Messages from
the Hamden DTC Chair

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

I am sure I have felt more exhilarated after a national election, but I am not sure when. I also am pretty sure that I have heard a better victory speech by a presidential candidate before, but I cannot think of one right now. It was a tremendous national victory. I think the euphoria comes from, first, having seen a presidential victory ripped out of our hands in 2000 and 2004, we know today that cannot happen this time. And second, from electing someone who has the potential to be so transformational a president, who ran a campaign that never addressed our baser impulses, but always spoke to what is best in America. Barack Obama's speech last night was typical of the campaign that he ran, and one that we can all be proud of.

Closer to home, we had a clean sweep last night, one that Hamden can be especially proud of as well. First, we now have a 100% Democratic delegation to Hartford. Elizabeth Esty was elected to represent the 103rd District. It was close, about 245 votes district-wide. Hamden delivered a 400-vote majority to Elizabeth, so our role was clearly key to changing that seat. Special thanks have to a few people. First, Dave Howell, who did a great job of organizing the district, giving Elizabeth the help she needed in Hamden. Thanks, Dave, it was a pleasure to work with you. Second, to Al and Betsy Gorman, who worked throughout the campaign on Elizabeth's behalf. Great work, and thanks to all of you.

In the 17th State Senate District, I had promised Sen. Crisco and his campaign that he would come out of Hamden with a 3,000 vote plurality. We outdid that, and then some. Senator Crisco won by about 10,000 votes, but half of that margin of victory came from Hamden. A terrific victory, made all the better by the fact that it came over a candidate who tried to use Swift Boat-like tactics against an honorable man. For this victory, John Flanagan did a terrific job of organizing lit drops, student volunteers, phone banks, etc. An old-fashioned effort that succeeded in an old-fashioned way, great job John. Others who played a role, and who deserve thanks: Ossie Brown, Gerry Migliaro, Mike Colaiacovo and John DeRosa stand out.

And I want to thank all of those who worked on the Hilltop Brigade campaigns again this year. We did it, we have made the entire of New England a blue region in the US Congress. Chris Himes won a decisive victory, Joe Courtney is going back to Congress, and so is Chris Murphy, who faced a candidate flush with money gained from fundraisers featuring George W Bush and Laura Bush - the only Republican candidate in the country to have fundraisers featuring both of them. Holly Masi did a great job, filling in for me while I went off gallivanting elsewhere, thank you Holly. Others: Andy Wormser, Elaine and Henry Dove, Leslie Creane, Al May, Dick and Nancy Beals, and Cong. Rosa DeLauro right next door. I don't have the final figures from Hamden yet - the absentee ballots hadn't fully been counted when I left - but I will get them out as soon as I have them.

Enjoy this day, everyone who worked on all of these campaigns.

-- Joe McDonagh
Hamden Democratic Town Chair

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