While our Blue America czar Howie Klein is away, I thought we could surprise him with a thank you post for all he has done over the last few years.
Howie and our other Blue Am folks have organized us to nominate, publicize, and support dozens of progressive candidates. Many of these outstanding candidates are now serving in the U.S. Congress, including some who lost in 2006 but came roaring back in 2008, and others we think can win in 2010.
Look at the landscape a month from now: Rep. Donna Edwards – Rep. Larry Kissell – Labor Secretary Hilda Solis – Senator Jeff Merkley – Rep. Alan Grayson – Rep. John Hall – Rep. Martin Heinrich – Rep. Tom Perriello – a long list of Blue Am candidates who weren’t given much of a chance til a small group of visionary people came along and insisted.
Even the races we lost produced fruit, by showing that we could provide instant national publicity for progressive candidates. And our support for good folks in unlikely races has helped interest local people get organized to make things better in the future.
We electrified the Alaska Democratic Party in 2005-2006 by pouring in money and attention when the local folks thought they didn’t have much of a chance, and Senator-elect Begich is the beneficiary this year.
This year’s elections were so dominated by the presidential run that we might not have taken the time to reflect on just how far we’ve come with state and local races. And this has taken leadership and commitment, so much work behind the scenes.
Join me in thanking Howie and the Blue Am team for all they have done!
Related posts:
- Supplemental: Why Must Progressive Members of Congress Grovel For the Blue Dogs?
- Blue America Welcomes Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Candidate For U.S. Senate
- Blue America: Meet Linda Ketner
- Blue America Launches New TV Initiative in Arkansas — And We Need You
- Whipping Blue Dogs on Single Payer
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Thank you Howie
and Jacqrat!
Well, can’t really thank you enough for the change you’ve brought about — and inspired.
Thank you seems somewhat inadequate but thank you anyway and while I am at it (between shoveling out and cooking cookies) thank you FDL denizens for all that you have done and are doing.
I will say that Blue America made it easy for this household to target our meager monies to those races that we thought would make a positive difference to our country’s direction.
Thank you
Can’t them them enough.
Howie is amazing, all he has done, much of it invisible. Hope the FDL historians get the whole story.
No kidding. I will say that having people we have worked with from the grassroots sending a e-mail or running into them at little local events telling us “I’m on the Congressman’s staff,” is TEH awesome. You know, having friends in high places for a change, can’t say how much of a change this is. Like people we are on a first name basis with, being There. How cool is that? Having a Congress person who knows us? Oh yeah. It is great.
It was right time, right place. Go Blue America!!
I have it on good authority. Howie is a GOD!
and egregious is an absolute ANGEL. muwah.
Oh, and a Senator too, someone we go way back with. Awesome is really an understatement.
Yay Howie! Yay us!
Ooo yes, thanks to Jacqrat too!
Yum yum yum, talk about your national treasures —Howie and the Blues.
Howie shows us all what citizenship in a democracy is. I hope it catches on.
Nomolos you raise an excellent point, that people who wanted to do something have benefited from knowing that contributions were going to a good place. I mean how many of us made our first ever out of state political donations because we trusted Blue Am?
Thanks SOOOOO much to Howie. Three cheers for Blue America candidates, and here’s to many more in the future. It’s our only hope.
egregious use of Howie’s thank you video. ;)
In state, out of state, first ever period.
Hehehe thanks jacqrat!
Lucky lucky us to have such dedicated individuals as Howie and Jackie.
Blue America is the wave of the future.
Present at the creation of a new paradigm, etc.
Many many thanks to all who contributed, to those who ran for office, and to their families who sacrificed so that America could be a better place.
Welcome to Blue America
We got such good feedback from the candidates about appearing at FDL – they were impressed that we were already knowledgable about their local issues in many cases.
Regardless of the outcome in CA-o4, we really have Charlie Brown to thank for the retirement of the odious John Doolittle. Of all the unelecteds, Charlie did the hero’s work damaging a corrupt incumbent enough that he retired. Despite the district’s voters’ poor choice this year, it’s Charlie who helped America get past the Doolittle years.
Sure hope they have his’n’hers cells in the federal prison the Doolittles will call home.
Blue America PAC
Broke my heart that Charlie Brown didn’t win this time. That district is very, very conservative.
And Congressman Dan Maffei!
And Congressman Jared Polis!
And Congressman Steve Cohen!
And Congressman Eric Massa!
this time, this time
OT but desirous of attention:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITI…..index.html
shrub begins the Drill-Baby-Drill Project (to trash America by drilling for oil everywhere there are Dems).. by starting with alleged oil reserves off the coast of newly blue VA, of all places. Sierra seems to have a problem with it.
“Yet” – one of my favorite words. People didn’t get elected “yet”
Larry Kissell, NC08 was a sweeeeet win. We got in the market at the last possible moment with a really stellar ad, and found cable avails where supposedly there wasn’t any. We even got to run on an ABC broadcast station – during Saturday College football AND the Sunday NASCAR race – weekend prior to the election.
Howie said the feedback was fantastic – you couldn’t turn your tv on without seeing this FANTASTIC ad.
Check it out.
In CA-04, Tom McClintock, the Congressman-elect, is very likely to have a wandering eye as to political office. By 2010, he could be running for something entirely different, giving Charlie Brown another open seat to shoot for. The district is very conservative, indeed, but Charlie brings conservative-appealing credentials to bear on the race. It’s hard to imagine anyone could make a third run at it, but if anybody deserves our support for a third try, it’s Charlie Brown.
Also Vic Wulsin.
And Darcy Burner.
Wow — that is a great ad, and it’s wonderful it got seen by so many voters. It’s the kind of TRUTH that cuts through the usual crap you see in political ads.
Lieberman, McCain, and Graham Give Obama Iraq Advice
Siun’s up
I love that ad!
Howie, Thanks !!
I am SO happy that Kissell won – and by a huge margin – like 55%. The people of his district started working the day after the ‘06 loss to turn things around.
Howie is my HERO! So are Jane, Christy, LHP, egregious, Ian, et al. It’s so lovely to be able to say that. For years, all my heroes were dead people. FDL has so enriched my life with new friends, empowerment and direction. I honestly believe that together we are saving the country. I thank God for sending me here. God bless them all. (including the brilliant commenters)
Wow, thanks Audrey. It’s vital to have encouragement to keep things going.
haven’t read comments yet.
I want to say thank you Howie!!!
what this guy said–ditto!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sot9563kmu8
Thank you mask(ed)man-Lenny Bruce
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CebRfSFnWGM
sly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfzK1ck7xf0
thanks for all you do howie.
(When I see your name, I picture that beautiful photo of the Howie breakfast–1/2 melon nesting mixed berries.)
i forgot to post a WARNING to readers after the lenny bruce link, who do not know who he is..
if you don’t ‘get’ twisted or dark humor do not listen to lenny bruce. it will offend you. that was his way of exposing ridiculous social mores.