So glad I caught this before hitting the hay. I too hope he raised a ton of moula.

George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.

Visit www.zianet.com/insightanalytical - Home of the World Media Watch M-W-F, also at Buzzflash.com

Wow, I hope they raised a lot too!

Thanks for the report. I hope a few others who were there will weigh in. Sounds like a great event.

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?

really appreciate you sharing some details with those of us who would've loved to have been there, but couldn't.

_{You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003}

HoLa! :)  Here's some pics from the great NYC fundraiser for Eric Massa  events,...  huge congrats to Miriam (in With the Blue?), too!  It was a great turnout and Massa absolutely generated alot of support, today!  He was super energized for NYC ...

Photos - Eric Massa Rallies NYC! (Jan 5, 2006)

It's not all, but focussed what I liked the best...you'll recognized some :)

I'll see if I can add anything tomorrow...  good'nite for now!

The internet connection in the hotel is rotten!

It was NOT subdued, that's for sure. The place was packed and rocking! The early crowd INSISTED on hearing Eric speak before 7pm because some of them had to leave. He was truly awesome. His mic crapped out about 1/3 of the way into his comments and he shouted; he said, "When I'm on the floor of Congress, I won't need a mic for the Republicans to hear my voice!"

The crowd got a little rowdy by the time Eric spoke again. They were cheering "Massa Massa Massa"!

I spent some time with Gordon. And I spent quite a bit of time with some NYC pro-choicers. That was quite a conversation. One of them is an anthropologist and we really hit it off.

Mostly, it was just mingling and listening to speakers. And it was loud. I'm hoarse!

this.  I had been hoping to see a report.

So wonderful to have the 3-pronged report of what sounds like an awesome event!! WooHoo!! Go MASSA!!!

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

BILL FROM RI

VERY CRISP; WHEN ASKED HOW TO AEVISE BUSH, HE WAS VERY POSITIVE, FIRM AND AFFIRMATIVE, ENGAGE REGIONAL COUNTRIES, AND TALK TO SYRIA & IRAN

Thanks Carol, Knightrider and Maria.  I would have loved to have been there with you.  How cool Frank McCourt attended. 

Eric and his fundraiser got a mention on the NY Press blog:

Deadly Campaigning

Finally, a campaign that lives up to the Vote or Die hype of 2004.

"If you think going up against [Tom] Delay is any less of a personal risk than all the enemies I went up against overseas, you're in lala land" upstate Congressional candidate Eric Massa, who served in Panama and Desert Storm, told me at his Manhattan fundraiser last night. (By the way, he's actually not running against Delay, but another Republican.)

"I know what it's like to get shot at, to lose your closest friend in combat," he said. And to lose his job. "I was fired from congress because I was seen getting a hug from General Wesley Clark" so "don't tell me there's no personal risk in this."

He did have one Republican moment though. Eric's microphone stopped working during his speech and he yelled, "That's okay. You can hear me here and soon they'll hear me in Washington." Dubya-esque?

Dear New Buddies and Friends - In with the Blue here! -

Whew! - Was dying all day to write you guys! - Just got home from work a little while ago and chowing down real quick so I could report to you about last nite's MASSIVELY MASSA PARTY!!! - omg - where do I begin???  - Let me just say that Eric was SPECTACULAR!!  - We had a HUGE crowd, many more than I expected, and every one of my non-partying disillusioned friends actually showed up, and tonight I'm finding out they all were so happy they did!

