(Please welcome John Hall, a genuine progressive WINNER and rock star to the community in the comments section today. Winning feels good, doesn’t it? As always, please be good hosts and confine the discussion in this thread to John’s campaign and areas of political interest. Plameologists and others can continue to use Swopa’s excellent thread below for other topics in the meantime. Thanks! — Pach)
My dear friend Helen up in Katonah kept complaining that she was getting lots of slick mailers from rich DCCC-Republican Judy Aydelott but nothing from John Hall, the actual progressive in the race to see who would be the Democratic Party’s nominee to oppose one of New York State’s most loyal Tom DeLay allies, Sue Kelly (NY-19). "Don’t worry," I told her. "Hall knows what he’s doing. And he knows no one pays attention ’til Labor Day. He’ll be sending plenty of mail." And he did. And last night he decisively beat back the Rahm Emanuel candidate, Aydelott + 3 other Democrats.
"New Yorkers want change– not a little bit of change; a serious change," is how John explained to me why he seemed so confident in the days before the primary. The mass media claimed the race was too hard to call. John knew he would win big. And he did. The first I heard of his decision to take on Kelly was in the form of a letter from Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Graham Nash, co-founders with John of MUSE (Musicians United For Safe Energy). In 1979 they had put on the world famous No Nukes concert at Madison Square Garden, 5 nights, an album, a movie, lots of money funneled into alternative energy projects and education. Aside from being a rock star (known for his work with Orleans), John has been a long time, serious-minded Democratic activist, serving as a school board president and a county legislator.
John has a sophisticated political outlook and is very clear about the out of balance dynamic between an overwhelming Big Government/Big Business combination and workers, consumers and ordinary Americans. "That balance needs to be tipped back." And that’s what John’s campaign has been all about. A dyed-in-the-wool thoughtful progressive, John is as different from Sue Kelly as night is from day, not only in the ethics arena– she has consistently taken huge legalized bribes from Big Business and voted, blindly, for their interests to the detriment of her constituents– but on most policy matters. She has been a dependable rubber stamp for Bush and the far right GOP leadership. John is a vehement supporter of diplomacy as a way to solve problems, rather than unprovoked war. "I don’t think we should be in the business of attacking countries that didn’t attack us first." He is very eager to bring American troops safely home from Bush’s Iraqi occupation.
Although Iraq is a huge issue in NY-19, John’s expertise in the fields of education, alternative energy, and managed development, plus his people-oriented approach to affordable healthcare– he favors single-payer– make him a formidable candidate against a robotic hack politician who never heard a proposal from Big Business she didn’t think was dandy. The intrepid local bloggers at never took a stand among the Democrats looking to take on Kelly. Instead they were as focused as lasers on Kelly’s many shortcomings.
Republicans have felt safe and sassy in this well-off suburban/exurban district north of New York City. John is undaunted. "Bush’s approval rating here is something like 11%. Independents are very dissatisfied. People here are unhappy with one-party dominance in Washington. They want to see checks and balances restored… Sue Kelly has always been there for the Republicans when they need her. She has been a dependable Bush vote for war, his tax policies, his trade policies, bankruptcy policy, his Medicare Part D, and No Child Left Behind (which has been devastating to local property taxes here)."
John was forced to spend a great deal of money beating back the challenge from Beltway Democrats and he’s going to be depending on grassroots progressives like ourselves to help him replenish his warchest in time to beat Sue Kelly in November. Let’s not let him down!
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- Florida State Senator Al Lawson, 2010 Primary Challenger to Blue Dog Alan Boyd
- John Garamendi, CA Lt. Governor, Congressional Candidate, Will Talk Public Option Today on FDL
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Ahhhh
Back onpolitics, go to Wikipedia, Curt Weldon, and early life and education. I been doin’ a little editing there, which I think Taylor will like.
I posted this here instead of in the Curt Weldon thread, on the chance that his office won’t notice the additions for a while.
In particulate, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C….._education gets you there and eyesight is now discussed.
(grin)
Prof and others: please use this thread only to remain on topic. Other stuff belongs downstairs. Thanks.
Welcome, John Hall, and congratulations!
John got my time phone banking last week (what I could give), and will get a few more drachmas on payday.
Beating the DCCC’s machine candidates is like icing on the cake, isn’t it?
As you know, we’ve tended– with a very few exceptions– to not get involved with primaries. I mean when it’s Democratic incumbents who consistently support Bush and the GOP agenda like Lieberman, Wynn and Harmon, we jump in feet first. But between challengers, we prefer to leave it to the locals to decide. John Hall’s race was an exception, mostly because John Amato at Crooks and Liars, a fellow musician, has been so gung-ho on John Hall. Every time we discuss a candidate, he always gets a plug in for him. John Amato sure called this one right and we’re really excited to welcome John Hall to Firedoglake today. Hopefully many of us will be at his swearing in in DC in January.
Hey John, what’s your district demographics like? I mean is it realistic that you could take a seat away from the GOP? I’ve know NY is going to be a good state this year for Democrats because of Eliot Spitzer but is your district really republican?
REduce image sizes, please!!!
Oops, someone just edited it out, 14 minutes ago. History asserts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/inde…..on=history
That is, my comments about the medical standards have been deleted there.
