Semi-OT: Reynolds (R-NY) retiring, and Capt. Jon Powers is running for his seat

[rox63]

The last paragraph here mentions that this is the seat Powers is running for: http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0308/Reynolds_is_now_on_retirement_watch_list.html

I hope that district will end up with Congressman Jon Powers come November. :bounce:

For thos who don't know, Capt. Powers has introduced JK at speeches, and they are good friends.

[beachmom]

1. He also is a Kossak, and I usually post his diaries in here (since he's a friend and Fighting Dem)

so people can see them.

Rox, thanks for sharing this news: this is HUGE. I was just thinking about Capt. Powers yesterday, and wondering what kind of chance he had against Reynolds. Wow, this is great timing for him, that he had already thrown his hat in the ring, and now the big competition is retiring. I wonder if this really ups his chances of winning, and what kind of bench the R's have in that district.

I also met Capt. Powers at YearlyKos last summer, and he is a really nice guy!

[beachmom]

2. Speaking of which, there is a diary by Power's netroots guy right now!

Rec it up:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/20/113242/773/535/474406

[TayTay]

3. OMG. I have to do a bake sale or

hold a yard sale or sell some blood or something to get this guy some money.

:loveya: I just love Jon Powers.

[GenDem]

6. Jon's actblue page

http://actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18111

[Democrafty]

7. Hey, look who started the Jon Powers in Boston page!

http://www.actblue.com/page/jonpowersinboston

I am all for some sort of virtual bake sale. Oh, the possibilities....

[GenDem]

8. That would be so cool

I'm in Club 26.

:hi:

[JI7]

4. great news

we need to keep Congress

[GenDem]

5. I'm in the 26th and support Jon all the way!

I love Jon. Met him for the first time last summer and knew right away that he had "it". My county endorsed very early in the beginning of December. I've been working very hard for this very impressive young man.

http://www.powersforcongress.com

Tonight he's in front of a very important committee and I'm sure it will end in another endorsement. He has so much momentum.

The two Republican potential candidates that were dubbed the frontrunner's have already taken a pass on this seat. Now they are scrambling to find a viable candidate.

We do have one problem. Bat shit crazy Jack Davis is back in.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/27/04929/8674/981/485147

[TayTay]

9. Welcome to the Kerry forum! And I love Jon Powers.

I first saw him at Faneuil Hall in April of '06 when he gave an introductory speech for Sen. Kerry on Iraq. He had me from the first words of his speech. (You vet, served his country, came back and tried to serve the needs of his buddies still serving by making sure they got the equipment they needed, founded War Kids Relief, etc.)

Saw Jon again at Take Back America in '06:


(There is a pic floating around of someone making Capt Powers laugh at that TBA. Ah, must have been something someone said. Then again, he IS running for Congress now, so at least he listened.)

I saw Jon last year at YearlyKos (now Netroots Nation.) He is still a wonderful and very special guy and I have sent him some $$$ and plan on sending more. (BTW, he is also a terrific listener and a great hugger.)

The US Congress would be blessed to have someone like Jon Powers there to represent the honest intersts of the good people of the 26th District. He has my support and love.

PS: Sen. Kerry sent out a fundraising letter that listed Capt Powers as one of 4 folks that Kerry strongly supports for the US Congress. This is what the letter said about Powers: "In New York, Tom Reynolds just retired, spooked by my friend and young Iraq war veteran Jon Powers. Capt. Powers saw the devastation of the Iraq War up close and personal when he served in Baghdad and decided to do something about it. As soon as he got back home, he started a charitable organization to help Iraqi children. Jon and I have been friends for three years now; I believe that if we seize this moment and send him to Congress he will be a real leader for our Party and country for decades to come."

I completely agree with the good Senator. Jon Powers is a great guy and would make an exceptional Congressman.

PPS: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=273&topic_id=82900#82938
I thought he was a Mass guy at first. I am jealous he is running in NY.

[GenDem]

10. I got the email from Kerry!

I'm so excited about all the attention that Jon is getting. He is the best candidate that I have ever seen, locally. I just found out that he won endorsements in two major towns tonight. There is no turning back, now. He has pretty much locked up all the counties. I am proud to have orchestrated the first one back in early December and I will always remember being part of electing a great leader.

And, yes -- I have been on the other end of those hugs too. He is worth the effort -- that's for sure.

I am also proud to have supported Senator Kerry. I worked as a volunteer for his presidential campaign in Erie Pa. and still give him a little money from time to time. He is a senator that we all can be proud of. It will be an exciting election year for us here. I'm sure we will see Senator Kerry and General Clark and many more. Jon always invites me to his events, so I know that I will be meeting all these people that I have admired and respected.

This picture is from a house party that we hosted for Jon back in January. He could write the book on grassroots. He did 30 house parties in 30 days during that cold month. This campaign has been an amazing journey and it is only just beginning.