The following transcript is from Eric Massa's speech before NYC Democrats on January 5, 2006.
Eric Massa (NY-29th) is among Congressional candidates who are members of the "Fighting Dems" and "Veterans for Americas' Future."
This transcript was taken from my own recordings amid a very enthusiastic, energetic and cheering crowd of New Yawkers who support Eric Massa.... (so, it was loud,.. and that's my disclaimer ;)
I was fortunate to attend the event with others who posted here. I wish you were there, so below, I hope you can read and see Massa's natural ability to articulate and communicate the issues; and why many, including myself, have discovered why Massa is the best candidate and person who'll serve our country in Congress with distinction. He is genuine and passionate in his beliefs, in his resolve to protect Constitution and in his call to service, again! He'll be a great leader in Congress.
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Introduction:
"You know this is incredibly energizing and incredibly humbling at the same time, ...for a country mouse like me from a place like Corning to come to a big city and meet so many great new friends and so many great old friends.
I got to tell you that the soldiers of democracy wear many uniforms... `we see them in combat uniform,.. we see them in naval uniforms; but tonite I want to thank a true general of in the battle for democracy..without whom I'd be totally lost in NYC; would you help me appreciate,.. Lewis Cohen! (applause, cheering)..."
Eric Massa's "A Call to Service" Speech
"You know, this is a remarkable opportunity to be called into service. ..
Many of you have asked me, "Why are you doing this?" It's usually the 1st questions that I am asked...
And I will tell you in an off-centered way, as my good friend and patron, Senator (Liz) Krueger,...explained why; ... because as we speak, the Republicans are printing money in the basement; and soon they will be printing it all in Levinworth! (Cheers, applause!)....
In that reality, ladies and gentleman, in those headlines; we see a call, a renewal to national service that none of us must ignore. Where those of us who can, ...to the extent that we are able, ...every man, women and child must rise up,...as they did on the 4th of July in 1776 and;...
WE MUST TAKE BACK THIS NATION NOW!! (Applause!)
I am very privelaged to have served with the great men and women of our armed services over a 24 year career. In fact, my father before me enlisted at the age of 16 to fight in WWII, as a member in one of the greatest generations! But, while I was off fighting our nations' wars overseas, we were loosing our battles, here at home! And I will tell you today; ...in a very real sense that our Constitution is under assault by men and women who would rather use it as wallpaper, than as Law!
WE MUST STAND TOGETHER TO STOP THAT NOW!! (Applause!)
When the President of the United States stands before the American people and tells his corrupt cronies and "rubber-stamping" Randy Kuhl's that they must no longer obey the Judiciary, they're not talking about parking tickets. ...They're talking about the reason that men and women, like me, who wore a uniform for 24 years to DEFEND,...NOT the Presidency,,.... NOT the Congress,...BUT the CONSTIUTION OF THE UNITED STATES!!! (Applause)
I AM A PROUD DEMOCRAT!! (Cheering!)
I join many others who are standing up all across this nation! And soon, we will be standing up on the steps of the Capital to defend this nation and to tell the Republican Party that it does not own the American Flag, ...that it does not own the uniform of the service men and women who are fighting for us today,....and that it does not own your VOTE! (Applause)
It's with great pride that I be able to stand with so many friends. ...I am fighting with you today to put a new Democratic majority for us all! Whether you're from Manhattan or towns who've never heard, ...whether you're from the Bronx or Corning, ...and whether you're even from my district, ...truth be told, where we have more cows than people (laughter, ....jokingly he adds) .....And, if the Republicans had their way,... they'd try to register them too (more laughter) ...
But that aside, in the great thread of democracy, ...of Freedom and Liberty, ...where important issues, ...like providing healthcare for everybody, ...like a balancing the budget so that we don't steal from our own children,...like creating jobs and economic opportunity, ...instead of focusing on Beijing and elsewhere at our own cost; ... FIRST in our nation,...
WE MUST STAND TOGETHER NOW! MUST BAND TOGETHER, NOW!!!
And, I am proud to be with you. This train is gathering speed! Soon it will stop in Washington, and I will be part of the new Democratic majority who will give voice to other leaders, like Congressman Anthony Wiener and others. ...Because when Charlie Rangel is Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, as a measure of integrity to the fiscal process of this nation,...we will finally know that honesty is about protecting our checkbooks, rather than Tom Delay!! (Applause)
I appreciate you being here tonight,...and we will have one more speaker that I am honored to have turn to (Rep. Anthony Weiner)! So, I would like to leave you with this thought,...
Ladies and gentlemen, ..the future of our nation today, ...is in our hands,.. and only in our hands. The future of our nation, if we desire to pass anything at all to our next generation,.. our battles must be fought,.. not in 2008,.. not in 2006, ...but today!!
All of us! Myself, my family, my children,...and wonderful supporters all over the United States must band together to take back the government that has fundamentally been stolen from us!
Thank you so much, .. God Bless!
-Eric Massa, Candidate for Congress NY-29th
NYC, January 5, 2006.
Be sure to visit MassaforCongress.com
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Other comments are also posted at Clarks' website, WesPAC | Securing America
Eric's fundraiser
Posted by CarolNYC on January 5, 2006 - 11:29pm.
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The First Of Many Massa Events
Posted by cyberbob on January 6, 2006 - 1:13pm.
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Photos - Eric Massa Rallies NYC! (Jan 5, 2006
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