Here is what I posted there (which has been deleted):
The references were:
2. ^ U.S. Army Medical Fitness Standards [1], 1969
3. ^ Website of Cong. Curt Weldon[2]
So the latest editor’s assertion is that the Army Medical Fitness Standards don’t exist? ! ! ! Nor the website!
John’s office called a few minutes ago. He’ll be joining us in a moment or two.
Thanks, Howie, et al…
It was an exciting night, the result of formidable union support and the hard work of over 350 volunteeers. We have a clear choice in this district; hopefully there will be thirty or so new Democratic legislators in January so I can watch the furniture getting moved.
John
Responding to floridabro06, the district is 7% more Republican than Democrat, but there are about 25% non-enrolled voters who are up for grabs and this year are heavily for change. I hope to win many of them, and also a lot of disaffected Republicans. Time on the train platform leads me to believe that is possible.
Welcome to Firedoglake, John. CONGRATULATIONS on the terrific win last night. Is NY-19 an expensive media market? What’s the best way to get your message out? I suspect most people there, like everywhere, don’t have a lot of sense about what’s going on in DC.
Alphonse @
8
Done.
John I am sure the Bush attack team is already hitting you for not going to Vietnam. How do we hit them back?
to beemer,
thanks for your phone time. It was inspiring to see, and I spent some time in the phone banks with the volunteers myself reading the script and chatting with the voters. Edifying always, and usually rewarding. The big question is usually whether to call through dinner hour, but who knows exactly when that is anymore.
Congratulations, John! I’ll send help your way when I get home (blogging from work can be tricksy!). Keep hammering ‘em on Iraq!
Response to Howie,
Dist. 19 is suburban, exurban, and rural. Everything from woods and farmland to strip mall sprawl. The most educated and affluent district in NY, but still with pockets of poverty, shortages of low income housing and child care, serious environmental problems, loss of pensions (IBM and Verizon), and the old middle-class squeeze. It’s definitely up for grabs, once people realize that the incumbent voted for the war, budget and trade policies, NCLB, Medicare Part D, etc. You can’t claim to be for change or checks and balances while supporting the administration’s central policies.
John,
To what extent do the forces of “don’t make waves” among Democrats in DC make mischief back home: have the other primary candidates or members of the donor community rallied to your flag now that you’ve won?
Congratulations to John! I live in the Westchester County portion of the district where I would imagine that John will get significant support, even though it is Sue Kelly’s “home turf.” What I wonder about, though, is how John plans to take her on in the other more conservative areas where the largest number of voters are.
What’s the most effective way for you to get that out, John? Radio? Cable TV? Mailings? Door to door canvassing? How are you going to make sure voters know there’s an alternative to Kelly/Bush?
to Jesse Harrington,
I went to my induction physical and was turned down and given a 1Y deferment. I didn’t serve, but I did show up to be inducted.
That doesn’t mean I thought it was a good idea to conduct undeclared wars. As Iraq is showing us now, one needs the full debate a declaration of war requires to marshall the support of the country. It you can’s spell out the enemy, the threat, the projected cost and time frame well enough to convince the country and the Congress to use their Constitutional power to declare war, then you should stay home. Unless, of course, you are attacked. Iraq never attacked us.
Parachutec. oops. I know the Blue America rules. Sorry. didn’t notice it was Blue America when my fingers started flying. (Excited about being first, ya know.)
Feel free to delete my comments here. I’ll post relevant stuff about Curt Weldon instead at a previous topic.
Welcome, John Hall, and congratulations!As someone that has watched you play guitar for more than 30 years from Opus 40 and the joyous lake to The Bottom Line, I didn’t know how politically involved and capable you were. I wish you the best in helping to turn this country around.After these Bush years, it’s hard not to feel very discouraged about things like the environment,wasted resources and lives in Iraq, deficit and tax cuts, medical coverage, partisan politics,eron,supreme court nominations,etc.
We must win back congress.
I was also a big fan of the Rhinestones and still go to see Kal play when he’s back east. Is it true,as I’ve recently read(in a short Brooks bio),that Harvey Brooks “discovered” you?
Howie Klein @
6
Just a note, Howie: Have you noticed that ever since Marcy Winograd gave Harmon a good run for her money, Harmon’s been tending to be a lot more stand up and responsive? I’m thrilled about Johm Hall’s win, (BTW one of my uncles used to have a summer home in Katonah when I was a kid and just hearing the name brought back memories) and his policy positions thrill me. But, sometimes even losing can have a positive effect.
Winning, of course, as Mr. Hall and Ned did, is so much better.
to Dan,
I think this year the issues and labels are all mixed up. Remember Superman’s Bizarro World, where everything was the opposite of normal? Well, here’s a supposedly conservative administration that increases the national debt limit five years in a row (with Rep. Kelly’s vote) to 9.6 trillion. They fork over billions to manufacturers of big, non-functioning missile defense systems that are essentially destabilizing, because they give some Americans a false sense of security, but deny our troops bankruptcy protection, body armor, and sufficient health care when they come home. Is my call for energy independence based on domestic, renewable resources a left or right idea? I think it’s a patriotic idea. The voters need to get this, and I believe they do.
Morris (#27)- you bet I noticed how much better behaved Harmon has been after her little close call with political mortality. It’s too late for Sue Kelly though– for any kind of redemtion. That’s why it’s so important we all give John a hand.
Congrats, John. And thanks for signing the Voters First Pledge to clean up Congress.
