Mayor Anna Little may be "Tea Party approved" but it looks like the bridge over the Shrewsbury River leading from the Mayor's home town of Highlands to Sea Bright was approved by Democrats in Washington and is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Something she would have voted "No" on - had she been in the seat she's running for now, Frank Pallone's in NJ-6.
DFA-NJ's Will Rosenthal poses by a stimulus project
On Saturday, Democracy for America (DFA) national Chair Jim Dean and DFA-NJ met up in Monmouth County for their 6th Annual DFA at the Beach event at Moby's in Highlands. Great deck bar, by the way.
Monmouth County DFA Chair, Red Bank Councilman Ed Zipprich casually mentioned to me that the bridge construction in the background of the DFA group photo is ironic because Tea Party candidate Little has benefitted from yet another Democratic chunk of ARRA stimulus money right in her own back yard.
At least the crane in the background is painted red!
Now, speaking of beach + fun, Dems 2000's having their Beach Bash tonight, by the way - have a blast, Dems 2000!
More pictures from DFA at the Beach, after the jump (thanks, Joe Osborne & Ed Zipprich, for the pix).
Not much of a secret around here that there's crossover between Democracy for America and Blue Jersey. Blue Jersey was founded by Juan Melli, who ran Mercer DFA when he was at Princeton, and Jeff Gardner and I are 2/5ths of the current DFA-NJ exec board. Even so, I wasn't planning on mentioning DFA at the Beach here, which is Saturday, till I found out today a bunch of Blue Jerseyans will be there.
Jim Dean & Blue Jersey:Jim Dean, DFA Founder Howard Dean's brother and our national Chair, is coming. A big Blue Jersey fan. And an early Blue Jersey Radio guest & podcaster, back in the day. Jim's called in to BJR from all over the country. DFA uses Blue Jersey in DFA Night School sessions on political blogging.
New frontpagers: Monday morning two new writers start here. If you want a 2-day jump on who got the gig, come on down. They'll be there. So will Deciminyan. Plus maybes Michele Jaker (who's had quite a week in the fight for New Jersey women's health care, as the Planned Parenthood Director) and kevmor, who's been watching the city of Trenton this week.
Purely social. No fundraiser. Free admission. Families & friends welcome. Great waterfront deck bar - order off the menu: drinks, sodas, seafood, burgers, kids menu. Good hang-out time with fellow progressives. Hope to see you there:
6th Annual DFA at the Beach When: Sat. August 7th at 4pm till ???
Where: Moby's Deck
2 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
(off Rt. 36, last exit before Sandy Hook)
Menu/Directions for Moby's Deck
DFA is celebrating its 5th birthday tonight, Wednesday, March 25th, and, well, here's what DFA founder Howard Dean has to say about it:
It is hard to believe it's been five years since I founded Democracy for America. I came back to an organization even larger than when I left. The original Dean Dozen has turned into over 575 progressive candidates successfully elected in positions up and down the ballot. They've started a training program that has trained over 20,000 activists and candidate in the skills to win. It is great to be working with DFA again.
Well, Howard - it's great to have you back!
So, in celebration of DFA's 5th Birthday, and Howard Dean's return, there are house parties tonight across the nation, including 5 parties here in New Jersey, where DFA members, friends and supporters are gathering for a look back at the successes of the last 5 years, and a look ahead to what's next. Governor Corzine is coming to the party in Hawthorne, and of course, the Blue Jersey community is invited to attend any one of the parties:
Gov. Dean, along with DFA Chair Jim Dean and other special guests will be on a live conference call beginning at 9:00 p.m. to link all the parties together. Wherever you live, find the party nearest you, and join us.
And, even if you can't get to a party in person, you can listen to the call online, or call in yourself:
Call-in number - (888) 346-3950
Passcode - 5661518 #
Democracy for America, the country's largest progressive political action community, today announced its endorsement of Linda Stender for Congress in New Jersey's 7th District.
