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Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area
Friday, September 17, 2010
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Murphy Fundraiser, Mega-Canvas, Yepsen, Siena Poll
Hello Everyone;

In this update for September 17, 2010:

1. Murphy Fundraiser In Glens Falls Tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 18th
2. Mega-Canvas Saturday, September 25th
3. Yepsen Event
4. Siena Poll Out


1. Murphy Fundraiser In Glens Falls Tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 18th

You are all invited to an afternoon with Congressman Scott Murphy, Tomorrow, Saturday, September 18 from 3:00-5:00 PM:
Come and meet Scott!

Hosted by:
Mayor Jack Diamond
Joanne DeTore & David Westfall
Julie Frazer & Todd Feigenbaum
Ghrissia & Rachid Daoui
Mary & Preston Jenkins
Dennis Tarantino
Carrie & Mark Mauro

The Home of Carrie and Mark Mauro
20 Garrison Rd
Queensbury, NY 12804
Event will be outside, weather permitting

Suggested Contribution Amounts:
$75 - Friend
$125 – Supporter
$250 – Host

To RSVP please contact Tom Mintz at:
rsvp@scottmurphyforcongress.com
518.832.9841
www.scottmurphyforcongress.com/sept18

This is a chance to show your support for Scott's reelection, meet him in person and hear him talk about the issues.


2. Mega-Canvas Saturday, September 25th

I have been informed by Scott Murphy's Northcountry FIeld Organizer, Liz McKenna, that there will be a "Mega-Canvas" across the 20th CD on Saturday, September 25th. I am sure most of us remember the canvasing effort our group made for Kirsten the first time she ran. I hope you will all consider helping again!
From Liz:

"As part of a nation-wide effort, Scott is asking every supporter to sign up for one three-hour shift of canvassing on Saturday, September 25th. We are hoping to hit thousands of doors across the entire 20th District."

"We will be launching a mega-canvass in Glens Falls from 10 AM to 7 PM. We will be launching volunteers from the Glens Falls Office (5 Warren Street) at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM and asking volunteers for just three hours of their time. "

"Canvassing is one of the most valuable ways to make a difference and we make it easy by providing volunteers with scripts, voter lists, and Scott Murphy literature (stickers too!). If you, or anyone you know is interested in signing up for a shift or two of canvassing, please get in touch with me at the number listed below."

"We need all of the help that we can get to ensure that Scott is re-elected. Whether you can offer an hour, an evening, or an entire day, your help and support will go a long way."


On Sunday, you are alos invited to a Barbecue Picnic with Joanne Yepsen, Candidate for New York State Senate District 43

"To Celebrate Another Beautiful Summer in Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties"

Location:

VFW Post 420
190 Excelsior Ave
Saratoga Springs, NY

Time:

Sunday, September 19th, 2010
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Entertainment by D.J. Dan
Hotdogs, Hamburgers and Salads
Keg Beer One Dollar Per Cup
Tickets $20 per person

For more information, call 584-4737
RSVP to Erik@YepsenForSenate.com


Finally, the first Siena Poll is out on the 20th CD race. According to the TU, Scott Murphy leads Gibson by 17 points, and on almost every issue.
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/31859/poll-murphy-leads-by-17-strong-on-issues/

This is great, but it is also a bit dangerous: there is no room for complacency. Republicans still out number Democrats here. Further, outside right wing groups coming in to spend millions of dollars on attack ads against, and they are going to have an effect. http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/31636/ads-planned-attacking-murphy/
We still have to act like we are 17 points down rather than 17 up.

I think this confirms what I was saying in my last post, that this will be a transformational election. Four defeats in a row will prove this is no longer a right wing stronghold, and reveal what many of us have known for a long time, that this area is not that conservative, but actually typically American middle of the road.

Thanks everyone!

Larry

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Sunday, September 12, 2010
 
Tricounty DFA Update: The Meaning of Four In A Row, Primary Reminder & Info


Hello Everyone!

In this update for September 12th, 2010:

1. The Meaning of Four In A Row
2. What To Do?
3. Primary Reminder And Personal Recommendation for Eric Schneiderman


1. The Meaning of Four In A Row: Follow Up On Murphy Report

Although we are hearing quite a bit of doom and gloom around the country about Democrat's prospects, I think Scott is in a good position and is about to do something historic, and in fact, he already has. So far, he is significantly out fundraising GIbson. We have never had a Democratic candidate here who had more money than the Republican at any point in a race. That is truly remarkable, and really says something about Scott as a candidate. I don't know why this hasn't gotten more attention.

