Five years ago tonight was maybe the best night I ever had in politics. Best victory party ever. Best crashing of the gate. But it didn't happen in New Jersey.
Five years ago, I was in a crowded print shop hastily slapped into a campaign HQ for Ned Lamont's upstart primary challenge to Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman, who functioned - along with others like Rob Andrews of NJ - as a chief propagandist for George Bush's big lie of WMD's in Iraq. This was Bridgeport, Connecticut. I got pulled in by Jim Dean, DFA Chair and brother of founder Howard Dean. The Deans were a study in brotherly self-control. Howard, then-Chair at DNC, couldn't get near endorsing one Dem over another, but he had just run for President on the same anti-War platform 2 years earlier. Jim was all-in. So was DFA.
Bridgeport Lamont HQ was an undulating mosaic of open laptops, pizza boxes and water bottles, TV cameramen stepping over canvassers on 10-minute break, and people speaking in half-sentence shorthand. DFA signs everywhere, SEIU's purple bus parked outside. A woman came over to yell me back onto the phone bank. But one of the CT bloggers told her that every time I got on my computer, New Jerseyans piled into cars pointed at the Nutmeg State (one of those was future NJ Senate candidate, and my DFA compatriot Jeff Gardner).
Here's the pic. If you're not in the picture, we missed you.
If you were one of those there and pictured -- or not pictured like Congressional candidate Ed Potosnak, DNC state rep Babs Sipperstein or legislative candidate Karen Carrol -- put some thoughts in the comments.
If you weren't there, put your apologies in the comments.
BTW, that's my awesome daughter Kendy holding the DFA sign, and my awesome wife Maureen blocked by the DFA sign.
Summertime, and the livin' is, well, it could be easier. But, whether you're down about the debt-deal, wilting from the heat, or feeling the mid-summer blues, I've got a great pick-me-up fix for you. DFA at the Beach.
What started as a chance to blow off steam on the waterfront for the DFA folks and assorted progressive friends in Monmouth and Ocean counties during the Bush years has become an annual statewide gathering of the democratic wing of the democratic party. It's totally informal, fun, FREE (you pay for your own food/drink), and families/children are more than welcome!
Do you have to be a member of DFA to come? No, come hang out anyway. If you hang out here at Blue Jersey, you'll definitely see people you know at DFA at the Beach. It's no secret that there's a lot of cross-over between DFA and Blue Jersey. The homeblog was founded by Juan Melli (now spokesman for public transport-friendly Hoboken), and both Rosi and I have been involved with DFA for ... omigod, it's going on 8 years.
So, bring your people - friends, spouses, and kids of all ages for some fun and sorely-needed progressive comraderie. Moby's Deck has a good (but not expensive) bar and soft drinks, and decent seashore deck bar food. There are big picnic tables there for easy conversation, and part of the deck is in full shade. Sandy Hook beach, part of the National Seashore, is within sight of Moby's Deck.
Allow me to headline it for you: Purely social. No fundraiser. Free admission. Families & friends welcome. Great waterfront deck bar - order off the menu: drinks, sodas, seafood, burgers, kids menu. Good hang-out time with fellow progressives. See you there?:
7th Annual DFA at the Beach When: Sat. August 6th at 3-6pm (or later)
Where: Moby's Deck
2 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
(off Rt. 36, last exit before Sandy Hook)
Menu/Directions for Moby's Deck RSVP for Saturday's DFA at the Beach.
Tonight, the Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel and Americans for Prosperity's Steve Lonegan are debating the merits of New Jersey's (soon to be non-) participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. I'll be there, but I thought I'd post the live stream for those interested who can't make it.
The debate is scheduled for 7p, but if it hasn't quite started yet, you probaby have time to check out a description of the event, and extensive links with background information on RGGI, Click Here. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the fireworks:
Remember RGGI? That's the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - the first real effort nationally to implement a "cap and trade" system in an effort to use market forces to reduce greenhouse gases. By most accounts, the program has been a success, raising hundreds of millions of dollars, while reducing carbon emissions, in ten northeastern states controlled by both democrats and republicans.