DFA chair Jim Dean:
"Linda Stender has been working for change her whole career.... Thanks to the hard work of DFA members on the ground in groups like New Jersey for Democracy and Hunterdon DFA, Linda came within 3,000 votes of winning her election for Congress in 2006.... This year Linda will take it over the top and deliver a powerful victory for Democrats in November."
Linda Stender:
"The deep-seeded desire for change that has sparked passionate organizing campaigns across the country is also fueling our campaign here in the 7th district, along with others up and down the ticket. I am incredibly grateful for the DFA community?s early support. Together, we will win in November and work together to fight for New Jersey families."
So many of us worked hard for Linda in 2006, and this year we have the chance to seal the deal. Let's celebrate! Come out this Sunday and join Linda and the Hunterdon and Somerset DFA groups at a picnic at the FREE concert on stage at beautiful, riverside Duke Island Park (near the middle of NJ-7, in Somerset County). All the details are here. See you there.
Democracy for America, the country's largest progressive political action organization, endorsed Frank Lautenberg for Senate today. DFA chair Jim Dean:
"Frank Lautenberg has shown time and again that he is a champion of progressive values and Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign. Sen. Lautenberg's commitment to the grassroots is well established and New Jersey is fortunate to have his expertise and representation in the Senate."
DFA executive director Arshad Hasan:
"Frank Lautenberg has been a leader on the issues that matter: ending the War in Iraq, expanding access to health care, and standing up for working men and women. Sen. Lautenberg's long-record make him the only real choice for progressives on June 3rd in New Jersey."
Frank Lautenberg:
"I am proud to accept Democracy for America's endorsement. DFA and I are both committed to changing direction in Washington after the failures of eight years of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Together we will work to end the War in Iraq, boost our economy, protect the environment, and make health care and higher education more affordable and accessible. DFA members know that they will always have an ally in the United States Senate as long as I am there."
Looking for something cool to do this weekend? There's still time to RSVP for the national DFA Campaign Training Academy, rolling into the Garden State in a matter of hours.
Field strategy and targeting, volunteer recruitment, fundraising strategy, candidate call-time discipline, voter contact, GOTV, media, running phone banks & canvasses, internet strategy, issue organizing, precinct organizing, and voter file are all among things covered in the fast-paced, comprehensive and fun 2-day session, which starts tomorrow morning on the campus of Monmouth University.
Newark Councilman Ron C. Rice and DFA Chair Jim Dean will sit in on a session we'll do just for the candidates in attendance Sunday morning (let us know if you're running!). Rice was the first nationally-endorsed DFA-List candidate from the Garden State. He's also a founding member of Essex DFA and governs from the West Ward (pop. 66,000) in the state's largest city. Sponsor of one of the most sweeping ethics reform packages in the state's history, developed with input from Center for Civic Responsibility, Rice, a delegate for Barack Obama, credits his success to a bedrock progressive outlook, and that's what he wants to talk to candidates about.
As heard on Blue Jersey Radio last night, with DFA Training Director Matt Blizek guesting, DFA Chair Jim Dean will be around all weekend along with progressive organizers and candidates from all over the state - woo hoo!
The DFA Training Academy is coming to New Jersey - next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27 - and you're invited! This exciting 2-day campaign training is taking place on the beautiful campus of Monmouth University, and will also feature a fun social event in Red Bank on Saturday night. Registering is easy!
DFA Chair Jim Dean will be here, along with top campaign consultants with decades of experience to give you the skills to run a winning campaign. Topics include: field planning, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and more.
It's a tremendous opportunity for candidates, campaign staff, volunteers, activists and anyone who wants to learn from the best at one of the most fun, inspiring and informative trainings you will ever attend.
As the saying goes: "You have the power, now learn the skills!"
Once upon a time there was a little black girl from the Brewster Projects of Detroit, Michigan couple o' bloggers from New Jersey.
One day they were spotted by an Ebony Fashion Fair talent scout a guy named Juan Melli and her modeling career their radio career took off!!!!
