Thanks

Like they say (0.00 / 0)

about that race thing not really belonging to the swift, but to those who keep going...

This campaign may be over, but the fight for social justice, peace and equality is a long one and we have a lot of work to do.

...I think there are enough MLN'ers here to ensure us winning the ultimate race in the end.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 00:26:32 AM UTC

Moving the ball forward (0.00 / 0)

I'm not a big sports fan so I don't often use sports analogies, but campaigns done well are not always about winning, they're about moving the ball forward.  Yes, of course, we all fought to win -- and I genuinely believed we could win.  But not winning in November doesn't mean we didn't make great strides, and doesn't mean it wasn't a battle with many lasting victories along the way. 

Tom Swan, Ned Lamont, and everyone who worked so hard here in CT last year to advance the cause of ending the war in Iraq, providing real health care to all Americans, and other progressive causes all moved the ball forward.  We didn't make it to a touchdown...but in some ways we never do -- there's always something more to aim for.

I'm just incredibly lucky that we had such an amazing (and still growing!) team of good and decent people who care so much about the greater good.

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by: Maura @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 00:33:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Long fights...and lasting alliances (4.00 / 1)

This campaign may be over, but the fight for social justice, peace and equality is a long one and we have a lot of work to do.

It is a credit to you, Tom, for setting a tone with the campaign that helped to build so many lasting and meaningful friendships...an inclusivity that embraced so many people from so many diverse backgrounds working together for the greater good.  And a year later, we're  still here, still eager to build on that foundation, mobilize new people, and keep working for social justice, peace, and a better world for all.

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by: Maura @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 00:37:57 AM UTC

grat job tom and all the staff they all did great maura did great in 4th cd (0.00 / 0)

thanks you all  i happy with debate we have still  keep in going

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by: sal_liccione @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 00:49:48 AM UTC

Thank You (4.00 / 3)

For your multi-year search to find someone to primary Lieberman, for introducing the world to Ned Lamont and, for fighting with all your might from start to finish.  Short term we lost this battle but looking at the bigger picture I feel like we won. 

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by: CGG @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 01:03:40 AM UTC

Thanks Tom (4.00 / 2)

I would like to add my voice to the chorus. Without this campaign I never would have gotten involved in politics. Because of this campaign I no longer feel that the status quo can't be challenged. I think that is the biggest lesson I learned aside from the fact that even if you lose there is still satisfaction in standing up for what you believe in no matter what the odds. No matter what I am gonna keep on fighting. So to everyone that was involved last year thanks again.

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by: smarko23 @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 01:20:16 AM UTC

Best quote from today, I think (4.00 / 1)

Your comment here is a triumph in itself:

Because of this campaign I no longer feel that the status quo can't be challenged.

Multiplied by the thousands of people who feel the same way, this is a worthy dividend for the investment of time, money, and heart that went into this campaign!

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by: Maura @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 01:51:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the memories (4.00 / 2)

From New Haven, March 4, 2006. It was at this meeting where I knew Ned was going to beat Lieberman.

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by: ctblogger @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:14:01 AM UTC

Brings back memories... (4.00 / 2)

This is the event where I first heard Ned -- and Tom Swan -- speak, and when I first signed up to volunteer for the campaign. We sat down at these long lunchroom tables, grouped by voting districts, introduced ourselves and started thinking about what we each could do to help Ned win the election.

It was amazing to see it all come together over the next several months. Just amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

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by: CaptCT @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:53:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

"Maples" Pizza? (4.00 / 2)

Is that that Canadian Pizza parlor? LOL!

Tom, thanks for everything you've done for our cause.  I look forward to the pleasure of working with you again!

(Here's Tom along with some known troublemakers at my house way back when)

Connecticut Bob

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by: Bob Adams @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:20:10 AM UTC

That's Me! (4.00 / 1)

Me, Neal Fink, Tom and Tim Tagaris left to right.

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by: Jon Kantrowitz @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 11:40:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Clarification (4.00 / 5)

Thank you all for the warm thoughts and words.  I would be remiss if I did not clarify that when i wrote about the MLN community I meant the entire blogsphere, especially Connecticut Bloggers not just MLN stars like Kelly & Maura.  CT Blogger, CT Bob, Spazeboy, CGG, Gabe, Ghengis, Ed, Keith, Charles, Aldon, etc

Connecticut is very lucky to have such a strong netroots & I have enjoyed working with each and everyone of you.

Keep Rockin the Boat

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by: Tom Swan @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:34:34 AM UTC

Why not one more video for good measure (4.00 / 1)

This was the day that I put down my camera and decided to take on videoblogging.

From Ned's second meet-up in New Haven, January 21, 2006 (please excuse the bad camera work, the incorrect time stamp, and the poor quality. Remember, this was my first video blog and I had no f'n clue what I was doing).

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by: ctblogger @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:35:22 AM UTC

yes you all did great and the blogs did (0.00 / 0)

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by: sal_liccione @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 02:37:24 AM UTC

Petitions on the train, more at referendums in the rain, the 'loss' at the convention, (4.00 / 2)

Joe shaking his finger at my wife in Waterbury, the BoomBox parade..

But most of all, I remember the DFA/MoveOn endorsement press conference in New Haven.

I remember setting up while everyone was worried about how to make a few people (perhaps 50) look like a lot in the huge ballroom, the leader telling the hotel the press platform was plenty big enough as they would have 3-4 press people if they were lucky. I recalled the chatter on the blogs that what a crazy time and place, in the center of New Haven just before lunch, rain was threatening.

And then about a dozen press came, and the room filled up, and they just kept coming, at least 300 perhaps 400. Electric!

because Connecticut voters count: http://www.CTVotersCount.org

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by: BlastFromGlast @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 11:14:44 AM UTC

Magic moments (4.00 / 1)

Count me as one of those worrywarts on MLN who thought that a mid-day DFA/MoveOn event was insane.  Of course I was working at the time and couldn't do it -- and I was acutely envious of those who either didn't have to work  or who were able to get out of work -- but I was mainly concerned that the timing would equal low turnout.

It was one of many times my worries were proven unfounded, and one of many times I was delighted to be wrong.  :-)

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by: Maura @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 16:33:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That was a lot of fun (4.00 / 1)

I think that was the day I signed up to volunteer. Probably a lot of other MLN'ers too! I couldn't believe how many people were there, it was a lot more than at the earlier event I went to at the Playwright (right across the street a couple months earlier) with Kos where a lot of the bloggers introduced themselves. I still have the DFA for Lamont sign somewhere around here...

"There's class warfare, all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning." - Warren Buffet

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by: joesaho @ Sat Aug 11, 2007 at 03:45:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Much gratitude, Tom, for everything - (0.00 / 0)

It was so hot at the Wake-Up Walmart rally that banana fried into a plantain chip. Tough platanitos, bubba.

What a terrific campaign. Thanks again, Tom, for all your hard work and dedication.

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by: Sue @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 11:29:10 AM UTC

The Kiss Float (0.00 / 0)

Created by Dad and A, mounted on my truck, and driven all over the state by me, Dad, CtKeith, TrueBlue - we had a great time! even with the hassles in Wilton and Naugatuck.

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by: Jon Kantrowitz @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 11:39:00 AM UTC