My dad is pretty involved in politics, so I know a little bit about it. FIRST THING is to see if he even stands a chance at getting the Republican nomination. (Yes, he says he is a Libertarian, but are there any libertarians in Congress?) This costs money because it involves hiring people who make a living doing this. Then, if he stands a chance, he needs to start running a campaign. This also costs money, and we aren't talking printing some signs and bumper stickers and asking for volunteers. Every campaign has PAID staff...Campaign manager, Treasurer, Secretary and PAID staff who manage the volunteers and do the work if there are not enough volunteers. And, in Bryan's case, he better have an editor for any and every thing he writes, even on facebook and twitter. Usually, unless a person is an experienced politician and has extra donations from the last election, they use their own money for start up costs, or borrow from family. I suspect with two years of unemployment, Bryan has used up the "borrowing from family" card. And it isn't pocket change...its tens of thousands for a local campaign. It would easily run into the millions for a national run like he is talking about.
And if he doesn't win? It can well be money in the wind. Sure, he could keep running for office after a loss...it works for many. But, if he loses badly, he likely will not recover and he will look pathetic if he runs again.
Personal anecdote. There was a candidate in my former district in Kansas who was running for Congress. I actually liked him because he came to my door and talked to me. He was young, with no political experience, and the only job he had held was as an officer in the Air Force. He lost the nod in the Primary. He tried again two years later, having spent the previous two years preparing for the run. He lost again. Lather, rinse, repeat. It ends sadly...turns out he used campaign funds to buy his house, because the loan took longer than expected and he didn't want to delay the closing. Unfortunately, this is VERY illegal, and although he paid it all back a few weeks later, he went to jail.
Why did I digress? Because running for office without a job or income is dicey. I actually felt badly for the guy in KS (although I never voted for him) simply because I understood his position...he knew he would have the money in a few weeks, he had tapped out his family's good will, and he didn't think anyone would find out. And really, in his case, no one WAS harmed. But...he broke the law, his political career is over and he has a felony conviction.
I can see Bryan believing that the campaign contributions are his own personal piggy bank. I can see him believing he is ENTITLED to them, as he feels entitled about everything else. And, I can see him cutting corners by NOT hiring a campaign manager or treasurer, or counting on his own diploma-mill law degree to be his expert in campaign finance law. He is just that arrogant.
Here goes:
