Test New DFA-Link

Written by: Andrew C. White on May 6, 2008 2:11 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Capital District of NY/GenDFA

This is a test.

This is only a test.

If this were a real blog post you would be instructed to pontificate at great length and with much vociferosity.

Thank you for your assistance.

This has been a successful test of the emergency blog-cast system.

It's all Howard Dean's Fault!

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 30, 2007 1:42 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

And that brother of his Jim too! Trouble makers! That's what these people are. What an example they set for us.

Here I am working hard and trying to keep a low profile and Jim goes and puts our campaign on the DFA-List!

 I am very grateful.

To Jim and Arshad (and Tom). Charles and Julia and all the rest of our friends at DFA HQ in Burlington. Thank you.

We have a great slate on candidates here in Stephentown, NY.

http://www.stdems.blogspot.com 

Our campaign is a microcosm of what Democracy for America is all about. It is a town that had been abandoned to the Republican Party in the mid-90's. It is a town that wanted a choice in their elections and was just waiting for someone to lead the way.

Gov. Dean urged us to look around and see where the opportunities were to get involved. Here in Stephentown it was obvious. We formed a Democratic Committee in 2004. Ran local candidates (and won) in 2005. Delivered the town for a new Democratic Congresswoman in 2006.

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Day 2: DFNY State Conference

Written by: Andrew C. White on May 6, 2007 10:42 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for New York

Good Morning from Albany!

We've reconvened for Day 2. Amy Little, campaign manager for John Hall's recent successful campaign for congress in NY-19 is speaking.

"If you are not progressive... don't run. Right now, it is the progressives that are going to win," she just said (to applause as I'm sure you can imagine).

Amy will be followed by some folks from Take19 who will talk about their approach to blogging and the role they played in setting the stage for Hall's victory.

Last night...

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3rd Annual Democracy for New York State Conference

Written by: Andrew C. White on May 5, 2007 10:16 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for New York

Good Morning from Albany!

 John McBride is giving his opening remarks for the 3rd Annual Democracy for New York State Conference. Jim Dean is here. Tom Hughes is here. Appaluse has just broken out as John said we are going to work on turning the State Senate over to Democratic control next year. This in turn lead to an introduction of Brian Keeler, NYBri from DailyKos and The Albany Project, and former (and future) candidate for State Senate.

Eric Massa will be here tonight. Jessica Wisneski is here to talk ab out Campaign Finance Reform. Bo Lipari will be here to talk about  where the  battle for paper ballots, optical scan voting systems here in New York is right now.

 We've a full day planned. An evening of dinner, Eric Massa, and a movie, "Taking The Hill," a documentary about Massa's campaign in '06.

 More tomorrow. I'll try to update folks as we move along today.

Peace,

Andrew

Change! President Clinton at Airport!

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 25, 2006 3:24 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Member,

Sorry for yet one more Change but....

Security requirements have dictated that the rally with President Clinton will be back at the Albany County Airport afterall and not at NYSUT.

Please try and park at the park and ride. Transportation to the hanger will be provided.

Please be aware that for security no backpacks (or similar bags, etc) will be allowed.

Doors open at 8:00 AM. The Rally will start at 8:45 AM.

Apologies for all the confusion. Thank you for your patience. Hope to see everyone there! Please wear red, white, and/or blue if you can.

Peace,

Andrew

Bought and Sold--Electronic Voting in New York

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 23, 2006 1:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for New York

Member,

Robert Millman of Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region filmed the documentary "Bought and Sold" featuring Bo Lipari of New Yorkers for Verified Voting over the course of this year. The film documents the effort here in New York for a paper ballot/precinct-based optical scan voting system.

The film is outstanding and a very effective tool in the on-going effort. We have been purchasing copies and sending them to county legislators, board of elections commissioners, and county executives across the state. The effect has been dramatic. We strongly encourage everyone to show the film in your area and to encourage your local members to buy copies and send them to your local county officials.

A new ten minute version of the DVD "Bought and Sold-- Electronic Voting in New York" is now posted on YouTube.

