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October 29, 2004
A Simple Thank You
Last night we greeted JK's plane at Orlando Internation Airport. What was supposed to be a small private event for about 50 staffers and super volunteers turned out to have 200 people - someone let the cat out of the bag.
Anyhow, the staff got the priority standing areas and we were treated to JK working the line after he landed. He came over to me and I asked him, "Senator - may I have my picture taken with you?" He smiled and said "Of course!" As he put his arm around me I said to him, "Senator - you've got a lot of people working very hard for you down here."
And he squeezed my shoulder and said, "Thank You very much."
I know to most people this may not seem like that much - but when you've been working so hard for so long for one goal - and the man who's responsible for that whole goal is standing before you - and expresses his appreciation. It's an amazing feel - one that should carry through into inauguration day.
Posted by MikeSager at 10:55 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
October 28, 2004
Senator Levin, The Jewish Divide, San Andreas
Senator Levin dropped in tonight and gave a talk at Temple Israel in Longwood. It was a great talk in a beautiful facility. Senator Levin touched on many issues, but the focus of the talk was national security and Israel policy. And the Senator basically said what I've been saying all along that support for Israel is a bipartisan quality, and the Republicans claiming that John Kerry will be bad for Israel is a lie. When the Republicans send out Ed Koch, all he is doing is lying - John Kerry has an excellent record when it comes to Israel. But I'll touch on that more after the break...
Yesterday I had an extended e-mail argument with my cousin over the candidates and Israel. Adam had taken it upon himself to e-mail the entire family with his beliefs - something that I, until this point and despite of my present employment, had not done. Adam's argument wavered from point to point, but it was the basic "John Kerry's bad" without any facts to back it up. There's been the traditional winger buzzwords: "Flip-Flop" "nuisance" "global test" etc. But what it ultimately boils down to is those who believe peace is possible, and those who believe war is inevitable. For those such as Adam who carry the Likud party line are going to share George Bush's black and white ideology. But for those who recognize that diplomacy has worked in the past, and can work again with a statesman in the White House - then peace is not just possible but probable. The best example I have is from 1993 to 2000, there was an average of 25 Israeli civilian deaths per year. From 2001 to 2004, there have been over 1000 Israeli civilian deaths. This is due to George Bush giving a blank check to Ariel Sharon, as a pander to a domestic constituency group. Add one right wing noise machine shouting "Democrats are bad for Jews!" and you have the current situation.
And us Dems were caught off guard! After all, the Democratic Party has been a friend to the Jewish community and to Israel for years! We've never argued that the Republicans are bad for Jews (despite anti-semites like Ulysses S. Grant, Nixon, James Baker, and Pat Buchanan) - just George Bush!
I can't believe there's a new Grand Theft Auto game out, and it barely registered on my radar. Once the election is over, I fully intend to spend a couple of days playing the latest incarnation of the series - but I'm still shocked that I didn't pre-order or dash out to the store for it. Not that I have time to play it anyways.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Secret to the Sox Success?
Why did the Sox win the World Series?
Kapler, Mientkiewicz, and Youkilis. The secret to Red Sox success?
Jews.
Mazel Tov to the 2004 Red Sox - more thoughts tomorrow.
Posted by MikeSager at 1:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 26, 2004
One Week, Friends in Ohio, E-Mails, Kirsten Dunst, A Good Day for Music
As we approach Day 0, I'm struck by the fact that no matter what happens - my life is about to change. Since this is my first campaign, I'm struck by how a year plus worth of work is about to end - and we don't know what the result is going to be. On November 2nd, we'll (hopefully) know where we stand in this country, and with whom we stand. There's so much riding on this election - this one day, that's only a week away! Will we have war or peace? Will there be a draft? Will we get out of the Quagmire in Iraq? What will the Supreme Court look like? What will happen to our civil liberties?
Anyone who says that this election doesn't matter should be beaten mercilessly. Also - anyone who votes for Ralph Nader should be beaten mercilessly.
I was very excited to find out my friend Erika is working for the campaign in Ohio. Those nights spent in the Amphora diner discussing the nature of the world and how we could change it apparently did some good for more than just me.
One of the plus sides to the campaign wrapping up (besides President Kerry) is an end to the endless mass e-mails I've been receiving. Alright already - I get it! I'm almost to the point where I'm just going to KF them all!
We had a visit from Kirsten Dunst today. One thing I've noticed is my inability to get a one on one picture with anyone - I'm always posing with someone. But nonetheless - my inner fanboy did get a thrill. I've also noticed my inability to not have a stupid expression on my face whenever I make an effort to smile for a picture. This is a family trait - I've decided that I will never smile for a picture again.
I rule.
