Monday, August 24, 2009

Reality TV comes to Charlotte city elections

In the Amazing Race for an at-large city council seat, Tariq Scott Bokhari hopes to be a Survivor, not the Biggest Loser, so he's doing something no other candidate has done in The Real World -- turn to reality TV.

Bohkari, a 29-year-old Republican, has launched the first episode of a three-part reality series called "Campaign, the road to city council." Friend and producer Brian Dickerson calls it "a real and raw look inside Tariq’s approach to our city needs."

Filmed in real time, the first episode lasts just over seven minutes. It's part biography, part documentary, part campaign platform. One scene shows apparently random people at The Square holding handmade signs with a word or two that taken together, spell out part of Bohkari's message.

Bokhari, who helped organize a health care forum this month that drew more than 100 people, says its hard to candidates to distinguish themselves at forums and in the media. So he's trying other ways. His released his first Webisode Friday through Facebook, Twitter and email.

"We're just trying to do anything we can to increase the visibility into our campaign and what we stand for and what we're doing," Bokhari said this morning. "We try to keep our thinking outside the box to use a little cliche."

32 comments:

kiki said...

Be sure to watch all three parts...the third is the best!

Katie-O in Charlotte said...

Tariq Scott Bokhari is just the kind of leader Charlotte needs. Well done, Mr. Bokhari!

Anonymous said...

Pretty interesting idea. We will see how the rest turn out.

definitely new and different.

Anonymous said...

I like to hear that he talks about being a leader, not a politician. Finally, someone gets it!

Scott Babbidge said...

A campaign filing event bike ride through the city, campaign kick-off event highlighted by an innovative job fair, and now using another innovative medium to continue spreading his solutions first message and mentality across Charlotte!
As Founder of Take Back The Republican Party it is refreshing to see Tariq Scott Bokhari running for City Council. His common sense approach is infused with innovation and solutions. He is the kind of reform minded candidate Charlotte needs to elect to City Council!

John said...

Finally something new and different.

Anonymous said...

Good idea. This candidate seems to have some momentum and ideas. I like the action over talk approach

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Refreshing. Very good video and very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Finally someone who can think outside the box, well done!

mreger said...

very innovative and informative - enjoyed viewing the clips!

Anonymous said...

great campaign video! Tariq will definetely the change Charlotte needs!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea! It is extremely refreshing to see a candidate as a real person, with real ideas, on how to improve on our society. The greatest thing is that Tariq is already putting his ideas into action....it isn't just talk, like most other politicans!

Anonymous said...

I'm not buying it. He need to get the milk off his lips first.

Anonymous said...

yada yada yada ... yawnnnnnnnn...

Anonymous said...

Interesting.. It's different approach that lets people know he has a message and that it's not the same political blah...blah...blah.

Arden Elizabeth said...

Cool idea. I like to see what the candidate is actually doing and that he's taking the time to educate us about himself. Looks like he's ready to work.

Anonymous said...

I LIKE THE VIDEO AND THE ENTHUSIASM. I WOULD ONLY TELL YOU TO DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM ANDY DULIN (I SAW HIM IN YOUR VIDEO AND YOU MADE REFERENCE TO HIM). MR DULIN IS INEFFECTIVE AND FAILS TO RESPOND TO THOSE THAT ELECTED HIM. WHEN YOU CHALLENGE MR DULIN HE TAKES IT PERSONALLY.

Anonymous said...

Are the family roots in Pakistan?

Anonymous said...

sounds cool, I will have to check it out

KCW said...

Agree with earlier anonymous comment > Leader, not politician! Mr. Bokhari has already shown that he can create public interest. "Democracy is not a spectator sport", Mr. Bokhari is challenging us to participate!

Anonymous said...

I met Tariq some months ago and was immediately drawn to his message of "actions above words." Now, to see all of this come together is amazing! A CHARITY BIKE RIDE, A JOB FAIR, and thinking outside the box to introduce his message to a wide range of voters...WOW...its a breath of fresh air in an otherwise "polluted" political environment these days! He's got my vote!

Anonymous said...

Great job setting up "canned" post comments Bokhari Campaign. How
refresing !

Sandi said...

Tariq Bokhari is a forward thinking leader. I have seen him in action and he's a far cry from a politician. He's concerned about We The People, not power, greed or his own ambition.
He is breath of fresh air, which is exactly what we need now. I think the "Reality TV" idea is very creative. It lets us get to know who he is and how he thinks.

A Scarlet Stethoscope said...

I've seen all three episodes, and have been at some of these campaign functions. This is a very real picture of all of the work and passion that Tariq has put into the campaign - this man has a heart for Charlotte. I am a Charlotte native, and am relieved that there is finally someone who truly believes in this city - who does not avoid the tough issues.

Anonymous said...

He's such a great campaigner that no one will give him any contributions ! He had to loan himself $7500 to buy his yard signs according to his finance report. Looks like a borrow and spend "liberal" to me. Belk and Peacock are solid, no-nosense Republicans.

Anonymous said...

I don’t even know Tariq, but I may just vote for him now that I have seen his video and this asinine comment above...

Anonymous said...

Is this the same Tariq Bokhari person that lost 80% to 20% to Patsy Kinsey a few years ago???

Anonymous said...

This guy is a pompass, arrogant, self absorbed hack. Then again, Charlotte is full of them!

GO TARIQ.

Anonymous said...

As a young person in the city of Charlotte I am excited to see that there is a candidate running who is in touch with what young adults in this city want and need. While I identify as a democrat, Tariq's message is nonpartisan...the everyday person taking action over words. You have my vote!

Anonymous said...

I have known Tariq since grade school and he has always been a person who stood up for what he believes in. I do not currently live in Charlotte but if I did, he would definately get my vote.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how busy the Tariq Bokhari Campaign has been filling up the comment section on the Campaign Tracker with their canned comments. Pod People ?