10 minute version of "Bought and Sold" on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sXeCE-m...

The EBay link for purchase of the full version of "Bought and Sold":

stores.ebay.com/Bought-and-Sold-...

Peace,

Andrew C. White & Robert Millman
Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

RE: Campaign appearances and events this week

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 23, 2006 11:59 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Hi Member,

Quick update... several people have asked... the events below are all open to the public. You are all strongly encouraged and welcome to come out and meet the candidates. The event with Rahm Emanuel Thursday is a fund raiser ($100 a plate I think) but the others are free and all are Welcome!

As we enter the last 2 weeks of the campaign there are a number events and
appearances scheduled for this week.

Today, Monday, Oct. 23:
Senator Hillary Clinton, Rep. Michael McNulty and Kirsten Gillibrand
Campaign Stop
When: Monday October 23rd, 2006 - 3:45 pm
Where: Lake View on Crystal Lake Restaurant, Upper Level, 4 Old Route 66,
Averill Park, NY
What: Senator Clinton will join Representative Michael McNulty; Rensselaer
County Democratic Chair Tom Wade; and Sand Lake Democratic Chair Archie
Robinson in support of Democratic Congressional Candidate (NY-20) Kirsten
Gillibrand's campaign.

Tuesday, Oct. 24:
Kirsten Gillibrand and Eliot Spitzer
When: Tuesday, October 24 - 1:00 PM
Where: Country View Diner, 855 Hoosick Rd (Rt 7), Brunswick, NY
(Landmarks: On the left side of the road coming from Troy. Will pass a
WalMart on the right, BMW motorcycle dealer on the left is right before the
diner.)
What: Meet and Greet and Remarks with Gubernatorial Candidate Eliot Spitzer
and Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand

Thursday, Oct. 26
Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Rahm Emanual
When: Thursday, October 26 - 12:00 Noon
Where: The State Room, 142 State Street, Albany, NY
What: VIP Reception and Luncheon with Congressman Rahm Emanual, Chair of the
DCCC to benefit Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand

Also, rumored to be on the plate for this week but not finalized yet is an
appearance by President Bill Clinton campaigning with Kirsten Gillibrand
sometime and somewhere on Thursday, Oct. 26. I'll forward details as soon as
they are known.

Peace,

Andrew

Campaign appearances and events this week

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 23, 2006 11:06 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Hi Folks,

As we enter the last 2 weeks of the campaign there are a number events and
appearances scheduled for this week.

Today, Monday, Oct. 23:
Senator Hillary Clinton, Rep. Michael McNulty and Kirsten Gillibrand
Campaign Stop
When: Monday October 23rd, 2006 - 3:45 pm
Where: Lake View on Crystal Lake Restaurant, Upper Level, 4 Old Route 66,
Averill Park, NY
What: Senator Clinton will join Representative Michael McNulty; Rensselaer
County Democratic Chair Tom Wade; and Sand Lake Democratic Chair Archie
Robinson in support of Democratic Congressional Candidate (NY-20) Kirsten
Gillibrand's campaign.

Tuesday, Oct. 24:
Kirsten Gillibrand and Eliot Spitzer
When: Tuesday, October 24 - 1:00 PM
Where: Country View Diner, 855 Hoosick Rd (Rt 7), Brunswick, NY
(Landmarks: On the left side of the road coming from Troy. Will pass a
WalMart on the right, BMW motorcycle dealer on the left is right before the
diner.)
What: Meet and Greet and Remarks with Gubernatorial Candidate Eliot Spitzer
and Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand

Thursday, Oct. 26
Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Rahm Emanual
When: Thursday, October 26 - 12:00 Noon
Where: The State Room, 142 State Street, Albany, NY
What: VIP Reception and Luncheon with Congressman Rahm Emanual, Chair of the
DCCC to benefit Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand

Also, rumored to be on the plate for this week but not finalized yet is an
appearance by President Bill Clinton campaigning with Kirsten Gillibrand
sometime and somewhere on Thursday, Oct. 26. I'll forward details as soon as
they are known.