It really didn't seem too controversial in the Garden State, until this Spring, when Gov. Christie pulled NJ out of the program, a move most observers called pandering to a right-wing national audience, and which infuriated environmental groups. It got even more controversial when Democratic Sen. Paul Sarlo showed up for a press conference with "Americans for Prosperity" chief, Steve Lonegan, to announce his opposition to RGGI as well. Sarlo was soon followed by Sen. Nick Sacco and Sen. Jeff Van Drew in supporting the Christie move.
This prompted Sen. Barbara Buono (hey, why didn't they poll her against Christie the other day?) to write a post here on Blue Jersey calling out what she saw as a huge mistake, and other democrats in the Senate and Assembly to propose blocking Christie's move. Obviously, divisions within the party had begun, even before all the allegations about "fake democrats" and "Christiecrats" caught fire during the pension and budget battles.
Confused yet? I confess, I could use some education on the subject. So, I'm looking forward to next Wednesday's forum: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Asset or Liability for New Jersey?, featuring none other than AFP's Steve Lonegan and the Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel. (Professor Alain L. Sanders, a member of the Political Science Department of St. Peter's College, will moderate the discussion.)
It's next Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 7 to 9pm at the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ, presented by Bergen Grassroots (DFA). See some of you there, and maybe just maybe we'll learn a few things - about RGGI, and about where our state is headed.
Democracy for America, which has long tracked Michele Bachmann and got behind her opponent Tarryl Clark in the last election (to see Bachmann raise money on the spectre of DFA founder Howard Dean) is reaching out to supporters across the country to ask whether they should get behind an effort to pressure the Minnesota congresswoman with the shiny, righty future to debate Cherry Hill, NJ teen Amy Myers on the Constitution.
You've heard about this. Myers, a 16-year-old Cherry Hill High School sophomore, was troubled by inaccuracies in Bachmann's claims - about the Constitution, public school education, women and the kind of basic civics questions most intelligent school kids know by heart. Her letter to Bachmann, with its invitation to debate her on these issues, a hot feature story, went national.
For her initiative, Amy, a very smart cookie, got called a whore and worse by the stupid cookie's Tea Party supporters. There were threats of rape, and threats to publish Amy's home address, the better to harm her. But Amy Myers is one brave citizen.
Well, it has been 10 days since I came up short in my pursuit of the Bergen County endorsement for 38th District Assembly. And while on the one hand, I feel like I've been thanking people non-stop ever since; on the other hand, I feel like I have barely begun to thank all the people who made my experience as a candidate so positive.
So, since I started my campaign with an announcement on Blue Jersey, I thought I'd say one big final thank you here to finish the campaign.
Thank you Blue Jersey!
Together with DFA, Garden State Equality, Paterson Grassroots for Change, BlueAmericaPAC, NJ Stonewall Dems, and of course the amazing Democrats for Hawthorne, your support throughout (and not just the incredibly successful Money Bomb) helped make the campaign the success that it was. And special thanks to the party leaders and elected officials who loudly supported me for the 38th District seat, and to those who quietly supported me in the 35th (bless you, you know who you are).
I am very proud of what we accomplished - our efforts were a victory for progressives in New Jersey and around the nation. We sent a clear message to incumbents everywhere that they will be held accountable for their votes and their conduct in office, and that progressives are up to that challenge. In that regard, the campaign was indeed a huge success, and I am forever grateful.
As a token of my appreciation, I want to invite you to a Thank You party next Tuesday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. in Hawthorne. Whether you donated money, time, energy, or all of the above - please join us at 7:30p at the Llewellyn Ave. Firehouse, 10 Llewellyn Ave., Hawthorne, NJ. You'll meet our campaign staff, our incredible Hawthorne Democrats, and members of our 38th District Legislative team for a fun evening of food, friends and celebration. Feel free to let us know you're coming in the comments.
Now, it's time to turn our attention to upcoming races around the state - School Board Elections next week, Primary Elections in many Districts, and ultimately the big prize in November, when we see just how "Democratic" this new map really turns out to be. And, importantly, how "Democratic" our elected democrats turn out to be (ahem, I think you know who you are too).
So, thank you again for the donations, the hours spent volunteering, and the words of advice - they did not go unnoticed. As they say, the cause endures. I plan to continue fighting for a stronger Democratic Party and a better New Jersey, and I'm counting on you to join me.
I'm nearly speechless. Thank you to Rosi, Jay, and most importantly the entire Blue Jersey community for helping to make my campaign's money bomb an incredible success yesterday.
