https://go.peteforamerica.com/rules-of-the-road/

RULES OF THE ROAD

RESPECT
In our thoughts, words, and actions we cultivate a sense of respect. ​We respect one another on this team, we respect the office of the Presidency, and we respect every individual we encounter on the campaign trail, including our competitors. ​The better we hold up this value among ourselves, the better it will reflect outside. It will represent a quiet antidote to the idea that this project is too audacious to be taken seriously.
 
BELONGING
We seek to serve and unify a diverse nation. Let us build a campaign team and a coalition of supporters that kindly embraces and reflects the increasingly diverse party and country to which we belong. We will honor this value not just in our makeup but in our practices, as we proactively work to include people of different backgrounds and viewpoints in every major decision, and cultivate a sense of welcome to all.
 
TRUTH
Honesty is in our nature, and it is one of our greatest means of restoring faith in our democracy among everyday Americans and building a national movement rooted in trust and faith in our country and our beliefs. Internally and externally, our effort will be characterized by fidelity to the truth.
 
TEAMWORK
We are all working in service of our country and to elect a President who will represent our values and make American lives better. In moments of disagreement, the temptations of pride and ego will arise. Rooted in our mission, let our common purpose be a touchstone as we foster a climate of trust and mutual respect.
 
BOLDNESS

We will not hesitate to take bold stances and to accept risk in the defense of our values. Our respect is reserved for people, not for conventions. We accept no truisms without questioning. The spirit of originality will create the pressure and permission for us to do things not done before, to stand out from the crowd not by waving our arms for attention but by the fact of being different.
 
RESPONSIBILITY

The conduct of a campaign can be as influential as its outcome. Everyone on this team has a responsibility to live up to our values, and every participant, from a first-time volunteer to the candidate and top staff, must model this. When there is a mistake, we take ownership, learn, adjust, and move on. Missteps are inevitable, but they should never be repeated. We own our choices and our work.
 
SUBSTANCE
There is no point mounting an unorthodox, underdog campaign unless it is one of substance. We have the opportunity to bring meaningful ideas forward for debate. We will take questions seriously and answer them directly. We will lay aside the superficial in favor of the meaningful. We embrace complicated challenges, and will work to improve the overall dialogue in how campaigns talk about policy.
 
DISCIPLINE
A project like ours will require enormous discipline. Through energy and determination, we will handle our resources with the stewardship they deserve, mindful that this campaign is fueled by the gift of other people’s time, money, relationships, and reputations.
 
EXCELLENCE
A functioning presidential campaign is such a marvel that we may at times be amazed simply by the fact of what we are doing. But the standard we should hold ourselves to in every part of our work is not whether it is at the level of a presidential campaign, but whether it is at the level we would expect of the best presidential campaign of this time.
 
JOY

Amid the great challenge we have accepted, let us be joyful. We are privileged to be in the very center of the most important conversation in the world. We are assembling a team of wonderful human beings. Along the way we will all get many opportunities to lift one another up and lift up those we encounter. The American presidential election is the world’s greatest civic and democratic ritual. It will shape us but we can shape it too. Let us shape it, partly, by spreading the joy of working for our beliefs.




May 30 list building email from Mike Schmuhl
Subject: Pete’s “Rules of the Road” that shape our campaign

Hi there,

I’ve helped manage Pete’s political operation since his first mayoral campaign. I’m still here, almost ten years later, for two reasons: 

First, and most importantly, I believe in Pete and feel strongly that our country needs his leadership and compassion.

Second, Pete leads with a set of values that creates a very joyful and disciplined community for the campaign staff, volunteers, and supporters. 

Pete
 always drafts up some guiding principles to which he holds himself and his staff. He did the same this year. 

Take a read, and if you’re a proud supporter of Pete for America, and if you’re ready to commit to Pete’s “Rules of the Road,” please add your name.

Pete
 identified ten values that he wants to shape our work this campaign: respect, belonging, truth, teamwork, boldness, responsibility, substance, discipline, excellence, and joy. My favorite is truth: 
"Honesty is in our nature, and it is one of our greatest means of restoring faith in our democracy among everyday Americans and building a national movement rooted in trust and faith in our country and our beliefs. Internally and externally, our effort will be characterized by fidelity to the truth."

The staff in South Bend and all across the country have signed onto these “Rules of the Road.” Will you commit to these values, too? Add your name: 
https://go.peteforamerica.com/rules-of-the-road/

I’m proud of Pete, of our staff, and of the community we’re building. Thanks so much for being a part of it. 

Mike


Ed. Note:  The Rules of the Road are reminiscent to Hillary for America's eight guiding principles.

Annie Karni.  "Clinton campaign memo: No drama this time."  Politico, April 11, 2015.

Philip Rucker.  "Clinton campaign issues mission statement: We Are Hillary For America."  The Washington Post, April 11, 2015.

Maggie Haberman.  "With 'Hillary for America' Memo, a Campaign Sets Its Mission."  The New York Times, April 11, 2015.

Dan Merica.  "Hillary Clinton's campaign-in-waiting outlines guiding principles."  CNN, April 12, 2015.