Moving Forward

by: Tom Wyka

Sat Nov 08, 2008 at 12:34:11 AM EST

Tom Wyka offers his own campaign post-mortem, with a promise to stay involved, some plugs for others doing good work, and a nice bit of well-earned thanks to the people who powered his unsuccessful bid. Tom is a bright, passionate, eminently decent guy of whom we have not heard the last, thankfully. -JG

Unfortunately the Obama campaign did not have a lot of coat tails for NJ Congressional races overall. It reminds me of an interesting article I read by David Sirota a while ago (click here to read about the idea of "presidentialism"). There's a lesson here for us: we need to get people thinking about not just the White House, but also about Capitol Hill - all the way down to townhall - and carry a strong consistent message to all levels.

Tom Wyka :: Moving Forward

We can be proud that we ran a great grassroots campaign. We captured the ear of the district's paper-of-record, resulting in an interesting "non-endorsement" of our incumbent. And we woke up quite a few people by bursting myths about his record, which hopefully will lead to more oversight of his positions. You can count on me to help with that oversight and to help organize ways to keep the heat on and hold him accountable.

What's Ahead?

There were many folks that have talked about a third run. I can definitely say that anything is on the table. A decision to run again in 2010 will hinge upon many conversations, analysis, grassroots ideas, and funding considerations. Send your ideas my way (over the website) and we'll discuss them.

One thing I can guarantee is that anyone who thinks I'll be fading into the woodwork is sorely mistaken. I've always said that my purpose now in life is bigger than any one election, and certainly bigger than any one opponent. And I hope I can count on your support, whatever battle we choose to create a better society for the next generation.

The campaign is not as much about the person as it is the purpose. Please consider tapping into these organizations in your efforts to move us forward "toward a more perfect union"...

www.just6Dollars.org
www.jointhecampaign.com
www.change-congress.org
www.November5.org

A "people-powered" campaign...

I am blessed to be surrounded by my loving wife and family and many wonderful supporters committed to the future of our nation. My tremendous gratitude goes out to the people that made this a ?people-powered? campaign:

Milin Shah (Coordination)
Linda Humphries (Coordination)
Jennifer DeMaio (Treasurer)
Chris Sentmier (Staff/Finance)
Laurie and Geoff Thomas (Press/Communications)
Rosary Lescohier (Online Communications)
Matt Dreher (Web Design)
Todd Slater (Print Design)
David Comora and Rich Morgan (TV Ad)
Roger Fox (Essex Field)
Bryan McElroy (Staff)
Chazz Aden (Staff)
Diane Burns (Outreach)
Eric Carlson (Outreach)
Eric Russell (Outreach)
David Cochran (Activist Coordinator)
Carol Trapp (House Parties)
Chip Robinson (Morris Field)
Bill Rosenberg (Healthcare Policy)
Neal Feier (Economic Policy)
Mark Eshelman (Staff)

All of the Municipal Democratic Organizations, as well as DFA and PDA.

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Moving Forward | 4 comments

Thanks Tom, You're Right! (4.00 / 2)

We held all the Congressional seats, held by Democrats, and picked up one vacated by a Republican, but we didn't turn out any incumbents. We need to win Boards of Ed, Municipal Committees, Freeholders, and the NJ State Legislature. And we ought to start thinking now about the Bd of Ed races in April '09 and state-wide races in November.

The '08 Campaign is over; the work begins!

Sustainability: Harnessing processes rather than consuming resources.

by: lfurman @ Sat Nov 08, 2008 at 21:55:08 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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I hope Tom runs again (4.00 / 2)

If you want to change Washington, you have to change the people you send to Washington.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

by: FogerRox @ Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 02:25:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tom, You've Had "Two Shots" And.... (4.00 / 2)

...Rodney has to know that you're using a six shooter.

You are a young, vital, competent smart and principled progressive. You belong in the US Congress. Rodney doesn't.

I have no doubts what so ever that should the DCCC and/or any other institution wisely decide to make a financial investment in your next run (I am of course being optimistic here) that you will not allow them to "take over" your campaign.

Give the folks you've been working with a couple of million bucks (!!!) and there's no doubt what so ever that you'll win that election.

Your message and your agenda are that good!

by: Nick Lento @ Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 17:49:34 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Tom, keep a website up. (0.00 / 0)

Blog there. Regularly. Use(I mean really use) social networking features to develop, nurture and maintain a core group of supporters within the district. Besides the blogging regularly on issues, use a mailing list component that adds onto the platform(On Joomla, I recommend Acajoom plus or pro). Integrate a forum. Have a separate site for groupware that core members of your team can use to task, communicate and collaborate. There are many free ones out there, and suitable hosting for this time and its hosting loads is quite affordable.

All in all, use the information technologies that have been proven to work on the public-facing side, and on the other side, use the collaborative and tasking tools proven to work in the business world. Start now, start early and by the time the next mud wrasslin' match rolls around, you will find yourself a lot more prepared and organized.

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 13:00:42 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Moving Forward | 4 comments