But once he is reelected— and I believe he will beDemocratic candidates will have won four Congressional races in a row. I don't believe we have had four Democrats elected here in a row since the Revolution. With four in a row it be undeniably clear that a profound long term trend is underway.

Many of you have heard my talk over the years about how we actually live in West Vermont, that our area is the western most part of New England, and the 20th CD should be blue on the map the way New England is. Four in a row will start to make that a reality. It will demoralize the Republicans. Their fear and intimidation will lose credibility. Democrats up and down the district will start to rise, and our politics will increasingly resemble our progressive Green Mountain State neighbor, as they should.

That means this could really be a transformative election, with the district changing for the better in all kinds of profound ways. The society, the culture will start to follow, it will open up to new ideas and forces as change and confidence and free initiative returns. Just as there is a lot at stake nationally, with the control of Congress, there is an awful lot at stake right here at home.

This is going to be a good race, a very worthwhile race, even a fun race that everyone will want to be involved in, and can look back on and be proud of. I have been in all kinds of races over the years, but that is the kind that can't be beat.


2. What To Do?

Here's a few suggestions just to start:

Letters to the Editor

Particularly here in Glens Falls, we are lucky to have a newspaper that will publish letters. I suggest you write a letter supporting Scott Murphy in your own words, and get the facts out on Gibson: he wants to take us backwards on health reform, and he will have to support the dismantling of Social Security, and, indeed, the whole safety net. Keep it positive, and under 300 words. Here's where to send them:
The Post Star: http://poststar.com/app/contact/?form=letter
The Saratogian: letters@saratogian.com
The Chronicle: chronicl@loneoak.com
Go to the AAUW Media Action page, enter your zip code and get a list of additional newspapers and email addresses. http://capwiz.com/aauw/dbq/media/

Facebook

Go to Scott's Facebook page athttp://www.facebook.com/ScottMurphyForCongress?v=wall&ref=ts
and hit the like button to show your support. There is a volunteer tab if you want to do that. Then suggest to all your friends on Facebook that they do the same.

SIgns

Go to Murphy 's Headquarters (on 5 Warren here in Glens Falls), get a sign, make a donation, volunteer and get a sign and bumper sticker. Incidentally, the Republican's are already up to their old practice of destroying signs, so keep an eye on any Democrat's signs that you see for theft of vandalism-- and report it.

I'll have more in a few days.


3. Primary Reminder And Personal Recommendation for Eric Schneiderman

There is a primary election on Tuesday, mainly for Attorney General. I have had a number of people asking for info, and who the progressive candidate is. None of them are really bad, but I would note that Rice was a Republican who didn't even bother to vote until she was 37 years old, and that the AG's office has absolutely zero to do with drunk driving.

I think the clear progressive choice is Eric Schneiderman. I know our DFA counterparts in NYC have long been big backers of Schneiderman-- he has a solid progressive record and backing. Over two years ago Schneiderman wrote a brilliant article for The Nation on the need for "Transformational Politics." I suspect everyone on this list who reads it will know who they want to vote for. It's at: http://www.thenation.com/article/transforming-liberal-checklist

He also organized getting Hiram Monserrate expelled from the Senate after his domestic abuse case, and led the reform of the dreadful Rockfefeller era drug laws.

Schneiderman has also been endorsed by The Nation, The New York Times, The TImes Union, as well as columnists like David Sirota. You can read the Times unusually strong endorsement at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/opinion/21sat1.html
Sirota is a must read at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/eric-schneiderman-the-pro_b_703207.html

Thanks everyone! See you all soon,

Larry

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Friday, September 10, 2010
 
Tricounty DFA Update: Murphy Meeting Report
Hello Everyone!

A group of our Steering Committee members met Representative Scott Murphy Wednesday morning.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we had an excellent meeting with Scott (as he insists on being called).

We wanted to first follow up on our three letters to him on what we regard (and hear from all of you) three key issues:

*Social Security
Scott was very firm in his support for preserving Social Security and is completely opposed to cuts in social security benefits. He said he is asked this a great deal, with seniors actually concerned about losing benefits.