There was a VIP-type portion from 6 - 7pm, and Eric gave a rousing review of Why he entered this race - I've never seen anyone speak with such passion and honesty in my life. - This is the Massa Express for real, and it's going straight to DC!!! I think people were walking in off the street! - some folks from the bar below our party actually heard all the ruckus, came to see what the noise was about, and stayed! - Gave my card to a guy from London, who promised to tell 5 friends about Eric - Anthony Weiner said to "tell 5 friends to check out Eric" (and to contribute!), and ask them to check out his website - massaforcongress.com.  This train is gonna keep on rolling and rolling.The crowd just poured in after the VIP soireee - which itself was many more folks than we anticipated! - I highly recommend this place - Barroom NYC, which had a warm, friendly atmosphere, good music (not too loud, so Eric could schmooze), and a warm and friendly staff.  - Zillions of Kudos to Lewis Cohen, Event Chair, for finding this place! :-DI of course was taking RSVPs in the cab on the flight, I mean, ride over to Barroom - might as well say Varroom!! - People were calling and calling and emailing me till the last second - the buzz was so big. Feel bad b/c I know a few actually called me during the party and I couldn't get to my cell. Will call them back today. :-)Met so many great people from CCN - my new friends! - icantbelieveim (who brought some most excellent Eric buttons, made specially for this evening- thank you, icantbelieveim!), KnightRider (who took some fab pics at the party! - Thanks, Knight! - Carol -- I wish everyone could have been there.Yeah, everyone in the NYC world was speaking up for Eric - Congressman Anthony Weiner, Senator Liz Krueger, Leecia Eve (running for Lt. Gov. - from Buffalo), Chris Owens (son of Major Owens) - running in Brooklyn, omg - don't wanna forget anyone ... my brain is fried, forgive me ...  stayed up sooo late ... !And Yes, it's true - Jack Davis said he'd match what was given to this event, so the train rolls on!! - Next stop, as Lewis said, "Union Station, Washington DC!"p.s. - you can see me and all of us at Knight's coolpix site mentioned above! IN WITH THE BLUE 2006

Hey, Knight! - 2:48 am?? - Thought it was just me that did that! -

Thx for the nice compliments - looks like a lot of us were up late and rising early to catch the reviews! - Yeah, Knight - see if you can post a few more - only if u can.

It was Malachy McCourt, Frank's bro, who was there.  He seemed real nice.

Glad to share this fabulous evening with everyone!

IN WITH THE BLUE 2006

Hi, Jen! - Sorry for keeping you up late, but it IS Friday!  :-)  I know, some of us have to work tomorrow, too ... hope U don't!  :-)

Hafta say this was a great team effort - the Famed Lewis Cohen, Event Chair Extraordinaire, and all the Hosts on the H. Committee - have to mention Mark Green, who gave a great intro to Eric, and that Mr. Mayoral Candidate and Congressman Anthony Weiner was on fire - Gordon was there, Nancy Mindes, Sandy, Martha,  .. so many cool peeps that I'm getting to know.  Pls let me know if I inadvertently left anyone out but you gotta understand In With the Blue is in recovery today!

You wouldn't believe, but people are still RSVPing to contribute.  That's the sign of a good party - when people "hang around and don't wanna go home!"

Highlight of my evening: the giant hug Eric gave me.  Truly a man who speaks with words of eloquence and passion, sincerity and honesty.  Just what we need.  - Tell everyone! - And check out my friend Cyberbob's post -a super-cool dude who really stepped up to the plate last night - what a great and dedicated servant to the public.  We need more people like Cyberbob, too!

IN WITH THE BLUE 2006

cyberbob ...

Hi.... I posted this else where.. and people complained that they couldn't find it....

Here's my blog entry.....

Mr. Massa's Fundraiser in NYC...

Eric had his fundraiser last night....and I was extremely gratified by the results.

First, it drew a very electic crowd.. which is important if Mr. Massa is to gain the support from a variety of constituencies.. to run a serious campaign....

I'd like to express some observations...

First, I'm not a naive starry eyed kid.... I'm well into my forties.. and have seen many elections.. and politicians...

I have been involved in a few campaigns as a volunteer... and for the first time in my life.. was involved in one last year in which the candidate impressed me with his personality. passion & sincerity... and so I signed on....only to see the campaign go in the wrong direction later on....
I backed out of that quietly... and am glad I did...(the candidate..who shall remain nameless, lost in the primary contest in which they were running)....

As to Mr. Massa..... I met him a few months ago....I was quite impressed with him.. as I explained in an earlier blog entry....

I worked very closely with Event Chair Lewis Cohen & Miriam Danar (member of the host committee) to make this fundraiser successful.

I should mention one reservation I had...... I was told the fundraier would be on January 5th..
the first week of the New Year....and I immediately expressed concern that that date was no good... For the most part, it is an accepted fact that people are to tired from the holidays to go to any fundraisers the first two weeks of the new year....its not about the money...
For one thing, alot of people decide to take a quick vacation the first week in January...
Secondly.. they just  feel like winding down a bit......

With those concerns noted, I was told that the fundraiser would indeed be taking place on January 5th.

It gave those of us who took it upon ourselves to publicise the event... precious little time to marshal interest....