You all know the deal by now: Blue Jersey BlogTalkRadio, Saturday, 10:30a. Jeff. Jay. Hilarity.
This Week: On tap we have two guests (DFA Chair Jim Dean and future Congresswoman Linda Stender) who'll be weighing in with their thoughts on Tuesday's election.
Best of all, YOUR CALLS and PREDICTIONS! Call-in Number: (646) 652-2773
(All the cool kids listen. So are you cool or not? - promoted by Jay Lassiter)
Update: Jim was absolutely great - this was a really fun show. We hope you enjoy:
By now you know, every Saturday morning at 10:30, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Trenton's latest buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
Just an early heads up:
This week: Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean joins us LIVE to talk about DFA's plans for New Jersey this year, and much more.
Have a question you want to ask Jim? Drop it in the comments and we'll try to get you an answer. Or, better yet, give us a call on Saturday - as always, we'd love to hear from you LIVE.
Phone lines open Saturday at 10:30a.
Your Call-in Number is: (646) 652-2773
You can also surf our BlogTalkRadio page anytime to listen to our archived segments, or download the show to your iPod, and listen at your leisure by subscribing here:
(This would be an incredible coup for New Jersey. DFA's Grassroots All-Star can expect to net gobs of cash, and immeasurable volunteer support. Act fast and spread the word - the first round ends midnight Sunday. - promoted by noweeman)
In just 30 seconds, you can give Linda Stender the early boost she needs to be elected in 2008. Democracy for America is having an online poll to determine its "DFA Grassroots All-Star" - their first 2008 endorsement - and New Jersey has a chance to win this great early opportunity with your help.
After nearly beating Mike Ferguson in 2006, New Jersey's progressive powerhouse Linda Stender is one of just seven candidates up for early DFA endorsement for a 2008 run for Congress.
Winning this grassroots challenge will result in a HUGE early boost in money, volunteers and support. But the contest ends midnight Sunday, so she needs your vote NOW.
Stender got huge DFA support in 2006. Local endorsement from all four local DFA groups in NJ-7 - Hunterdon, Union, Somerset & Middlesex DFAs - plus NJ for Democracy's statewide endorsement. That was followed by a national DFA endorsement, funding and mobilization. It very nearly put her over the top. She deserved every shred of it then, and we have an opportunity to do even more now.
You and your friends don't have to be members of Democracy for America (DFA) to drop in and tell DFA you want their pick to be Stender. (Though you can join DFA right here.) You just need to want an amazing progressive Democratic woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Winning this thing would throw a big national spotlight on Stender and New Jersey. Last year's winner of DFA's Grassroots All-Stars competition, by the way, was Jerry McNerney. That's Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11). He lost his first congressional race, then ran a second time, and beat the dastardly Richard Pombo.
Last month, I received an interesting message from a Bergen County official:
What a shame this organization [Bergen Grassroots] has come to this. Early on I thought it was a group that could make a difference and worked with them. Very childish. Not what Governor Dean had in mind I'm guessing.
The message was a response to an email sent by Paul Eisenman, Chairman of Bergen Grassroots, the local chapter of Democracy for America (DFA) which I co-founded. The purpose of Mr. Eisenman's email was to rally grassroots activists to protest BCDO Chairman Joe Ferriero's hastily called January 31st vote to alter the BCDO bylaws in a way that would have given him complete control over the party line. (Amazingly, the changes to the bylaws were defeated despite Mr. Ferriero's committee purges of 2006.)
Democracy for America chair Jim Dean will be in Englewood tomorrow to join Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle's campaign kickoff. Here's the details...
Where: Weinberg, Johnson & Huttle Campaign Headquarters 40 North Van Brunt St. Suite 2 Englewood (near BergenPAC) When: Thursday - March 22nd Time: 5pm - 8pm RSVP:RSVP@realbergendemocrats.com or call 201-838-9959, including regrets.