Thanks John. I agree with you on Iraq. Too many Democrats say they want out but support a long transition while our kids still die. When we win what can we do to make sure theres an immediate withdrawal? Will starting impeachment do it
Responding to Joel Resnick,
Harvey Brooks was a new staff producer at Columbia Records when I walked in the door and played him a couple of songs. I knew him from his work with the Electric Flag and Dylan. He signed me to the label, and produced my first solo album, Action. Good luck finding it.
I teach in a small, rural, very non-wealthy public school. Would you care to comment on what is the most important action needed to attract new people to the profession?
Wow John, I am really impressed with your responses here. Thanks for taking the time to be on with us, it’s inspiring to see a progressive WINNER staying connected to the grassroots base. Very cool!!
John,
A bunch of us here have been kicking around the latest salvo in Bush’s fight to get his warrantless wiretapping efforts both legalized in the future and retroactively sanctioned for their past practices. In my opinion, wiretapping is not the problem, but the lack of judicial oversight is, per the Fourth Amendment.
What’s your take on all this, and how do the eavesdropping story and the more general issue of a general lack of accountability for the Bush administration play in your district?
on energy , I just puchased a Toyota Prius and getting 44 miles a gallon. I may not save any money in the end, because it costs more that comparable sized cars, but it’s important to conserve. Why isn’t the credit good against the alternative minimum tax which alot of people are finding themselves in, even without ” tax shelters ,and passive losses? The credit isn’t as much an incentive as it should be. And if detroit thinks they should give away gas to encourage buying SUVs, they deserve to go bankrupt.
Responding to Jesse Harrington,
Right now a controlled, orderly withdrawal looks like the best option. If someone (executive branch?) offered the Congress and the public a plan that could result in a more stable country after our departure, many Democrats would support it out of sense of responsibility. But this president refuses to share contracts, decision-making power, or control of the oil. He also refuses to consider Biden’s plan for “Balkanization.” In fact, he refuses to consider anything except his own failed non-plan. That leaves us no option except withdrawal.
Howie Klein @ 29
Couldn’t agree more. Kelly is, after a Republican. ‘Nuff said. Will be heading over to the ActBlue page later to do my part.
Congrats John. I assume you and the netroots’ own NYBri will be hitting up some events together, since your districts overlap. As a Vassar grad who had to intern for a Republican because there were no Democrats around, I wish you the best of luck.
FloridaBro06 @ 34
Yeah, anyone who quotes Superman’s “Bizzaro World” is a-OK in my book! Congratulations, John.
Folks, don’t forget to contribute to John’s Blue America page and stop by the Blue America PAC if you want to help get more “Have You Had Enough?” radio ads on the air in select progressive races.
I hope you dont fall for that. With all due respect Nixons took 8 years of “Vietnamization” before we got out. Dont take the Lieberman option.
John –
The easiest way to refer back to an earlier commenter is to click on the “Quote this Comment” button beneath those remarks. It will put the earlier comment in the box at the bottom, set off as a “blockquote”.
Once the quoted materials appear, simply place your cursor at the end [after the “/blockquote” marker], and you’re all set.
Morris (#38), thanks– and thanks for reminding me about ActBlue. For anyone who is new here today, we encourage people to donate what they can to our candidates here at the Blue America ActBlue page. Most people who have contributed have given $20 donations and it all adds up and it looks like we could hit $200,000 in a week or so. I can’t think of a better investment in our nation and our future than in John Hall’s campaign.
responding to oklahoma kiddo,
education is national security. attracting the best talent and keeping it is key, and to do that we must offer teachers compensation comparable to that in the business world, entertainment, sports, etc. I’ve been a school board trustee and president, and I can tell you the adversarial relationship between school boards and property owners is getting worse and doing permanent damage to public education. Education funding needs to come from a mixture of income streams, not just property tax. That’s a state issue, and a big one here in NY. But at the federal level, I think just re-ordering our priorities would help. You could reduce a bunch of class sizes with that $7 billion gift to the oil companies last year, the bill that let them drill and pump on public land without paying royalties.
to Peterr,
I think the FISA courts provide a perfectly adequate mechanism for the government to spy on supposed terrorists or sympathizers. Show me a case where the 72 hour grace period was not enough. If I see proof of that, and if the executive is willing to submit a proposed amendment for a longer period, I’ll consider it. But until then, they are breaking the law. No one should be above the law, ESPECIALLY the president.
Jacqrat (#40) found a radio station for our ads that covers much of Nancy Johnson’s district (CT-05), where some local Connecticut bloggers want to help Chris Murphy and much of NY-19, where the “time to throw the rascals out” message will help John too. The station is now playing the full song in regular rotation.
Peterr @ 42
Thanks, Peterr.
Hi John,
Congratulations. I recently changed my registration to Westchester (where I live part time with my boyfriend). Having lived in Democratic NYC for all my life, I look forward to being able to do something to make a difference when I vote. I will be heading over to ActBlue to make a donation and look forward to hearing “Had Enough”. If I can donate some time, I will do that too. Keep reminding people that Sue is a Republican, since she seems to have dropped all mention of it from her website.
Good Luck!
Howie Klein @ 46
Can’t wait to hear it.
Do you have a sense yet for how successful you will be in getting strong financial support from the more centrist types who backed Judy Aydellot in the primary?
