A great day for New York

Written by: volney simmons on Mar 17, 2008 6:15 PM EDT

David Paterson's swearing-in today was marked by unbridled glee and goodwill on both sides of the aisle... to say nothing of the chants of "Da-vid, Da-vid," that interrupted his speech at various points.

Here is the heart of what he said:

"They call what we do public service for a reason: because it’s not politics. It’s not parties. It’s not power that counts at the end of the day. Those interests can vanish in a moment. It is the service that endures. It is service that is important. It is the service that is our mark. It is our measure. It is our record of performance.

"My colleagues, all of you in the Legislature, those who serve in the judiciary, State employees who work in our great agencies, isn’t that what called us to work in government in the first place?

"Then let us seize that poignant moment. Let us right here and now, let us grab the unusual opportunities that circumstance has handed us today, and put personal politics, party advantage and power struggles aside in favor of service, in the interests of the people.

"With the nation’s eyes upon him in 1964, Robert F. Kennedy once said, 'No matter how talented an individual may be, no matter how much energy he might possess, regardless of how much integrity and honesty he or she may have, if that person is alone, they can accomplish very little.'"

"And so what we are going to do from now on is what we always should have done. We’re going to work together."

Best wishes, David Paterson! New York is on the verge of a great new era.

Hillary Clinton and the puzzle of the scurrilous e-mail

Written by: volney simmons on Mar 2, 2008 10:57 PM EST

Several blog posters have commented on Hillary Clinton's vague answers relating to the character-assassination e-mail campaign against Barack Obama as reported tonight on 60 Minutes.

Just to refresh, here's what she said:

"You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?" Kroft asked Sen. Clinton.

"Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that," she replied.

"You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not...a Muslim. You don't believe that he's...," Kroft said.

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Obama asks supporters to make a few phone calls

Written by: volney simmons on Mar 1, 2008 7:27 PM EST

I just received this e-mail from the Obama campaign. They have set up an easy way to make some phone calls into the Tuesday primary states. If you happen to live in New York (as I do) and have found Hillary Clinton to be an indifferent Senator, or if you live anywhere and just really like Barack, here's an easy way to help him (if you aren't registered with his website, you will need to, to get a list of calls):

Friend --

I need you to make your voice heard today -- literally.

Over the past week, supporters have made more than 700,000 phone calls right from their own homes. They are reaching out to voters in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont before the March 4th primaries.

We've set a goal of 1 million calls to help Get Out The Vote for these critical contests -- will you help?

ll you need is a few minutes, a phone line, and a passion for change. Start making calls right now:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

Personal contact is the best way to grow this movement, and now you can make these connections right from your own home.

(more below the fold)

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DFA's Ted Nixon gets major newspaper endorsement

Written by: volney simmons on Oct 25, 2007 9:28 AM EDT

DFA-Lister Ted Nixon, running for an open county legislature seat in the Rochester, NY, area, has received the endorsement of the county's daily newspaper, the Democrat and Chronicle.

In part, the endorsement states:

Nixon, who also has the Working Families line, is the better candidate. He has experience as a successful businessman and as a public school teacher in the Churchville-Chili district — not the typical sort of career transition. That Nixon made it says a lot about his willingness to serve the community. Overall, Nixon, who ran for this seat in 2005 but lost to incumbent Smith, has a deeper familiarity with the issues and fresher ideas for the future.

Ted will be facing withering attacks in the final days of the campaign, because his victory along with two more will turn the majority of the legislature. For more about Ted and ways you can help, visit his website. Thanks for all that you do!

Jim Dean barnstorms upstate New York with Nixon, Massa

Written by: volney simmons on Oct 15, 2007 11:45 AM EDT

Eric Massa, Ted Nixon, and their grassroots supporters meet with Jim Dean in upstate New York. Click here to help Ted. And here to help Eric.

"Ask a busy person," they say, and busy Jim Dean showed how it's done with a whirlwind campaign tour through upstate New York Oct. 10-11 on behalf of two DFA candidates.

First up, Ted Nixon. Ted is a DFA-List candidate for an open county legislature seat in Monroe County/Greater Rochester. With the GOP controlling both the county executive position and the legislature majority, it's been impossible for Democrats to pass any legislation -- most just dies in committee... if GOP strong-arm tactics allow it to get even that far.

Jim appeared on Ted's behalf at a house party in Ted's hometown of Pittsford, NY, in the heart of the 10th legislative district. Mike and Janet Reynolds' house was crowded to the rafters with local supporters eager to meet Jim and lend a helping hand to Ted, running hard for one of the three seats needed to turn the legislature.

Next up, Eric Massa. Eric whisked Jim off to the Southern Tier of New York State for several campaign stops benefiting Eric's 2008 Congressional campaign.

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Virtual fundraiser for DFA-List's Ted Nixon

Written by: volney simmons on Aug 26, 2007 6:51 PM EDT

Ted Nixon, a founding member of DFA Rochester (NY) and a 2005 DFA-List candidate for county legislature, is making a second run for that seat. Two years ago he narrowly lost to the incumbent legislature chair, but this year due to term limits he faces a political neophyte for an open seat.

Ted had a backyard fundraiser at his home today, but his DFA friends can participate virtually by hitting the "Contribute" button on his website. Ted appreciates the support of DFA -- Jim Dean came out to launch the campaign this spring -- and thanks you in advance for all that you do!

Did you get indigestion during your local news?

Written by: volney simmons on Aug 22, 2007 6:40 PM EDT

I wonder if a lot of DFA-ers got the same shock I did tonight -- placidly watching my local news when BAM! the most offensive advertisement I have ever seen appears. Watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNTWYnPi8yc

Put on by a new organization called "Freedom's Watch", the ad shows a maimed veteran and uses his voice to convey standard pro-war messages along the lines of, "Don't let my sacrifice be in vain."

But then the truly terrible and shocking part. Footage of the Twin Towers wreathed in black smoke with the audio saying, "They attacked us..."

Yep, broad daylight and official peddling of the BIG LIE. Right during dinner time.

Who's behind this steaming load of elephant dung ($15 million of it, coming your way from now until the Petraeus report comes out)? According to MSNBC, the contributors include:

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DFA-Lister's website goes live

Written by: volney simmons on Jun 3, 2007 10:31 PM EDT

Ted Nixon, a 2005 DFA-List candidate for the Monroe County (NY) Legislature, is running again in 2007 and using the early weeks of the campaign to develop infrastructure and define issues.

Ted's campaign committee (of which I am a member) has been meeting regularly with our county Democratic Committee, signing up volunteers, and preparing for petitioning. With some technical help we've also gotten our website up and running. Click the image to visit Ted's site:

The new video of Ted featured on the website highlights one of our key issues: our legislature as it currently functions is mono-partisan. The GOP majority approves no legislation sponsored by Democrats, no matter how worthy, and has recently dealt harshly with two of its own party members who voted in favor of a Democratic proposal to make the county budget public before Election Day, taking away their committee assignments and some pay.

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DFA-List Candidate Announces County Legislature Bid

Written by: volney simmons on Apr 16, 2007 11:11 AM EDT

Here in Rochester, NY, it's a county elections year, and our very own Ted Nixon, a DFA-List legislature candidate in 2005, April 12 declared his candidacy with some help from Jim Dean and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.

DFA-Lister Ted Nixon declares his candidacy

Ted, currently a middle school teacher and formerly a "turnaround guru" for radio stations, received 45% of the vote the last time he ran. At the time, his opponent was the legislature's powerful incumbent majority leader. This year, due to term limits, Ted will face a first-time challenger for an open seat that represents the suburban communities of East Rochester and Pittsford.

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