Bill Burges. (Movers & Shakers).(Brief Article) - Campaigns & Elections

Bill Burges, president of Barges & Barges Strategists, a Democratic general consulting firm based in Cleveland, OH.

Career Background

'I've spent the last 20 years building a terrific team at a regional community, political, and educational consulting company 'they said could never happen.' Before that: teacher, researcher, author, planner, college dean and vice president.'

Personal

'Bachelor's, Colby College; Masters and Doctorate, Boston University. Great wife, brilliant grown son and two terrific dogs. Politics: Lifelong Democrat and a 'liberal-leaning toward libertarian.''

Claim to Fame

'Navigating Ohio's vicious undertow for schools, higher education, and other community institutions for 25 years.'

Best Day

'The day I married my future business partner and media director (in 1983 before there was a business).'

Worst Day

'9/11. I'm a native New Yorker and I think New Yorkers knew then that implications for America were incalculable.'

Ten Years From Now

'I'd like to be working with my colleagues to write the book on the politics of local public and educational administration. I hope to see a much better educated America, as the digital divide narrows. And ideally, I look forward to spending more time in the mountains, on the golf course and at the racetrack.'

Immediate Goals

'Keep winning for our clients. And stay healthy for our family and company.'

Political Heroes

Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Ohio Justice Alice Robie Resnick

Secrets of Success

'Work on what you believe in because as Yoda said, 'Do or do not. There is no try.' Never get too high or too low, the situation is already changing. When your common sense fails, you're probably over thinking the problem.'

Biggest Gripe

'Those 'dumb smart' people who consistently overcomplicate situations.'

Predictions

'Single-payer national health care happens in the next 10 years, but....Most politics (and policy) becomes more local. War Emblem wins Breeder's Cup Classic in '02. Cheney dumps Bush in '04.'

Favorite Books

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand; The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley; The Power Broker by Robert Caro.

Favorite Movies

'Star Wars (A New Beginning),' 'The Hustler,' 'Remember the Titans.'

Best Moment in a Campaign

'Winning the impossible Cleveland Municipal School District levy in 1983 that launched our company.'

Worst Moment in a Campaign

'Just last year, an electronic phone bank we hired to make tens of thousands of GOTV calls in the Eastern Standard Time zone mistakenly made them on Pacific Standard Time -- meaning people received GOTV calls at midnight and later. We won anyway, thank goodness, but the little things can kill you.'

If I Were President for a Day

'Put national health care back on the table. Expand investment in community colleges. Make election day a national holiday.'