Michigan Kossaks Meeting, December 29, in Ypsi

Fresh from his recent one-night stand at the smoke-filled room that was the D.C. Kossacks gathering, DHinMI will be holding forth along with emptywheel, Dump Terry McAuliffe and Cordelia Lear, Funny David Boyle, Ann Arbor Blue, GOTV, and countless others at the newest progressive pub:

The Corner Brewery
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

734-480-2739

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2006, at 7:30 'til ???                               CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Your proprietors, René and Matt Greff, two stalwarts from the earliest days of the Dean Campaign, have recently opened a new establishment, an off-shoot of the wildly successful Arbor Brewing Company, and we are hopeful that we can bring in a big between-the-holidays crowd to take up the evening with some good political discussion somewhat recalling the hits and misses of 2006, but mostly looking forward to what we must do to build on the successes of the recent elections, both locally and nationally.

We know this is a busy time of year for many, but if you're at all able, please consider stopping by for a few ales and some enlightening political discourse.

This was the scene at the Second Occasional MichiKos Gathering:

Clockwise: Maybeeso, GeeGeeMI, Happiness Cat, emptywheel, Kidspeak, Grassroots, Sherra (Grassroots and Sherra are mostly sitting behind emptywheel and can't be seen well), Petr (at head of table), spyral, David Boyle, Cordelia Lear, Dump Terry McAuliffe, GOTV, DHinMI (that's his bare leg, not mine; but I think he's drinking my beer), and Olds 88.

Cigarettes, showers, or portable sweatlodges provided upon request.

•  And the first

  person singular pronoun occurs only once!  

  Amazing.  

  ;)

  by lightiris on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:44:40 AM PDT

  •  I, I , I, I, I, I,

    don't know what to say.

    by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:50:35 AM PDT

  •  Please tell me he's not coming n/t.

    by djtyg on Wed Dec 27, 2006 at 01:02:23 AM PDT

•  Just a suggestion..

  but maybe just once, one of these meet-ups could be in a more central location?  I live 30 miles north of Grand Rapids so driving all the way to the Detroit area is just too far.  Maybe Lansing or Kalamazoo would be more central so other people like me could attend?  Like I said, just a friendly suggestion.

  by angrybird on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:49:31 AM PDT

  •  That's a good idear,

    but the folks who have been meeting are all centered over here.  If you in West Michigan (or Mid-Michigan) put something together, I'm sure some eastsiders will drop by.

    by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:52:41 AM PDT

  •  Yay!

    If'n y'all want to do this, I'm in. I'm in Muskegon, so Ypsi is just too damned far. I ran this up the flagpole last year and there were people interested, so let's do it! I vote for GR.

    by PerfectStormer on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 07:31:49 AM PDT

  •  I'll organize a Mid-Michigan Get Together!

    As the un-official "cruise director" of MichiganLiberal, I'd be more than happy to organize it.

    Email me if you're interested in attending and/or helping out with suggestions on dates, times, or places!

    by LiberalLucy on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:58:08 PM PDT

    •  That's great, Lucy.

      Please make sure it gets announced often in the diaries and open threads.  I'd like to meet the Lansing ans Western Kossacks.

      by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 07:49:11 PM PDT

•  Have a good time.

  I would love to join you; but I can't for several reasons.  The major one is that from where I live, Ypsilanti is a one hour drive each way.  If it were closer, I could bop in to at least say hi.  In any event, have fun and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. If you ever get any closer to Oakland County, let me know.

  by dkmich on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:54:05 AM PDT

  •  Hey, I was hoping you'd make it.

    DH and I are both coming from Oakland County.  If you need a ride, we can help.

    by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:56:34 AM PDT

    •  Really? I would love to join you.

      E-mail me so we can discuss how practical it would be for us to do this.  Will you and DH drive together?    Meanwhile, I'll check and make sure my husband doesn't mind staying with my mom if I go.  He always says it's fine, but I always feel guilty.  

      by dkmich on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:25:39 AM PDT

      •  Not sure if driving together

        but either way, I'm sure I could pick you up.

        Gotta run now, but I'll email you later.

        by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:38:39 AM PDT

    •  Where in Oakland County would you be coming from?

      I'd consider going if I had someone to drive to Ypsi with.  I work in Southfield, live in Huntington Woods.  I doubt my husband would want to go.

      by SharonRB on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 05:44:46 AM PDT

•  Question for Michiganders....

  Skinner and Marcinkowski (sp) lost.  Does that mean those districts are just too red--maybe gerrymandered--and will never become blue?  

  I was positive those two would kick some major butt!  So now I'm wondering.

  Or did their opponents have outside funding like Walburg (Club for Growth--the libertarian think tank funded Walberg's race.) (Schwartz's million dollar primary!) did that in essence bought the race for him? (Is this district gerrymandered?)

  by Silence is Complicity on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:09:09 AM PDT

  •  They lost because

    they got no money from anyone.  The DCCC, blogs - it was as if Michigan wasn't even a part of the election.  Despite this, the races were close.  With any real money behind them, McCotter and Knollenberg would have gone down.

    by dkmich on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:27:32 AM PDT

    •  Will they run again in 2 years?

      Also, is the district Walburg won totally red and impossible to become blue?  From what I gather, this was the second time Sharon Renier ran on the democratic ticket.  Should she get a third chance?  I'm asking because I have relatives in all those districts.

      by Silence is Complicity on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 01:29:13 PM PDT

      •  Don't know answer to any of your questions.

