Workshop offers primer on running for office

Some Tampa Bay Democratic consultants are offering a $65 workshop, “Walk Before You Run -– A Primer on Running for Political Office," that might interest folks mulling a political campaign. It's being organized by Common Language, Think Big! and PlanningWorks. It will be Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Studio @620 in St. Petersburg.

Confirmed speakers include Kevin Beckner, Hillsborough County Commissioner; Mary Mulhern, Tampa City Councilwoman; Rep. Bill Heller; Alison Morano, Pasco County DEC chair; Patricia Kemp, Hillsborough County DEC chair; Ken Quinnell, Florida Progressive Coalition; and Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida.

Registration information is here.

"It’s been our experience that most people have a lot of unreal expectations when it comes to running for office. They don’t really understand what they’re getting themselves and their families into," said Larry Biddle, owner and principal of PlanningWorks. "This workshop will enlighten potential candidates about the realities of running for office, like asking people for money and building a support system of volunteers."

Times Staff Writer

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Comments

Paying for a sales pitch, my god.

wow. Larry Biddle is a genius. He is going to tell people that running for office means "asking people for money and building a support system of volunteers."

[Stu]

Larry Biddle has a $500,000 mortgage on a $200,000 house. He needs all the $65 checks he can get.

[The Meatball]

The list of speakers tells the story. When are you people going to learn that there is no Democrat Party in the area?

There's a Republican party, and there's a few puppets we own, that call themselves Democrats at our direction.

Now, you freaks get back to the important issues, like gay marriage and hating George Bush! We'll focus on the things that matter!

We own you beeaches!

Seriously, you are going to write an article pimping for Larry and Mitch. Unbelievable.

Isn't Larry Biddle like 80 years old?

Many people can't retire in this economy. It's sad.

[Sybil]

Those posting on here against Larry Biddle and what he's accomplished ... a couple of questions.

What have you accomplished? How much cash have you raised for a multitude of organizations/campaigns? How did those small $$ donors work in the past election? What have you done for Make-A-Wish?

'nuff said.

Larry Biddle
Larry Biddle is the Deputy National Finance Director for Dean for America. His areas of responsibility include Internet giving, direct mail and telemarketing. Prior to working on Howard Dean’s campaign for president, he served as Finance Director for Chellie Pingree for U.S. Senate (Maine) and Allyson Schwartz for U.S. Senate (Pennsylvania). Before moving to political fundraising, Larry worked as an organization development consultant and created management information systems and fundraising operations for nonprofits. Over those 30 years, he helped raise more than $350 million. Recently, Biddle was a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Executive Education in Internet commerce.

Readily acknowledging all of Biddle's notable accomplishments, what is he doing here, and why is he associating with Mitch Kates? That said, nothing wrong with soliciting new business. Just be careful what you wish for. You may get it!

[Susan S]

Poor GOP babies. Their racist party is collapsing and they come to the blogs to puff themselves up.

I have no idea what Larry Biddle's mortgage is, but the banking/mortgage/housing crisis can be laid squarely at the feet of the Republican party (or should I say "Republic" party). Deregulation, privatization, tax cuts for the rich, and pouring money into Bush's unnecessary war in Iraq have finally caught up with us.

BTW, I hear Greer has cut RPOF ties to Sansom's friend Odom. But probably not before the taxpayers built Odom his own airplane hanger in north Florida. I wonder if our school system could use that $6 million that was used to pay back their fat cat donor?

wow. Larry Biddle is a genius. He is going to tell people that running for office means "asking people for money and building a support system of volunteers."

Are you sure that the mortgage mess is Bush’s fault?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE7DB153EF933A0575AC0A96F958260

[1:04's shadow]

Evidently 1:04's Google is broken

Republicans and all know that Mitch Kates - the rockin' hot political guru - is skilled.

From my link:
Some Republicans are starting to take notice.

"Those guys were everywhere," said GOP political consultant April Schiff. "Mitch has established a good record. I think he's getting there."

"... a powerful hurricane." to say the least.

did I mention he's HOT!

"In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates -- anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than conventional loans."

Banks, thrift institutions (think WAMU) and mortgage companies, whose CEO's and Board Members were incented to make near term financial reporting look great, while remaining silent about risk increases and long term exposure (because they were going to package, securitize and sell the bad loans anyway)so they and their minions could collect outrageous bonuses because the phony balance sheets looked so good.

These are the same folks who got huge tax breaks from Bush that heightened their short term fever for making as much as they could as fast as they could, instead of looking out for the shareholders and accountholders. Greed,plain and simple.

The Founding Fathers and Federalists had it right. Humans are corruptible by nature. The "free market" needs the same checks and balances -- reasonable regulation -- as our political democracy has.

Don't forget to tell them political reporters will dig to find all the dirt and spin any answer you give to work against you. My advice? What ever you do, do not talk to the press. Talk only to the people!

Pay $65 to hear Mitch and Larry give their sales pitch? You have to be kidding me!

[True Blue]

Please ask Larry, Mitch and Toni what they got for spending over $150,000.00 on the '08 election cycle in Pinellas.
Where did the money go? How much did pusdo-Democrat Mo get? How did Toni blow over 10 grand the last 10 days without approval? And the result of all this fund-raising and spending like a drunken sailor? Zero-Nothing-Nada.Karl, Toni and Mark, you should all be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail instead of promoting yourselves.

Eating your own gets you no where.

If you want to slam somebody-pick a Republican!

What did Larry Biddle ever do before Dean? I mean, he must have been 65 years old at that point in his career.

Where was Larry before he became a self-promoted political guru?

Thought so.

For once, True Blue has a point.

What happened to all the DEC money that went to The Frauds?

The St. Pete Times needs to look into the money spent by the Pinellas County DEC on the fraudulous schemes of Kates and Biddle.

Larry Biddle is likely behind the negative website about Deveron Gibbons as well as the sabotage of Kathleen Ford's press conference.

Larry Biddle is a pox on local politics and shame on him.

That 80 year old mutha frucker gets around.

Mutha Frucker is hot!

80 year olds are hot!

Who else but Wagman would have the resources and desperate ambition to pay for the anti-Deveron website and to sink Ford's presser?