Together with Democracy for America and BlueAmericaPAC, we raised well over $10,000 from nearly 500 contributors - all online, all in one day. Amazing! And it brings our online fundraising across ActBlue to nearly $15,000 from over 500 individuals. And we're just getting started! I hope you'll join my facebook campaign page, and stay engaged as the campaign moves forward.
As the candidate, of course, I am very grateful for the support. Every campaign needs money, and yesterday was a real boost. But, as a member of the progressive community here in New Jersey, more than anything, I am proud. Proud of the strength of the community we have built and continue to build. As I've said over and over, this is a people's campaign, and yesterday's success was your success.
Wow! When we decided to try this money bomb thing, I confess, I wasn't exactly sure how it would go. But, I guess there's something about a primary campaign against a 30-year incumbent that gets the juices flowing, because it has been sensational. Maybe we should do this more often!
Are you ready for this update? As of 6:00pm (with six more hours to go!), here's the numbers from today:
Well, today is the day. I am asking all of my friends and supporters looking to change Trenton to head to my Act Blue page and make a donation to support my campaign.
The idea behind a money bomb is simple: it's a term used to describe a grassroots fundraising effort over a brief, fixed time period - usually to support a candidate for election by dramatically increasing, concentrating, and publicizing fundraising activity during a specific hour or day. In my case, the time is now, the day is here, and the link is this: Jeff Gardner Money Bomb
This money bomb is about showing the strength of the progressive netroots, and the stark difference between Senator Girgenti's campaign and mine. We're a people powered campaign.
I'm raising money from normal, everyday people looking for better representation in Trenton. My opponent is raising money from special interests and lobbyists looking for something in return. We need leaders fighting for the people in the State Senate, not just the politically connected. more below
An earlier version of this post had the wrong date for DFA Chair Jim Dean's arrival - it's tomorrow (Wed), not Thursday.
Hey, Blue Jerseyans, I just wanted to give you all a brief update on Jeff Gardner's white-hot and grassrootsy campaign for Senate.
A little background: Right now, of course, this is a primary campaign; Jeff is running against the 30-plus year incumbent John Girgenti. The legislative district, as it now stands, is LD-35. We don't know yet how redistricting will shake out for Paterson and the surrounding areas that now make up the district (Jeff testified last month). But as it happens, Jeff and Girgenti live in the same town: Hawthorne. Jeff was once an active volunteer for Girgenti, who was both state Senator and Hawthorne's Democratic municipal chair. But last June, Jeff challenged Girgenti for that chair. And Jeff's win was a huge upset for the powerful Girgenti, a slam-dunk grassroots victory for Hawthorne Dems, and the real start of the changes yet to come.
Jeff's national DFA endorsement: Jeff's been a statewide leader for Democracy for America-NJ (DFA-NJ) since its start. I'm totally bragging on my friend to say it's been my privilege to work alongside him there since Howard Dean started DFA 7 years ago. Jeff's success is now a huge national priority for DFA. And tomorrow, DFA Chair Jim Dean (yes, Howard's brother) will be at Jeff's campaign office for a press conference at 2:30pm, and after a big canvass goes out for Jeff, will headline a fundraiser for Jeff. (Jeff's campaign HQ)
Fantastic post about Jeff in Down With Tyranny: If you don't know Jeff or his history, Howie Klein's very supportive words are a great intro. And he gave Jeff the opportunity to post at his national-readership site. If you already know Jeff, it's all just a great read.
Jeff Gardner has a question for Chris Christie: Why did the governor head to Little Falls and Wayne to tour flood-ravaged areas, and skip over Paterson, one of Jersey's largest cities?
Raising money for Jeff: John Girgenti's had 30 years to build up a war chest. Jeff's campaign is built on grass/netroots organizing. Read up on Jeff, now a district, state and even national progressive priority. Send a message to Trenton that you want real Democrats in the State House. Back Jeff with some money - any amount you can give matters. And I'll make it easy: we're 2 days away from Jeff's Money Bomb Day - Thursday. (RSVP for Jeff's Money Bomb here).
Today, we kick off a 10-day Countdown to March 24th, the day we join progressives in New Jersey and across the nation to raise money for Jeff Gardner's campaign for the New Jersey Senate. March 24th is Money Bomb Day.