We asked him if he would consider joining with Kirsten GIllibrand in her call for popping the cap on Social Security contributions, which are presently limited to the first $106,000 of income. Scott said he was not opposed to that at all, and very open to the idea, and would consider it. He agreed that if it were implemented, it would solve any theoretical shortfall in social security funding that occurred.

Scott noted that the Republicans are lying like crazy about Social Security and that includes his opponent Chris Gibson, who he characterized as being in Republican minority leader Boehner's pocket, and that Boehner in particular and the Republicans in general have always wanted to privatize Social Security, and Gibson would back that, or have to back that, if elected.

We urged him to publicly back removing the cap in his campaign as an effective way to counter Republican claims. Dick noted how Hilary Clinton's campaign used the word risky locally, and we urged him from our experience to characterize the Republican position as "risky." Scott really liked that and agreed to really focus on that language, which was great.

We discussed public anxieties about the Deficit Reduction Commission. Scott agreed that Social Security was separate from the deficit and did not contribute to it. Dick asked him if he would support Rep. Grivalja's letter to President Obama calling for the President to repudiate the commission report if it called for Social Security cuts. He said he was not that familiar with it, but took a copy and said he would consider it.

Scott also made it clear he is opposed to continuing the Bush era tax cuts on upper income earners, but wants to continue them for the middle class.

There is no question the people of the district can completely count on Scott to protect Social Security.

*Heathcare Reform
Scott said that he has found going around that there is a small group of people who want to repeal Healthcare Reform, but that it was clear that the vast majority of people in the district want to keep the present bill, which he agrees with. He followed up on the idea of risky, saying the language he intends to use, and we should use, is "improve" upon Healthcare rather than "repeal" it.

We asked him if he would support Lynn Woolsey's new bill to open up Medicare to everyone as a Public Option in the soon to come public exchanges, and he was very interested in that and wanted to know about costs and numbers (all we have was that the CBO has scored it as saving $68 billion over roughly the next decade). He promised to look into Woolsey's bill and consider it.

He was very strong on the need for tort reform as an overall part of keeping skyrocketing medical costs under control. I think we all expressed a strong preference for single-payer. I did note, and he seemed interested in the idea, that unlike most of the country, we are much closer to Canada and there is a higher awareness here of their single-payer system, and correspondingly more support for single-payer.

Scott noted the existence of the present bill is a huge, historic change on the American scene, and now, once established, it can and will be continually improved. He also points out that Gibson has gone on the record as wanting to repeal healthcare reform in any new Republican Congress.

Scott is now a total supporter of HCR and after our Q&A there is no question we can count on Scott to make it better.

*Net Neutrality.

The final issue we got to discuss was Net Neutrality. Scott stated that he believes he is a very strong supporter of Net Neutrality. Most people have been defining preserving Net Neutrality in the context of what is called Title II of the Telecommunications Act. He believes that is a cobbled together measure, and that something more clearly defined is needed, a new TItle Three, and that he has discussed this with FCC Chairman Genachowski. Scott said that this new Title Three would codify and protect Net Neutrality, and prevent any kind of diversion or slowing of traffic or control of content. I think he is concerned about wireless access (iPhones and the like), but I think we were very satisfied with his strong support for Net Neutrality, whether a new Title Three is needed or not.

Throughout, Scott's concern for average working people was clear, while displaying the knowledge he brings from his business background on how to promote economic development. As a former internet entrepreneur, he is a bit of an unusual figure in a chamber mainly filled with lawyers, but since I think most of us would agree there are too many lawyers there already, this is actually a very good thing, and should not be misunderstood. Yes, he does talk a good bit about those kinds of economic/business promotion issues, maybe even a bit too much, because he knows and gets excited about that kind of thing, but that does not mean he does not care about average working people: the entire thrust of everything he says, taken together as a whole, make it very clear that he cares very much.

Scott's reelection will only happen if everyone makes it happen, however, we can't take anything for granted. I will be sending more info out on pitching in for Murphy, what can be done. In the meanwhile, there is a must read from Robert Creamer in the Huffington Post that takes apart the idea that Democrats are doomed in November: I strongly recommend it to anyone who thinks things are going badly, for instance, at this point in 2008 John McCain was substantially ahead, and we all know how that turned out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/time-for-the-pundits-to-t_b_708721.html

Thanks everyone!

Larry


""God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh"— Voltaire


Larry Dudley
ldudley@larrydudley.com
ldudley@nycap.rr.com

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