Love him or hate him, Esrati is running

January 8th, 2008

Is there anyone in Dayton who has neutral feelings about David Esrati? Judging from what he himself says, and from comments on his blog, I think he makes as many enemies as friends. Some people are like that, you know?

Through my blog, I’ve gotten to know Esrati a little and I must admit I think he can, on occasion, be abrasive tactless. But, he always tells you what he’s thinking, you always know where you stand with him, and as a lifelong Daytonian, I’ve never seen any one person generate more creative ideas for turning things around for the city of Dayton. You have to admire that- sounds like a decent combination for a politician to me.

David is the CEO of The Next Wave, a local ad agency, and he has put his talents to work for himself and created one of the funniest political commercials ever created- on YouTube no less- he’s cutting edge, Web 2.0, his campaign is like him- straight forward, pulls no punches, very funny, and no fuss-no muss.

David Esrati is running for Congress in OH-3 as a Democrat. If you are interested in finding out more about David, please read “Dear Son: Do you really want to be an American” by his father. It’s free! And it’s another Web 2.0 idea.

13 Comments »

  1. David Esrati says

    Hi Teri,
    Thanks for the post.
    Are we looking for someone to represent us in a pit full of lawyers- or running a popularity contest?
    Do we want big ideas- or soundbites?
    I hope the people of OH-3 want more from a politician than gladhanding and baby kissing.

    January 8th, 2008 | #

  2. Teri Lussier says

    I don’t live in O3, but I posted your commercial because it’s funny, but more than that, I appreciate your honest approach to the political process. Many people have become weary of politics-as-usual.

    And of course, I like your unique approach to advertising.

    January 10th, 2008 | #

  3. Derek says

    This is going to be interesting to watch as I too am considering making a comeback to blogging in an attempt to run for NC House. I think I can carry one of the three counties in my district with rather ease, but not the other two. I think I can get a good 1/4ths of the votes in one of the two hard counties I will represent as I coach in that county at one of the county’s largest high schools so, who knows?

    January 18th, 2008 | #

  4. Teri Lussier says

    Howdy Derek-

    There’s a new Esrati video up at http://www.esrati.com. It’s real estate related. Go take a look and see what you think.

    January 18th, 2008 | #

  5. David Esrati says

    to be specific- the second spot- is here: http://esrati.com/?p=511

    January 18th, 2008 | #

  6. Derek says

    I like it, very honest and I have often thought about using as my campaign slogan “I’m just as poor as the rest of you!” Heck, I live in a single wide trailer that is a few years older than I am so go figure.

    Being from North Carolina, I am a populist Democrat and I also tend to have some Andrew Jackson tendencies in believing that common people should occupy government offices. Being a populist, the one thing that might kill me is my belief in the welfare system at the state level. I just do not like it for a dozen of reasons! My district has some of the lowest provety rates in the state, so that is going to be a challenge, but we also have a big state university next door so the rates counting college students with very little to no income is also a bit misleading. In general, this area tends to be very liberal at the state level and conservative as heck at the federal level. We tend to vote democrat in the state and republican in the federal elections.

    I have a big mouth too so I may have a bit of Jesse Helms in me at times as well. Not quiet as radical but you know me well enough to know I’m not afraid to speak my mind. :-)

    In the House, we can’t use a fillibuster, but I always told myself if I wanted to run and an issue came up that I was against, they could vote to quiet me,, but they can’t make me sit down (ie: yield the floor). Even if they tried, I’ll just play dump and claim I didn’t hear them with my hearing impairment!

    January 18th, 2008 | #

  7. Teri Lussier says

    Thanks David!

    January 18th, 2008 | #

  8. Derek says

    I spent some extra time going over David’s site. He’s hilarious but the most interesting thing was seeing the statement about how the district was gerrymanded so that it was nearly impossible for a Democrat to win. Here in North Carolina, it’s the reverse. We’re a Democrat state. In fact, in most elections, the Republicans pretty much go uncontested. A good percentage of the voters here who are Republican actually register as Democrats just so they can vote.

    David: If you do not mind me asking, exactly what did it cost to throw your hat in the ring? NC House (the state level) is going to cost me I think $432.00.

    January 19th, 2008 | #

  9. David Esrati says

    Hi Derek,
    The filing fee is only $85 and 50 signatures from either a Democrat or an undecided (haven’t voted in a Republican primary). However, if you want the real costs- thousands already, from time diverted from work.
    Of course, this is a federal filing, so the fees may be set nationally.
    I’m glad you think I’m hilarious- but, I hope you also realize there is substance there.
    Please, send your friends to look at my videos- I need the YouTube clicks.
    http://esrati.com/?cat=182

    January 19th, 2008 | #

  10. Teri Lussier says

    David-
    Sorry it took so long to post this- your comments keep getting spammed.

    January 19th, 2008 | #

  11. Derek says

    Terri: What do you expect from David’s comments getting spammed? He’s solicating votes!

    David: Why is it so cheap in Ohio? I looked today to verify the filing fee here in NC and I first need to make a correct, for state house which I am considering it costs $207.00 dollars, not the $432.00 as I originally throught it was from the last time I looked at the state board of elections site.

    They also have the filing fees listed for other offices as well including U.S. Congress which you are running for. The filing fee for that and all other offices is 1% of the salary in this case, $1,652.

    Why is it only $50.00 in Ohio? Here is our list in case you want to see it: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/NCSBE/Cand/cand_fees.html

    I tried to look up the Ohio elections site but from the appearance of things on there, ya’s elections are carried out by the Secretary of State and heaven know there’s so much information on that site, I can’t find what I am looking for - in this case the filing fees. But I will admit, Jennifer Brunner ya’s SOS sure is a nice looking lady.

    Derek

    PS: Terri, you got to love me for posting all those big keyword rich (ie: Jennifer Brunner) phases.
    PPS: I thought this was the hillbilly taking site, See what you done, you got us away from talking hillbilly to talking politics. The next thing you know, you’re going to have us talking BBQ and religion!

    January 20th, 2008 | #

  12. Derek says

    PPPS: The comment box is so small, I barely can see what I am typing on this laptop. Sorry for the many typos and errors! :neutral:

    January 20th, 2008 | #

  13. David Esrati says

    Derek, access to the ballot is different from State to State. It’s harder in some states- and easy in others. You know how you always here of “Proposition XYZ” in California- they make it easy to put things on the ballot.
    NC must look at filing fees as a way to make a profit.
    That’s all I can tell you.
    Move to Ohio.

    January 20th, 2008 | #

Leave a comment

:mrgreen: :neutral: :twisted: :shock: :smile: :???: :cool: :evil: :grin: :oops: :razz: :roll: :wink: :cry: :eek: :lol: :mad: :sad:

RSS feed for these comments. | TrackBack URI