For more than a year, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of Western New Yorkers who represent the best of our community as I have campaigned for the 26th Congressional district. This campaign has been invigorating, encouraging, at times ugly, but always worthwhile. It has always been a great honor to listen to so many hard-working and dedicated Western New Yorkers as they tell me their stories.
Running for Congress is never something I expected to do, but when I returned to Western New York after serving nearly 15 months in Iraq, I was disheartened and frustrated.
I saw a Congressman who claimed to be one of the most powerful men in Washington stand by and watch our manufacturing jobs leave and plants close while my fellow soldiers in Iraq lacked the necessary body armor and equipment. I looked toward Washington and wondered what happened to the greatest generation leadership that mobilized our nation.
I quickly learned that few people in Washington were interested in real solutions and that was unacceptable.
The America you and I grew up believing in and the America I went to war for had lost its voice in Washington. The America we believe in would not have sent my fellow soldiers and me to war without a plan or the proper equipment, the America we believe in would not allow gas to reach $4 a gallon without a path to secure our energy independence, the America we believe in would not our best and brightest leave Western New York because of a lack of opportunity.
So my family and I decided to run for Congress to change that, and built a grassroots campaign that is based the voices of our friends and neighbors. We started this year holding 30 house parties in 30 days and spent last week visiting all 7 counties in 7 days. Anyone from Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming or Livingston Counties will tell you that they see me more than anyone else asking for their vote.
We have hosted roundtables talking with teachers about education, farmers about agriculture, small business owners about the rising cost of health care and students about the rising costs of education.
Our conversation earned us the endorsements of every single county party, the working men and women represented by organized labor and turned enough heads on the national stage that the National Democratic Party endorsed our race placing in their Red to Blue program. So did Senator John Kerry, former Senator Bob Kerrey, Generals Wesley Clark and Paul Eaton, along with the only other Iraq veteran in Congress Rep. Patrick Murphy.
But our support does not stop there; the Netroots community has been pivotal. You allow America to have a conversation about the issues even when the media is not interested, and your financial support helps our campaign compete against millionaires.
I know that together we can build a foundation for good paying jobs here in Western New York keeping our best and brightest in the area. Together we can bring our troops home safely, securely and soon, and we can secure our energy independence.
Your help in the online community helped us expand our conversation with voters and kept issues at the center of your discussions. For your support – to everyone who helped spread the word, chipped in financially, or patted me on the back at Netroots Nation, I thank you.
For those of you in the 26th Congressional District, I ask for your vote tomorrow. We have come a long way and there is much that can be done.
If you believe that together we have the power to change Washington, this campaign is about you.
When a small town in the
When a small town in the middle of the 26th attracts 16 volunteers on a Monday afternoon and evening you better believe that this is about the people. Not nearly enough phone lines for everyone that wanted to help.
Yes, Jon, we do believe that together we have the power to change Washington. Thanks for starting the conversation. Tomorrow it's our job to help you finish it.
Why today? "Tomorrow it's our
Why today? "Tomorrow it's our job to help you finish it."
Oh *rolls eyes*
A Cut&Paste job, too? hmmmmmmmm
"Not nearly enough phone lines for everyone that wanted to help."
What?
If a phone line "helps" we are retarded as a nation
"Western New York is ready for real leadership and a real change in Washington and is ready for an America that leads our world by example."
We were not before? Change, eh? Are we really ready to lead by example? Really? Everyone? "You" sure?
"..business as usual in Washington where political party comes first.."
Didn't I read that "you" were endorsed by some red=blue crap? We'll see
"lived the consequences of Washington’s bad judgment as a soldier in Iraq."
As in having to become a congressman afterwards by using the status of war veteran to get in much like Bellavia wrote a book that otherwise wouldn't have a shot in hell? What about that film Gunners Palace "you" helped to promote? Was it the film being promoted? The film wasn't great.
"Please join me, because together we have the power to change Washington."
So without "you"...?
Where is that Bellavia guy from Batavia? Guess he just didn't have it. Odd. People coming back from war service begin running for office as though they really have something important no one else has
If "you" are all about bringing home our best and brightest why is it that you're running for congress
Congress?
Supposed to be a teacher, right? Don't we need better teachers for any educational reforms -which it is one- to have a chance
Why not teach? THAT would be CHANGE. I've never heard of a politician shortage but good teacher shortage?..yeah.
"...If I could do anything in Iraq I knew right away I'd work with the kids"
Ringing hollow
change comes from people, not government
If you're a leader
Why go into governing?
"When a small town in the middle of the 26th attracts 16 volunteers on a Monday afternoon and evening you better believe that this is about the people."
Who are those 16 volunteers?
Lazario, this is why no one
Lazario, this is why no one takes you seriously......
Mr Jones i had a
Mr Jones i had a question.Since i moved to i need to reregister?Who can i call.Where do i vote?.I used to vote at the "mall"..dan
Hi Dan, no, you don't need to
Hi Dan, no, you don't need to re-register, vote at the mall today (your old polling place). After today you should re-register with your new address and the board of elections will notify you of your new polling place.
Mr. Powers I hope what you
Mr. Powers I hope what you are saying is true.
WNY needs someone who will not be sidetracked with big money influence and bring back well paying jobs for us.
Grassroots, selfish, whatever.
Western NY needs a leader and fighter to bring this region back up to growth.
If you believe you can do this than you will have no problem getting my vote.
what is why, Daniel?
what is why, Daniel?
You're standing in front of a donkey which leads me to believe you'll do just about anything to get your foot in the door
Didn't you say in one of these blogs that Davis isn't ready to lead because he forgot to sign his name to whatever
that's like saying Tiger Woods isn't fit to be considered a legend because he messes up his scorecard once
Are you telling me you didn't roll your own eyes while writing that?
I cannot take a person who will say such things too seriously
What reasons do you have for not taking me seriously?
Be forthright