We've heard from all corners of NJ that Jeff's campaign is a statewide progressive priority. Here at Blue Jersey, we're proud Jeff's one of our own. Everyone here knows about Jeff Gardner. Rock solid progressive. A fighter. A leader.
Campaigns cost money. If Jeff's going to unseat a 30-year incumbent, he'll need our support. March 24th Money Bomb.
So - What's a Money Bomb?: A grassroots fundraising effort concentrated in a short time period. We're going to use it to support Jeff by dramatically ramping up, concentrating & publicizing his fundraising.
What you can do right now: Click "I'm Attending" on Jeff's Money Bomb page. Then come back March 24th and donate!
Every contribution counts - $5, $10, or $25 donations add up. If the progressive community shows our real strength - by making Jeff the next Senator from the 35th District - maybe Democrats in Trenton will think twice before they betray fundamental policies the Democratic Party stands for.
On Twitter: Tweet your support for Jeff! Use hash tag #GardnerMoneyBomb.
Until we step up and start electing better Democrats, we'll never get the representation we've been longing for. We'll never get the type of leadership a blue state like NJ deserves. We are going all-in for Jeff's campaign. And we need you. Money Bomb March 24th!
This was a weekend of a lot of year-end meetings and parties. Today, some of the Democracy for America folks met up in Morristown (big thanks to the Morris Dems for letting us use the clubhouse) for DFA at the Holidays, where the meeting always spills over into the bar across the street. The talk there was on Gov. Christie's brittle persona, and whether New Jerseyans are in fact getting tired of his routine, on redistricting and on party infrastructure issues.
Some of the Hunterdon Democrats were partying later today in Flemington, unfortunately at the same time Rush Holt's supporters were celebrating together, so I missed seeing Holt today. But it was great to see Ed Potosnak, who came to hang out with the Hunterdon Dems, and he brought homemade sugar cookies shaped like the State of New Jersey. Most of them were green, but I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Ed with a Blue Jersey cookie.
We now have both debates available on video, both below.
A few observations: Lance goes - many times - to the dusty GOP tactic of mentioning Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as though she's some kind of demi-witch, just in time for Halloween, with evil intentions that well-meaning Republicans must protect America from. It's quite overdone, and in the News 12 debate, Potosnak finally calls him on it, and reminds him of who he's actually running against and who he's not. The DADT conversation is interesting; Lance voted against the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (he rates only 38% Human Rights Campaign's scorecard). On the War question, Potosnak is unequivocal, a very clear position. Lance uses the opportunity to claim bi-partisanship with Obama, and try and trump Potosnak by showing off an incumbent congressman's access to classified briefings. Not too subtle. Also interesting is how assertive, aggressive even, he is toward Lance's record on several issues, particularly on economic issues. More than a few times, particularly in the News12 debate where the candidates are sitting 2 feet apart, Potosnak stared him down. Lance is good on his feet, a consummate speaker, but several times he appeared rattled and angry.
For the rest of this, frankly, I feel too close to this race (it's my District, and I helped bring Democracy for America (DFA) into the race, full disclosure) to be objective. So, Blue Jersey, I'd be interested in what you think. Of both debates.
NJ-7 Debate, sponsored by News 12 New Jersey 10/20/10
The only other debate (just 2 days earlier) is very different, and you can watch it after the jump. So, jump:
Things happen fast when your race heats up. Monday, Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean campaigned with NJ-7 challenger Ed Potosnak. Today, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) endorsed. And tonight, DFA & PCCC together are designating a shift of their national Call Out the Vote project to turning NJ-7 blue. (Political comedy's also tonight for Ed - in Fanwood - woo hoo!).
What it means is that voter-contact calls will be flooding into NJ-7 from all over the country, from progressives who not only intend to hold the House but to hold it with top-notch solid progressives.
I said it was a hot race. Tonight, there's also a political comedy show for Ed - Punchlines & Pizza for Potosnak (a comedy show for smart liberals) in Fanwood. Progressive comedians Scott Blakeman and (Princeton alum) Jeff Kreisler headline, with Joey Novick hosting.
