VMD Day

I know we are all exhausted, that’s for sure. But just quickly, I want to thank each and everyone of you for being apart of these discussions, staying informed, working hard and getting out the vote. Maryland is fighting for working families once again!

Congratulations everyone! You did it!

And if you want to say a quick word or two I’ll put them up here, just comment away!

Russell Johnson: “I am so glad that Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown won. ‘It is time for a positive change.’ I will work hard and do anything possible to assist the O’Malley/Brown Governorship to improve the State of Maryland. Congratulations…”

Nick Moroney: “Congratulations Governor O’Malley!! Thanks for all your hard work in bringing effective and accountable government to Baltimore. I know you’ll continue to make Marylanders proud as Governor. It’s been both a hard fought and inspirational campaign and, you know what? I’m going to miss standing beside the highway and waving signs at cars crossing the Bay Bridge!”

Michelle Houtz: “Congratulations on your vistory- well deserved!! I have been a supporter from your first run as Mayor. I am still with you and looking ahead. I became a mother this year- I can’t tell you how much your views on putting family first mean to me. Thank You!!!”

Barbara Goode: “I am so happy for you and for all of us in Maryland. What we need is someone who’s honest and who puts the welfare of his constituents first. Clearly, Bob Erlich is not that person, as he’s proven. We have faith in you, don’t let us down.”

Suzanne Reinhold: “Congrats Gov. O’Malley! You ran a good, honest, clean campaign and it really paid off! Finally, the BEST MAN WON! All of us here on the Eastern Shore are shouting for JOY over your win! Keep up the good work and know that you are supported by MANY!”

Ann Brennan-Zelenka: “Congratulations and thank you, thank you for all the hard work put into this campaign. Maryland will be the “Bestâ€? state in the Union with Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown at the helm. Their outstanding intellects, hearts, and spirits are what this glorious state needs in our leaders. 8 years as Governor and then on to . . . the U.S. Presidency!? Remember, “If the Berlin Wall can crumble and Mandela can walk free,â€? than why not our State be a model of justice and peace? You go, guys!”

Lawrence Fasick: “Congrats to both of you! you have now restored my trust and faith back for our State! when ya’ll won i busted out in happy tears! i know you will lead our state in a positive direction and work for ALL Marylanders! today is a new day the fog has now been lifted i am now proud to say i live in MD. i am so proud of you and Anthony. I would love to work on your team i am a Photographer together we all can show the world how great our State is once again! thank you!”

Gary Christopherson: “As a 20+ year resident of Prince Georges County and Maryland and a former Clinton Administration senior appointee, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Governor-Elect O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Brown for a great victory for them, and the State of Maryland. As one who has seen, both at the national and State levels, the lost opportunities to care for our people, this is a moment of great opportunity and obligation.

We all now need to step forward with the transition and effective governance. The people of Maryland deserve nothing less.”

Usha Kumar: “CONGRATULATIONS!! All the hard work finally paid off and the people have made their decision. Here’s to a new direction for our country.”

Donya Maria Twyman: “Because of shared beliefs, an education and public safety agenda and our belief in unity, diversity and a responsibiilty to advance the common good, words alone can not describe my joy of the new horizon for this great state. Thanks Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown for a victory that makes us all proud to be from the great state of Maryland.”

Danielle: “Congratulations! I was very impressed with your campaign and am looking forward to great things ahead from both of you. We expect great things moving forward!”

Ms. C. Daniels: “Congratulations for a well-run race!”

– Nicholas Stewart | Friday November 10, 2006 | Permalink | Comment [2]

Getting Out the Vote with President Bill Clinton

during his eight years in the White House, President Bill Clinton proved time and time again that a common-good approach to government isn’t only good policy –it’s also a great way to get Americans out to the polls. For when you empower millions of American with the politics of hope and opportunity, you can’t help but enfranchise millions of voters by finally convincing them they’ve got something at stake on Election Day.

That’s the message President Clinton brought to Upper Marlboro last night as he came out – one last time – to turn out the vote and show his support for Martin, Anthony, and their vision of a Maryland rooted in the same common good approach that ushered America through two terms of peace and prosperity during the 1990s.

Martin and Anthony are modern-day champions of President Clinton’s common good approach – and they sit in stark contrast to the Ehrlich administration’s record of policies that seem to do nothing more than further the divide between Maryland’s haves and have nots.

President Clinton knows this, and that’s why he’s been working so hard over the last month to make sure – as he says in the commercial he cut for Martin and Anthony – that Marylanders recognize the difference that exists in this election, and that they have the power to make it.

Let’s heed President Clinton’s words. There’s only one day left. Let’s get out the vote and get leaders into office that will dedicate themselves to the common good and the expansion of the American Dream for all.

– Mike Kerwin | Monday November 6, 2006 | Permalink | Comment

BUS TOUR JOURNAL: DAY 4

As the bus tour keeps moving forward, momentum is building for an unbelievable turnout come this November 7.

Prince George’s County Office:

Jumpstarting that momentum today was the official kick off of our Election Day run-up in Prince George’s County. At the campaign office, Anthony Brown got the door knocking started – meeting Marylanders of different background in the share pursuit of progress. Gorgeous Prince George’s never lets us down.

Team 13. Columbia:

After the rally and canvas in Prince George’s, the campaign and Team 13 were joined by Mayor Doug Palmer from New Jersey to help with the voter contact and activation. While handing out some information and making sure people go to the polls, Anthony and Doug were greeted by the men and women of Columbia. Just walking door to door, you could hear “Go Get’em Anthony� and “It’s time for a change!� Doesn’t get better than that.