John:
Congratulations on a decisive win and, importantly, record voter turnout in the District. I believe this is the year when voters will wake up to the reality that their pockets have been picked by the rascals they elected. Even if you are relatively well-off today, the world and America has become more unstable and unsustainable for future generations. I keep hoping the people who have been so badly hurt by the current administration’s policies will rise up and vote for real change for themselves and their families. I believe you have the ability and the message to energize the voters.
I know it will be expensive and Sue Kelly has raised a ton of cash from business interests and wealthy people looking to protect their privileges. I donated as much as I could to your campaign and the DCCC. I hope others give what they can too. It’s unfortunate, but we need to raise the money required to fight the good fight. I second Howie’s thoughts about investing in America.
juls @ 39
Thanks, Juls. We had a couple of Vassar interns this summer, and more this fall. They’re doing an awesome job. Not to mention our Georgetown intern.
John Hall, are you walking the district?
And has the right-wing opened up on you yet?
And your website is wonderful, with you popping up for a little talk from the bottom of my screen.
And I just saw that you have been associated with the sloop Clearwater, protecting the Hudson. Is Storm King Mountain in your district? As an environmental lawyer myself, the fight to preserve Storm King is an icon of the birth of the environmental law movement.
I don’t have to act blue though I’m in with a little help Mr. Hall and grateful for your involvement in these trying times.
Been writing letters til I’m blue in the face today against this nightmare Peterr mentioned above.
and as always thanks Howie and FDL
Just my two cents on Iraq, from an email I sent my brother this AM, who asked what we could do in such as mess yet was still reluctant to just leave and was wondering how we could “get out”.
Here’s what I humbly suggest as the best way to rescue a car hurtling to the rocks below after being driven off a cliff:
First, make a declaration that we have no interest in staying in Iraq after the country is stabilized, and mean it. Stop construction on any permanent bases, scale down the new embassy, which is bigger than Vatican City, and set definite guidelines for the removal of most, if not all of our troops. Soon. Concurrently, convene either a U.N. or regional conference to determine the nature of, and institute, a true multi-national contingent, with major Arab/Muslim participation, to act as a buffer between competing forces in Iraq and guarantee some degree of safety to the public and minorities.
Second, re-negotiate the Iraqi constitution, perhaps allowing for more regional autonomy but with provision for equitable distribution of oil revenues. You may end up with nearly three separate countries under a loose federal umbrella. So what? Make the attempt, at least, that these governments will be secular in nature and guarantee minority rights.
Third, start a true reconstruction effort, aimed at restoring infrastructure, especially electricity, water systems, schools, and oil production facilities and pipelines. This needs to be financed to the tune of tens of billions of dollars and most of it will come from us, yet it will still be far cheaper than continuing the war. Make sure that the contracts are let out to bid fairly and all nations have a shot at them and that Iraqis are given priority in getting the actual jobs to reduce endemic unemployment. Prohibit the use of foreign (non-Iraqi) workers until unemployment is below, say, 10%. Keep Haliburton entirely out of it. Reduce or eliminate that influence of foreign corporations in oil production and day-to-day running of Iraqi assets. Make the case – and follow though – that this is a new Iraq for Iraqis project. Let the whole thing be run by an international oversight organization created for the purpose until Iraqis can take it over.
None of this will be easy. It will entail hard work, diplomacy, compromise and some degree of risk.
gr8flmo @ 48
Gr8flmo,
Thanks and yes, Sue had deleted the word Republican from her ads and her website. Now she’s “an independent voice in Congress,” or some such thing. It’s hard to reinvent yourself when you have a twelve year record.
John Hall @ 49
Well, John, you don’t have to: here’s the song. It’ll sound better when you hear it on the radio of course. But you already know that.
Prof @ 53
Prof,
Storm King is indeed in the District, as is Cornwall-on-Hudson where my in-laws live. I was on the board of Clearwater for a couple of years, and resigned the night before I announced my candidacy. They are a non-profit which cannot be affiliated with a political campaign.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 54
Anyone without ActBlue, we have a P.O. Box:
Blue America
PO Box 27201
L.A., CA 90027
Howie Klein @ 57
Great!!
None of this will be easy. It will entail hard work, diplomacy, compromise and some degree of risk.
John, you didnt answer my question. Why should we work hard for Bushs war?? John Conyers has said he supports impeachment, and he voted against the Patriot Act unlike alot of people. Dont you think this will force an end to the war?
Morris Sheppard @ 55
Morris,
good ideas all, and reminiscent of the Marshall Plan. The only problem is the intransigence of the Bush administration. If they would share contracts instead of giving them to Halliburton, if they weren’t building bases and embassies for the long term, if they were willing to share decisionmaking power with anyone, we wouldn’t be in the fix we’re in today. But I keep coming back to the initial decision and its disastrous wrongness.
When they dragged the Exxon Valdez off the rocks, the Coast Guard didn’t say, “Hey, Capt. Hazelwood! Take the wheel again.”
That’s what we’re dealing with here: the people who made the wrong decisions about going to war, and about how to conduct the war and the occupation, are still in power. We need different hands at the wheel or the same results will ensue.
John Hall @ 26
John, what you say in your last sentenjce here — is this a left or right idea? Or this is a patriotic idea? It jumped off the page at me. And I think if you could put every idea and policy you have in that context and repeat it a hundred times a day — especially when you talk to reporters — you can really make your voice heard with the folks in your district.
