One of the most overused and useless things a candidate can say is, “I’m not a politician.”
Yes, you are. If you are running for political office, by definition…you are a politician. And if you’re claiming not to be a politician hoping that buys you something with the average voter…it doesn’t.
Declaring, as a candidate, that “I am not a politician” simply tells people you are an inexperienced “newbie” who is to be regarded with suspicion.
I mean, come on.
If you went to someone for legal advice and they told you, “I’m not a lawyer,” would you put your full faith in them? How about someone who says, “I’m not a doctor”? Would you trust them to give you the best advice?
So if you’re using that tired old phrase used ineffectively by countless others before you, stop.
On the other hand, the reality is that while you are a politician, as a candidate you are NOT in the political “business” any more than the owner of a plumbing business is a plumber.
Sure, he fixes leaky pipes…but only if someone hires him to fix their leaky pipes.
You see, the owner of a plumbing service is really in the sales and marketing business. Or should be. Because if he doesn’t sell someone on using his plumbing service, he won’t be in business very long.
Ditto candidates. Candidates are the equivalent of the business owner. And a candidate who doesn’t effectively market and sell his or her service – which is representing people at some level of government – won’t be elected.
And an unelected politician is no more of a success than a plumber who no one hires.