Oakland Mills Interfaith Center:

The next stop on the progress express was a rally with Howard County Democrats. Just about the whole ticket turned out to meet the candidates and get excited about a State back on the side of working families. The Mayor summed it up by saying “our diversity is truly our greatest strength. Together we can manage growth, plan for the future, and make sure our State is strong for the next generation.�

Odenten:

Just a half hour away, the O’Malley/Brown campaign had a stop in a tight-nit community in western Anne Arundel County. There, about 30 or so volunteers got a chance to talk about the issues with families and friends. Maryland truly is unique and it’s great to be a part of neighborhoods that stay together and fight for each other. I think it speaks to this campaign.

Silver Spring:

Meeting the people of Maryland is what this tour is all about and our stop in Silver Spring gave us yet another chance to get out there and speak about that which unites us. The Mayor was even able to talk a little about one of his favorite places – downtown. In fact, one of Baltimore’s great places to eat – Fuddruckers – is opening up there. That which unites us!

Gonzaga Football:

Martin and Anthony then headed to Montgomery Blair High School to get the Gonzaga Eagles fired-up for their last game of the season against St. John’s. Martin was hoping his old high school could pull off a tough victory. The big green bus even pumped some music into the air. And even though the final score wasn’t everything the Eagles hoped for, it was a great played game.

The days are long and the excitement is up. Working for Families Bus Tour is exactly like it sounds.

Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore – it’s time for some GOTV. And I think our 41st President might join us along the way…

– Nicholas Stewart | Saturday November 4, 2006 | Permalink | Comment

BUS TOUR JOURNAL: DAY 3

When there are elections, there is no sleep. Well except if you’re Bob Ehrlich with one event a day. But I guess how hard you campaign really is a good judge of how hard you’ll work in office. Oh I had to point it out…

Day 3 on the O’Malley/Brown Working for Families Tour saw even more momentum and once again it got started quite early.

Sign Wave:

For commuters in Dundalk, they were greeted by Martin and Anthony on their way to work this morning. Of course the honks and waves were appreciated by all of the people in green shirts toughing out the morning chill. Nothing warms the spirit like a call for progress.

Kitchen Table:

The closeness of November 7 really came into focus as Martin and Anthony sat down at their final kitchen table talk. They joined Butch Henry, the host of the first kitchen table, and 20 or so friends and neighbors (some were ironworkers from the Local 16) to talk about the kind of Maryland we’re moving towards. During the conversation, Martin promised Butch and his friends that “Anthony and I will stay true to our word, always working for the very families that make this State so strong.�

Anthony mentioned afterwards that these “kitchen table talks have really been the foundation of why we run. We’ve really had such a unique opportunity to hear about the concerns of our families and about the tools they need to grow and thrive.� He continued, “This has been one of the best parts of the entire campaign and I’ll always remember those honest conversations.�

Firehouse:

Martin and Anthony then had an opportunity to thank the men and women at Lansdowne Volunteer Fire House who’ve given the O’Malley/Brown ticket so much support in Arbutus. They really have made the difference. Joined by local residents, firefighters, and the Pastor from across the street, Pete Kristumas gave Martin, Anthony, Jim Smith, Doug Gansler and others a brief history. This historic firehouse, built in 1905, was started by the community because of a rash of fires that threatened the families. That sacred responsibility forged by the community lives on everyday when, as Martin hit on, they choose to fight for “our shared vision of America the community and not America the crowd.�

GOTV Rally at Bowie State University:

About an hour away, Martin and Anthony joined thousands of students, teachers, leaders, Democrats and just about everyone under the sun to make sure that 4 days from now, we have leadership working for families back in our state again.

The place was warmed up for Senator Barak Obama who inspired us around the “audacity of hope.� He closed in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. who said “the moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.� Senator Obama then added that it’s our responsibility – it’s our hands, together – that will make it bend.

Trader Joes:

An hour northward, the campaign – along with Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, Joe Curran, Bobby Zirkin, Dan Moreheim and 40 others – made a stop outside of Trader Joes to shake some hands and greet some folks on their way to Oakview Senior Center.

Oakview Senior Center:

Once the massive green bus arrived, Martin and Anthony were first out the door to talk with some of Maryland’s best about how we increase independence, make health care and Rx drugs more affordable, and how we secure our state for the next generation. Time and time again, Martin and Anthony heard about the need of a partnership that’s going to ring true every year, not just an election year. Well this afternoon, the candidates had an opportunity to strengthen and grow that partnership.

Parkview Senior Apartments:

Just a few minutes later, Martin and Anthony met up with some seniors in Randallstown to get people excited about voting. And if they were feeling down before they came, a rousing introduction by Schlundra Moore took care of that. And an endorsement by the National Democratic Conference of Mayors mid tour didn’t hurt either.

Battle Grove Democratic Club:

Closing out the night was an event that wouldn’t help anyone get to sleep. This rally, with one of the stalwarts of the Democratic Party, was just what the doctor ordered to take us to victory on the 7th. I’ve never seen 300 people more excited for an election. It sounds like Maryland is a ready for a change! And I know one big green bus leading the way.

Look out Greater Washington, we’re in your neck of the woods tomorrow.

– Nicholas Stewart | Saturday November 4, 2006 | Permalink | Comment