Hi John, Congratulations!
I have followed your campaign through one of my good NY friends, Beth Soto, who has been working hard for you ! She even coerced me into sending some of my Ned Lamont dollars to you! :)
Good luck in November. We are all pulling for you.
Pam from CT.
Bergs @
62
Thanks, Pam. Beth and Raul are wonderful people and tireless voluteers for the campaign. Also, Eddie Vale, my former deputy campaign manager, is working on the Lamont campaign.
John,
Experience tells us threads like these become a good place for many in the netroots to become acquainted with a candidate. More and more, writers and journalists do research here as well.
How would you like to encapsulate your message, the reason why you should represent your distruct, both for our commenters here now and for those who find this thread later?
alittlemusicalityplease @
61
Thanks, Dan. I believe all of us are involved for patriotic reasons, in the best sense of the word. When Jackson Browne did his four barn concerts for my campaign, with Dar Williams, Pete Seeger, Jon Pousette-Dart, and others, his version of the Steven Van Zandt song “I Am a Patriot” was my favorite highpoint of the night, every night.
Congrats, John! My business partner lives in Mahopac ; )
New NBC/WSJ Poll
Bush JAR 42%
(bump due to lower gas prices – Tim Russert)
That’s what we’re dealing with here: the people who made the wrong decisions about going to war, and about how to conduct the war and the occupation, are still in power. We need different hands at the wheel or the same results will ensue.
I agree with what you’re saying about different hands on the wheel John. I just want to know that you’re going to truly be a force for change by supporting impeachment.
Howie Klein @ 59
Glad you got a P.O. Box for those who need it. Sorry I poorly expressed my inherent blue nature :) Today “Act Blue” serves as a double entendre in my political mood. carry on.
Congratulations, John. Way to go!
Pachacutec @ 64
I support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq (based on the circumstances that exist today), universal healthcare, an energy policy based on renewables and conservation. I believe in checks and balances and three co-equal branches of government as defined in our Constitution, and feel the the Bush administration has been declaring and exercising powers not Constitutionally granted. In my view, the playing field has been tilted toward corporate power, and away from the individual, the consumer, the working family, the environment. I will fight to level the playing field and protect the environment, the rights of workers, and the economic health of the middle class. Our social safety net should be mended, our Katrina victims restored to some kind of normalcy, our infrastructure rebuilt, the stratification of our economy stopped.
I’m also for labelling things what they really are, i.e., Clear Skies Initiative which should be Polluters’ Aid Project, and No Child Left Behind which should be Punish the Schools in Need.
Hi John,
Congratulations! I am so glad you won! I know you will go all the way. I’m not surprised that you have acquired such devoted people (like my friend Beth Soto) to help with your campaign. You inspire hope for change and we all so desperately need that these days. Even though I’m in Ohio and have my hands full trying to rid us of the scourges that be, Beth has had me paying attention and helping NY as I can. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, John. Great pitch.
John Hall has a great website at http://www.johnhallforcongress.com/
Dan @
48
Dan,
I have already received some contributions from former Aydelott supporters. It may take some time, but I believe I can win many of them over.
I’m not proposing to weaken or lower our defenses, just to be smarter and support our troops by using them wisely. I’m not suggesting we lose jobs with environmental regulation, in fact experience shows that new jobs were created by the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. If we got serious about developing wind, tidal, solar, low-head hydro, geothermal, and other readily available kinds of energy, we could invent, manufacture and sell these technologies around the world from this district.
As for my record on the school board, we lowered property taxes 2% the first year, and over four years had app. a total increase of 2%. That’s well below inflation, and we did it while sending graduates to Brown, Harvard, Middlebury, all the SUNY schools, as well as training many students for entry into the work force. One would think this record would gain support among conservative and moderate voters.
The USAPATRIOT Act needs a more appropriate name as well. (The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001)
Hello all, this is Tate Hausman, John’s tech director / online organizer. It’s inspiring to see everyone here and to see the high level of discussion.
In addition to donating on the Blue America page for John, there’s something else that netroots supporters can do to help John — make volunteer phone calls from your home on John’s behalf.
We have a great program we call The Home Team that allows supporters all over the country to get involved in this race, talking to voters in a way that actually makes a difference. The Home Team was a big part of our success in the primary. It was used on the Lamont campaign as well. I urge you to check it out, and sign up if you’re interested.
After a few days of regrouping, we’ll be firing it back up for the general election. We’ll need all the callers we can get to beat Sue Kelly!
i was at the beacon office yesterday to support my good friend beth s. in her work for john. got tasked to put up lawn signs and was really impressed with the energy and set up there. my district is 19’s neighbor….the 20th and i am trying to do my best to help kirsten defeat the evil sweeney but i think i will do some work for john as well and see if i can hit a daily double on 11/7.
Cozumel @ 66
Well, it was predictable that the oil guys in the administration would get their friends in the biz to lower prices before the election. I predict 2.50 regular Nov. 6, then increases after the 7th.
We need to keep our eyes on the ball, and not let a temporary drop in prices move us away from solutions and toward more global warming. There is nothing that would boost the American psyche like telling (fill in your country of choice) to keep their oil. Energy independence, a balance of trade recovery, creation of jobs here doing insulation of old buildings, buybacks and replacements of old, inefficient appliances, regulating supermarkets to eliminate open-front or open-top refrigerators that work 24/7 to keep the food cold while furnaces work to keep the shoppers warm, repeal of restrictive covenants in homeowners associations that prohibit line-drying of clothes, preferential purchasing of hybrids or alt. fuel vehicles by government at all levels, all these things can have an immediate effect on our energy markets and consumption.
