Memorable moments on the campaign trail, as I work to become Maine’s next Governor, pop up daily. Some are funny, many are memorable. Mostly, I find people amusing, sometimes amazing.
One task for the candidate – at least those with no money, like me and Jimmy Stewart, and no silver spoons or trust funds – is a need to raise money. This happens in many ways, mostly by phone.
You start with family, then good friends, old high school and college friends, then those who are – in my case – all over Maine and just want to see big changes, want me to fix things, so they give.
Calls tend to go something like this. “Hi, you may not remember me, but this is Bobby Charles…and I am running for Governor.” Then you lay out the whys and wherefores, finally asking for a contribution, or investment in the State’s future, and usually get some help in the mission.
Eventually, you end up calling “lists” of those – chiefly in Maine, since we are all here – who have given to others and identify (I hate that word, say “think of themselves’) as conservatives. Some centrists can be pulled over, some conservatives love you but have little money, but calls are fun.
So, in this process, I began with friends from college. Strangely, in a humbling sort of way, many of them know my heart and so – whether on left, right, or center – they give. I am grateful beyond words.
One day, I had a new “list” of numbers. These were for college friends I had lost track of, now “found.” I went to Dartmouth, so these were those names. One was “Eric Christianson,” a fellow from my graduating class. I had two numbers for Eric, both researched, both looked good.
I dialed up the first. “Hi, is this Eric Christianson?” “Sure is,” came a friendly voice. “Great, Eric, not sure if you will remember me, but this is Bobby Charles from our Dartmouth class…I am running to be Maine’s next governor.” There was a brief silence, which I took for “carry on,” which I did.
I laid out Maine’s big problems – many, diverse, and deep – then explained the solutions. Finally, I stopped. “Well, what do you think?” I asked. “I think you will do a great job, but I never went to Dartmouth.” We both laughed, I thanked him, and went to the second number.
Dialing, I began when the phone was answered. “Hi, is this Eric Christianson?” “Yes…it is,” came the response. Good, I thought, I found him. “Well, Eric, this is Bobby Charles, your old Dartmouth classmate, and I am running…to be Maine’s next Governor.” I paused. “Sorry, I did not go to Dartmouth College.” What followed was another apology, laughter as I told him this was two in a row, and we hung up. Bottom line, this is a crazy business. If you find Eric, send him my way.
Same day, I get a series of answering machines. I leave context and old memories, a standard message. As it goes, machines pile up. Finally, I got through to a welcoming voice.
The call is answered by a friend not seen in years, but for whom old times remain fresh, the way great memories do, and we start down memory lane. Suddenly, he is interrupted. He says we can talk later, but is “all in,” max pledge, thanks, talk later. Done. Wow, short but good call.
Last call is not a call, but a text from a message left for a classmate earlier, one not seen in years. I know he is a liberal, but why not reach out? His text comes back simple. I sum it here. It went something like this: “Bobby, I got your message. I disagree with you on every issue. Here is why…I know you will understand, as you always were a good heart and had integrity. For that reason, I will give the max to your campaign. Good luck, my friend. See you later.”
I sat back, and tears welled up. You get hardliners, cold hearts, funny ones, and quick calls. And then you get one like this, which just puts the monkey right on your back. Be your best, trust in God, keep your heart warm, and hold onto your integrity…It counts, and with it, things work out.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
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