NY-26: Support Jon Powers On Democracy For America

by: robert.harding

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 13:48:29 PM EDT

They also are, thanks to all of your votes and support, responsible for paying my way in Austin. Thanks to the DFA/Netroots Nation scholarship, I was able to attend Netroots Nation with my registration and hotel paid for. Next year, I hope to assist DFA in their efforts to get more scholarship winners to Pittsburgh.

There is one more person we need DFA to support and that is NY-26 Democratic candidate Jon Powers.

Powers fits the mold of what DFA is all about. DFA touts itself as a "grassroots powerhouse," which is the most appropriate label for the organization. Powers has received strong grassroots support throughout. It wasn't the large counties that got behind Powers at first, but rather the grassroots progressive Democrats in the smaller, rural counties that endorsed Powers and have supported him since last summer. Powers has a strong grassroots presence in this district. While other candidates have to pay "volunteers" and pay people to go out and get signatures, Powers' grassroots base when out and got those signatures for him. They also have been phone banking for several months and have been going door to door in the warm summer months and even in the cold, wintry Western New York weather in January.

More importantly, Powers has been out there with them. He hasn't sat back in his campaign office while his volunteers put in hours of work. He went out there and joined them. Whether it is putting on his pair of combat boots - the same ones that hit the sand in Iraq when Powers was on the ground there serving our country - or whether it was putting on a pair of snow boots, Powers has lived up to the grassroots message by going door to door himself and talking to voters, listening to their concerns.

One thing Powers told me was that he is and will continue to walk door to door five nights a week. As June O'Neill, our state party chair, once told us in Orleans County, you need to put holes in the soles of your shoes. That is one of the biggest traits a grassroots candidate can have. Powers has lived up to that.

In order to get endorsed by DFA, Jon needs our help. So far, his endorsement page has 33 supporters. Let's try to double that number today. Once you support Jon, tell your DFA friends and spread the word about Jon. Jon has earned plenty of support in Western New York. Let's help get DFA behind Jon and recognize Jon for his true commitment to running a grassroots campaign in the 26th congressional district.

ON THE WEB:

Voice your support for Jon on DFA

SD-51: DFA Endorses Don Barber

by: phillip anderson

Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 15:32:59 PM EDT

Democracy for America Boosts Barber's Senate Bid
Top Grass Roots Organization Energizes Don Barber's Campaign

State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) scored his third major endorsement in the last two weeks when Democracy for America threw its weight behind his candidacy. DFA specializes in raising funds for candidates and providing campaign workers skilled in door-to-door grassroots outreach. DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in California's 11th Congressional District.

Recently, Barber reeled in endorsements from the Working Families Party and Citizen Action, two other grassroots powerhouses.

"Don Barber has a long and impressive record as a public servant and businessman and Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA.  "Don Barber is just the type of innovative, progressive person we need in Albany." Barber welcomed DFA's support, noting just how important activists' energy was in shaping a winning team. "A good campaign has to have smart, devoted volunteers. Democracy for America's members are among the best. They're going to be a key force in our ground game."  Barber, who has been highlighting health care reform and protecting the local environment, said, "DFA has been a strong advocate for universal, quality, affordable health care.  In addition, DFA has been a leader in the battle to resolve the global climate crisis. We are really allies in this fight. I am honored to have their endorsement."

Tarah Rowse, Barber's campaign manager, said, "Since the first days of our campaign, we focused on building a grassroots army to carry Don's message. It's a great challenge to reach voters in our rural district, but with DFA on our side, we're confident we have the people power to reach into every corner of all seven counties."

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of Democracy for America was enthusiastic about Barber's bid for office.  "Don Barber has shown time and again, whether in his role as an elected official or as a small businessman, that he has the vision and foresight to tackle tough issues and work to advance progressive values. Don Barber will bring his years of experience to Albany for the benefit of his constituents and all New Yorkers."

Well done, Don.

On the web: Don Barber's ActBlue Page.

DFA Netroots Nation Scholarship Update

by: robert.harding

Fri Jun 06, 2008 at 11:22:05 AM EDT

I read in a few places yesterday that more scholarships will be given because of generous contributions by members of DFA who support this cause. That is very good, because there is a lot of people deserving of such a scholarship.

I would like to win this contest though. In order to win, I need you. Many of you (97 of you, to be exact) have backed me but I need help from those of you who have yet to vote.

All you need to do is register with DFA and then you can vote. Then go to my scholarship page and voice your support for me.

I would greatly appreciate it and thank the 97 of you who have backed me already.  

NOW-NY Jumps the Gender Shark

by: Andrew C. White

Mon Jan 28, 2008 at 19:39:46 PM EST

And I do mean offensive.