John @ 62
Exactly. This is a message that needs repeating. Unfortunately they haven’t dragged the Valdez off the rocks yet. It’s still bleeding oil (and in the case of the war blood and money) and Hazelwood’s still at the helm and it’s “full speed ahead.”
Still, we need to show that a) as opposed to the current captain we’re not drunken fools (that part is the easy one) and, b) we have a reasonable idea of how to get the ship off the rocks.
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 75
That’s a good one! My friend Coleen Rowley says that the illegal wiretapping and data mining is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and then adding more hay.
John,
You mentioned working the train platforms. What kind of questions are people asking you? What concerns are they telling you about?
John Hall is running against Sue Kelly for many reasons, and it is important to note that Sue voted for a budget bill which reduced funds for student loans, veterans benefits, Medicaid, Medicare and employee pensions.
John Hall @ 80
I’ll say it again - exactly.
Congratulations on your primary win. Your comments/responses are very impressive.
But what is next? The most recent polls indicate a slight but consistent uptick in the President’s approval ratings overall. Despite waging the wrong war and losing it, despite worsening conditions in Afghanistan, despite alienting much of the world and creating more enemies, the public’s approval rating of this Administration is not falling, it’s holding or rising slightly. We could list failure after failure, outrage after outrage, from our perspective. But apparently, the rest of the country doesn’t see it that way.
What do you think Democrats should do about this? What’s missing from their national message? And how can we help turn this around?
Morris Sheppard @ 79
Morris,
That’s a good couple of points, especially when trying to win in a Distict where there are more Republicans than Dems. My policy has always been to listen to ideas from all sources, and to get news from all sources. I’ve also had a history of working across the aisle in the legislature and school board, finding common ground on issues where that is possible.
As for getting the ship off the rocks, man the pumps while you reverse engines. There is and will be damage to the republic from this administration’s policies, but the sooner we disengage the sooner we can start repairing the damage.
I can’t stress enough the importance of our being a good global citizen. We have walked away from the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Land Mines Treaty, the Chemical and Biological Weapons Treaties, the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty, and abbrogated the Anti-Ballistic-Missile Treaty. Then when it comes to terrorism, we ask, “Are you with us or against us?” No wonder the response has been so feeble from our allies.
This race has made my day. I am snoopydancing. Bless you John you are wonderful. Thanks for the music too.
scarecrow @ 86
I think what John said about gas prices is relevant. Also Bush just gave about a speech a day over the last week, had a big 9/11 event and there have not been any recent horrible disasters, today’s news notwithstanding.
Still IIRC Gallop had him back down to 39 yesterday. Even 42% sucks. Not to mention he still has a lapdog media giving him a tailwind, although the velocity has dropped. He’ll never hit 45. How would you like to go before the public in an election cycle with a 42% approval rating? Me, not so much.
Mr. Hall:
Compliments. Extremely well said:
I support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq (based on the circumstances that exist today), universal healthcare, an energy policy based on renewables and conservation. I believe in checks and balances and three co-equal branches of government as defined in our Constitution, and feel the the Bush administration has been declaring and exercising powers not Constitutionally granted. In my view, the playing field has been tilted toward corporate power, and away from the individual, the consumer, the working family, the environment. I will fight to level the playing field and protect the environment, the rights of workers, and the economic health of the middle class. Our social safety net should be mended, our Katrina victims restored to some kind of normalcy, our infrastructure rebuilt, the stratification of our economy stopped.
I’m also for labelling things what they really are, i.e., Clear Skies Initiative which should be Polluters’ Aid Project, and No Child Left Behind which should be Punish the Schools in Need.
Well done Sir. Congratulations. I just hit your tip jar. Good luck.
Congratulations John!
I see and respect your position on Iraq– thank you! What is your position on Afghanistan and Israel/Palestine/Lebanon? While the NAM Summit is occurring as we speak, I am more than a little concerned about our foreign policy in general.
Actually have to get some work done now. Before I sign off let me wish you the best of luck, John. You have impressed me as precisely the kind of candidate we need, both with your ideas and your willingness to engage. We all hope to soon be calling you Representative Hall.
John Hall @ 26
Dan, I like the way you talk. Republicans are utterly out of ideas and unfortunately some of the more establishment Democrats are busy watching the polls instead of trying to understand the growing problems of our nation.
We need new Democrats like you who seem to have a common sense, pragmatic approach.
Ack, I mean John Hall.
HopeSpringsATurtle @ 91
Me too!
Congrats John!
Apologies if this has been said before, but as a moderator I am following a couple of threads at once. Or, if you have already mastered this part of campaigning… but…One thing that has become very apparent to me, in following the congressional races that Howie and others have highlighted at FDL, is how important it is to have a “video” presence”- say, via “You Tube”. Video snippets of you (the candidate) just being out and about and talking to ordinary folks, say. Just to say that I hope you have some teen-aged (ha! they are usually teen-aged) video bloggers working on your behalf. Thanks.
scarecrow @ 84
Well, there are some things out of our control. And there are some things out of the administration’s control. My guess, unfortunately, is that things will continue to worsen in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that we’ll have a growing wall of names for these wars. Bush’s slightly increased numbers may result from his 9/11 Anniversary tour, but a few IED’s and another bump in energy prices could reverse that. Plus, there are more revelations all the time about the behind the scenes discussions leading up to the war, more legal action regarding Libby, Safavian, Ney, Abramoff, Delay, etc.
