Live, From New York - Craig Johnson Blograiser

(Promoted by SusanG. Here's some netroots/party coordination to knock your socks off.)

Live from the Prey Bar in New York City, welcome to an unprecedented event, the Raise New York With Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Here's Craig Johnson, State Senate candidate.

You can also follow the fun from anywhere in the world at the albany project and at the Daily Gotham! You can contribute here.

More about why this race is so hugely important after the flip...

Here in New York, we are having a SPECIAL ELECTION for the State Senate seat on Long Island (7th SD) that was made vacant by the appointment of a Republican State Senator by our new Governor, Eliot Spitzer.

Why is this important? We are only three seats short of a majority in the Senate after 60 years of Republican rule...and that is the main reason for New York State's dysfunctional government. AND the 7th District is a Democratic district!

Now here's the fun part. The New York State Democratic Committee has, for the first time, reached out to the Netroots and asked us to join them in winning this important seat.

THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED! We have over 20 issue organizations and state blogs  coming together to help this great candidate win this race.

This is a HUGELY important race for New York, for the cause of reform, for the future of our new Democratic majority in the US House, for Democrats everywhere and especially for what is left of the Republican party in New York State. And, trust me, they know it.

If the Republicans lose this seat, their days controlling anything at the state level in New York are that much closer to coming to an end their most likely won't be a significant statewide GOP presence for a generation or two afterwards. That is why they are fighting like hell and pouring in massive amounts of cash to hold on to this seat in a marginally Democratic district.

You can help! Please consider donating to Craig's campaign this evening and don't forget to add the customary $.01 to denote that this contribution came from the netroots.

Lots of great stuff coming soon! Pics! Audio and Video! Bad jokes!

Watch this space...