Update from the Campaign Trail

I've been fairly busy of late helping with the campaigns of Tim Merrick for State Senate, Bob Johnson for Congress, Andy Brockway for Assembly, Eliot Spitzer for Governor, Kevin Duniho for Mayor of Plattsburgh, and other local Democrats. Things are looking good right now for all the great Democratic candidates this year, but we've got to keep pushing hard to election day. I'll try to get more time to update this blog soon.

Bob Johnson sent out an important message recently on his campaign for Congress:

Hello, friends

We're in the last month! We are seeing the culmination of a two and a half years struggle from a totally unknown member of the public deciding to step forward and do something, to a coalition of like minded people working to change the course of our nation. I have been recognized by both media and the public as a credible opponent in the race. I did not do this alone and I am absolutely indebted to, and dependent on, my incredible team of volunteers. From my senior team with their specialized fields of expertise, to the coordinators in the different counties, to the individual person who talks to a friend, hands out a piece of literature, calls a friend to vote, displays a sign or gets out the message in a myriad of ways. We are the people!

Mary and I had a great time traveling around our huge district visiting each county. We were struck again by the size and variety of the constituency - from the dairy land here in Jefferson County to the pastoral hills of Madison County to the peaks of the Adirondacks. Everywhere people were enthusiastic about our message and we especially enjoyed meeting with small groups of Democrats who are standing firm. Everywhere I go, I learn about the local concerns. In my political journey from the issue of healthcare, that got me into politics in the first place, I have had to learn about issues that I never even knew existed! And I'm still learning everyday. In my enthusiasm to meet people and introduce myself I am still amazed that I learn as much, if not more, about them as they do about me.

While the local concerns are so varied, there are common concerns that span the entire district. The number one concern is indeed our foreign policy and the war in Iraq. I will confess that I am somewhat surprised. Being such a blighted district economically – we are the poorest district in all of upstate New York – one would still think that it is the lack of jobs and opportunity. But people, almost instinctively understand that our foreign policy IS a local issue. Money and resources are being diverted from our communities to a war that we should not be in – and people are angry about it. They are even more angry and sickened by the smoke and mirrors that continually come out of Washington. They want a change.

Jobs and opportunity for our young people is still the greatest economic concern of everybody with healthcare coming into the mix because of its unaffordability. People are beginning to understand the smoke and mirrors about "tax cuts" when they have less and less in their pockets. As Lou Dobbs puts it - "there is a war on the middle class by Bush and his enablers of which our opponent is one of many."


DEBATE ALERT!

So far, there are going to be two live debates with an audience, and a taped television debate on November 1st to be aired soon thereafter. Both public debates are on friendly ground to McHugh – Massena and Watertown. He was "too busy" to debate live at Oswego, Colgate or St Lawrence Universities. So we need every one to come and me on. Our opponent needs to know how seriously we take this race. He's depending on the machine to sweep him back in. He needs a little reality check.

• Massena. Wednesday, October 25th, 7:00 PM at Massena Town Hall, meeting room 30, 60 Main Street


• Watertown. Friday, November 3rd, 7:00 PM, Jefferson Community College, Jules Amphitheater

• Plattsburgh. Debate, Mountain Lake Public TV, Plattsburgh. No audience, but debate will be rebroadcast on WCNY on Nov 3rd at 11 pm and Nov.5th at 1 pm.

MONEY ALERT!

• These are the last two weeks and our funds are low! Our TV and newpaper ads are hitting the mark. Our opponent is going to flood the airwaves the next two weeks. He may have a lot of ads but we have the best. Ours are memorable. We need to be able to keep up the pressure. Can I ask you to please go to the website http://www.johnsonforcongress.org/donate.asp and donate as much as you can. Everything now goes to get our message out!

Thank you very much for all your hard work.

-- Bob