In an era of White House government secrecy not seen since the paranoia of Richard Nixon swept across our great nation, it is particularly disturbing to see one of our local officials denying his constituency insight on his positions -- from stem cell research to rocketing property taxes.

NY State Senator Stephen Saland is the official at issue -- a seeming opaque and obsessively defensive legislator from the 41st district.

In an extensive search for information regarding Senator Saland's positions, I accidentally found more information about Dick Cheney's secret energy task force than I did about Senator Saland's positions on just about any issue.

Ironically, one thing I was able to find was an explanation of why I couldn't find any meaningful information about the Senator.

The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), America's largest Seniors advocacy group, was dismissed by NY State Senator Stephen Saland by refusing to share with them, his positions on relevant issues.

Some suggest that incumbent Saland's 'seniors snub' was a defensive move to conceal his anti-seniors actions in the Senate. As a part of the Senate Republican majority, Saland blocked legislation for NY State drug bulk buying and other bills that would have lowered drug and healthcare costs.

Saland's challenger for NY's 41st District, Democrat Brian Keeler, found this an opportunity to highlight the differences between his support for America's seniors and Saland's pandering to corporate interests at the expense of his constituency.

Thus, Since Saland snubbed the AARP's request for information, we can provide only the respective policies and ideals of Democrat Brian Keeler below.

Tomorrow (Monday 9/25) is the big day everybody!

Come join us in NYC, Los Angeles, and Berkeley (See details below) to support and celebrate the candidacy of Kossack Brian Keeler (NYBri), State Senate Democratic Candidate for the 41st District of NY.

JUMP for the Details -- and a couple surprises!!

They'll be premiering at Brian's Fundraiser Monday night in Manhattan (Details Below). So be sure to show up and bring a friend. We'll have a great time as we give it one FINAL PUSH! We're almost there! So put on your party shoes and...

...leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee et's ROCK!!!

EVENT: "Blograiser II" -- a Fundraiser for Brian Keeler, Democratic Candidate for NY's 41st Senate District.

OVERVIEW: Netroots candidate Brian Keeler is running for New York Senate and he is HOT!!! Spitzer, Clinton, and Schumer have all given him their hearty endorsements and the NY DSCC has moved his race to the 'Top Tier' level. He is a true inspiration and a proud progressive Democrat who has an outstanding opportunity to up-end the mini-Bush incumbent Republican and help hand the Senate back to the Democrats.

Kossacks across America unite! Join us in a national event -- a simultaneous 50-state Kossack meetup to support the candidacy of the one true Netroots candidate, Brian Keeler (aka NYBri).

Here's the deal. As many of you already know, one of our very own, Kossack Brian Keeler, is running to unseat incumbent Republican Steve Saland from the State Senate seat in NY's 41st District (WAIT...okay, so he's a NY candidate and you're not from NY, but please continue reading because we need your help to make this work -- whether you're from Boise, Cheyenne, Tampa, or Houston. This is critical to our movement. So please hear me out. And please see toward the bottom for the reasons why Brian's candidacy is critical to EVERYONE!)

On the evening of Monday September 25th (That's next Monday) we will be holding a transnational 'Blograiser' for the Keeler candidacy.

But we need YOU to help us make it a blazing success -- and what we ask is very simple and VERY FUN:)

This is what will happen and what we need from YOU:

1. First, there is the PRIMARY PHYSICAL FUNDRAISER Monday, September 25, 2006, 7:00 - 10:00 PM EST, @ Prey NYC (Online and beyond) 4 West 22nd Street. If you live near Manhattan, we want you ALL there that night. I guarantee you will have a great time -- just ask those who came to the event back in July!!

2. KOSSACKS ACROSS AMERICA: Second, we need volunteers to organize local Kossack meetups on Monday 9/25! So far opendna has volunteered to spearhead the organization of a Los Angeles satellite. But we're looking to every corner of the nation. Take the reigns! Contact your fellow regional Kossacks and get together on 9/25! Whether it's 5, 25, or 200 supporters -- a house party, a formal gathering or a few beers at a bar, it's all good! Just drop a comment below to let us know you are organizing for your town/area. I'll contact you soon thereafter or you can contact me first at TomBall@Keeler2006.com. Anything you can do will be appreciated!!

Monday, September 25, 2006, 7:00 - 10:00 PM EST, @ Prey NYC (Online and beyond (See below)) 4 West 22nd Street.

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet's  ROCK!!!!!

