Ever have one of those days...where you want to

[Andy_Stephenson]

crawl in a hole? Lemme give you a rundown...

bright and early this morning I was told

1 Who are you? Your nobody.
2 No one cares about your issue.
3 95% of first time candidates loose.
4 Your opponent has raised more than you.
5 Your not a woman and your gay.

The last one...I have to admit cut to the quick. I am a queer, a fairy a fag etc etc etc. What does that have to do with anything? Understand this all came from a woman that wanted to be my "campaign consultant". I told her like I told the state chairman...I have made up my mind and not you the state chair or Ruderman will dissuade me from running. I was a bit put off, though she is doing a 10 point action plan for me over the weekend. I can't wait to see what she has planned for me.

Next, I went to Subway with my cafe ladro coffee (the only good thing to come from the meeting IMHO) mmmm. I was shaking after the meeting cause that woman riled me. I arrived to find our computer register is down for the count...again! So I did what any real man would do...I went to my car and cried. I didn't sleep last night...I have hives and I am stressed beyond reason.

Then I talked to Bev...wonderful Bev.after talking to her I was focused again. So I did what I do best and got on the phone and started dialing. Made a couple of very good calls and have a couple of new friends and contacts.

Tonight...I am coming down with the flu. I feel it. I also feel like sitting here and crying. I don't want to let anyone down...my only worry is the elephant in the living room. Someone tell me I am being silly. It should not matter that I am gay. Will it be made an issue...probably. Do I care? No. But if it is not an issue with me, should I be concerned? How do I blunt it early on if it is? I am open about myself...best way to be. Perhaps I am just being silly?

Termite and I just got done fighting and I am worried about my great nephew. I found out yesterday he is in or on his way to Iraq. He is such a cute kid. I adore him and if anything happens to him I will be crushed. He was the first one ever to call me Uncle Andy. Ok now I am crying. I think more than anything else this is what has me the bluest. :cry: I hate Buscho...I really do. Thanks fer listening.

Andy

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. You are being silly.

Do it. Go for broke.

[GAspnes]

2. at least you have Subway

and a latte, and a good friend to buck you up.

It doesn't matter a damn if you're gay or not. Your great nephew is going to be fine. Don't borrow trouble.

Hang in there.

[Lars39]

3. You need somebody that likes you, "warts" and all, not somebody

that makes you feel bad and insecure. Ditch her. Sounds like you've had a really rough day, especially the news about your nephew. :hug:

[Spazito]

4. Hang in there, Andy

there will be better days ahead. Remember, you are doing a great thing! What you are doing will help so many others. I am sad to hear of your nephew, I hope he returns home safely. You get yourself elected and there won't be any more Bush to send boys like him to war!

[Andy_Stephenson]

6. If the machines are rigged...

how do I win? This is another question I am worrying about.

[Spazito]

11. You are raising awareness of the machines EVERY time you speak....

it is becoming a mainstream issue! Just keep fighting! You give it your best, others are fighting your fight too on the machines, you aren't alone, you know that. Remember, that which doesn't break you only makes you stronger. Take what that woman said and turn it on it's head. Remember you have had many more good days, from what you have told us here, this is just one of those not so good ones, it will pass.

[ConsAreLiars]

19. You win every time

you talk to someone about BBV. You win every day.

[Capn Sunshine]

5. Hey, it could be worse

You could be a woman.

(Kidding!! Don't flame ladies , Please!)

No Really, GBNC I suppose that gayness is an issue but think about it for a second. If someone isn't voting for you cause you're gay, in Washington, chances are you weren't getting their vote anyway as in they are close minded non thinking non progressives.

Fuck 'em.

Just be yourself. And part of that means you will drive yourself to exhaustion and sit tearfully and morosely under a blanket for awhile. Get zen and BE the blanket. Then get back to it.

You can do this. You can! But get your rest. Please?
Washington needs you to be healthy. Now you and Termite kiss and make up, have some chicken soup, and call me in the morning.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Hey Andy...you know all of us are behind you!

:pals: Think of us as your support group.

ALWAYS be open and honest - people will see you for the committed and dedicated person you are. Don't let the haters get ya down.

[stevedeshazer]

8. Hang in

Check your PM, too.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. It doesn't matter that you're gay, and a happy story: a first time

candidate won right here in my little town. You are going to be able to pull this off. We will all see to it. Go to bed Andy, you are not feeling well and need your rest. It will all look different in the morning. Corny as it sounds. These people speak from fear, simple fear. I KNOW you can do this.

