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John Dougherty for State Senate
Always tough recruiting volunteers, but surely it's not THAT bad
Do I believe my ears? Has Larry really imported poll workers from Buchanan Ingersoll in Pittsburgh?
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T-Minus One Day
The end of the campaign is nigh! In less than a day, the voters will have their say in deciding who will represent the First District in Harrisburg. (Fine, they’ll choose the nominee for the Democratic slot in November’s general election, but you get the point.) Last night, John hosted a thank-you get-together at Finnegan’s Wake, Third and Spring Garden for supporters, ward leaders and committeepeople. But it wasn’t the end of the campaign. Anything but, actually.
Because this morning, bright and early at 7 a.m., John was out at the K&A El stop shaking hands, talking issues, and practicing retail politics at its finest. Just like he’s been at every corner of the district, he was received well, particularly by those who recognized the face they’d seen on our commercials. “We’re not slowing down,” John noted on more than one occasion. So true.
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Five days left till election day
Thursday, April 17
Sorry I've been neglecting the posts here, but when you're out on the trail with a candidate who never slows down, time in front of the computer is scarse.
Yes, there are five days left till election day so here's the obligatory Get Out and Vote Doc on Tuesday reminder. Too much has been going on to summarize here, so I'll keep tonight's post focused on a star-watching tip.
And there were two spottings on the trail Thursday night.
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The Subprime Crisis
Among the more pressing problems facing our nation’s – and state’s – economy is the ominous subprime mortgage crisis. As a candidate for the First District State Senate seat, John Dougherty has spoken about the need for a grandfathering program that will protect long-time homeowners from being priced out of their neighborhoods because of reassessments and rising property taxes.
This week, he’s also garnered support from two of Philadelphia’s greatest advocates for those who find themselves of the precipice of homelessness because of their spiked mortgage payments.
The local chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) formally endorsed John Dougherty on Monday. Said John Moore, chair of Pa. ACORN PAC, “ACORN PAC is pleased to endorse John Dougherty for State Senate. We look forward to working together in the district and in Harrisburg to stop sub-prime foreclosures.”
Then, today (Tuesday), John was endorsed by Sheriff John Green, who called for a moratorium on sheriff’s sales last month to help protect those in danger of losing their homes. At a press conference at the Sheriff’s Office, Green referenced John’s compassion for those who perceived to be on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum as one of the driving forces behind his endorsement. He agreed with ACORN in noting that John would be a valued partner in Harrisburg when it comes to addressing the subprime crisis.
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An April Shower of Endorsements
It's only 11 a.m. and already, Monday is shaping up like an amazing day on the campaign trail. A few minutes ago, the campaign got word that John Dougherty has been endorsed by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a community organization of low- and moderate-income families with a mission of forming stronger communities and ensuring social justice for all. They also work to remedy the growing foreclosure problem, Katrina recovery, jobs, schools, living wages and all the issues that effect Philadelphians. (More details on the endorsement itself will be forthcoming.)
John's also en route to an event where the Teamsters will officially be endorsing his candidacy for the Democratic nod as First District State Senator.
These endorsements add to an ever-expanding list that has seen John supported by every union in the state via the AFL-CIO, the Transportation Workers local, SEIU, the Fraternal Order of Police, the city's Firefighters union and countless other organizations representing those who protect, serve and work for and with all Philadelphians. (By day's end, expect news about another huge endorsement announcement, bringing today's tally to four.)
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Close Encounter of the Second Kind
Well, Obama just wrapped up his speech before the state AFL-CIO convention delegates and, having been part of the escort committee, John got a second opportunity to meet with the man who may be president. (All his campaign manager, a staunch Obama guy, can boast of is shaking Barack's hand - but I'll take it.) At their first meeting, he and John discussed how the state senate is a good place to start a political career. This time they talked hoops, and Barack boasted of having a solid jump shot. I'm looking forward to a one-on-one game post-April-victories.
One interesting note from Obama's speech. While many people inexplicably blame the unions for Philadelphia's woes, Obama, who said he was "standing here as one of you," has a much different take.
"There is nothing we can't do if we are unified," he said. "That's what the labor movement is about. And that's what America should be about... It's time we had a president who didn't choke when he says the word 'union.'"
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A Busy, Issues-Oriented Week
From North Philly to South. Point Breeze to Northern Liberties. Fairmount to Point Breeze. And everywhere in between.
Time is running out between now and the April 22 primary – just 25 days from today – and John’s still sprinting all across the district. Every day brings more than a dozen new events and hundreds of volunteers are out there knocking on thousands of doors and making droves of phone calls. So much is going on that it’s difficult for this political-newbie to keep up with the blogposts from the road. So please accept my humble apologies if you’ve been checking back regularly, a dynamic which the Web stats I saw proving this campaign’s site outranks its competition attests.
So here, on Friday morning, is an uber-abbreviated account of the week that was.
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Some rest for the un-weary
Ok, maybe not too much rest. Even though the campaign offices were officially closed for Easter Sunday, John hit the streets of Center City for a nice long stroll from Rittenhouse Square to Henri David's South Street Easter Promenade. There, he greeted the crowd with about 80 of his closest orange-and-yellow holiday-themed-T-shirt-clad friends. They were family, friends, supporters, anti-crime activists and community activists. A good day of campaigning was had by all.
The Sunday events came on the heels of a busy Saturday that saw dozens upon dozens of canvassers head out of HQ to do the door-to-door work that lets voters learn more about the candidate. And their stomachs were full, courtesy of John's wife Celie who, in Easter tradition, prepared six hams, deviled eggs, coleslaw and some South Philly Easter cake. "It's a Dougherty family tradition," John said of the meal. "And this campaign team is a family."
That it is. And in case you're wondering what the photo accompanying this post is, it came from Monday at Mooney's Pub, at 4th and Ritner, where the local Polish community was celebrating Dyngus Day, in all their super-soaker toting glory.