        What area is Walburg in in MI?  

        by dkmich on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 02:50:27 AM PDT

        •  Don't remember the number--but it covers

          Jackson, portions of Washtenaw county, and I think Kalamazoo and maybe Grand Rapids.  (Maybe Hillsdale county too.)

          by Silence is Complicity on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 06:38:26 AM PDT

          •  7th

            1/2 of Washtenaw, Lenawee, Jackson, Hillsdale, Branch, Calhoun and part of Eaton counties. Very winnable with a good candidate.

            by strack on Wed Dec 27, 2006 at 09:42:25 AM PDT

      •  I don't know where Marcinkowski stands,

        but I'd say it's not out of the question for Nancy.  She by no means has made a decision yet, but I'd say at this point that it's a possibility.  Hopefully next time around, should she decide to run, the DCCC and the DNC would provide more support.

        by SharonRB on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 05:48:06 AM PDT

  •  I think the 9th CD (where Nancy ran)

    is winnable with more support from the DCCC and the DNC.  Nancy only lost by 5.2%.  I'd say she did kick some major butt -- she came closer than anyone ever has to beating Joe -- but she needed more financial backing.  Next time around, should she decide to run again, I think she can do it.  She now has name recognition and a very large volunteer base to start with from the outset.  She also knows where the weak spots/strong spots are, which will help with targeting.

    I also think the DCCC and the DNC now know this district is within reach and should provide more support in '08.

    In addition, since '08 is a presidential year, turnout will be higher.  A very strong Dem turnout should also help us.

    by SharonRB on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 05:54:20 AM PDT

    •  Is Rahm DCCC? If so...I don't trust him!

      Read this.
      http://men.style.com/...

      Also shows the Carville, Rahm link and why Kerry and Clinton aren't the only ones who may be affected by those two.

      A friend of mine is still angry at Rahm over Cegalis (Duckworth) in Chicago's subarb.  Yet, if Nancy is hoping for his aid, then she will be waiting a long time.  

      At anyrate, I get the DCCC, DLCC whatever all mixed up so maybe I'm wrong on this.

      by Silence is Complicity on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 06:55:34 AM PDT

      •  Rahm was the head of the DCCC

        But Chris Van Hollen was just named as his replacement last week.  Maybe we'll have better luck with him, but who knows.

        by SharonRB on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 10:06:50 AM PDT

•  Mmm, beer

  I think a couple of pints of the Corner Brewery's Old Number 22 German Altbier will go perfectly with the conversation.

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:27:37 AM PDT

  •  Please Bring Me a Copy of Your Book

    I'd like to purchase one.

    by DHinMI on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 08:06:51 AM PDT

    •  Me too

      Please

      by emptywheel on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 05:24:27 PM PDT

  •  Make that a double.

    by GOTV on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 08:29:06 AM PDT

    •  Copies? We've got 'em, DH and GOTV

      And we'll even autograph them if you wish. Earlier this month, we were at a book signing at New Holland Brewing.

      by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 08:32:33 AM PDT

•  Wonderful!

  I'll be there, good lord willin and the crick don't rise.   Its quite a trek from A2, but   ;D

  Thanks for organizing.

  by maybeeso in michigan on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:31:48 AM PDT

•  Hey, this sounds good!

  If the Mrs agrees, I'll be there.

  by awesley on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:53:03 AM PDT

  •  Whoops

    Prior engagement.  Drats.

    by awesley on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 07:00:42 AM PDT

•  I'm up for it--

  if another liberal can offer a ride from A2 to Ypsi.

  I've got a couple jokes for David Boyle, if he can make it.

  I see by the photo that he's a long hair. Sigh. Shoulda known.

  by Rob Cole on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 07:43:55 AM PDT

  •  Have you ever seen the Comcast "Moolah" ad?

    The one in which the long-haired guy saves the caped character called "El Moolah"? David Boyle is a much taller version of that long-haired guy.

    by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 08:00:20 AM PDT

    •  Long-hairs for freedom!

      Used to be one myself. And still would be, if not for the cost of conditioners.

      by Rob Cole on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 09:07:09 AM PDT

•  Got room for me?

  :-) hehehe, you know I can't miss out! Hell, I'll drive allllll the way from Lansing for it. (And then organize a Lansing one myself!)

  by LiberalLucy on Sun Dec 24, 2006 at 06:59:37 PM PDT

•  Just crossposted to Michlib

  Add the Michigan tag to this diary, somebody? Then it will show up on the Michigan Lefty Blogs feed.

  by lpackard on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 06:46:53 PM PDT

•  It's way late

  It's way late but I'd like to put my name in for that get together but I'm not sure if I can come or not.  Is a "maybe" okay?  

  by Mister Gloom on Mon Dec 25, 2006 at 09:54:10 PM PDT

•  Happy Holidays Michigan Kossacks!

  I won't be able to attend your year-end gathering <pout>, but I hope to see you all again in the New Year!

  Enjoy!

  by givmeliberty on Tue Dec 26, 2006 at 05:02:45 PM PDT

•  I'll definetely be there.

  Beer and liberals.  Two of my favorite things!:)

  by djtyg on Wed Dec 27, 2006 at 01:03:08 AM PDT

•  Looking for a ride...

  from Ann Arbor to Ypsi and back, being temporarily carless over the holidays. If anyone's traveling that route, let me know via this thread. Thanks,

  by Rob Cole on Thu Dec 28, 2006 at 01:56:57 PM PDT

  •  GOTV--

    here's my email addy:

    raindragon50 at hotmail dot com

    by Rob Cole on Thu Dec 28, 2006 at 09:19:06 PM PDT

•  May be west of Misipi right now

      Or however you spell that river. Have fun though, especially "Funny GOTV".

  by David Boyle on Thu Dec 28, 2006 at 11:22:11 PM PDT