Knocking on doors

graphicgr8s · 07-26-2010, 08:30 AM

A buddy of mine is running for city council. So as part of his campaign he knocks on doors to personally introduce himself to his potential constituents. (Last election he garnered enough votes to cause a runoff. And was less than 100 votes to be in contention)

Anyhow. Tampa PD in all its wisdom wanted to arrest him for solicitation. (They didn't) He asked what he was selling and they said "himself". So is it legal in your area?

Ira · 07-26-2010, 08:39 AM

My town is pretty corrupt that way--what's good for the goose ISN'T good for the gander.

If you know and are with the right people, you're cool. Otherwise, laws are enforced selectively, and your mileage may vary.

By the way--that's the best thing he can do to get elected. People remember that stuff. The problem is, so few people usually vote in municipal elections in the first place.

GeneV · 07-26-2010, 08:49 AM

From the number of knocks we get on our door, I'd say it must be.

Parallax · 07-26-2010, 09:01 AM

Legal here. I'm not sure how you could make door to door campaigning illegal. It seems there may be some First Amendment issues there. The candidates aren't actually selling themselves. (Not in the door-to-door venue, anyway. They reserve that for meeting rooms, hotels, and phone conversations with corporate and union leaders.)

MRRiley · 07-26-2010, 09:07 AM

I don't think it's legal for the police anywhere in this country to interfere with election campaigning. As long as he is registered in the campaign as a candidate he should be OK. if he gets hassled he needs to contact the state elections commission or his local party officials (assuming there are any).

Mike

GeneV · 07-26-2010, 09:34 AM

In a related but inverse subject, I need to find out how to put political causes on the no-call list. There is one group called "Telefund" that is absolutely relentless.

graphicgr8s · 07-26-2010, 09:35 AM

He's waiting on a fax with the "law" he violated. Rather the "law" they said he was violating.

I've known him for 20 years. He's running and if elected he will give his 40,000+ salary right back to the police department and neighborhood crime watch. So he's not in it for the money.

GeneV · 07-26-2010, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by graphicgr8s

He's waiting on a fax with the "law" he violated. Rather the "law" they said he was violating.

I've known him for 20 years. He's running and if elected he will give his 40,000+ salary right back to the police department and neighborhood crime watch. So he's not in it for the money.

Wow, your councilors are paid well. Ours don't have the $40k to give back.

graphicgr8s · 07-26-2010, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

Wow, your councilors are paid well. Ours don't have the $40k to give back.

He's an unusual sort. Right now he makes a living selling stuff on E-bay. City councilmen here I believe make 40 grand. Actually a little over.

troglodyte · 07-26-2010, 07:57 PM - **1 Like**

I say let himself get arrested. What better way to get your name out there. Good or bad, people vote for a name they know. That's how Ted Kennedy did it.

graphicgr8s · 07-27-2010, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by troglodyte

I say let himself get arrested. What better way to get your name out there. Good or bad, people vote for a name they know. That's how Ted Kennedy did it.

Actually after he left and thought about it he called the City Attorney. He told him what he was doing is legal and if any other officer harasses him to have them call him. Charles is also friends with another prominent Tampa attorney here who also talked to the City attorney. He's within his rights campaigning door to door.

troglodyte · 07-27-2010, 06:58 PM - **1 Like**

G,
Ya I know he's allowed. It seems though that only criminals ever make it to office. But even so, getting arrested for going door to door isn't as hardcore as drowning your pregnant girlfriend in the car. Tell Charles he needs to step up his game!

Parallax · 07-28-2010, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by troglodyte

G,
Ya I know he's allowed. It seems though that only criminals ever make it to office. But even so, getting arrested for going door to door isn't as hardcore as drowning your pregnant girlfriend in the car. Tell Charles he needs to step up his game!

Good one!

07-26-2010, 08:30 AM	#1
graphicgr8s Guest	Knocking on doors A buddy of mine is running for city council. So as part of his campaign he knocks on doors to personally introduce himself to his potential constituents. (Last election he garnered enough votes to cause a runoff. And was less than 100 votes to be in contention) Anyhow. Tampa PD in all its wisdom wanted to arrest him for solicitation. (They didn't) He asked what he was selling and they said "himself". So is it legal in your area?

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07-26-2010, 08:39 AM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	My town is pretty corrupt that way--what's good for the goose ISN'T good for the gander. If you know and are with the right people, you're cool. Otherwise, laws are enforced selectively, and your mileage may vary. By the way--that's the best thing he can do to get elected. People remember that stuff. The problem is, so few people usually vote in municipal elections in the first place.

07-26-2010, 08:49 AM	#3
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	From the number of knocks we get on our door, I'd say it must be.

07-26-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Legal here. I'm not sure how you could make door to door campaigning illegal. It seems there may be some First Amendment issues there. The candidates aren't actually selling themselves. (Not in the door-to-door venue, anyway. They reserve that for meeting rooms, hotels, and phone conversations with corporate and union leaders.)

07-26-2010, 09:07 AM	#5
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	I don't think it's legal for the police anywhere in this country to interfere with election campaigning. As long as he is registered in the campaign as a candidate he should be OK. if he gets hassled he needs to contact the state elections commission or his local party officials (assuming there are any). Mike

07-26-2010, 09:34 AM	#6
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	In a related but inverse subject, I need to find out how to put political causes on the no-call list. There is one group called "Telefund" that is absolutely relentless.

07-26-2010, 09:35 AM	#7
graphicgr8s Guest	He's waiting on a fax with the "law" he violated. Rather the "law" they said he was violating. I've known him for 20 years. He's running and if elected he will give his 40,000+ salary right back to the police department and neighborhood crime watch. So he's not in it for the money.

07-26-2010, 09:40 AM	#8
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by graphicgr8s He's waiting on a fax with the "law" he violated. Rather the "law" they said he was violating. I've known him for 20 years. He's running and if elected he will give his 40,000+ salary right back to the police department and neighborhood crime watch. So he's not in it for the money. Wow, your councilors are paid well. Ours don't have the $40k to give back.

07-26-2010, 09:55 AM	#9
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by GeneV Wow, your councilors are paid well. Ours don't have the $40k to give back. He's an unusual sort. Right now he makes a living selling stuff on E-bay. City councilmen here I believe make 40 grand. Actually a little over.

07-26-2010, 07:57 PM - 1 Like	#10
troglodyte Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oz Posts: 408	I say let himself get arrested. What better way to get your name out there. Good or bad, people vote for a name they know. That's how Ted Kennedy did it.

07-27-2010, 05:56 AM	#11
graphicgr8s Guest	Originally posted by troglodyte I say let himself get arrested. What better way to get your name out there. Good or bad, people vote for a name they know. That's how Ted Kennedy did it. Actually after he left and thought about it he called the City Attorney. He told him what he was doing is legal and if any other officer harasses him to have them call him. Charles is also friends with another prominent Tampa attorney here who also talked to the City attorney. He's within his rights campaigning door to door.

07-27-2010, 06:58 PM - 1 Like	#12
troglodyte Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oz Posts: 408	G, Ya I know he's allowed. It seems though that only criminals ever make it to office. But even so, getting arrested for going door to door isn't as hardcore as drowning your pregnant girlfriend in the car. Tell Charles he needs to step up his game!

07-28-2010, 08:01 AM	#13
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by troglodyte G, Ya I know he's allowed. It seems though that only criminals ever make it to office. But even so, getting arrested for going door to door isn't as hardcore as drowning your pregnant girlfriend in the car. Tell Charles he needs to step up his game! Good one!