Full disclosure blah blah blah: I live with Novick, and help run DFA-NJ alongside Jeff Gardner, my pal. Also, my pals: Blakeman & Kreisler. Funny guys. Oh, and more pix from Monday's DFA Action Day after the flip ...
A few days ago, Democracy for America (DFA), with more than 1 million members, endorsed Ed Potosnak for Congress in NJ's 7th congressional district. I just want to talk about that for a sec, before anything else. Full disclosure: No secret that there's crossover here between DFA and Blue Jersey. Jeff Gardner & I are two of the 5 who run the state DFA group. We helped get this endorsement. And both of us will be in central NJ Monday when DFA Chair Jim Dean joins Loretta Weinberg (a 2007 national DFA candidate), and me & Jeff, and a lot of our friends, to campaign with Ed Potosnak. Want to come? Monday's Columbus Day - a day off for a lot of folks:
11am - Woodbridge: Join us at Ed's Campaign HQ for canvass kick off followed by Door-to-Door and Phone Banking voter contact. Address is 115 Main St., Woodbridge. 3pm - Flemington: At the Hunterdon County Democratic HQ for a rally followed by Door-to-Door and Phone Banking voter contact. Hunterdon Dem HQ is 200 Main St., Flemington. Parking & entrance in back of Law Office.
4pm - Hunterdon County: Right now, if you make a contribution of $25 you will be entered to win a seat at the table for a high dollar afternoon supper with Ed, Jim and Senator Loretta Weinberg. Location TBA in Hunterdon County.
Bonus! The runner up will receive a signed copy of Senator Weinberg's book, What's Love Got to Do With it? The Case for Same-Sex Marriage (co-authored by Sen. Ray Lesniak). So, contribute $25 to our campaign right now. Whoa ... is that Jay Lassiter in that picture?
I'll be there. Jeff Gardner will be there. People you know will probably be there. You don't need to be a DFA member to join us - did you know Ed's endorsed not only by DFA but also MoveOn? And Stonewall Democrats. And American Federation of Teachers. Have you seen this PSA Ed made for young people like Tyler Clementi?
This is a good guy challenging a first-term incumbent - Leonard Lance - who had 3 Tea Party challengers in the Primary. Voted against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Terrible record on financial reform and on jobs. We can do better with Ed, high school chemistry teacher who won an Einstein Fellowship that sent him to Washington to work on education policy. Now we want to send him back to Washington. And make it stick.
Sometimes I resist talking here at Blue Jersey about Democracy for America, because it carries the biggest of my full disclosures and I'm mindful of not overusing this site to promote the other part of what I do, and what Jeff Gardner does. So, full disclosure: Jeff and I are 2/5ths of the DFA-NJ executive board. We help run DFA here in NJ and that means sometimes we get to preside over unbelievable resources pouring into this state from DFA (newbies, DFA was founded by Howard Dean; its first electoral win got him elected DNC Chair to launch 50-State Strategy - yeah, proud).
After DFA Campaign Training, comes DFA Night School: a national conversation & online training program anybody can do from home. It's free. Tonight's the last session, and it's not too late to jump on the call & follow on line:
What events in NJ attract a crowd of over 600,000 people? Izod Arena holds 23,000 and Meadowlands stadium holds over 60,000. One of the few event I can think of is a result of intensive training, winnowing of candidates, incredible guts, supreme determination, laser-like focus, and the highest level of professionalism. Unfortunately it's not our NJ politicians. It's the air force Thunderbirds and colleagues - a total of 80 pilots who flew in the Atlantic City Air Show on Wednesday dazzling us with their skills, death-defying aerobatics, and precision teamwork.
It's not that we haven't had great political leaders in New Jersey. Today a person like Senator Loretta Weinberg who started as Assistant Administrator to the County of Bergen, and then went on to become a Teaneck Councilwoman, Assemblywoman, Senator and LG candidate is an example to emulate. Our own Jeff Gardner first spent time learning the craft and then mobilized Democrats in his town to take over the Democratic committee.
Politics, above the introductory level, should be a vocation not an avocation. People with huge sums of money and zero political experience should not assume they are qualified for a high position. Those who are idolized only as a sports hero lack the training. Those who hold multiple positions lack the focus and are subject to conflicts of interest. They also need to understand what they do not know and avoid micromanagement, like thinking their office has the skills to direct the rewrite of a complex grant. As in all professions, politics requires training and ongoing education. Starting at a local level is an important step. Mastering new media is a virtual requirement today. Working smart and total immersion are necessary. A variety of groups including DFA provide the nuts and bolts for beginners. Garden State Equality recently offered a seminar to its constituency.
