Won't You Please Come to Connecticut?

[Bob Geiger]

When about a thousand of us gathered in Las Vegas in June for the first YearlyKos conference, the fact that we had the likes of Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Howard Dean, Bill Richardson and Mark Warner show up really confirmed that our activist and blogging community has arrived -- and we matter.

If Ned Lamont defeats pro-war Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic Senatorial primary on August 8, it will signal a seismic shift in power to the Netroots -- and we would like you to be a part of it. My friend Matt Stoller, at MyDD has given us an incredible contact list for Lamont campaign offices and if you can get to any of the offices listed below for a few hours or a few days between now and Tuesday, Ned and all of us would be delighted to have you.

Here's Matt:

"In 5 days, Connecticut will be the most important 'battleground' state in the country. This is a Democratic primary, where progressive challenger Ned Lamont is taking on incumbent pro-war Senator Joe Lieberman. If progressives can successfully upset Senator Lieberman next week, it will send shockwaves through the Democratic Party and show our leaders that they can be held accountable.

"It will send a sign to our party that cooperating with President Bush is not OK, and a sign to Republicans that Democrats are going to stand up and be heard.

"Ned Lamont needs your help. Come up for a day, or several, to canvass, phone-bank and get out the vote. With several field offices close to trains, and plenty to do, it's easy and important for you to get involved.

"The Lamont campaign needs you! Your party needs you! Your country needs you! I need you! Who am I? It's not important! And bring your friends! Besides being the most significant primary election in fifteen years, this campaign is a whole hell of a lot of fun."

And here's how to do it:

Contact a field office directly. The greatest needs are in Bridgeport and Norwalk -- they are accessible by train. Please notify the office as early as possible that you are coming so they can use your time productively.

1) BRIDGEPORT OFFICE
Sat. 9am-8pm
Sun. 9am-8pm
Mon. 9am-8pm
Tues. 5:30am-8pm

BEFORE YOU GO
Let them know how many people are coming, when you'll arrive, when you're leaving, and whether you have a car.
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Please also cc this email address so we can make sure you are used as effectively as possible: [e-mail]

LOCATION:
300 Fairfield Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06604

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Yahoo Maps is here:

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=300+fairfield+ave&csz=Bridgeport%2C+CT+06604&country=us


PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Go to the Bridgeport Train Station via the Metro North line. The Train schedule is here:

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/html/planning/schedules/index.html

Walking from the station to the office is your best bet. Get off the train station and come downstairs and come out of the building. You'll be on Water Street. Take a right as soon as you walk out of the door. Walk down Water Street for three blocks and you'll see Fairfield Ave on your left. Walk up Fairfield and it is two blocks. 300 Fairfield Ave is on the right of the Street. You'll see Ned Lamont signs in the window.

2) NORWALK OFFICE
Sat. 9am-9pm
Sun. 9am-9pm
Mon. 9am-9pm
Tues. 5:30am-9pm

BEFORE YOU GO
Let them know how many people are coming, when you'll arrive, when you're leaving, and whether you have a car.

Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Please also cc this email address so we can make sure you are used as effectively as possible: [e-mail]

LOCATION:
91 N Main St
Norwalk, CT 06854

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Yahoo Maps is here:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=91+North+Main+St&csz=Norwalk%2C+CT+06854&country=us


PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Go to the Norwalk Station via the Metro North line. The Train schedule is here:

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/html/planning/schedules/index.html

If you call that number or email and let the field office manager know when you are coming, he will have you picked up from the train station.

3) NEW HAVEN OFFICE
Sat. 9am-9pm
Sun. 9am-9pm
Mon. 9am-9pm
Tues. 6am-8pm

BEFORE YOU GO

Let them know how many people are coming, when you'll arrive, when you're leaving, and whether you have a car.

Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Please also cc this email address so we can make sure you are as effective as possible: [e-mail]

LOCATION:
205 Church St, Suite 501
New Haven, CT 06510

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Yahoo Maps is here:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=205+Church+St&csz=New+Haven%2C+CT+06510&country=us

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Go to the New Haven Train Station via the Metro North line. The Train schedule is here:
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/html/planning/schedules/index.html

From the train station, walk out front doors of Union Station and turn right. Follow Union Ave until you pass under an overpass. At the over pass, bear slightly right to walk on State St. Follow State St. four blocks to Elm St. Turn left at Elm, walk two blocks then turn right at Church St. The campaign office is on the 5th floor of 205 Church St.

A cab ride from the station to the office would cost about $3 to $5.

CT Transit, the "J" Bus can be taken towards downtown for $1.25. Buses run
on an intermittent schedule, which is available at

http://www.cttransit.com/content/routesNewHaven.asp

HOTELS: http://www.nedlamont.com/page/content/morehotels


CAR RENTALS: http://www.nedlamont.com/page/content/finalpush/

* * * * *

If Ned Lamont -- and all of us -- pull this off on Tuesday, it will be a political shot heard around the world. And I bet the party Tuesday night will be pretty damn good as well.

You don’t want to miss this.

You can reach Bob Geiger at [e-mail].

[The Deacon]

1. "Though Your Brother's Bound & Gagged

And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago...
...for the help that you can bring."
Sorry, lately been having that song run through my mind. Wish I could make it - but we have some important run-offs here in Georgia to attend to.