Both Autolux and Sigur Ros have new albums out today - I recommend you procure them from iTunes.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:15 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 24, 2004
Sox in 6, Sentinel Endorses Kerry, The Keller Flap
I want to begin by stating my predicition for the Sox versus Cards. I respect the Cards - any team with both Larry Walker and Albert Puljois has some skill. Both teams have very dangerous offense. The Red Sox take the edge in pitching - and that's why I think they'll take the Series in 6 games.
The Orlando Sentinel endorsed John Kerry today - the first time they've endorsed a Democrat in 40 years. This completes a sweep of the major newspapers in Florida, and the Sentinel is the major newspaper of the most swing part of the state. This should give us a bit of a local boost.
I'm going to say very little about the whole fight currently happening between Ric Keller and Stephen Murray. All I will say is that after Keller's sleazeball mudslinging campaign in 2002 (Where he allegedly called decorated Police Officer Eddie Diaz a "coward"), it takes a lot of balls to call ANYONE sleazy - especially someone like Stephen Murray. Bet you wish you'd just debated him, don't ya Ric?
Posted by MikeSager at 11:46 AM | TrackBack
October 20, 2004
Quick Notes
I voted today - Early vote is good, yet so SLOW! I'll have more of my voters guide soon.
I've been very busy with the campaign, so I've been posting less and less. But one thing I do wish to mention - the abundance of Red Sox fans here at Kerry HQ. I think this place will shut down if we go to the World Series...alright, maybe not shutdown - but we'll always have the game on.
Posted by MikeSager at 6:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 15, 2004
Cam Kerry Visit, Trippi catches on to Cellphones, Rolling Stone fools some Republicans
Cam Kerry graced us with his presence today - first he had a private luncheon in Winter Park and then he came over to our office on Mills.
It appears others are catching onto what I've been saying for a while - that cellphones in the hands of young people could be the deciding factor in this election. People who've abandoned land lines for cellphones and high speed internet are younger, and better educated. Therefore they will tend to vote Democrat. Here's hoping Trippi is right.
Rolling Stone has an article about sneaking into the Bush Campaign here in Orlando. Check it out for yourself.
Posted by MikeSager at 4:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 14, 2004
Reflections
Recently I've found a drive to look inward to see where I am personally throughout this whole season. Working on this campaign has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life, and I've done some pretty exciting things. There's a level of fatigue you reach while doing these that I can only compare to touring with a rock band - it feels like it's going to last forever, and that you'll never again get a break - and yet at the end of the run you're ready to do it all over again. I haven't been this perpetually tired since the last time I was on tour - and at least on tour you get days off. But there's also a much greater sense of purpose when you do this - you know that you're working to make the world a better place. Despite the fact that I'm just a kid sitting in the back of a Kerry field office, I truly feel like I'm doing my part to help change the world.
And yet, there’s nothing quite like a campaign to make you feel like a mental midget. With such an important battleground region, the best and the brightest have been imported here to Orlando. As a result, I find myself surrounded by some of the smartest people in the world. It can be intimidating to be sitting in a meeting with Judges, lawyers, and politicos – especially if you have any ideas that you’d like to share with the group. Afterall – who am I? I’m just the computer nerd. But every now and then, I’ll suggest something that turns out to be just the answer for that problem – which is a great feeling, even if it’s a minor answer for a minor problem.
One thing that amused me about the campaign was that the hurricanes forced us to relax. We had to stay in, so there was nothing better to do than to sit around and read. That’s something I miss dearly. I also miss cooking – there’s only so much Vietnamese food you can take at one time (our office is right around the corner from a restaurant called “Little Saigon”).
Yet the strangest part of a campaign is the passage of time, and the perception of it. We’d been having some internet problems and I was trying to figure out how long it’d been going on – and I seriously said, “Probably about 6 months.” In fact, it was closer to 6 days. The best way I can illustrate this is with some pictures.
The office shortly after we opened in late August.
The office today, a little over a month and a half later
The Kerry Campaign now has 3 offices in the metro Orlando area. It’s become readily apparent that we’re at the center of the strategy – and we’re going to deliver. The I-4 is blue.
Posted by MikeSager at 5:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 13, 2004
Instant Publishing
The Kerry campaign is hard at work, and yet so easily amazed by wireless instant publishing.
Posted by MikeSager at 7:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Why I Haven't Updated Recently
And all of a sudden, it became busy...
We got a bunch of new staff, new desks and...
...new computers and new phones. At present there are 30 phone lines routed at my desk. That's insane.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 10, 2004
Sox vs Yankees, Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, On to Tempe
It looks like we'll have a sequel to last year. While I'm still bitter about the Nomar trade, I've made my peace with it - and I'm cheering for the Sox. Of course I was hoping the Yankees wouldn't win it until tonight so they'd be sufficiently tired - but I guess the rest the Sox got will still be helpful. This is October baseball at it's finest. Now let's kick their ass.
