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This belongs to you. Take it back...
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Jon Powers 
Tue Mar 03, 2009 at 12:51:39 PM EST
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(I would like to welcome Jon Powers back to the TAP community. Jon wrote this post on national security, a critical issue that has been overshadowed by our plummeting economy. You can also read this post at The Moderate Voice and Huffington Post.)
By Jon Powers
When President Obama announced his decision to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, he did so with an interesting caveat. He explicitly stated that we cannot solve the problems of Afghanistan by military means alone. He's right, and he deserves credit for saying so. However, it is crucial that we apply that lesson not only to a single issue, but to a broader national security strategy. We live in a world where security has come to mean more than soldiers and submarines, but also development and diplomacy, as well as hearts and minds. Our broader security strategy needs to take that into account.
A recent story from Afghanistan drives home this point with great clarity. A few months ago, several young Afghan girls were attacked with acid by extremists for the "crime" of attending school. One of those girls, Shamsia, will remain physically scarred and partially blind for the rest of her life. Yet these girls made a heroic return to school in January, showing true bravery and rebuffing the extremists' tactics of fear. It is this courage and the courage of millions of other every day citizens around the globe that we must tap to battle extremists. If we are to live in a safer world, we must develop a national security strategy that aims to mobilize men and women in all nations to embrace Shamsia's example.
No one understands this better than Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. In a recent article in Foreign Affairs, he outlines the need for "reprogramming the Pentagon for a new age" and creating a new and balanced strategy because "the United States cannot kill or capture its way to victory." He fully understands that the military must develop more than conventional firepower to win this long war. As a veteran of the Iraq war, I believe Secretary Gates is definitely on the right track.
I saw first hand how the military became overextended in Iraq. My soldiers and I worked regularly with Iraqis to help them improve their economy and refurbish their schools. But as rewarding as that work was, it was not what we were trained to do. We were trained to fire artillery rounds and conduct checkpoint operations, not to design development projects. These are missions traditionally done by the State Department, but the Bush Administration failed to strike the right balance between the job of a soldier and the job of a civilian.
(The rest of the post below the fold.)
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Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 00:35:54 AM EST
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The ruling that will keep Alice Kryzan off the Working Families Party line was a difficult one to swallow, but we will move on. Alice Kryzan did issue a statement about yesterday's decision:
"Voting is our most sacred right. Chris Lee and his political cronies have plunged a knife into the heart of our democracy by engaging in voter suppression and denying Western New Yorkers their right to vote for the candidate of their choosing.
Having spent months dodging debates, refusing to take a position on the issues important to Western New Yorkers and hiding behind a million dollar smear campaign, Chris Lee has stooped to a new low. Lee is running a negative and empty campaign, and is now using his family's fortune to undermine the Democratic process.
Elections should be decided by voters. Chris Lee should be ashamed of himself."
The ruling yesterday keeps Jon Powers on the Working Families Party line. He wasted no time in sending an e-mail to his supporters asking them to vote for Alice instead of casting what would be a rather meaningless and pointless vote for him.
As many of you know, I am down in Virginia working with other veterans to get Barack Obama elected President of the United States. I just learned that because of a recent court ruling, my name will appear on the ballot under the Working Families Party even though I am no longer campaigning.
The choice between the two candidates campaigning for the 26th Congressional District is clear for Western New Yorkers. That is why I endorsed Alice Kryzan and am asking you to vote for her on November 4th. Alice understands the issues facing Western New York and will be a strong voice for the community in Washington.
The choice is clear. Republican Chris Lee will be another Tom Reynolds. We don't need another Tom Reynolds. We need new, fresh representation. We need Alice Kryzan.
ON THE WEB:
Alice Kryzan's ActBlue Page
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Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 16:11:14 PM EST
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The saga over Alice Kryzan's placement on the Working Families Party line is over: She will not appear on the ballot tomorrow.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City ruled this afternoon that Jon Powers cannot be removed from the ballot on the Working Families Party line for the 26th Congressional District, meaning that Alice Kryzan has lost her bid for a second party line.
The judges issued a one-paragraph ruling following oral arguments this morning on the New York State Republican Committee's bid to prevent the change.
