FINALLY!!!!!!!!!! Barry Welsh has officially announced his candidacy for Indiana’s 6th Congressional district. In case you haven’t guessed already, I’m Sherri Welsh, Barry’s wife and I write under the moniker of Congressional Candidates Wife.
The event was The Netroots Candidates Celebration and everyone had the opportunity to be introduced to a number of Netroot Candidates. It was amazing to put faces to names and see them in person; it was such a great event seeing so many people putting it on the line to make a change. The crowd was excited and supportive of such an impressive group of candidates.
We saw the Crashing the States trailer and it was fantastic!! Good job guys!!!
If Hekebolos gets the chance to post a diary and hopefully put in a link, you will see what I mean.
NYBrian was the MC of the Celebration and did a Great job (seems to be my new phrase for lack of more imagination). Thank you to NYBrian for allowing Barry the opportunity to announce his candidacy at the event. Hekebolos needs to be acknowledged too for setting up the event to allow Barry to announce as well – Thank you to both!!!!
Barry gave a rousing speech that had everyone fired up (I never get tired of hearing him speak – I know it’s corny but true!) I have to say I was concentrating so hard to pay attention to what I was doing (trying to figure out how to video his speech while listening and cheering him on) and I was listening and got so excited that the video is just showing the camera angle as moving up and down that I’m afraid someone will get seasick just viewing it. But the audio is great!!!! Barry literally threw his hat into the "ring" when making his announcement – I mean he actually threw his cap into the crowd to make his point. He did warn people he was ready to throw things. He asked everyone if they had enough; of Gonzales, Cheney, Big Oil and Road blocked Congress and everyone answered that question resoundingly – Barry was throwing T-Shirts into the crowd whilst asking the questions. The response was wonderful not only for Barry but for all of the Candidates that are running – I am so excited I’m bouncing off of the walls!
There were so many people that I met that I was so impressed with. Usually I don’t think much of my diaries as in their importance. I write mostly on the "human interest" side of things and I usually think there aren’t very many that really read them. I was told a very valid point this evening on how reading comments or diaries of others open us up to not only a different perspective but an issue one would not normally either pay attention to or frankly feel passionate about. I am paraphrasing of course, but I was really struck with how true that is. How often do we open a diary or read a comment from others that makes us think differently? Thank you to A. S. for providing the insight.
I have to admit I felt a bit inadequate when meeting all these people that are talented, smart, savvy and passionately committed to their causes that I was a bit embarrassed by how ignorant I am politically – I feel like my short-term memory is like Swiss cheese right now (very sleep deprived). But what an honor to meet everyone, it’s humbling to see what people are doing with their time, energy, money and space to simply make a change. I just met someone that I think is my hero – he has a family, kids, business, an activist cause, blogs under 50 different blogs and IDs, responds to 2500 comments a month and oh yeah faithfully follows 10 diaries from Kos. I can’t complain when I say I’m tired! I know that while I am more of a behind the scenes figure and Barry is in front, I can’t help feeling that life is going to be different from now on. Barry and I were talking about it last night, about how things feel distinctly different this time and in a good way too!
I sure hope this diary is coherent; I’m so excited I can barely type. I just wanted to also say how thankful I am to be here and experience this event in person. I am very thankful that everyone has been delightful to meet and been so interesting to talk to. There are no stones collecting moss here – Bill O’Reilly doesn’t realize how big the Progressive nation of bloggers are and how effectively they use their time, technology and talents. I can’t wait!!!
Well I have to go for now, its past 10pm and I feel like I’m going to turn into a pumpkin soon.
I really appreciate your time spent reading my diary and your comments are most welcome.
My diary is entirely my own and not vetted through the campaign and is an inside view of a Congressional campaign ready to kick butt!!
Love,
Sherri Welsh
PS - Barry has his Act Blue page up and his website is (as we speak) being worked on for his 2008 campaign at www.barrywelsh.org. All donations and volunteers are welcome!
UPDATE: The video of the announcement will be on YouTube soon and you can check YouTube for Barry's previous speeches by searching Barry Welsh - NO he's not the Irish Comedian (although my Barry is funny too) who also has videos on there. Thank you for reading my diary and recommending it!
Update 2: Here is the ActBlue Link
Also per excellent suggestion from the comments, Barry got 40% of the vote while being outspent 21-1! With early money, the DCCC should take notice and get behind us this time!!
Love,
Sherri