Peace,

Andrew

CQ moves NY-20 to No Clear Favorite!

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 12, 2006 10:37 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Dear Member,

All our hard work is paying off. Congressional Quarterly this evening moved NY-20 from Lean Republican to No Clear Favorite! In other words, it is a toss-up!

But we can take nothing for granted. If we are going to win this campaign then we need to make sure we get all our voters to the polls on Nov 7! 26 days left to make sure it happens! Join us Saturday in Grafton, Stephentown, and Rhinebeck!

www.cqpolitics.com/2006/10/ny_ro...

The roundup below updates CQPolitics.com's analysis of four of the competitive contests, changing its ratings on two of the races. The race in the 20th District, represented by Republican John E. Sweeney, has been moved to No Clear Favorite from Leans Republican, and the race in the 29th District, held by Republican John R. "Randy" Kuhl, to Leans Republican from Republican Favored.

20th District. Both sides have begun slinging mud in the tightening race between four-term Republican Rep. John E. Sweeney and Democratic challenger Kirsten Gillibrand, which CQPolitics.com has re-rated to No Clear Favorite.

Gillibrand, an attorney and first-time candidate for public office, on Tuesday sent an open letter to Sweeney requesting he release information regarding police incidents earlier in his career, including an arrest for driving while intoxicated.
"In addition to releasing any and all records relating to these known events, I would also urge you to release any and all records relating to other run-ins with the law you may be hiding from voters," she wrote.

It was another step in Gillibrand's efforts to tie Sweeney to the "culture of corruption" tag with which Democrats have been trying to bedevil Republicans throughout the 2006 campaign. In fact, Gillibrand was an early entry, issuing accusations as early as last January that Sweeney was joining lobbyists on ski trips while ignoring the district's problems.

The theme was picked up by the liberal political action group MoveOn.org, which included Sweeney in its "Caught Red-handed" publicity campaign in which the organization alleged that several Republican members are less than ethical.
Sweeney responded in kind with an ad entitled "Caught Red-faced," which, based on increases in Gillibrand's stock portfolio, branded her a "war profiteer helped by Washington groups bashing America."

The contest is front and center for the national Democratic Party, which sees the upstate 20th as an only mildly Republican-leaning district - President Bush took a modest 53 percent there in 2004 - that is ripe for a partisan takeover. This is in sharp contrast to the Democrats' approach in Sweeney's three previous re-election campaigns, in which the incumbent cruised to easy wins over little-known and poorly funded challengers.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee lists the race in its "Red to Blue" program - its roster of highly competitive races that the party hopes to switch from Republican red to Democratic blue on electoral maps - and has spent $110,000 on the race in recent weeks. This spending has been bolstered by another $23,000 in independent spending by MoveOn.org, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.org, an affiliate of Congressional Quarterly.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has spent $26,000 in independent expenditures on the race


Phone banking at Tuesdays and Thursday at SEIU; every evening at the Troy Democratic HQ, and through on-line tools available through Moveon and WFP are also available.

Please volunteer every spare hour you can between now and Nov. 7!

Peace,

Andrew

Attend Canvass in Grafton and Stephentown on October 14!

Written by: Andrew C. White on Oct 12, 2006 6:25 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Dear Member,

DFHMR and The Gillibrand campaign will be canvassing in Grafton and Stephentown this weekend. You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=145...

Grafton
Saturday, Oct 14, 12:00 Noon
Lena's Kitchen
98717, Rt 2
(near Grafton State Park)
Contact: Zach Hollander
273-1424 (Rensselaer Democratic HQ)
928.3627 (mobile)
zachh@nysdems.org

Stephentown
Saturday, Oct 14, 12:00 Noon
Cumberland Farms
Intersection of Rt. 22 & Rt 43
Contact: Andrew White
Home: 733-6187
Cell: 281-9681
acwhite@taconic.net

There are 26 days left to election day. Can you knock on 26 doors and thereby change America?

You can RSVP at:
www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=145...

Peace,

Andrew