that's that truth. ATS is a secret hobby, not a resume bullet point.

With that said, good luck man! You could actually make a difference for some people.

Wow, go for it Grambler. I thought of running for president, I actually know a girl here who did run for president last election. Neither the wife or I even knew she was running when we voted, we would have voted for her if we knew she had actually paid the grand and ran for president of the country. Oh well, she got some votes. She did not have enough money or prestige to win, but at least she ran for president, I haven't done that yet.

a reply to: Grambler


You should have your campaign supporters wear glue on beards to your rallies. It can be your 'thing'.

PA is a great place to enter politics to be honest. Best of luck!

a reply to: Grambler

If you want, I'll endorse you, but being associated with me is probably not such a good idea.

Instead I will wish you "good luck"!



ETA: When my book "Why Jesus Voted For Trump" comes out, you get a signed copy!