Turning the page - Massa’s Washington reception
WOW - what a great time! Suffice to say, it was a well organized event Monday evening at the Monocle Restaurant. There was a reception upstairs for a several members of the GOP freshman class with John Boehner paying a visit. Anyway, a lot of folks packed into the main level of the restaurant to see Eric Massa. Massa arrived, was mobbed by well-wishers and ultimately gave a wonderful thank you speech. For those who missed it - here it is.
There were a couple of hundred people there, packed into a small room. Space was tight. Of course, Eric’s family was there, as well as Labor representatives, Watchdog groups, Donna Smith, a local contingent of Massa supporters from Rochester, even a women from the CIA. Jon Powers, who moved to Washington, was there (per Jon, he is not coming back anytime soon, having settled in D.C.). There were a bunch of folks that I had no idea who they were. Many of these folks lived in D.C and knew Eric from his time in D.C. Some had donated and came to meet Eric in person for the first time.
I used the phrase “turning the page” because that is where we are - changing from pure campaign season to legislative season. We will be back in full campaign mode soon enough, but right now we are getting down to legislative business.
Many worked long and hard, over a sustained period of time, to get Eric Massa elected. We donated money, convinced our neighbors, canvassed, walked neighborhoods, dropped lit, worked strategies, and all the rest of things that go into a successful campaign.
It ended with a well-deserved celebration. A necessary celebration because the pent up energy of a long campaign needed to be released in order to get down to business, the people’s business.
The key, of course, is for “the people” to ensure that those we elect to conduct the people’s business don’t fall for the trappings of Washington - the power, the glitz, the isolation, the echo chamber.
I was outside chatting with a manager of the restaurant and he said - he has seen many people come and go and yes, he was excited for the changes about to take place. But (my words) in the end, representatives come and go and the Monocle still stands.
So, E Pluribus Unum - out of many, one. The entire NY-29th district is represented by a single Rep. A district that is simply one of 435 districts across the U.S. 435 districts which comprise a single legislative body. A body whose Reps are about to forge legislation to move America forward. Legislation that is ultimately achieved via some level of consensus.
So, congratulations to Eric Massa and his family - congratulations to his staff, but above all congratulations to the people who put him there.
Now the people’s work begins.
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Sounds like a fabulous time. Color me green. Thanks for the coverage of what appears to have been an enjoyable soiree.
Congratulations Eric and all that worked on his fabulous campaign!
He’s a real class act and will be a great representative.