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This may be the year of unconventional presidential campaign announcements

“I am running for President of the United States,”

Representative Reggie Smith receives committee assignments, announces staff

Samuel Moore-Sobel

California Senator Kamala Harris announced on Good Morning America New stopped short of announcing a presidential bid Possibly the tools in his mouth prevented him from getting the words out Perhaps motivated by a need to stand out in what is to likely be a crowded Democratic primary, candidates are lining up to grab the microphone before it is snatched from their hands

Such a strategy is hardly new. In 1992, then-candidate Bill Clinton made an appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show He famously played the saxophone, charming voters with his seeming relatability and just a little bit of cool In 2002, then-Senator John Kerry went on Meet the Press to announce his intention to form an exploratory committee. However, the uptick in unconventional announcements is inarguable, and may represent a change in course Perhaps holding a large campaign rally and giving a long announcement speech, filled with lofty and uplifting rhetoric, is a thing of the past Will this lead to the election of better candidates?

“We have been electing magic ponies in our presidential contests,” wrote Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan “And we have done this while slighting qualities like experience, hard and concrete political accomplishment, even personal maturity”

This drive to elect an empathetic candidate, the type we can envision ourselves “having a beer with,” is a driving force in modern presidential campaigns How a candidate appears on television, the level of charisma with which they shower upon audiences All of these elements help form how we view a candidate, help inform which lever we will pull when we find ourselves in a ballot box come November 2020

Yet I worry that such a desire obfuscates the reason to support a ystem of t the highest f ded and m jumping arisma and n any job raction, this is equation Isn’t more ates, instead of ing a of sound arty affiliation, our country is d of choosing ldn’t we be lified? arm can be hat these qualities alone fail to make a great President So much more is required by both the people and the office A strong intellect, a strain of compassion, moral backbone, a good temperament, a willingness to compromise when necessary and a proven desire to stand firm when the moment demands strength A desire to serve all the people, not just those they find in lockstep agreement with their espoused ideology We need a man or woman with a combination of qualities, willing to make hard decisions and take on the most complicated issues facing our nation

The office requires a sense of decorum and respectability An occupant high-minded enough to engage with those on the opposite side of the aisle, while urging Americans to both consider and embody the very highest ideals of this great nation We need an individual who brings out the best in us, not the worst A visionary, one who can see things we cannot see; and, do the things we cannot do

“ A candidate now is a mood,” Noonan wrote recently “Not a thought, a stand or a statement, but a mood ” A dangerous state of affairs After all, moods come and go They change based on the wind A person’s efficacy for office should not be judged on the basis of the current mood of the country There has to be a standard by which we judge our candidates, one that transcends our current cultural predilections or flavor of the day As Americans, we should require more from our candidates running for office

After all, when you look at the current crop of both declared and undeclared candidates, do you see the makings of a President?

Samuel Moore-Sobel is a freelance writer To read more of his work, visit www.holdingontohopetoday.com

On Wednesday, Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced the committee assignments for the 86th Legislature Reggie Smith, who represents Delta, Fannin, and Grayson Counties, was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

"I am appreciative of the confidence that Speaker Bonnen has shown in me as a freshman by appointing me to these two important committees I look forward to beginning the work of these committees continuing to represent the needs of my district

The House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to: fines and penalties arising under civil laws; civil law, including rights, duties, remedies, and procedures and including probate and guardianship matters; civil procedure in the courts of Texas; permission to sue the state; creating, changing, or otherwise affecting courts of judicial districts of the state; establishing districts for the election of judicial officers; courts and court procedures.

The House Appropriations Committee is charged with writing the state's biennial budget for the Texas House of Representatives Representative Smith is one of only four freshman members appointed to the committee

"Session is underway and I am honored to represent the people of Delta, Fannin, and Grayson Counties As a new member, I have been busy setting up both my capitol and district offices I am excited to introduce my staff

Turner Coulson is the district director He is from Whitesboro and graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Public Administration

Emily Fankell is my legislative director and works out of my capitol office She has four years with the legislature and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame

Sara Hays is my chief of staff and has over 18 years of experience with legislature She was Larry Phillips's chief of staff for many years, and is very familiar with District 62 She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin

If you need to schedule an appointment in the district, please contact Turner at 903-891-7297. If you need an appointment at my capitol office, please contact Emily or Sara at 512-463-0297

I look forward to hearing from constituents regarding the many issues that we will face this legislative session " District Office 421 N Crockett Sherman, TX 75090 903-819-7297

Capitol Office E2 404 PO Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768 512-463-0297

Turner Coulson turnercoulson@house texas gov 903-891-7297

Emily Fankell EmilyFankell@house texas gov 512-463-0297

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