Laura :pals:

[Nlighten1]

10. Hang in there Andy

Don't let them drag you down.

[jbm]

12. when my world feels like it's collapsing..

I just tell myself that "things always work out because the universe leaves them no other choice". (I heard that somewhere..I never can remember where..but it's very true). I know that anytime you take the big jump,there are going to be days when the task seems impossible..but you can do this. Absolute worst case scenario-you don't win,but people still hear your message and some of them listen. Best case scenario--you win!!

People can survive hard days. They survived the holocaust,they traveled across the country in covered wagons,they lived in tiny log cabins out in the middle of nowhere. You can do this! Just keep the perspective and it will all be O.K. I promise.:)

[Lastgasp]

13. Stiff upper lip, Andy . . .

Seek out only the most positive, upbeat people for support. You don't have time for the negative losers like that "campaign consultant." Above all, remember this: it doesn't matter one bit that you are gay.

I will pray for your nephew.

[nostamj]

14. oh babe..............

there will be tough days ahead.

I want you to WIN.
But, your message is also important.

Stay on message and you'll WIN in the battle to educate people about the threat to their votes.

Don't let ANYONE make sexuality into an issue.
That's PURE distraction.

I'll be calling you, my friend....

hang in there.

[karlschneider]

15. Nobody who really matters cares whether you're gay, and you do NOT

have the flu! Repeat after me: "I do not have the flu."

Do it 20 times. I promise you that you will not have the flu!
:D

[Andy_Stephenson]

16. I do not have the flu...

I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu
I do not have the flu

[area51]

17. Andy,

Don't give up. I don't know if this will make a difference to you, but here's the webpage of Annise Parker. Parker is a lady running for city of Houston controller, who just happens to be gay. She's been serving on city council for awhile, and her sexual orientation isn't an issue. I voted for her & I hope she wins. I hope you will win too.

[BurtWorm]

18. If you were running in NYC, you'd be damn sure everyone knew you were gay

because here that's an asset. I don't know if that's true in the whole state of New York, but here in the city it's understood that gay people vote, and they're proud to vote for gays (provided they're not political assholes, but political assholes usually don't have the guts to admit they're gay). Here, it seems to me, gayness is like an ethnicity.

[ConsAreLiars]

20. A poem

This one speaks to me.
http://www.motherbird.com/hochi.html


GOOD DAYS COMING

Everything changes, the wheel
of the law turns without pause.

After the rain, good weather.

In the wink of an eye

The universe throws off
its muddy cloths.

For ten thousand miles
the landscape

Spreads out like
a beautiful brocade.

Gentle sunshine.
Light breezes. Smiling flowers,

Hang in the trees, amongst the
sparkling leaves,

All the birds sing at once.

Men and animals rise up reborn.

What could be more natural?

After sorrow comes happiness.

[Andy_Stephenson]

21. Dude you rock!

I am glad your on my side.

[ConsAreLiars]

33. Send me the Business Card text

and the best resolution photo you have and I will get a few thousand cards made up for you. If my request for a brochure at blackboxvoting.org doesn't get results I'll repeat it here and try to get that bit of agitprop acomplished using this forum.

And for any who wonder, in person Andy comes across as that rare treasure - a sincere, honest. intelligent fighter for our common shared values. Not a crank, not an opportunist, not a CON, just a good human being.

[Andy_Stephenson]

34. Dude now I am really crying!

thanks so much for your words. They mean alot to me. You are a kind man as well and a gentle soul.

:cry:

[brook]

22. The world needs...

more people like you. We live in a society, unfortunately, that seems to need these labels...gay...liberal...etc. We have to reject the labels. We're individuals...embued with a soul...with a mind and a mission...to do what we can for *the greater good*. The cost be damned...for we will always find compadres who love freedom. equality and justice to comfort us.

Sleep well. Be well. Walk in Peace.

[BevHarris]

23. You have greatness within you. Here's how I know

(damn, am I going crazy? I posted this beaut and it didn't appear. I'll try to remember it)

Look, Andy, you are great with a crowd. When I got to know you on DU (where we all get a little too relaxed if we end up doing something high profile) I thought, well, I love this guy but sometimes he's a little tinfoil or whatever. But then I saw you in action.

You got 1,000 signatures in 20 days, with no campaign treasure chest.

You get them eating out of your hand in town meetings. You are amazing. They want to hug you. They want to vote for you. Unions are perking up, saying "maybe we should back this guy."