The Sentinel Editorial Board has endorsed Mel Martinez for Senate. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed. Martinez being a Washington insider doesn't make him more qualified to represent our state - quite the contrary in my opinion. In fact, endorsing someone because they're already in Washington, despite wrong policy decisions, makes about as much sense as the Ford administration re-election press conference in which they said that "Americans should keep the only President they have." The wording of the endorsement also seemed to indicate that they're going to endorse Shrub...we'll see.
Kerry's pummeled Bush twice now - let's knock this final one out of the park.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 9, 2004
Kerry pwn3d Bush, The Boss
Flat out - Kerry kicked Bush's ass. Once again, Bush came across as an uninformed, uneducated stuttering fool. He hasn't made 3 mistakes in 4 years? Not even eating that Pretzel, Mr. President? More thoughts later.
I watched the debate on tape last night after having enjoyed the Boss over at the arena. It's rare that I enjoy going to concerts anymore - I've worked so many of them at this point. But Springsteen and the E Street Band are incredible! And Max Weinberg continues his status as "the man".
Posted by MikeSager at 11:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 6, 2004
Not a Bad Go
I'm not quite sure what to make of last night - I thought Edwards won the night, but I expected him to knock Cheney out - which he didn't do. At the same time, I expected Cheney to do a better job of "defending" his record, which he didn't do at all. It seemed like Cheney did nothing but stick to talking points, and never once answered a real question. What dissapointed me I suppose was Edwards was given several good pitches by Cheney to hit it out of the park, and he never took the opportunity. However, one thing that stands out to me from both debates is that Cheney is much more Presidential than Bush, and Edwards and Kerry are more presidential than either one of them.
I am looking forward to Friday, for it should be a good show. We're likely going to be having the debate watching party here at HQ.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 5, 2004
Wolfowitz Does Not Represent My People
Paul Wolfowitz was quoted in Washington Post's Reliable Source as saying, "Cheney can't be a neocon. He isn't Jewish." Such statements do so much damage to my people, and he doesn't speak for us. The Jewish community is not behind the neocons like Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz - we want nothing to do with them. Everytime some loud-mouthed idiot like Wolfowitz proclaims somehow that Jews side with him, he does major damage to our credibility in the United States, and Israel's credibility worldwide. I'm sick and tired of these morons inciting new forms on anti-semitism because of their desire to justify their hawkishness by claiming it helps the Jews. With "friends" like these guys, who needs enemies?
Thanks to Wonkette for the heads up on this quote.
Posted by MikeSager at 10:28 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 4, 2004
Baseball and Politics
There's something I haven't said anything about thus far, though I am quite excited. DC is getting a baseball team. This is a really big deal for those of us from around the Nation's Capital. Though I'm sure I would've grown up to become the same rabid Red Sox fan I am today, a hometown team would've been so much fun. When I was a kid, trips to the ballpark were a rare event - even though they were quite special. My first baseball game was at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore (sitting in the mezzanine behind home plate with my father). But apart from one game at Camden Yards, I've been to more games at Fenway Park in Boston than at my then nearest team. But that will soon change, and though Boston will always be #1 in my heart - I will cheer for the Washington Senators/Greys/Nationals/Monuments.
It's also interesting to note how many Sox fans are down here in the Orlando operation. The majority of us here are baseball fans, and all of those fans except one (I'm looking at you Leigh) are Red Sox fans. I suspect that some of us may have projected our desire to win the Presidency on our desire to win the World Series... though winning the Presidency is a much more attainable goal. But I'll say this here and now - if the Red Sox win the World Series, John Kerry wins the White House in a landslide. If the Sox lose - Kerry wins in a squeaker.
Posted by MikeSager at 2:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 1, 2004
Thoughts on Last Night
For the first time in a long time, I feel it today. I can taste victory. I know that we're going to win. Kerry was so good last night, and Bush SO bad.
I'm well aware that things could change - but I don't think they will. Kerry won the debate hands down - he wiped the floor with Bush. Everyone says so, even Conservative pundits and bloggers. And here at HQ things are picking up as well.
We're going to kick ass November 2nd. Or should I say, this ass will kick.
Quick Note - Kerry is in Kissimmee today at the Civic Center - 4:30 pm doors. Tomorrow he's in Orlando.
Posted by MikeSager at 10:52 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Debate
John Kerry won. No question about it - Kerry did even better than I thought he would. I kept asking myself as the night went on - "Am I seeing this through Democrat colored glasses, or is Kerry that good? Is Bush that bad?" Bush pulled a Nixon tonight - he looked uncomfortable, and his responses came off as stubborn, uninformed, and even angry. Tonight was definitely not good for the Bush campaign.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack