Let’s say I am a loser.

Let’s say you are my friend, and I come to you with a foolish idea. I tell you I really, really want to be on the cover of GQ Magazine next month as the Sexiest Man in America.

What would you do? What would you say to me (remember what I said above, we are friends!).

You might say, “Gee, you are a great guy. You let me beat you in golf. We have a Diet Moxie together now and then. That said, I am not sure you are qualified for the cover of GQ. You suffer from Male Pattern Baldness. You ran a marathon, but not recently, if you know what I mean! It is OK to buy clothes at Goodwill, but not if we can tell!”

I would get the message.

There is a “checklist” of things a person needs to be on the cover of GC. I have only two (I am male, and I am breathing).

This is how I feel about certain people in politics.

U.S. Sen. Angus King got into trouble recently. He endorsed Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for re-election. King is officially “unenrolled” in any political party, but many consider him a Democrat. They said, “Angus, how COULD you endorse a Republican? At best, if you can’t favor the Democrat in the election, stay out of the race!”

The name of the Democrat he passed over is not important. The point is – like me seeking GQ cover status despite not having the “goods” to be there, this candidate does not have the “checklist” items for U.S. Senate.

Some background: When I was in college, I served as a “student guide” for trips up Katahdin. There was always an experienced guide to lead the mile-high trek to the top. The school required a student assistant for every 10 hikers.

There was a list of 25 items needed for the climb we handed out: Warm clothes. Change of clothes. Flashlight. Compass. Matches. Extra socks. Mosquito spray, etc.

I hate to pick on Massachusetts, but we would routinely get kids from Massachusetts who would show up, I am not kidding, in flip flops, T-shirt, and shorts. No water. No food. No flashlight. No nothing.

A buddy might then offer them an extra water bottle they had. Somebody else would say, here is a second flashlight I brought. Etc.

But at some point, the leader would say, “Pal, needing a couple items you forgot is one thing. Not having 23 of the 25 things on the list? You will not be joining us on this climb.”

I feel this way about candidates who decide their first foray into politics will be a run for U.S. Senate.

They have no political elected experience. No substantial life experience. No ability to raise large amounts of campaign money. No contacts in each of Maine’s l6 counties to get out the vote. Etc. Nice people, to be sure, but ready for this high political office?

My friend was right about me and GQ.

Angus King was right about this candidate.

Get the items on the checklist. Then come see me. We will climb up high.

Dan Warren is a lawyer in Scarborough. He can be reached by private Facebook message at Jones & Warren Attorneys at Law page.