What the heck is this -- you are supposed to raise all this money yesterday or no one will take you seriously? Bah! What malarky. Just do what you have been doing. How many candidates for secretary of state do you know who have been interviewed for an article in Rolling Stone magazine? But you were. (Hope it appears, everyone cross our fingers).

And about the gay thing: I, for one, am glad of it. As you know, we had that little Cointelpro-style B.S. here, where some idiot was trying to say that Black Box Voting was anti-gay (well, maybe you missed it) -- anyway, was I ever glad you were in for an interview with Seattle's gay paper the next day, telling them you'd helped me with research on the book.

I think you are an amazing MAN. By the way, love the quote that you did what any real man would do -- cry. You're honesty is what's setting you apart, man. Don't listen to the hype. You are doing a lot of things right.

Bev Harris
http://www.blackboxvoting.org

[nostamj]

24. ya know...

he should do an Advocate interview. (he's got the RS hook now!)

to say: this is my issue. my campaign is not about my life--which I certainly won't apologize for.

my campaign is about this issue.

<and then the rest of the interview is BBV, activism, whatever>

[BevHarris]

25. You are so right, Nostamj: "Stay on message, Andy"

He's very cool in person, and has the ability to carry this off.

But yeah, stay on message.

Bev

[Andy_Stephenson]

26. You all are terrific.

Bev Jeff...I love you guys! I feel like crap but I can't sleep. I am wound up tighter than an eight day clock.

[BevHarris]

27. Did I mention your writing is getting better?

Review your writing in this thread alone. Really coming along, my friend.

Bev

[Andy_Stephenson]

28. I believe it coming from you!

I have been doing quite a bit lately. Still hate my words on paper. They come out far better in person

[nostamj]

29. yes, but i will nit pick though

your/you're

check that first post... ;-)

loveya

(and lay down, take DEEP breaths, and LET GO of the tension.

this ain't the end of it.)

[Andy_Stephenson]

30. I wish I could get a massage.

Especially my left foot, the walking everyday is wearing me down. I am having a pity party here. I have been on the edge of tears most of the night. I need to rest tomorrow I am speaking in 3 different places. But I can't sleep.

[BevHarris]

31. Merlot? A really boring movie? Sex? Or what my mom says:

"It always seems worse at night."

[Andy_Stephenson]

32. I go for the

"It always seems worse at night."

[nostamj]

37. all the more reason to lie down

and let go of it.

tomorrow is full of potential. new people. hugs and dropped jaws.

lie down and let go of it.

you need to be on message tomorrow.

lie down and let go of it. for tonight.

tomorrow will energize you.

lie down and let go of it. for tonight.

(and let us know how the speaking engagements go!)

[Andy_Stephenson]

38. Ok I am off ta bed

must sleep.

[greatauntoftriplets]

40. Get some sleep, damnit!

You are not going to get better staying up half the night. You want to to fly back to Seattle and smack you?

[Generic Other]

35. Andy, tell the handlers to back off or you'll change your name to

Tim Eyman and run as a Green.

Isn't that how we got the Lt. Guv? Didn't he run on the "I'm not Brad Owens the pot smoker, I'm the other Brad Owens" ticket?

Cheer up. At least you aren't a humorless party hack.

Tell them they are either for you or against you. Democratic "consultants" who make homophobic statements usually end up making public apologies in this state. Newspapers love to report such stories.

If we go down, we take them down too.

[Andy_Stephenson]

36. I don't think she was being negative

just showing what I might be up against. I think in 2004 personally it is going to be something the republicans latch onto.

She was being realistic.

[Generic Other]

39. Karl Rove would say "Get your name in all the papers"

I'm trying to be your Cruella de Ville.

I remember once when a friend of mine wanted to run for precinct committee person. She heard the exact same crap from Republicans!

I hate to say so, but I think at the state level, the Democratic party inner circle is as exclusive as a Bush campaign fundraiser.

And since you have limited funds but lots of guts, you need to get some state-wide attention. Like a salesman jamming his foot in the door and refusing to budge. Are there any opportunities to corner the current incumbent at public hearings or meetings? Public debates are newsworthy.

What about his ethics violations? A given they exist since he's GOP.
Or his connection to Ralph Monroe and his current BBV activities? Don't want corrupt vote counters in Olympia.

How do you make Andy S. a household word? Get some crazy teenager to paint your name on the space needle? What about a mystery billboard? Those sometimes capture public attention.