It was announced on Friday that Kryzan would get the Working Families Party line. However, Judge Richard Arcana of the U.S. District Court in Buffalo issued a temporary restraining order preventing that decision from being executed. Today's decision will bring an end to this. The case could be taken up with the U.S. Supreme Court, but considering the timing of today's decision, that appears to be unlikely.
Tomorrow when you go into the polls, vote for Alice Kryzan on the Democratic line. That is the only place where you will see her name. Vote for her. Alice is an intelligent woman and a progressive and we need those traits in Washington representing us. She will listen and she will be a true representative of the people. If you want Tom Reynolds Jr., vote for Chris Lee. If you want a change from the failed policies of the past and a representative who will do more than just show up for photo ops, vote for Alice Kryzan.
ON THE WEB:
Alice Kryzan's ActBlue Page
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Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 23:38:33 PM EDT
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Let me be the first to say this, I am still a very big fan of Jon Powers. Since I met him last year I knew that I wanted to do something to help his campaign, I signed on as an intern and in the process found out a lot about not only the political world that I thought I knew (of which I thought that I knew everything), but what I didn't know as well. Powers for Congress was not only my way of getting my feet wet in politics, but also my way of finding out about what I needed to do to succeed, I learned this from Jon's team, but also from my work through the campaign with my own local party. For that experience, to Jon, Jon's team and to my local party, I am eternally grateful.
That being said, during the primary I, along with many others were not kind to Alice Kryzan. So in, short let me say this.......
Alice Kryzan has shown me that not isn't she just the 'lesser of two-evils', she's the box of gold next to a bag of charcoal.
Since the primary ended I've met Alice on a few occasions and found out not only a little more about her life and her story, but also have seen her passion for helping people, in her own community and outside of it. From the moment she arrived in Western New York she started spear-heading community projects and bringing sides together in legal matters and worked with local governments, helping them with legal issues. She really is someone who is passionate about Western New York, not just about our growth potential and our great cultural heritage but of our people as well. She's a great champion for progressive issues and for our area, like Jon Powers, Western New York has a treasure in Alice Kryzan.
What really impressed me about her though is what I saw tonight from her on a few occassions. Yes she is very smart, yes she is very policy savvy, but I also saw that she is very compassionate and understanding of how public policy impacts peoples lives and how policies can be used to make serious changes.
I have come to the conclusion that Alice Kryzan needs to not just do well, or do respectably in this Republican-leaning district, she needs to win. We need a democratic congressperson who's more than just great hair and sound-bytes, we need someone with a record of problem-solving who understands the basic challenges confronting us today. Alice Kryzan has proved herself as the person to take Western New York into the 21st century, her dedication, passion and policy-savvy is what we need in Washington right now.
On The Web: Alice Kryzan's ActBlue Page
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Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 17:02:08 PM EDT
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In late September, Anthony Fumerelle, who was then running for Congress in the 26th congressional district on the Independence Party line, was nominated for a judgeship - in Queens. Of course, no one saw anything wrong with that. That freed up the Independence Party line. The Independence Party didn't contact Alice Kryzan, who was riding high after an upset victory in the Democratic primary. Instead, the Independence Party gave their line to Republican Chris Lee.
At the time, I saw a lot wrong with how easy it was for Fumerelle to get nominated and within moments, it seemed, Lee was able to get on the line.
Compare that with today's announcement that Jon Powers will remain on the Working Families Party line, robbing Kryzan of a minor party line of her own. By all accounts, Lee's awarding of the IP line went without incident. However, when the WFP line was going to be awarded to Kryzan, the Republicans decided to create a scene and challenge that.
Here are the facts:
(A) Jon Powers no longer lives in New York. The judge in this case admits that, but also contends that Powers living in Washington only means that he will not be in New York on Election Day. What? If a person no longer has a residency in New York, how can you make such a contention? It's not as if he had dual residencies. He's in D.C. now. That's where he is living.
(B) The judge also made this argument: "However, upon his nomination, he accepted the nomination. He did not decline the nomination, nor were there any challenges to his nomination." I believe the same could be said for Fumerelle, am I correct? Upon his nomination, he accepted the nomination. He did not decline it. The deal to get him off the ballot didn't take place until 16 days after Primary Day. So why doesn't the court review that as well?
(C) Bob McCarthy of the News says that this is a blow to Kryzan. I don't think it is. Late last month, Powers was only polling at five percent. I can't imagine he's polling any better now. In fact, I'm sure his numbers have dropped. Even with his name on the ballot, I can't see too many people voting for him. Unless, of course, they want to waste their vote.
(D) Lastly, this is what the Republicans wanted. Yes, Powers isn't polling well and will be a non-factor. But they know that people will vote for Powers. If the race is close, that could mean Powers serves as a spoiler, helping Lee. This decision only helps the GOP and Chris Lee. This decision does rob voters of the 26th district from having another line to support Alice Kryzan on.
This is an absurd decision and the rationale given by the judge for her decision boggles my mind. Nevertheless, we will push forward and I urge fellow citizens of the 26th district to vote for Alice Kryzan on the Democratic line. This is the kind of politics Tom Reynolds and Chris Lee adhere to. Let's keep Chris Lee away from Washington D.C. We don't need another Tom Reynolds. We need new, responsible leadership from a true progressive. That candidate is Alice Kryzan.
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Fri Oct 24, 2008 at 16:09:16 PM EDT
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Jon Powers has already endorsed Democratic candidate Alice Kryzan. Now he is going to take it one step further.
Kryzan will be campaigning in four counties throughout the 26th congressional district and Powers will join her. In an e-mail to supporters, Kryzan had this to say about Powers joining her on the trail:
On Monday, Jon Powers and I will be hitting the pavement and talking to voters in Rochester, Geneseo, Batavia and Williamsville about importance of this election to the working families of Western New York.
I am excited to have Jon's support and so proud to add his voice to those calling for change in Western New York and across the country. I hope you can join us!
Kryzan and Powers will appear together in four counties: Erie, Genesee, Livingston and Monroe counties. They will kick off their day together on Monday at the Monroe County Democratic Headquarters in Rochester before traveling to Livingston County and meeting with SUNY Geneseo's College Democrats. They will then head over to Genesee County and meet at the Genesee County Democratic Committee Headquarters before ending their day at the Kryzan for Congress Volunteer Center in Amherst.
This will be a big day. I will make it out for at least one event and maybe more. This will be quite a duo working together. I'm looking forward to it.
ON THE WEB:
Alice Kryzan's ActBlue Page
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Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 14:10:55 PM EDT
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Contrary to popular belief, I never thought it was necessary that Jon Powers endorse Alice Kryzan. But Jon, after serious thought and meditation, has come out in a big way for Alice today.
Jon has sent an e-mail to supporters endorsing Alice and asking them to do whatever they can to help Alice as she takes on Republican Chris Lee in a tough fight here in NY-26.
Here is the first part of the e-mail:
Friends,
Over the last 18 months, together, we have worked to call attention to the many challenges Western New Yorkers face. I listened to families struggling because of our weakened economy, soldiers fighting in a war without the necessary equipment and returning without health care they have earned -- there is no question that our country is hurting because of Washington's failed leadership. With just 18 days until Election Day, I write to urge you to vote for change. We have a chance to elect a new Member of Congress to represent the working men and women of Western New York and I hope you will join me in supporting Alice Kryzan for Congress.
Families in Western New York have a clear choice. As our youth are moving out of state to find jobs, do we want a representative who will continue to send our jobs overseas? Or do we want someone who will fight to grow good paying Green-collar and Green-tech jobs that will move Western New York into the 21st Century.
The rest of the e-mail is below the fold.
We have 18 days until Election Day. Let's help Alice Kryzan any way we can. Whether it's going door to door, phone banking or writing letters to the editor, let's help make sure NY-26 turns blue on November 4.
ON THE WEB:
Alice Kryzan's ActBlue Page
Contribute to Alice Kryzan for Congress
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Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 18:01:58 PM EDT
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Jill Terreri of the Democrat and Chronicle is reporting today that Jon Powers has notified the New York State Board of Elections of his move out of New York, which allows Alice Kryzan the chance to have a second line on November's ballot.