I don't particularly want a Thunderbird pilot as a NJ governor or legislator. But I sure would like politicians to receive more training and education before assuming midlevel or high positions and then to display more professionalism, focus, dedication and teamwork. If such were to happen maybe our leaders would have a higher voter approval, more voter turn out at the polls, and a level of enthusiasm, interest, and respect somewhat closer to what the Thunderbirds receive. And it's up to all of us to insist on higher standards.
Mayor Anna Little may be "Tea Party approved" but it looks like the bridge over the Shrewsbury River leading from the Mayor's home town of Highlands to Sea Bright was approved by Democrats in Washington and is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Something she would have voted "No" on - had she been in the seat she's running for now, Frank Pallone's in NJ-6.
DFA-NJ's Will Rosenthal poses by a stimulus project
On Saturday, Democracy for America (DFA) national Chair Jim Dean and DFA-NJ met up in Monmouth County for their 6th Annual DFA at the Beach event at Moby's in Highlands. Great deck bar, by the way.
Monmouth County DFA Chair, Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich casually mentioned to me that the bridge construction in the background of the DFA group photo is ironic because Tea Party candidate Little has benefitted from yet another Democratic chunk of ARRA stimulus money right in her own back yard.
At least the crane in the background is painted red!
Now, speaking of beach + fun, Dems 2000's having their Beach Bash tonight, by the way - have a blast, Dems 2000!
More pictures from DFA at the Beach, after the jump (thanks, Joe Osborne & Ed Zipprich, for the pix).
Yesterday was a wash in terms of getting anything out the door. There are 2,000 bloggers and politicians here at the swanky Rio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, but yesterday so much pull on the bandwidth that it crashed the internet here ... for hours.
Everybody here is working on strengthening the progressive movement. It's a buzzy place.
The first big session of the day yesterday was Primaries Matter: Reclaiming the Democratic Party. Bill Halter the big draw; his narrow loss in the Arkansas Senate Primary last month to incumbent Blanche Lincoln was the kind of galvanizing opportunity that drew in activists from all over the country, showing up to buttress the drive for change of the locals on the ground. Redefining what the Dems are all about via the choice of a forward-thinker over a moderate.
Halter was great, giving credit for making his campaign viable quickly. He outlined how roots groups massed - superquick - to make his run viable. He declared March 1. By end of day March 2, he'd raised $1 million on the strength of asks made by DFA, PCCC & MoveOn. Later, field staff and organizers materialized from all over the country.
And the drivers of Halter's soar were the rest of the panel - Arshad Hasan who runs DFA, Adam Green (PCCC), Ilyse Hogue (MoveOn), Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos, and the CM for Elaine Marshall's Senate .
Adam, who used to be the Communications Director of the NJDSC, talked about how progressives were viewed by the Party as rabblerousers, clueless complainers who didn't realize how much their desire to shift the party progressive was going to cost Democratic seats (a theme echoed in Washington Post's coverage of the session.
That got big laughs. The room was packed with people who make things happen for candidates the infrastructural party ignores, or opposes. They're primarying candidates who deserve challenge. The mother of all is Ned Lamont's meteoric (winning) primary challenge to Joe Lieberman, which gave courage to the entire class of 2006 Dem congressional candidates to come out against the Iraq War.
Halter said the only thing he'd have done differently in his race was getting in earlier - he had only a 77-day window (but lost by only 3 points). Halter's campaign had the life, the drive, viable $$ (credit netroots) - he was the stronger candidate. (Our old friend Steve Kornacki does a great job explaining why the wrong candidate won this race - at salon.com)But Lincoln's had the power of incumbency, the infrastructural party (which should have been with Halter, if it was smart) and Bill Clinton who used his considerable powers for her. On this, Adam Green was definitive:
It's tough to see someone you've believed in betray you in a big way. We need to pick our heroes. . . . I think it would be sad if we went through this entire conference without calling out Bill Clinton for what he did.
More later. Met up with Adam L aka clammyc this morning, and we're hitting up sessions and meetings.