Capital Confidential reports the New York chapter of NOW has issued "a scathing reaction" (and adds that "scathing" is perhaps an inadequate adjective) to Teddy Kennedy's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.

Pay attention class... this is a lesson in how not to support your candidate... NOW-NY's statement below the fold:

Democracy Is NOT A Spectator Sport: DFA Training Academy in Rochester

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jan 15, 2008 at 11:47:31 AM EST

You have the power, now learn the skills! The Democracy for America Training Academy is coming to Rochester, NY for two days of exciting campaign training.

How many votes will it take to win in November? How do you find the perfect message and get it out to voters in your district? How will you raise enough money to pay for it all?

The DFA Training Academy will help you answer these questions and more.

At the DFA Training Academy, top campaign consultants with decades of experience give you the skills to run a winning campaign. Topics include: field planning, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and more.

Attendees will also get to hear directly from some of the most exciting 2008 candidates in their area and get a copy of the DFA Training Manual packed with over 180 pages campaign info.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and a social event will be organized Saturday evening so you can mingle and network with other activists in your area.

This will be a great event and I think they've picked the perfect location. I may even try to make it up there as well. It would be great to meet some TAPpers from WNY.

Can't make the Training Academy? Check here for all kinds of good stuff going on around New York.

I am running for Office - update

by: Andrew C. White

Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 21:50:43 PM EDT

I am running for the office of Town Supervisor in the town of Stephentown, Rensselaer County, NY.

It's all Howard Dean's fault.

Here we are three and a half years later and we are preparing to turn control of ostensibly solid republican Stephentown over to Democrats. Good things start with just those first few steps.

We have a blog web site for the Stephentown Democratic Committee (contributions gratefully accepted).

And I've just created a candidate page over at DFA-Link.

DFA Training Academy - Day 1

by: Andrew C. White

Sat Jun 23, 2007 at 09:33:07 AM EDT

Matt Blizek just finished his kickoff remarks and overview of the weekends training agenda. Folks are breaking for coffee and conversation.

It is a packed weekend with everything you need to know to run an effective campaign from local town or school board to a congressional campaign.

DFA Campaign Training Academy, Albany, June 23-24

by: Andrew C. White

Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 10:50:45 AM EDT

DFA Training in Albany, NY

Date: June 23-24 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 9:00am-6:00pm

Venue Name: SEIU 1199
Address: 155 Washington Ave
City: Albany
State: NY
Zip Code: 12210
Handicapped Accessible: Y

INVITE - Wed. May 30 - First "Anti-Capitulation" Event, w/ Democracy for NYC

by: deep blue si

Fri May 25, 2007 at 14:57:57 PM EDT

DFNYC has continually petitioned electeds to end the war, and spoken out for withholding funds. A totally volunteer, non-profit political action committee, DFNYC works for fiscally responsible, socially PROGRESSIVE candidates to WIN, at ALL levels of government.

Because of yesterday's terrible vote, Democracy for NYC is NOT caving. In point of fact, we are CHARGED.  Read on.

Day 2: DFNY State Conference

by: Andrew C. White

Sun May 06, 2007 at 10:26:13 AM EDT

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...

Vote For Eric Massa For DFA All-Star

by: phillip anderson

Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 13:14:35 PM EDT

Need some incentive? Go read Eric's great post from this morning over at Dalily Kos.

So what is his real plan for success? His plan is to drag this out long enough to pass it on to whomever wins the 2008 presidential elections.  Unless we force him to do otherwise he will keep pretending we are making progress and keep denying reality.  And delaying.  And accusing his political opponents  of cowardice. And delaying some more.

Go vote for Eric Massa.

YOU Should Run For Office

by: phillip anderson

Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 13:50:49 PM EDT

Event Title: Anyone Can Run
Event Type: Conference Call

Organized by: DFA Night School

Welcome to the DFA Night School 2007 Spring Semester!

DFA Night School is our interactive, online training program. In this session we will be joined by DFA endorsed and newly elected state representatives Elesha Gayman from Iowa, Ty Harrell from North Carolina and Maria Chappelle-Nadal from Missouri as well as Essex, VT Select Board Member Irene Wrenner to tell their stories about running for local office.

The workshop will start at 8:30pm Eastern Time and continue for approximately one hour. It will consist of a conference call with an accompanying downloadable slideshow which you can save to your computer in advance

You are not required to be online during the presentation, you simply need to dial into the conference call with a regular phone. The call-in number will be sent to you before the event, as long as you have RSVPed.

Event Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Event Time: 8:30 PM Eastern

This is so, so cool. You can do it. Hopefully, our talk with Eric Massa at 7:30 will inspire you. C'mon, you know you wanna.