OK, that might be a bit of an overstatement, but when Erica Massa (congressional candidate for NY 29) showed the documentary Taking the Hill and spoke at the DFNY convention dinner last night, that is what I saw. Rahm telling Massa to be less animated, less passionate -- well, less ITALIAN, for crying out loud!
I attended the convention dinner for the annual Democracy for New York convention in Albany, NY last night and Eric Massa was the keynote speaker. He also showed Taking the Hill, a documentary about four of the democratic vets who ran in the last election.
His passion and drive were evident in not only the documentary, but also in his speech and Q and A. But the one thing that hit me, as a fellow Italian-American, was Rahm Emanuel telling Massa he to, in effect "tone it down."
TONE IT DOWN? I yelled in my head, arms mentally gesticulating wildly! That's who we are! For once, I saw a candidate who really reminded me of my roots. Not measuring every word for its possible impact on this person or that, not pulling punches because this other one might not like it --- but someone with the guts to say, PASSIONATELY, what he feels.
During the last election cycle, I threw some love at Massa because he was one of the Fighting Dems of New York. He was endorsed by Wes Clark and that was enough for me.
But I was really involved in Kirsten Gillibrand's race for NY 20th race and didn't really push for Massa.
Even before hearing him speak, I decided Massa's campaign would get more of my time and attention this cycle because Gillibrand is doing well.
I asked what he needed me to do this early and at least a four hour drive from his district and he said - "please throw some early money my way."
Eric Massa refuses to take PAC money and he won't get any money from the DCCC unless he raises a bundle of early money. Heck, they even hand-picked someone to primary against him.
Please go to his web page and see who he is and what he is about. And if you feel he is as good a candidate as I do, in a congressional district we can pick up (he got 49% last time, so he only needs to convince a few more people!) PLEASE SEND ERIC MASSA SOME EARLY LOVE!
I am sending him $100. How about you? Can you guys match it?