NHYD '08

Finally (4.00 / 1)

A top 10 list I am on!

Great year working with NHYD Garth.

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by: sdoyle @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 21:02:52 PM CST

And to you! (0.00 / 0)

You and the CDNH board did amazing work in 08, Sean. The rallies and turnout #s in Keene, Durham, Hanover, Plymouth, etc. were incredible.

I'm a genuine fan of Pindell, Cosmo & the Ticker, but Ray's absolutely right on this one - the Top 10 List of Rising Stars was too short, full of well-established stars and had many glaring omissions.

So no worries Sean - we won't be at the "kids' table" much longer ;-)

"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

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by: Garth Corriveau @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 23:39:05 PM CST

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Thanks Garth (0.00 / 0)

The Young Dems never did as much as they did this year, and it's all thanks to you.

One thing though, I need to be honest that I can't say for certain if i'll run again. It's getting hard enough to afford living in Merrimack.

As much as i'd miss this place, it is very, very unlikely that i'd run again in Merrimack as things stand right now.

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by: Andrew Sylvia @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 22:03:36 PM CST

No Sherman statements necessary (4.00 / 1)

You ran a helluva campaign Andy - I know it - and because of activists like you we're turning NH blue town-by-town, so never say "never" Andy   ... plus, I won't let you ;-)

"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

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by: Garth Corriveau @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 23:46:55 PM CST

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I Hope You're Right (0.00 / 0)

Two years is a long time, who knows where I might end up!

Jobs can take people to strange places and there are alot of state rep districts in New Hampshire if I can't hang on in Merrimack. :-)

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by: Andrew Sylvia @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 02:07:49 AM CST

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Giant steps forward. (0.00 / 0)

Young people and Democrats are as fired up here as anywhere, but the organization doesn't run itself, and having served for a few months on the NHYD board this summer, I can tell you that Garth and the rest of the leadership team have done a fantastic job.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 22:24:35 PM CST

Thanks for walking with us (4.00 / 1)

Thank you Doug - your service and counsel greatly benefitted NHYD in '08, so don't go "inside the beltway" on us b/c I can't wait to pick your brain when you return from the Hill.

"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

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by: Garth Corriveau @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 23:52:01 PM CST

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Even More (4.00 / 2)

I think the best news is the fact that so many of the young democrats who did so much grunt work this year, aren't old enough to vote yet. We're still growing.

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by: jrmy @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 22:27:12 PM CST

Nice Job (4.00 / 5)

Nice job, Garth, and to all the Young Democrats from someone who was your counterpart decades ago.  

It was in a galaxy long, long ago on this planet, in 1969 to 1973 or so, when I was President of the NHYDs, and those were the days of Vietnam and young people were becoming involved in masses.  We know the Democrats in our state did well during those years in a state that wasn't quite as Blue-friendly as now, but the younger generation decided Democrats were the way to go.  We made a difference, and we made change.

The pendulum of politics is what it is, and we might not always be this "rich" -- all the more important that the NHYDs continue the work to get yet another new generation involved in government, and keep them on our side.  With Barack Obama on the national level, and good leaders on the state level, our possibilities are endless.  

I've seen the good times and the not so good times for Democrats, and we can't take anything for granted.  That's why those coming of voter age need to know there IS a difference between the political parties, and the Democratic Party is their home.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 22:29:17 PM CST

Thanks to Trailblazers (0.00 / 0)

I still have those January '08 emails from you Rep. Splaine, so you should know that I tried to apply your advice and experiences to our NHYD agenda this year.

Judging from the quality of the Young Democratic state reps you'll be working with in the upcoming legislative session, expect many YDs to continue to approach you for guidance, support and encouragement going forward.


"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

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by: Garth Corriveau @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:24:17 AM CST

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Moving Forward (4.00 / 2)

Not only did Garth and the whole team of great leaders of the NHYDs do an awesome job, what is particulary thrilling to me is the future.

We have so many up and coming leaders that I could see being top shelf candidates and major office holders.

Let's assume for a minute that the average age of the YD activist is 25. Then compare NH to when I was 25 (1985). Today's 25 year old NH Democrat can realistically imagine themselves as governor, US senator, member of congress, executive councilor, senate president or speaker of the House.

In 1985, none of those positions were realistic for a 25 year old NH Democrat to aim for. It was tough to recruit, engage and keep young activists back then, now we have a very, very wide and deep bench of up and coming leaders under 30 who will be the future John Lynchs and Jeanne Shaheens.

To quote the old 80's song "the future is so bright I gotta wear shades!"

Thank you Garth, thank you Sean, for your steady leadership in these historic times.

Have you written a letter to the editor today? Have you donated today? Have you put up signs? Have you made calls? Have you talked to your neighbors?

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by: Ray Buckley @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 09:06:23 AM CST

Lyric (0.00 / 0)

"Fifty thou a year -- buys a lot of beer"

I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades,
I gotta wear shades

Timbuk3 - The Futures So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)

We represent the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop Guild, the Lollypop guild.

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:15:26 AM CST

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True! (0.00 / 0)

Thanks Ray. NHDP's outreach to NH's young adults makes us the dominant state party of both the present and the future. Judging by the youth voting #s and that there are so many young Democratic leaders at the Statehouse, in county and local offices, and within the party, we'll be making Corey Hart an honorary NH Young Democrat ;-)

I'm pretty sure Gov. Sununu's outreach to YRs is along the lines of, "no dessert until you eat your damn vegetables!"

"Where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

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by: Garth Corriveau @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:39:33 AM CST

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Historic Times (0.00 / 0)

Thanks Ray, CDNH couldn't have been as successful this year without the NHDP and the Coordinated Campaign.

Having dedicated staffers on campuses (UNH, Dartmouth, KSC, PSU) really energized the students to get involved with the College Dems, and volunteer. I would say for an estimate that the total number of college students that voted was between 7,000-9,000.

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by: sdoyle @ Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:40:20 AM CST

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