I want to express my thanks to the Democracy for America Nationwide team for giving the chance for grassroots activists to be highlighted for the public in their Grassroots All Star competition (you can view the results on the link above). They have jumped out front of other Democratic organizations in supporting candidates who will take on the GOP in '08 and build a permanent and expanded Democratic Majority that will bring new hope and new ideas to the party and to Washington. I believe that Governor Dean is right on the money with his 50 state vision and all of the candidates who were highlighted by this DFA event are ready to take the fight to some of the reddest of the red Districts. There we can win and bring a veto proof majority to Washington DC.
The list of candidates had some of the finest of the next wave of New Democrats to go to the House and I want to extend my personal thanks and congratulate each and every one of these candidates for running for office. It is a privilege to be included among this great group of future members of Congress.
I especially want to congratulate Charlie and Darcy for their mobilization of support and in coming in first and second. I have known Charlie since the earliest days when we stood together on a cold February morning with a Band of Brothers and dedicated our lives to bringing a higher standard of leadership to Washington. Our campaigns in '08 are building quickly and this was a good chance for each of us to reach out to our supporters. I am honored to have been among the top tier group of three and we will be effective in working together in Congress as colleagues in '09 after we are sworn in.
DFA has already contributed to my campaign and I look forward to their endorsement in the months ahead as we move on. While this seemed like a contest, it was in fact a dry run for mobilizing support that got our staffs and blogging teams geared up for the long haul ahead. Charlie and I are on the same page in almost every aspect and we, Fighting Democratic Veterans and other Fighting Democratic Activists will take a broom and sweep out the dead wood from Congress. Charlie’s opponent in CA-04, John Doolittle, has become mired down in the GOP culture of corruption and my opponent, Randy Kuhl, is a Bush lap dog that needs to find early retirement.
Finally, I want to thank the netroots for supporting the candidates of their choice and for the kind words and backing many have given me as well as the other candidates. I am committed to the netroots and coming from a poor district that can not alone support a candidacy such backing is vital to our campaign.
Kudos Charlie and Darcy. Perhaps we can live blog together soon.
Eric Massa
Massa for Congress