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...

... we heard from an amazing candidate for Conress, Eric Massa, who is running again in NY-29. I can see why our friends in Rochester are so fired up about him. He is a very... VERY... passionate, articulate, forthright, honest, no holds barred kind of man. He spoke briefly. We watched the documentary "Taking the Hill" which followed the campaings for 4 of the "Fighting Dems" that ran for Congress last year (including Massa of course). Then Massa spoke again and took questions after.

If you are looking for a candidate to support in '08... Massa is your guy. He took the most Republican district in the state, with no institutional support, ran a 51-49 race. Two subsequent polls interviewing people that had met or heard Eric Massa showed that they supported him 90% and 87%. An amazing approval rating. Massa says he's going to try his best to reach more people, has 30 house parties already scheduled for June this year (they had 392 house parties during the last campaign - he is aiming at 500 this time around). He intends to have more fun this time around. He clearly enjoys people and the opportunity to reach out and talk openly and honestly with folks.

If you get the chance... go hear him speak. If you haven't seen it, go see the movie "Taking the Hill." If you have a few bucks to spare, send him a contribution. Despite his 51-49 election the powers that be are trying to get a self-finding, multi-millionaire, former republican, to run against him. He needs our help, he wants our help.

He doesn't want theirs. He wants us. I think we want him too.

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Location: Albany, NY