Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Co-Sponsors include:

Crashing the States

and the following candidates:

Charlie Brown - California
Darcy Burner - Washington State
Larry Grant - Idaho
Kagen 4 Congress - Wisconsin
Scott Kleeb - Nebraska
Steve Novick - Oregon
Jared Polis - Colorado
Ron Shepston - California
Don Wiviott - New Mexico

*This event is not associated with the YearlyKos Convention.

How did this event come about?

Last year, as many of you know, I ran for the New York State Senate and YearlyKos was my first major event as Netroots Candidate, NYBri. I had a blast and was left with only one concern about the entire event...there wasn't really a time when all the candidates and office holders could get together and talk to everyone face-to-face about politics, their races and the progressive cause...all at the same time.

I mean there were a few parties...with chocolate fountains and Elvis impersonators...and Wes Clark tossed a good one, but nothing where ALL the candidates were the stars they deserved to be. It's too expensive for most campaigns to cough up the dough to have a special night.

I wanted to change that. First of all, I hooked up with Dante Atkins, aka. hekebolos, Ahila Livingston, aka. Alivingston, and Kossack, MBNYC. Then we began contacting campaigns and office holders and asking for everyone to toss in and share a room, a night and the spotlight...and invite the ENTIRE CONVENTION TO JOIN IN.

The result? The Netroots Candidates Celebration!

What's Gonna Happen?

The short answer is that we are still working on the program, but what we DO know is that we will have some surprise guests and everyone will have the opportunity to get some quality face time with all the candidates... take photos...get buttons...and all that...

PLUS, we are going to have a showing of the trailer of Crashing The States, the documentary film Dante and his team shot during the 2006 election...where they traveled the country and dropped in on countless Netroots campaigns...and filmed it all.

Also, many of the candidates I contacted won't be able to make it to the event, so we are going to LiveBlog the entire thing, of course...and periodically show the diary on the giant screen...so they can check in from all over the country.

Since everyone will have laptops and there will be WiFi, we may hold a photo contest or two.

Lots of stuff is planned.

AND...there will be the group photo of all the candidates for your collection pleasure.

Why are you doing this, NYBri?

When I was at YK last year, I challenged everyone at the convention to get involved in a campaign...from local to national. To not only write and blog, but to become active in the elective process...because it's the only way we are going to change the country.

Well, these people who we will be celebrating have done just that. I know what the sacrifice is in terms of time, spirit, family, money...

Let me say that these people are putting it all on the line for all of us; to make the progressive dream come closer to reality. It's the only path we have, and our candidates are out in front leading the way.

This is my small way to get all of us together and, first of all, say thank you, and second, let them know we have their backs.

So, for me, this one is personal and I want the entire YearlyKos community to join me...because I know there is power in numbers.

The Heroes

The following are the candidates and office holders who have confirmed that they will be there with all of you...this list is growing every day and if you know of others who will be at YearlyKos, let me know (brian at thealbanyproject dot com)and I'll take it from there.

Charlie Brown - California 4th CD

Daniel Biss - Illinois State Representative

Jay Buckey - Senate in New Hampshire

Darcy Burner - Washington State 8th CD

Geoge Fearing - Washington State 4th District

Bill Foster - Illinois 14th CD

Dan Grant - Texas 10th CD

Larry Grant - Idaho 1st CD

Congressman Jay Inslee - Washington State 1st CD

Congressman Steve Kagen - Wisconsin 8th CD

Scott Kleeb - Nebraska 3rd CD

Eric Massa - New York 29th CD

Congressman Brad Miller - North Carolina 13th CD

Brad with our own Gina Cooper

Steve Novick - Senate in Oregon

Jared Polis - Colorado 2nd CD

Jon Powers - New York 23rd CD

Mark Richie - Minnesota Secretary of State

Dan Seals - Illinois 10th CD

Ron Shepston - California 42nd CD

Gary Trauner - Wyoming At Large Congressional Seat

Russ Warner - California 26th CD

Rachel Weston - Vermont State Representative

Don Wiviott - Senate in New Mexico

...and this is just a partial list of the Heroes that will be there.

In the comments, tell me what you think would be fun to do with these candidates and tell me if you are coming.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago.

I want to personally thank everyone at VShift for believing in the Netroots movement and throwing their time and money into making this event happen for the YearlyKos Community and all the candidates. Thanks, you are the best.

UPDATE: This from d day concerning Crashing The States:

We're going to screen essentially a 23-minute mini-version of the film Crashing The States.  I oughta know: I've been editing it along with Reality Bites Back for the past week.  We're in the finishing touches stage and should be done on Monday.

First of all, I think you're going to be really, really impressed with what we've come up with.  The film will be marvelous when complete; our time was too limited to finish the entire film, but you will get a very healthy taste of it.  This is not some student short shot with a Handy-Cam; this is a well-photographed, well-produced and (hopefully you will agree) well-edited look back at the 2006 election and the history of the netroots.  Gary and Dante did a fabulous job collecting the footage, and I hope you'll be happy with the end result.

dd