My strategy in this District, which I recommend to candidates across the country, is to emphasize the lack of checks and balances. One party rule, which we were taught was evil when it was the Communists in Russia or China, when it was the Baath Party in Iraq, is here unless we stop it. Karl Rove bragged about building a “permanent Republican majority,” and the K Street Project advanced it further by shutting Democratic lobbyists out of the action. If we leave a Republican Congress in power this year, we as a country deserve what we get. The planet doesn’t deserve it, our children and grandchildren don’t deserve it, but we do. It’s as plain as the nose on your face that this administration is dragging us over a cliff, fiscally, environmentally, in terms of healthcare and pensions, in terms of manufacturing jobs lost, in terms of our reputation around the world. Ultimately, to win a fight you need more friends and fewer enemies. This administration is doing the opposite.
My opponent was a florist by her own description before she entered Congress in 1994 with Newt Gingrich’s Contract With America. I say a guitar player and songwriter has the same right to run for Congress and I promise I will not be silent if I hear the VP coming up to the hill to argue in favor of torture. I will not be silent if I think we’re being sold a war on false premises. I will do everything I can to protect this country from real threats, and to provide real national security: healthcare for all, quality public education, a sane, environmentally sound energy policy, honesty and competence in our government.
John thanks for your views on Iraq- they took awhile but are allright. I think clarifying your views on impeachment would go along way to showing that youre not one of the Lieberman/Harman/Shays/Kelly phonee centrists.
John Hall @ 96
Amen! And congratulations on your primary victory.
John has been here a while, and I’m not sure how much longer he can stay. Please thank him for taking time with us, and make your donation if you can!
John, thanks for coming on to Firedoglake today. We all really appreciate you spending the time with us and answering all the questions so well. While you were doing that, our mutual friend, Danny Goldberg, called me on the phone to ask me to please get behind your campaign!
I have to get to an appointment across town. Please stay as long as you’d like and please come back any time you feel like it. You’re always welcome. I’m sure the John Hall bucket at our ActBlue Page will be overflowing tonight.
I appreciate your presence here tonight, Mr. Hall. I won’t be able to donate tonight, but I will next week! In the meantime, you’ve given me hope for real leadership in Congress.
Jesse Harrington @
59
John, you didnt answer my question. Why should we work hard for Bushs war?? John Conyers has said he supports impeachment, and he voted against the Patriot Act unlike alot of people. Dont you think this will force an end to the war?
Jesse,
sorry it took me so long to respond to this comment. I look forward to putting John Conyers in the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. I would vote against the Patriot Act (another misnomer) if I had the chance. I believe that Bill Clinton was impeached for personal misbehavior and lies about it, but that President Bush has committed more serious and deadly actions which are possible abuses of power and may be impeachable offenses.
I also know that he has only two years left on his term, and many Democrats are concerned about his insurance policy (Cheney), and ab out tying up the Congress’ business with impeachment and therefore letting the Republicans have the obstructionist label to hang on us in ‘08. What I do know is that future presidents must know they cannot act like this. Whether impeachment or censure, some action must be taken by Congress to circumscribe the powers of the presidency. As for my vote, I’ll wait to see the evidence produced by Chairman Conyers’ committee.
I must say, I’m impressed. You outclass Sonny Bono, John.
(grin)
Many years ago (late 70’s) I had a regular Saturday afternoon basketball game at a school yard on 78th and Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. My friend Bob Spiesman was in the record promotion business in those days and since John was playing a gig that weekend (Beacon Theater, I think) he brought John down to the schoolyard to join in. I even guarded him ( moves very well to the right, good jump shot)! Go get ‘em John.
BTW on a sad note, my friend Bob was on the plane that flew into the pentagon five years ago. So let me add ” Win it for Spies, John”
Dan
John- thank you for your responses. They have been impressive. And, for all, about those polls with Bush 42%- those are nation-wide, and include very red states, I’m sure. So, in some sense, the polling numbers really aren’t relevant for you. And, John, have said that in an indirect/ direct way in previous responses. Thanks again.
Sharkbabe @ 86
Thanks, Sharkbabe… I can promise you a candid, iconoclastic, and fun campaign. I set out last fall to define the issues in this race, and wound up winning the nomination. With your help, and that of everyone participating in this blog and in the incredible volunteer effort in NY 19, we can take this seat and many others. My hope is not just 15, but 30 or more. It’s our country, and we can’t let it be taken away from us.
Thanks to Howie, and all of you for participating. I’m off to dinner and one good night of sleep before the sprint to November 7.
peace,
John
John Hall @ 102
Jesse,
sorry it took me so long to respond to this comment. I look forward to putting John Conyers in the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. I would vote against the Patriot Act (another misnomer) if I had the chance. I believe that Bill Clinton was impeached for personal misbehavior and lies about it, but that President Bush has committed more serious and deadly actions which are possible abuses of power and may be impeachable offenses.