Sprint to the finish! Kossack Brian Keeler (NYBri) has been BUSTING HIS ASS over the past months, working tirelessly to take our progressive hopes and dreams into public office as a State Senator from the 41st District of NY.

Now there's just 50 days to the election when NYBri tosses incumbent Republican Steven Saland OUT of the NY State Senate.

ONE LAST PUSH...

The least we can do is give him our fervent support by attending his FINAL Blograiser  (Either online or in person) and coughing up a few bucks for the one Netroots candidate that has been a driver of the Netroots movement BEFORE he became a candidate.

If you were fortunate enough to join us either in the Big Apple or online at the Big Orange (DKos) for the Brian Keeler 2006 campaign 'Blograiser' back in July, then you know what an amazing time it was -- the aura of excitement that surrounded the campaign -- the feeling of camaraderie that pervaded the like-minded and like-hearted community of Kossacks and other progressives that attended.

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE

And to celebrate Brian's candidacy and his unique status as a national 'Netroots Hero' (Markos 5/26/06), this Blograiser is going national -- and not just online. We're working to have local 'satellite' Blograisers in a town near you -- essentially DKos Meetups across the nation getting together to support the original Netroots candidate, Kossack Brian Keeler (NYBri). See below to see exactly how this would work.

On the heels of the Netroots victory in Connecticut with Ned Lamont, there is much excitement, confidence, and hope pervading the progressive blogosphere. But where do we go from here?

That's a no-brainer. Now we have to get him and other 'Netroots' candidates elected -- into positions of policy-making power and influence that will help our movement ingrain itself in the political establishment. This is the step necessary to truly shift American policy toward the progressive agenda that was set forth by its forefathers. This is how we'll infiltrate 'establishment' politics creating fundamental, long-lasting change.

And here, at DailyKos (And it's offspring Political Cortex), we Kossacks/Cortexans have something even more special. We have a 'DailyKos/Cortexan Candidate' -- someone born of our community to carry our message to the legislatures even as the rest of us carry our message to the masses.

Senator Clinton Endorses Keeler for New York State Senate

Senator Hillary Clinton endorsed Brian Keeler in his race for the New York State Senate in the 41st District, which includes most of Dutchess and all of Columbia County.

"Brian Keeler is a rising star in the New York State Democratic Party, and Dutchess and Columbia Counties will be well served in Albany by his vision, energy and ideas," Senator Clinton said. "We look forward to partnering with Brian in the years ahead to bring open government, accountability and fiscal responsibility to Albany and Washington."

"We are thrilled to receive this important endorsement," Keeler said. "Senator Clinton has been a wonderful advocate for the people of New York in Washington. I intend to be the same kind of advocate in Albany for people of the 41st District."

First, congrats to Ned Lamont and Co. Lamont Rocks!!!

Now take a deep breath and let loose with a Cheshire-cat smile as we celebrate for a moment the victory of people power in Connecticut. Clearly a message has been sent. People-powered Netroots is a force to reckon with even in its infancy.

The New York Times describes the election results as "a vivid demonstration of how the Iraq war is buffeting American politics and of the deep hostility toward President Bush among Democrats." It also "suggested there are stiff anti-status-quo winds blowing across the political landscape as the fall elections approach." Lamont's victory "marked the first time that liberal political blogs, after playing an increasingly noisy role in Democratic politics, have been associated with a major winning campaign, suggesting a moment of arrival for this new force in political combat."

And the USA Today writes "the depth of Democratic opposition to the war in Iraq coupled with a challenger who had personal wealth and the fervent backing of liberal bloggers denied Lieberman his party's nomination for a fourth term -- and launched a warning flare to some incumbents in both parties."

Of course, a battle has been won -- an immensely important one, but the war has just begun.

This is it folks. Tonight is the night!

Endorsed by Eliot Spitzer...

Designated a 'Top Tier' race by the NY DSCC...

...Our man Brian Keeler (NYBri) is having a 'Blograiser' -- located physically in Manhattan and virtually online -- live-blogged on DailyKos.com and other excellent sites across the blogosphere.

This is our chance to make a bold statement about the direction of politics in America -- and continue to expand the passion and implement the progressive values of the Netroots.

Leading the charge to take back the NY State Senate, Candidate Brian Keeler (NYBri) is setting the standard for creative thinking -- an invaluable quality for any leader. His latest creation is the 'Blograiser' -- a commonsense combo of traditional and pioneering fundraising.

As far as we know, this will be the first time that a (relatively) traditional political fundraiser (See Details Below) has been coordinated to run concurrently with an associated online fundraiser (a 'Blograiser').

