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....