I had the chance to speak to Powers today. He is doing well and confirmed to me that he has moved out of state. He did say that he would be sending out an e-mail in the next day or two to talk a little more about what his future plans hold, so I will let him break the news in the coming days.
What I can say is that Jon is doing well. He is going to be doing something that keeps him involved with two things he knows plenty about: Politics and veterans' issues.
That said, I find it very intriguing that he is still drawing media attention and there have been numerous calls for him to endorse Kryzan in order to save his political career. There have been jabs leveled at Powers over the last month for his silence and for disappearing.
While I like Jon and I'm a friend of Jon's, I don't see how this attention does us any good in the 26th congressional district. We are supposed to be talking about Alice Kryzan. She was the victor on Primary Night and she is the Democratic candidate now.
Many people, including some friends of mine in the blogosphere, have called for Jon to endorse Alice. Why? So we can some sort of Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton-like moment? I don't think we need that. Powers proved that endorsements don't matter much. The only endorsements that matter are on Election Day. I would rather see Kryzan and the Democrats in NY-26 working on getting those endorsements (votes) rather than waiting to see what Powers is going to do.
One last note: It is easy for people who have never campaigned and ran for office to say he should just come out and endorse Kryzan. I had a friend who ran for a local office (his campaign lasted four months) and he was shocked and drained at the end when he lost. Whenever we would talk, that's all he would talk about. He did this for over a month.
Powers ran a campaign for 15 months. He said at one point that it was his "full-time job." He poured his heart and soul into it. Was he tired at the end? You bet. Was he drained? Definitely. Did he need a break? No doubt about it.
We need to realize that the longer our campaign seasons are, the longer we need to recover from them. Tony Blair was on "The Daily Show" recently and made a couple of jokes about how long our campaigns are. When you put all that energy into it, you're not going to just wake up on September 10 or November 5 and be ready to move on and endorse someone. It takes time.
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Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 14:25:59 PM EDT
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I was wrong, you were wrong.
Jack and Jon both lost.
You're left with a pretty sad candidate, albiet one who should still win.
What happened to JP? Why'd he lose? He had 3 problems.
Money. Message. Management.
Jon Powers had a massive head start on the other two campaigns. Everyone knew Powers was running in March of 2007. Powers' Campaign Manager Jon Gerken had two directions he could take his campaign that year: he could concentrate on raising money, or he could concentrate on lawn parties, fairs, corn festivals, and other things of the sort, places Powers would meet general election voters. He chose the latter.
Wrong move.
If Powers had 1 Million Cash on Hand on December 31 2007 we'd never have heard of Alice Kryzan, she'd have folded her tent.
If Powers had 1 Million CoH on 12/31/07, Jack Davis would Never have been talked into risking 3 million dollars, because it would have been to obvious he could to lose a primary.
Kathy Hochul, Kathy Konst, none of them would have mattered. Powers would have been on the first Red-to-Blue list, cleared the field, and been campaigning for the general for months.
Don't be fooled. There is no excuse for Powers to have not raised that kind of cash. It was there for the taking.
Making matters worse, Powers never focused on raising money. Come the primary, he was severely handicapped by his lack of funds in that he could not afford to define himself positively. He ran 1 good positive TV ad for a few weeks instead of running a number of good positive tv ads for months, like he needed to do.
In the end, he only gave voters reasons not to vote for Jack Davis, not to vote FOR him.
Voters were left with reasons to vote against Davis and against Powers, which Kryan hammered home. Without reasons to vote against her, they didn't.
Jon Powers was always my favored candidate. He was clearly the only one who knew anything about local issues and was the most likely of a generally weak field to fill the Brian Higgins mold. From early this year though, I saw this defeat coming from a mile away.
The lesson for next time?
RAISE MONEY!
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Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 14:13:32 PM EDT
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I have been a Jon Powers supporter. I will always be a supporter of Jon's and a friend of Jon's. He has left a mark on this district that many of us will remember. I really hope he bounces back better than ever and serves his community, this region and the people of this area. Powers has a bright future and as I have told him many times, wherever he goes, I'll be sure to be right there fighting for him.
 In the 26th congressional district, we do have a Democratic nominee. That nominee is Alice Kryzan. She is a strong progressive who supports a green energy economy for Western New York and wants every American to have health insurance coverage. She wants to bring our troops home from Iraq safely and securely while bringing accountability and ethics to Washington D.C.