The purpose is threefold:

1) Maximize the contribution total for the event -- accepting contributions from both the physical and virtual attendees.

2) Allow supporters outside Brian's district -- and even outside NY -- to participate and support his candidacy.

3) Generate a burst of enthusiasm for the Keeler campaign that will increase his campaign's visibility with his constituency, the remaining public, the media, and the state and national political infrastructure.

HERE'S HOW IT WILL WORK

Dear Future New York State Senator, Brian Keeler (NYBri),

I want to take this opportunity to broadly, and without any authority whatsoever, speak on behalf of the entire blogosphere by asking you to... relax. Take it easy.

Okay, so you're running for NY State Senate against a punk-ass Republican incumbent and that might cause a little stress.

Sure, as a long time net-denizen you and your campaign have become a cause célèbre with the progressive political blogosphere and that might put a little pressure on some.

And, yeah... The results of your pioneering run will, in many ways, reflect upon the current state of the 'gate-crashing' movement... the degree of influence... and the motivation and ability to get 'one of our own' elected to office.

So what! We really don't expect that much of you. How could we? You're just a mild mannered guy who believes what he says and acts as he believes.

You are invited to a NYC Fundraiser to benefit the campaign of NY State Senate Candidate Brian Keeler!

Our Netroots candidate is ready to ROCK with his first Manhattan fundraiser, but we need your help to spread the word!!

If you could please communicate this important message to everyone you know -- and ask them to spread the word as well -- it would be infinitely appreciated!

This event MUST be a huge success as it will serve as a sort of symbolic measuring stick (in the eyes of DC and the media) of the Netroot's determination to walk the walk when it comes to putting our ideas and passion into a position of policy determination (i.e. getting our people elected).

"Brian Keeler is one of the most intelligent and dedicated people in internet politics, and his devotion to making people's lives better, every day and in every way, cannot be too highly praised."

--Sterling Newberry

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Click image for link to www.keeler2006.com

After clacking away at the keyboard for ePluribus Media, Political Cortex, Dailykos, My Left Wing and Booman Tribune, I was inspired by Markos and Jerome to push it aside and Crash a Gate or two myself and run for the New York State Senate. This Thursday, I'm announcing my candidacy at Waryas Park along the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The New York state government is, like so many others around the county, a total mess and completely inaccessible. Decisions are made behind locked, back rooms doors of Albany, and the only people who are allowed in to play are those who pay. The result? We end up with the best government their money can buy. It's totally alienating to the citizens of the state. We have no say in the important issues that concern our daily lives...Health Care, Property Taxes, Education and the Environment. Literally, a sad State of affairs.

I've been waiting for someone here to stand up to my 16-year Republican incumbent and challenge him to do more for the people of New York, not just the special interests who line his campaign pockets...but I'm not the kind who would ask someone to do something I wasn't willing to do myself. So last month, I stood up and and said, "No more!"

In politics we often hear about the year of this or that.  Most famously, a wave of female candidates ran for office in the wake of the Clarence Thomas/Antia Hill debacle. It became known as the Year of the Woman.  By that standard, early signs are -- that for many reasons not limited to candidates --  2006 will be known as The Year of the Blogger.  

Certainly blogs are already playing a major role in American political life, and the Yearly Kos portends a major shift in American media and political culture as Democratic Party leaders scramble to be a part of it. But even as the Inside the Beltway crowd seeks to move in on this emerging phenomenon -- the blogosphere itself has begun to produce candidates. I know of three, and am taking this opportunity to highlight a major regional news article about one of them.

Brian Keeler of Political Cortex -- aka around the blogosphere as NYBri -- is running for State Senate in New York.

Chris Bowers of MyDD, has just announced that he is running for Democratic State Committee in Pennsylvania.

Margie Ware of MargeBlog is running in the Democratic primary for an open State Senate seat in western Massachusetts -- and she is running with the support of a statewide network of progressive Democratic bloggers that has been in steady formation over the past two years.

The Valley Advocate, a major weekly paper here on the left side of the state, has a profile of Margie Ware this week:

Asked about how being a blogger is perceived by the elected officials she meets, Ware said, "Most of them have no idea I have a blog. The national parties don't get it." But Ware hopes her experience as a blogger will help her out. "People who are bloggers have the courage of convictions and are willing to put it out there," she said. "It's not very New England, actually. New England is: "keep it in.' It's an open forum, but instead of gathering in the town square, we're gathering in the virtual town square."

The whole story is worth a read -- and it could very well auger The Year of the Blogger!