NY-29: Notes from the Trail, by Eric Massa

[trillian]

Cross posted from Kos


NY-29: Notes from the Trail: Live Radio and new ads to watch
by Eric Massa
Sun Oct 15, 2006 at 04:55:19 AM PDT

I won't be able to liveblog today but you can catch me on WHAM 1180 radio from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. If you don't live in the district you can still catch the webcast at http://www.wham1180.com. For the past 18 months, I've used this space to discuss everything from my experiences on the campaign trail to important policy issues. Today, with only 23 days left to go, I thought I would give you all a candid and honest assessment of where we stand and how things are going.

The momentum that has been building for the past few months has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. Our field program has virtually exploded with enthusiasm as countless new volunteers have signed up to knock on doors, hand out literature, and make phone calls. Last week, I took part in three debates against my opponent, attended a dozen house parties, traveled events in every county in the District, and hosted Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for a press conference. All in all, it has been a whirlwind week and an extremely exciting beginning of the race to the finish.


THE DEBATES

The biggest challenge we face right now is name recognition with voters in the Southern Tier. My opponent graciously offered to help with this by agreeing to debate in three separate venues across the south--Elmira, Bath, and Hornell. Not only that, he's proved to be a real crowd-pleaser, drawing laughs at every one - though perhaps not the way he'd like. Here's a summary of some of his more impressive moments (quoted where possible, paraphrased elsewhere.):

"The government has to react with immediate appropriations like it did during Katrina... " - Canandaigua, NY, October 5

Many of the 47 million Americans who don't have health insurance made that choice because they didn't want coverage.

He suggested that I did not know how hot it was in Iraq because, according to him, I had never been there. (I don't know if he was trying to compare his 16 hour junket to Baghdad with my service in Desert Storm, but that's what it sounded like to some in the audience.)

And lastly, coming in at the top of the countdown:

Kuhl (shouting): "These are people who want to kill all of you! Want to kill all of you!"
Kuhl (quietly): "I don't want them to kill you."
Man in the Audience: "Thanks!"

For my part, I was able to maintain a positive message, keep focused on the central issues, and rebut each of my opponent's increasingly absurd comments. While my staff naturally felt that I emerged from each debate victorious, I received some independent verification of the fact from the Corning Leader:

"But as to the televised Kuhl-Massa confrontation, Massa said the Iraq war was the worst mistake in US military history and he called for a complete shift in the Bush regime's course. On that basis alone, I'd score him the winner."

Our last debate is coming up this Monday at 7:00 PM on the Rochester area Cable News Channel, "R-News." Like the WETM debate last week, this debate will be carried on live TV to the voters and, if the last TV debate was any indication, it promises to be a sight to see.

ADVERTISING, GUESTS, and a little help from our friends.

We launched two new ads last week. (both ads are available here) The first is a television spot, entitled "Hide 'n Seek," that sets the record straight about Massa's positions and scolds his opponent, Randy Kuhl, for "playing games, and hiding behind his negative attacks." The ad began airing on Monday on television stations in the Rochester, Elmira, and Buffalo media markets.

The second ad is a radio spot featuring retired Major General John Batiste. Although he considers himself a conservative Republican, Batiste has been an outspoken critic of the both the Bush Administration and Rep. Kuhl, particularly with respect to the war in Iraq.
"Randy Kuhl--this guy's got to go," says Batiste in the ad. "He lacks moral courage." This ad began airing on October 10th on radio stations throughout the 29th District.

I also had the honor to hold a press conference and a lunch with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer. His visit came only a few short days after the North Korean nuclear test, so that topic, as well as the ongoing problems of accountability in the House, were at the top of the agenda. Capping off the week, I was also honored to be the subject of a fundraising email sent out by Senator Hillary Clinton to her supporters. With her ongoing support, the support of other leaders, and the ever-valuable netroots community, I truly believe that we will be able to take this District back.

If you would like to volunteer, our online volunteer center is here. We have a new online fundraiser ongoing here. Thanks to all of you for the tremendous support you are giving our campaign.