For those Democrats who might be upset that Powers or Jack Davis didn't win, let's look at the other option: Chris Lee. In today's Buffalo News, Lee gave us a lot of fodder. He said he supports the Bush tax cuts, which doesn't surprise us as Lee is a millionaire and has received the tax breaks while the rest of Western New York's middle class has picked up the slack for him. He also said that while he supports a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, he believes the timetable should be made by the military and not the politicians (even though it is the politicians who will need to set such a timetable). Lee also supports the same free trade practices that have hurt Western New York and shipped many of our jobs out of state or out of the country.
So, as a Democrat, you have to ask yourself: Do you want two more years of Republican representation that has done nothing for NY-26? Do you want another representative in the mold of (and endorsed by) Tom Reynolds? If not, the only option is to vote for Alice Kryzan. If you want to continue the abysmal Republican leadership here in NY-26, you will vote for Chris Lee. It's that simple.
Believe me, it will take time for a lot of us who supported Jon Powers to come around. I can tell you that if Jack Davis won, many of us (including myself) would not rally behind him. There are things Kryzan will need to overcome, but when considering our options, she is the best option. She is progressive, she is a Democrat and she won't go to Washington and further a Republican agenda. Instead, she will go to Washington D.C. and push a progressive and Democratic agenda for our area and for our country.
When ready, we need to rally behind Alice Kryzan and give her our votes in November. It will be tough after supporting Jon for 14 months. Some will join sooner or later. But if we allow Chris Lee to walk into this seat, we won't be doing ourselves any favors. Once this seat goes Republican, it will stay Republican. So we need to make sure we are voting with this in mind come November 4. We need to vote for the best candidate. That candidate is Alice Kryzan.
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Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 02:58:08 AM EDT
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So how did Alice Kryzan win? Erie, Monroe and Niagara counties are the answer.
Kryzan won all three counties. In Monroe County, Kryzan won by 135 votes over Jon Powers. In Niagara County, Kryzan won with 39.5 percent of the vote - a margin of victory of 277 votes. Erie County was the difference for Kryzan. Kryzan won with 48 percent of the vote, which amounted to 5,018 votes for Kryzan - a 1,640 vote difference. In all, Kryzan won in those three counties by a total of 2,052 votes.
I do not have all the results from every rural county. Here are the results from Orleans County - my home county. Powers won Orleans County with 38 percent of the vote. That was a 24 vote margin of victory. Powers also won Genesee County by 97 votes (621 to 524). I don't have the results from Livingston or Wyoming counties as of yet, but I would think that Powers won both counties as well.
This is the most up-to-date tally I have:
Kryzan - 9,258
Powers - 7,912
Davis - 5,044
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Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 02:03:09 AM EDT
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I must preface this post by saying that I have gone the last five hours without wireless access. I also forgot a wireless card that would have helped with that problem, but kept track of all the key races that I promised to watch from my cellphone. So I have a lot to write about and obviously NY-26 is the big one.
I also must say that I'm not too surprised with Alice Kryzan's victory tonight. I extend my congratulations to Alice for the win tonight. But there were hints a few days ago (possibly longer) that a Kryzan victory was possible. It was going to be close. Kryzan came out on top tonight. I'm not going to cry about it. Kryzan won. Jon Powers - my candidate of choice - didn't.
I talked to Jon several times throughout tonight. He gave a gracious speech that thanked many of his supporters and the people who have been with him since the first day of this campaign. He thanked his family and friends who helped him along on this ride. I consider Jon a friend of mine. If there is anything I can take out of this campaign it is that I have made many friends. Jon Powers is one of those friends.
So what does Alice Kryzan do from here? Kryzan must win over the Powers supporters like Jon won us over. I believe Kryzan can do it. But she HAS to do it. You can't just expect us to fall in line because you are the nominee. There is a reason we supported Jon. We want to see the reasons why we should support you.
I extend an invitation to Kryzan to come to TAP and make her case. Any live blog opportunities she would like are open for her. All she has to do is reach out (robert.harding22@gmail.com). It's that simple.