I also know that he has only two years left on his term, and many Democrats are concerned about his insurance policy (Cheney), and ab out tying up the Congress’ business with impeachment and therefore letting the Republicans have the obstructionist label to hang on us in ‘08. What I do know is that future presidents must know they cannot act like this. Whether impeachment or censure, some action must be taken by Congress to circumscribe the powers of the presidency. As for my vote, I’ll wait to see the evidence produced by Chairman Conyers’ committee.
Jesse,
please read my response again, and consider that I’ve was a host of an impeachment forum in Beacon NY with the Honorable Elizabeth Holzman as keynote speaker. I’m aware of the parallels between Nixon’s offenses and Bush’s. I’m also trying to avoid taking a position before hearing evidence, and I’m trying to get elected in a historically Republican district.
I”ve taken the oath of office three times, and sworn to uphold the laws of the United States and New York State. Once sworn in in January, I’ll have the same responsibility, and if an impeachment vote comes before me I’ll vote my conscience. I hope you can accept that and not demand a predetermined decision.
Thanks for your probing and perceptive comments and questions. Now, it’s really good night all!
John
folk — hit F5 now and then to bring up some occasional unmoderated comments.
Valley Girl @ 105
I agree John Hall’s responses were very impressive. And of course the poll numbers are national, not confined to NY. Which is precisely why I offered an articulate, thoughtful winning Democrat an opportunity to say something about the national campaign and what the Dem leadership might be doing better. John nailed that too.
People like Hall and Lamont are the new leaders of the party, and they are showing how to win; their voices should be heard at the national level.
As Howie notes in the intro, Rahm picked someone else — someone other than John Hall. After reading John’s comments tonight, it’s hard to imagine a better reason to distrust Rahm’s judgment.
scarecrow- no apologies needed for being “so blunt”- that didn’t even occur to me before you said it. This is a great site with great commenters, and being blunt = getting to the heart of the matter. Not to worry.
Valley Girl @ 110
I like scarecrow’s comment about Rahm’s judgement, too. And I’m finally home from work. Yippee!
Valley Girl @ 110
You didn’t sound clueless; I have difficulty “single-tasking.” I apologize for being so blunt.
It’s just that when I realized we were talking to an extremely articulate, well-informed, and unapologetically progressive candidate, I couldn’t wait to feed him some more “interesting” questions. We need more of that.
An all too brief moment of fresh, John Hall, air on Iraq. Then reality; Hillary.
Oklahoma kiddo @
113
Last nite I saw a very impressive Tasini on Hardballs– how come it took til the nite of the primary to get him some airtime???????????
;(
linky here, you gotta scroll down for it.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14816527/
angie @ 114
Yes. I saw it last night too. I wondered the same thing. Tasini’s day will come. I’m thinkin’. Please do not dispair, angie.
scarecrow- no apology needed. I didn’t see any offense in the first place. This is a great site with great commenters. If being blunt = telling the truth, go for it! That’s the way we do things around here. ;) ;)
The Rahmists apply the conventional wisdom that in a moderate to red district, a moderate to red Dem is the best candidate to win. It is the same (mirror image) as the Rove strategy of rushing in dollars and a huge GOTV effort for Chafee in RI. And the conventional wisdom is the safe bet, because it usually works. This is what rw has been telling us for months.
We have to prove that a truly progressive candidate can win against this CW if he/she is smart/articulate/aggressive enough. The CW may win again, but I’m very happy that we have someone as impressive as John Hall to challenge this, because the CW dems, never mind the Repubs, have been killing us for six years, and I’ve had enough.
scarecrow- your point about Rahm and CW is a great one. I hope that JH, CHS, Pach etc. are reading, because it would make a great theme for an FDL article.
Mr. Hall, congratulations, and I’m so glad you’re in favor of making health care affordable.
We need many more like you!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/sto…..8;nav=3YeX
~~~Joe Lieberman’s campaign complained to Yale because they felt Lamont had used the school for a purely political event.~~~
OK Kiddo– it’s mostly all of you at FDL, other progressive friends and blogs, and my family that manage to keep hope alive! Maybe Mr. Tasini can take Schumer’s seat soon or move to NH and take Gregg’s or Sununu’s.
He is the future, I just wish it was now.
OT — does anybody know when we might hear from Christy or Jane?
Hey John,
Thanks for everything you are doing. I realize how much time, energy and sacrifice it takes to run for office.
I used to live in your district (Old Hurley on Rte. 209), but have moved up to Hudson and am now in the district that Kirsten Gillibrand is trying to take from GOP thug John Sweeney. We’ve also got Brian Keeler running for State Senator.
Glad to see that our Hudson Valley is putting forth some strong progressive candidates.
Onward!
A little bird told me there will be a post up very very soon.
New thread– Bill and the ladies of the lake!
Late to this, but just wanted to say congratulations and send a positive thought.
This guy wrote Janis Joplin’s song “Half Moon” off of the album “Pearl”.
If I lived in NY-19, that would be good enough for me.
Congratulations, John Hall. You should get that nice boy Tad Wise out there to campaign for you.
Bravo! and good luck!
Progressive rules!
Speaking of Medicare D, back here in CT, we’re under onslaught by Nancy Johnson(BigPharma & Friend of Joe) ads. Ct blogger has a good interview with Chris Murphy who is running against Nancy Johnson: Via CT Bob.
John Hall @
70