I am proud to be Internet Director for Gillibrand For Senate - Todd
It was a homecoming for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, back in NY-20 stumping for Scott Murphy, just as she did last year prior to the special election to fill her seat in the House.
Yesterday they appeared together at the Country View Diner in Troy and today was a rally at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs with Bill Clinton. 1500 people gathered at 7:30 in the morning, greeted by a small but vocal crowd of Gibson supporters chanting "One More Day" and "Fire Scott Murphy!" But they only energized the crowd inside more, which cheered speaker after speaker rallying the voters in the room, making the case for Murphy as a strong advocate for Democratic reform policies and for moving the country forward.
Saratoga Democratic County Chair Larry Bulman opened the event, talking about how far Saratoga County Dems have come.
"They said we couldn't win a congressional seat in 2006 but with your help we got Kirsten Gillibrand elected! Then they threw Sandy Treadwell at us and we won by 20 points. Then once Kirsten was appointed to the Senate, they said we couldn't keep the seat. But with your help we did!"
Then Richard Beckwith, a constituent of Scott's, spoke. He admitted he's a registered Republican but is supporting Scott tomorrow because:
"Scott Murphy never asked me if I was a Democrat or a Republican. The only thing he asked me is 'how can I help?'"
Rep. Paul Tonko then came out and fired up the crowd for Scott.
"Democrats stepped up to the plate for Americans and passed important reforms. We stood for working families, we fought for the middle class, we fought for small businesses.
"This is a stark contrast, as stark as it gets. We're for the seniors, they're for the special interests. We're for strengthening SS, they stand for privatizing it.
"We stand for reform, they stand with the special interests. Are we ready to stand for reform? Are we ready to move forward or backward?"
When Scott Murphy came out flanked by Senator Gillibrand and President Clinton, to the tune of "Born To Run," the place went nuts. Senator Gillibrand introduced Scott, saying:
"This election is all about who we fight for. Scott Murphy is fighting for middle class families trying to make ends meet and small businesses who can't get a loan. Scott Murphy has a vision for America. Scott and I want to see Made In America again, we want to see it right here in Upstate NY!"
Scott Murphy started out by talking about the Hall of Springs, where the event was being held:
"This room was built by FDR. This room was built in response to the Great Depression when our government said, yes, we can make this better, we can put people back to work building great projects like the Hall of Springs right here!"
He went on to speak about Democratic economic policies, which are spurring innovative new businesses and job creation in Upstate NY.
"That's where we need to take this country, that's where we need to take our community. It's not about partisanship, it's about progress. It's the kinds of solutions I bring to the table as a businessman. It's about finding commonsense solutions that will drive our economy forward."
Congressman Murphy then introduced President Clinton to a rousing ovation.
"Your member of Congress is one of the few people that understands that the tax breaks and the incentives need to go where the jobs are. To small business, to technology, to green energy...to building up manufacturing."
He went on to talk about the choice voters face tomorrow:
"This isn't about right and left, this is about tomorrow: your Congressman, versus yesterday: all those ads you're seeing on TV. This is about the future. You have a choice."
Was a great event. Senator Gillibrand then traveled with President Clinton to NY-23 to campaign for Bill Owens, then has a busy day all throughout NY stumping with some of NY's Congressional Democrats (you can follow her on Twitter here.)
If you'd like to help out Scott in the final 24 hours, you can make calls for his campaign here.
Also, if you'd like to get involved in election day activities for Senator Gillibrand and the statewide Dem ticket, sign up on our website here.
No matter where you are, be sure to get out the vote tomorrow!