That said, a Republican is never, EVER an option. I will not be voting for Chris Lee in November. So this notion that Powers supporters are going to be angry and vote the other way is simply not true. But again, Kryzan needs to win Powers supporters over like Powers won us over.
As for me, I'm for Jon Powers. People can tell me I'm not a good Democrat but I support Powers. If he's still on the Working Families line in November, I will be voting on that line. That said, I do not intend on discouraging any Democrat who wants to vote for Kryzan. Kryzan isn't Jack Davis. She is a Democrat. So if a Powers supporter were to say to me that they were going to vote for Kryzan I would have no problems with it. However, I have my own opinion and viewpoint on this race.
I will have more on this race later. But for now, my congratulations goes out to Alice Kryzan tonight.
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 22:25:39 PM EDT
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I know, I know, we all need a chance to breathe.
My favorite candidate just lost a state senate race to an idiot, so I know how tempting it is to scorch and burn and vote against the D line in November.
I'm asking all the supporters of Jon Powers: Please don't.
10 Reasons to support Alice Kryzan in November
1) She's the Democratic Nominee
2) Remember FISA? Every vote matters in the House.
3) This race will be close. If Powers takes even 1% of the vote on the WFP line it could swing the election.
4) Kryzan supports Universal Health care - Just Like you!
5) Kryzan has pledged to bring the troops in Iraq Home using "The Responsible Plan"
6) Alice supports Green Collar Job incentives
7) Alice supports Alternative energy, particularly wind
8) Alice supports Pell Grant increases
9) Alice has a quote from Paul Wellstone on her website!
10) She's a woman, and if there's anything that's true in WNY, it's that women always beat the generic candidate. She has a great chance to win and, damn it, Barack's gonna need her.
So don't hold a grudge! For heck's sake look what I said about her - but the past is the past!
Vote Alice!
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 21:56:15 PM EDT
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I think Robert may be having communications problems, so here ya go:
NY-26
87% reporting
Kryzan - 4,280 47%
Powers - 2,952 33%
Davis - 2,952 20%
Come on, Jon!
UPDATE: Uh oh. This sucks.
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 09:37:22 AM EDT
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It has been a long road since July 8, 2007 when I met Jon Powers for the first time. I told a fellow Powers for Congress supporter last night that this is the longest congressional campaign we have had here in recent memory and that it seemed like years ago when Powers first declared his candidacy and years from the day that I met Powers. In reality, it's only been 14 months.
 This is a big day for Powers. This is the day when Powers shows the grassroots support he has garnered since June 2007, when he declared that he would be challenging Republican Rep. Tom Reynolds. Since then, Powers has built up a base of grassroots and netroots support. He started where no candidate has started before: The rural counties. As a Democrat and a resident of Orleans County, this was refreshing. Powers realized that even though Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties didn't have the population numbers like Erie, Monroe and Niagara counties do, they are still important pieces to the 26th congressional district's puzzle.
Powers base has grown. I have heard of the hardworking volunteers in Livingston County who have made many phone calls for Powers and knocked on doors in support of the endorsed Democratic candidate. In Orleans County, we had a house party in Albion that brought in 40 people to hear Powers speak. In Wyoming County, their grassroots efforts have been outstanding with door knocks and phone calls. Lastly, the efforts in Genesee County have been second-to-none. Last night I joined my friends in Genesee County to drop some door hangers reminding people to vote. This was after a long day of calling but the volunteers in Genesee County were still up to the task.
Powers also has the strong support from the larger counties. One of the great stories from this campaign is how North Tonawanda Mayor Larry Soos endorsed Powers on the spot after an answer to one of Soos' questions. The efforts in Monroe County have been strong, with phone banking (yesterday I received a phone call from a Monroe County phone bank) and door-to-door canvassing. And in Erie County, even with all three candidates being from Erie County, Powers has done his part to make sure that there is a base there that will only grow after the primaries.
It should come as no surprise today when I enter the voting booths a little after noon today that I will be casting my vote for Jon Powers. I do this for many reasons:
(1) Jon Powers will represent all seven counties of this district, not just the most populous ones. When looking for another representative, I knew we didn't another man (or woman) who just showed up for a photo op in Orleans County and then left. We need someone who will show up to the rural counties and the more populous counties and listen to voters' concerns. That is the type of representative Jon Powers will be.