All things considered.. we (as a collective group.. and I include Mr. Massa's upstate volunteers also) did an incredible job.....

We should also thank the web & blogging community, to an extent, for providing a good source of out reach.. and tips on where to post the info.. to get maximum exposure...

As to the event itself..

I sat at the front table last night greeting guests.... (and that itself was an event for me, because I.. Mr. klutz NY.. fell down on the street within ten feet of the entrance..and it took me quite a while.. and two sore knees ...to recover...lol)...

Pain & discomfort asside.... I had to put all of that away.. because the guests weren't trickling in.. they came in a steady stream (so much for my concerns about attendance..lol0

I met several prominent people.. politicans, aspiring politicians, partners in prestigious law firms, media people, entertainers, etc....the list was most impressive....

The room filled quickly.... and the excitment & electricity were unmistakable...I couldn't have been happier, or more gratified...

Now.. just like in baseball, when the star batter takes the plate.. the crowd waitied to see what would happen..

Mr. Massa hit a home run.... on the second pitch...

Why the second pitch>>

Because his mike failed,, suddenly..so the first pitch was a foul ball....

Mr. Massa proved what a pro he is... when his mike didn't work.... he raised his voice....not shrill.. not irratated.... he raised his voice with a sence of passion.. with a sence of committment.. and with grace & poise... that you usually only see with entertainers who have gone thru years of theatrical training by coaches to help them learn how to maintain control, and keep the crowds involved.... with no restlessness....

Mr. Massa then proceeded to speak.. he touched on several subjects.... he hit all the right chords.......

Remarkably.. he used no notes.. no prepared statements.... he just spoke.. and let the fire & passion within him carry him foward....

Substantially.. he brought up several key issues that he's focusing on.... he has a clear agenda.. He sees whats going on and knows what needs to be done to improve the quality of life in his district....

I'd like to take a step back here for a moment.... to explain why I so admired him....

I belong to several organizations.. and I have at times, addressed audiences due to the leadership role I played...

I have spoken in front of 500 people..... so I know first hand the anxiety of speaking in front of a large group.....

I don't speak well.. off the cuff.... what I do.. is prepare notes.... and I keep my presentations brief & to the point...and I am often complemented for my abilty to say alot.. in a few words....

Mr. Massa possesses the rare quality of having true stage presence... that combined with his quick ability to connect with a crowd.. and his.. pull no punches attitude... will serve him well in Wash.. once he is elected.....

As an asside.... I said hello to him.. and he knew that I was working with Mr. Lewis Cohen....
I had just learned something which I though would help his campaign....instead of smiling.. and saying thank you.. as many a patronizing politican has done.. he immediately called his head of scheduling over.. and made sure that we connected.. and told his aid that I had important information.. and to make sure to follow up on the opportunity that I had presented to him.......

Mr. Massa is a man who truly listens.....

Now the painful part... but lets face it.... it has to be discussed.....

Money.....every campaign needs it to succeed.....

Have doubts..... firstly.. I was not coached on what to write here....

Secondly.... my suggestion to you.. the voting public. .and those who have the means to financially support a candidate.....

Meet mr. Massa.. or at least listen to him.... he's a human being.... he's not perfect....
in fact, he's very approachable...and personable.... and not the least standoffish.

he's not trying to build a cult following...... he's runing for Congress..

He served in the military for 24 yrs... and he did not sit in Washington D.C behind a desk, making life & death decissions..... He was there during the Persian Gulf war..... he saw his share of real battlefield results... good & bad......

I am quite confident that he will serve Congress with the same dedication that he had when he served in the military....

Thanks everyone.

Thanks Carol, ICB, In with the Blue, KR (on kos) and cyberbob. It is inspiring to see people find in Eric what we have seen in him. He is destined for greatness I am certain (and Clark is right about that). I laughed at the photo of him that looks like an opera star - and especially when coupled with his words when the mike went out that he wouldn't need a mike in DC for the Republicans to hear his words. Great line.

And thanks for the photos. In one picture I can see ICB, KR, Melange, Gordon and Carol. Some of my favorite folks all in one place.

I feel inspired but you all were saved by the bell. I wrote a loooong post and when I entered it, I got a timed out message. Ugh. Here it is all over again. I have a malicious spyware that is like a little demon messing up my posts. Have to give it some more attention and root it out.

Well, back to work. 

Uncle Noel