(Weather forecast: sunny, breezy and beautiful. A perfect day for volunteering. - promoted by noweeman)
Blue Jersey has been talking about the importance of Tuesday's mid-term elections - showcasing candidates, raising nearly $10,000 in small donations, and having a whole lot of fun.
Now, it's time for the real work - Getting. Out. The. Vote.
Mid-term elections have notoriously low turnouts, so every vote we turn out is critical. Wherever you are in the state - there is something for you to do TODAY to help. Go do it.
Not interested in the events near you? Then take a ride out to Flemington in Hunterdon County to see the foliage and help Linda Stender at an all-day "knock and rock" phonebank followed by live music party. For Linda to win on Tuesday, she needs to kick ass in all four counties in NJ-7 - red and blue alike. You can help.
If we want to celebrate on Tuesday night, we need to GOTV statewide - a 21-county strategy, if you will.
So, why are you still reading this? It's a beautiful day - put down the mouse, and get out of the house.
Here at Blue Jersey we are pretty excited about the podcasts we've done thus far. And with an eye on the future, we've lined up some really intriguing interviews for the near future. Titillated? Stay tuned, I promise it's only gonna get better!
Our latest podcast installment is ready for public consumption:
It's an interview with Democracy for America chief Jim Dean, who was gracious enough to oblige my request for a sit-down. In the interview, Chairman Dean shares his hopes and insights for Election 2006, and beyond.
We're trying something new with this podcast. This one has some photos from the intervew embedded into it. If you have itunes or an ipod, you can see the photos while the podcast plays. Click here to subscribe to our itunes feed:
So check it out and feel free to let us know how you like it. The whole podcast medium is still so new and we're open to feedback. Like I said, we're committed to getting the best scoops (and the most compelling figures in the NJ political landscape) and your feedback makes us better.
Today was the DFA training session that took place at Raritan Valley Community College and below are some photos from the event. I'd estimate about 100 people came out for the training, which continues tomorrow as well. Also, our very own Jay Lassiter had a chance to interview DFA president (and Howard Dean's brother) Jim Dean (not to be confused with the famous sausage entrepreneur). We'll have a podcast of the entire interview hopefully by Monday, but for now, here's a video clip of Jay asking Jim about the future of blogging.
(Reason #11 - It's Saturday morning, it's raining - and you're reading this. (And you can register at the door) - promoted by noweeman)
The DFA Training Academy in NJ is finally here - this weekend! - and it promises to be an incredible two days of networking, learning, and fun you don't want to miss!
Not convinced? Here's 5 great reasons for you to drop your plans, and go to the training this Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27:
1- You'll meet Jim Dean, and hear what DFA is doing here in NJ and nationwide!
2- You'll learn about organizing from the Center for Civic Responsibility, and be ready to join your local county committee to energize your local party!
3- You'll improve your blogging skills or just your knowledge of blogging with none other than the folks from right here at BlueJersey!
5- You'll study with pros from around the country, and network with candidates and campaign staff from here in New Jersey as we prepare ourselves for victory in November!
Good news for grassroots organizations and local campaigns around the state - the DFA Training Academy is coming to New Jersey on August 26-27 for a weekend full of campaign training, simulation and serious fun.
In the words of one very special former Vermont Governor, "You have the power." Now get the skills!
Competing against DFA groups from around the country earlier this year, NJ for Democracy won this training in the DFA 'Roots Tourney and now to the victors, go the skills. For two days, local activists can learn the strategies and tactics needed to harness their power and win elections. Participants learn how to develop an effective message, influence local media, run a local campaign, and build their grassroots group's attendance, activity, and effectiveness.
DFA Chair Jim Dean - and other special guests - will be in New Jersey to kick off the event, which promises to be one of the hottest tickets this summer.
When you leave this program, you'll be ready to go out and actually use the skills you learn as soon as you get home.
Campaign staffer? Volunteer? Grassroots activist? Local candidate?
Sign up today!