(2) Jon Powers epitomizes grassroots. This is the way he wanted his campaign to operate. He wanted small-dollar donors, "grassrooters" making phone calls for him and going on door knocks and he wanted this type of support. He didn't want to run a campaign based on how much money he had or didn't have. He wanted to run a campaign based on how much support he had throughout the district and how many supporters he had in every corner of the 26th. The more energized he was, the more energized they (the volunteers) were - and vice versa.
(3) Jon Powers is one of us. He's not a millionaire. He is an Iraq War veteran who went to college to become a schoolteacher and a man who started a non-profit to help the children he encountered in Iraq. When I first met him, he was wearing a Powers for Congress polo shirt and khakis. The second time I met him he was wearing the same apparel only this time he was wearing the combat boots that touched the ground in Iraq. He is as real as it gets. He wants to see better days for this district and for America.
(4) Jon Powers on the issues. Jon Powers is a student of the issues. If he knows an issue well, he's going to give you a very detailed answer. If he doesn't know an issue well, he will take the time to learn what the issue is and why it's important. That's what makes him great. He won't just nod his head in agreement. He will educate himself because if it's important enough for a constituent, it should be important enough for him.
I could write a book about why I'm voting for Jon Powers. Most of all, Powers and I have become friends through this. When my father went through tough times with his heart, I received multiple phone calls from the Powers for Congress campaign, including one from Jon himself. I was already a Powers voter then but the act alone was sincere.
So for those of you in the 26th congressional district, today I ask that you please vote for Jon Powers. He is the representative we need in Washington. As he said himself, other candidates are running to become your congressman or congresswoman. Powers is running to be your representative.
Let's help him get past the first hurdle today with a primary victory. Please vote for Jon Powers.
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Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 10:55:05 AM EDT
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The following is a guest post from Jon Powers, Iraq War Vet and the endorsed Democrat for Congress in NY-26...
Some thoughts on tomorrow's primary from Jon Powers
For more than a year, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of Western New Yorkers who represent the best of our community as I have campaigned for the 26th Congressional district. This campaign has been invigorating, encouraging, at times ugly, but always worthwhile. It has always been a great honor to listen to so many hard-working and dedicated Western New Yorkers as they tell me their stories.
Running for Congress is never something I expected to do, but when I returned to Western New York after serving nearly 15 months in Iraq, I was disheartened and frustrated.
I saw a Congressman who claimed to be one of the most powerful men in Washington stand by and watch our manufacturing jobs leave and plants close while my fellow soldiers in Iraq lacked the necessary body armor and equipment. I looked toward Washington and wondered what happened to the greatest generation of leadership that mobilized our nation.
I quickly learned that few people in Washington were interested in real solutions and that was unacceptable.
The America you and I grew up believing in and the America I went to war for had lost its voice in Washington. The America we believe in would not have sent my fellow soldiers and me to war without a plan or the proper equipment, the America we believe in would not allow gas to reach $4 a gallon without a path to secure our energy independence, the America we believe in would not let our best and brightest leave Western New York because of a lack of opportunity.
So my family and I decided to run for Congress to change that, and built a grassroots campaign that is based on the voices of our friends and neighbors. We started this year holding 30 house parties in 30 days and spent last week visiting all 7 counties in 7 days. Anyone from Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming or Livingston Counties will tell you that they see me more than anyone else asking for their vote.
We have hosted roundtables talking with teachers about education, farmers about agriculture, small business owners about the rising cost of health care and students about the rising costs of education.
Our conversation earned us the endorsements of every single county party, the working men and women represented by organized labor and turned enough heads on the national stage that the National Democratic Party endorsed our race placing us in their Red to Blue program. So did Senator John Kerry, former Senator Bob Kerrey, Generals Wesley Clark and Paul Eaton, along with the only other Iraq veteran in Congress, Rep. Patrick Murphy.
But our support does not stop there; the Netroots community has been pivotal. You allow America to have a conversation about the issues even when the media is not interested, and your financial support helps our campaign compete against millionaires.
I know that together we can build a foundation for good paying jobs here in Western New York keeping our best and brightest in the area. Together we can bring our troops home safely, securely and soon, and we can secure our energy independence.
Your help in the online community helped us expand our conversation with voters and kept issues at the center of your discussions. For your support - to everyone who helped spread the word, chipped in financially, or patted me on the back at Netroots Nation- I thank you.
For those of you in the 26th Congressional District, I ask for your vote tomorrow. We have come a long way and there is much that can be done.
If you believe that together we have the power to change Washington, this campaign is about you.
Thank you,
Jon Powers
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Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 14:46:40 PM EDT
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Rochester: On a drizzly Saturday morning at Rochester's Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 13, nearly 100 volunteers and supporters for Jon Powers came out to rally for the endorsed Democrat and Iraq War veteran in his campaign to represent NY-26 in Congress. Among the supporters were several members of the Greece Democrats, including Chairwoman Jo Meleca-Voigt and candidate for the NY State Assembly 134th District, Dave Garretson. Also in attendance were Judge Paul Riordan, who is running for election to NYS Supreme Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District, Tom Hasman, who is running for Monroe County Clerk, Joanne Winslow, who is running for Supreme Court Judge, Monroe County Legislator Paul Haney, and fellow Iraq War veteran Chris Lovell.
(L to R: Patrick Powers, brother of Jon Powers, Chris Lovell, Iraq War Veteran, and Bill Powers, Jon Powers' father and also a veteran who served in the Army stationed in Germany as an LT. Image Courtesy Michael Parks, all rights reserved.)
Lovell was Powers' roommate while they were stationed in Germany and they served in Iraq at the same time, both Captains in the Army. I asked Lovell why he was here today and he said:
I'm here to support Jon. I'm here because I'm proud to see what he's doing. Coming from a similar background due to our experiences in Iraq, I understand his frustrations. We met in an officer training course and were roommates in Germany. We served five years in uniform together. Jon's a leader who will have an impact.
Lovell also wrote a piece for Powers on the candidate's website, which you can read here. Here are excerpts:
Within the unit, Jon was a highly respected leader. As a platoon leader, Jon's men always took top place in certifications and revered as unit capable of completing any mission...
...Captain Powers completed his military career working directly for the Colonel providing advice, counsel, and pulsing the moral of the troops for which he had a tremendous relationship.
Powers then began the rally after a rousing introduction, thanking his numerous and enthusiastic supporters, and then his Monroe County Field Director, Dan McNally, took the stage to wrap it up. Then the volunteers fanned out all over the area canvassing in the final four days of the Get Out The Vote effort.
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Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 21:07:05 PM EDT
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Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), the only Iraq War veteran serving in Congress, endorsed Jon Powers today as the primary in the 26th congressional district nears.
Jon Powers, Iraq War Veteran and the endorsed Democratic candidate in New York's 26th congressional district, today received the endorsement of the only Iraq veteran in Congress, Representative Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania.
"Washington is broken and to fix it, we need leaders who are willing to put partisanship aside and fight hard on behalf of American families and that is why I am supporting my friend and fellow Iraq war veteran, Jon Powers for Congress," said Murphy. "Jon is one battle buddy I need with me in Congress so together, we can lead the fight for the changes we need. Jon will put Western New Yorkers first - just as he did when he was in the Army."
Rep. Murphy is an Army Captain who served two deployments after 9/11 - the first to Bosnia in 2002 and the second to Baghdad, Iraq in 2003-2004 as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. For his service, he earned the Bronze Star for service and his unit earned the Presidential Unit Citation. Rep. Murphy was a West Point professor, airborne and air assault qualified and a JAG Corps attorney.
"I'm so honored to have Patrick's support," said Powers. "Patrick has the ability to bring real leadership to national security issues facing our nation. As a fellow Army Captain, I look forward to working with Patrick to bring our troops home safely, securely and soon. Together, we will have the power to really make a difference."
Powers has received a lot of support from the military community. Whether it's Wesley Clark backing him or Rep. Murphy, Powers has proved that with the Iraq War and foreign policy important issues in this election, he has the support needed to win the primary and win the general election.
ON THE WEB:
Jon Powers' ActBlue Page
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