On the ground

In some ways, you know, there’s nothing more dreary than a Special Election set for the end of March, the most bedraggled time of here up here in Delaware County.

Fortunately for us, Scott Murphy is bringing his own sunshine as our candidate to replace Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as Representative for the 20th Congressional District.

Scott, a newcomer to New York politics, began his campaign as an unknown figure but he has been working hard, traveling around the district and talking to voters about their concerns. Now, according to the latest Sienna poll, he has pulled to within 4 points of his opponent, Republican Jim Tadisco, minority leader in the State Assembly, derisively known as “Mr. Schenectady” among disaffected voters in the Capital District.

We’ll just note that’s within the margin of error.

So, if you would like to participate in this special election and help us to get Scott into the House of Representatives, you can do that by visiting www.dccc.org/ny20/ and making use of the tools you’ll find there to do some phone banking!

Ain’t technology grand?

We’re coming down to the wire and can use all the help we can get. So, if you have any spare time and minutes on your cell phone, visit www.dccc.org/ny20/ and make some calls. And thanks for your help and support!

On Thursday, Scott Murphy, candidate for Congress in New York’s 20th District, will join supporters to officially launch his congressional campaign at his new headquarters at 3 Warren Street in Glens Falls.

At the event, Scott will highlight why he is running for Congress and his vision to capitalize on his business experience to create and save jobs in Upstate New York. As a successful entrepreneur, Murphy has helped to create over 1,000 jobs in New York.

If you happen to be in the area or want to call your Great Aunt Gertrude to urge her to attend, here’s the particulars:

WHO: Candidate Scott Murphy, Local Supporters

WHAT: Candidate Scott Murphy to Join Supporters at New Headquarters to Officially Launch Congressional Campaign; Murphy to Highlight Record of Job Creation and Need for Economic Recovery

WHERE: Scott Murphy for Congress Campaign Headquarters, 3 WARREN STREET, GLENS FALLS, NY

WHEN: 12:30 PM on Thursday, February 12, 2009

After an exhaustive process that didn’t involve any closed doors, back rooms or cigar smoke, the Democratic Committee chairs from the ten upstate counties in the NY20th Congressional District have selected Scott Murphy as the Democratic candidate for the congressional seat vacated by our former Congresswoman, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Murphy is an outstanding candidate, combining political and business background into exactly the sort of experience we need representing us in Washington right now. He grew up in the Midwest and, after college, served as aide, deputy chief of staff and chief fundraiser for two governors of Missouri, Democrats Mel Carnahan (who will always be fondly remembered as the man who defeated John Ashcroft for U.S. Senate, even though he died before Election Day) and Roger Wilson.

After a brief stint on Wall Street with Bankers Trust, Scott became an entrepreneur, founding two different Internet-related businesses: Small World Sports, a pioneer in providing fantasy sports games that was sold to Vulcan Ventures/The Sporting News and is now the engine that runs The Sporting News fantasy games; and a web consultancy that was sold to IXL, which went public and later merged with Scient.

For the last eight years, he has been with Advantage Capital investing in job-creating new companies located in areas that don’t usually have access to equity capital. His job is to find promising companies, close investment deals for them and help them grow. Advantage Capital itself invests in companies that offer both excellent investor returns and significant community impact.

In light of the current state of the economy in New York and in the nation, we couldn’t choose a better person to send to Washington on our behalf.

We’re excited about Scott Murphy and look forward to having him as our next Congressman from the 20th Congressional District of New York!

(This message was sent by email from David Patterson, Governor of New York. It pretty much says everything that needs saying.)

Friends,

I suspect that by the time that you’re reading this email, you’ve heard the word historic used more times than you can count.

I’d like to use it once more, but perhaps not for the reason that you might think.

The election of Barack Obama as our 44th president was not just historic for reasons of race, voter turnout, or even for the overwhelming and indisputable rejection of a conservative ideology that for eight long years has led America down a path of fiscal recklessness, social division, and increasing instability both at home and abroad.

The election was, of course, all of those things; but, to me, Barack Obama’s win was historic for an entirely different reason.

Last night, Americans rejected the politics of cheap rhetoric, distracting attacks, and exclusionary patriotism in favor of honest discussion, clear priorities, and a dedication to finding real solutions.

That is truly historic.

For the first time in a long time, I believe that America has a president who is ready to confront the difficult challenges before us in a way that is serious, responsible, and dignified.

For the first time in a long time, I believe that America has a president who will focus on the real issues, discuss real solutions, and make a real impact for families across this country.

For the first time in a long time, I believe that America has a president who is ready for an honest dialogue about the problems that we face and who will level with the American people about what needs to be done to address them.

And for the first time in a long time, I believe that America has a president who acknowledges that there are no easy answers to the challenges of the 21st Century, but that answers do exist when we are willing to work together to find them.

The election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as the Democrat take-over of the New York State Senate, provides a historic opportunity to begin a new chapter in American governance; a chapter where solutions matter more than who gets the credit, where results matter more than just winning re-election, and where the truth matters more than political pandering.

I am, by nature, an optimist who believes that our best days are ahead of us. I believe that despite our current obstacles we will see the glory of the Empire State restored.

But these serious issues require serious and responsible governance. For the first time in a long time, I believe that we have a partner in the White House who is ready to meet these challenges.

Historic, indeed.

Governor David A. Paterson

Here are a few tips, in case anybody challenges your right to vote:

1. Go To The Right Place, Poll locations can change. Be sure to locate your polling place before you go to vote. Check www.VOTE411.org or contact the elections office or board of elections for your county, city or state.

2. Bring I.D. You may need to show I.D. at the polling place. To be safe, bring your driver’s license or another photo I.D. In some places, a current utility bill, paycheck or other document that includes your name and street address may also work.

3. Get a Ballot. Don’t panic if you registered to vote but your name is not on the list. Get help from a poll worker to make sure your vote is counted. You should be given a provisional ballot or given directions to another polling place.

4. Get Help. Poll workers are there to help you. They’ll show you how to use the voting machine or give you a provisional ballot if you need one. Ask, or read the signs at your polling place, which have instructions, list your voting rights and say how to file a complaint.

5. Stay and Vote. You probably won’t have to wait too long. But even if the line is long, don’t leave without voting. The outcome of this election will be important!

6. Check Your Name. Before Election Day, check the Web site or call the elections office or board of elections for your county, city or state to be sure you’re on the list of registered voters.

7. Avoid the Crowds. If you can, go to the polls during off hours: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. That’s when it’s likely to be less crowded.

8. Take a Friend to Vote. Why go alone when you can take a friend or loved one to vote?

Finally, courtesy of the Obama Campaign:

**VOTER HOTLINE**

For people that are having problems at the polls or other voter protection issues, please encourage them to call:

1-877-US4-OBAMA*

*Note that the hotline will not be live until Election Day