Brian Patton, our group's Treasurer, a budding young attorney in SWVA, and a great friend the past 10 months. Together, Brian helped "Raise Kaine" in a big way, and he should be very proud of his efforts!Eric, our group's webmaster and all-around strategist/visionary/diplomat. Thanks to Eric for keeping me on course - and online! - throughout this past 10 months!
Dan, who brought a tremendous amount of energy, perserverance, and hard work to the task of raising Kaine...and Raising Kaine! Dan tells it like it is, cares deeply, and doesn't take "no" for an answer about what he knows is right - three qualities that I admire greatly and that are much needed in this world of ours.
Josh, an all-around brilliant guy who was a huge addition to Raising Kaine a few months ago. Josh is a down-to-earth visionary, a diplomatic activist, and a level-headed yet passionate man. Josh proves that those combinations do not have to be oxymorons.
Rob, yet ANOTHER brilliant guy -- where do all these people come from?!? -- who is dedicated to a better future, to electing Democrats, and to progressive ideals. Also, it's good to have another attorney around, especially when the right-wingers start threatening to sue you!
Teddy Goodson, whose energy, commitment and passion would be extraordinary for a 20-year-old, let alone a woman several times that age. Maybe it's her Republican past, but Teddy is another one who tells it like it is and doesn't put up with any wishy-washy liberals. Nope, Teddy is a FIGHTER, and that's what I love about her. Keep fighting, Teddy!! :)
Sam Penney, a brilliant teenager who has contributed to Raising Kaine in many ways over the past 10 months. I will never forget driving down to Richmond with Sam to attend the state Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day event back in February 2005. I quickly discovered that Sam is not shy in the least, and that everyone seems to know him. This businessman and Eagle Scout's going to be a star some day...mark my words!
Mary Dotson, one of the most talented, hardest-working, smartest, extraordinary women I've ever met in my life. All I can say is, I'm glad we Democrats have Mary Dotson on OUR side!
Kenton Ngo, another brilliant teenager, a great writer and mapmaker, and already a wily political operative at 14 or however old he is now. Do we have a budding James Carville on our hands here? Could be, could be.
Tabitha Peace, who's been with us since the early days when she wasn't busy running Rex McCarty's valiant attempt to unseat entrenched incumbent Terry Kilgore. Tabitha is passionate, smart, and an incredibly hard worker. She has a lot to say, and I'm glad she's chosen to say some of it here at Raising Kaine!
Jake McMurray, another smart, passionate contributor from SWVA. Jake's certainly not afraid of fighting for what he believes in, which luckily for us is progressivism, Democracy, and human rights.
Nichole Herbig, who contributed greatly in the early days, and now is back and going strong once again. Nichole bleeds Democratic blue, works harder than almost anyone I've ever seen, and is a good friend to boot. Thanks Nichole!
Corey Hernandez, a whiz in many ways, including Flash animations, morphs, and Democratic political organizing. I'm really glad that Corey has joined us, even if it wasn't until recently. I just wish we had met a lot earlier!!
Ben Tribbett, was busy with his own brilliant political blog but was good enough to share his insights with me on many occasions. Ben has more knowledge about Virginia politics in his pinky than most people will ever have in their entire bodies - in their entire lives! I am proud to say that Ben is my friend.
Paul Anderson, a man of many talents - satirical comedy, juggling, and leading parades among them, it would appear. Seriously, though, Paul is one of the most dedicated Democrats I've ever met, a guy with a serious "man crush" on Greg Werkheiser...ha ha. Hey Paul, you rock!
Steve Nelson, a brilliant technologist and the Guinness Book of World Records champion for GOTV phone calls in a single Virginia gubernatorial election. Amazing!
Many others who helped me along the way, like Kip Malinosky, Jen Little, Shaula Evans, Alex Ashton, Ellen Nagler, Kelly Flinn, Mimi, Pete, "Ron," Jason Stewart, Waldo Jaquith, Maura Keaney, Alice Marshall, Christian Grantham, "Matusleo," and many others too numerous to mention.
The loyal RK readers, especially all those who took the time to comment on our rantings the past 10 months. And yes, I'm feeling magnanimous today so I'll even include James Young and I. Publius on that list! Ha ha.
People who gave us money, allowing us to run several newspaper ads and to distribute thousands of "Defeat Bush in 2005" flyers, among other things.
Tim Kaine, Leslie Byrne, Creigh Deeds and other Democratic candidates for caring enough to put themselves out there "in the arena" for all of us.
My fellow Democratic bloggers not mentioned above.
Anyway, heartfelt thanks to everyone on this list, and apologies to anyone I left off who helped Raising Kaine the past 10 months. It's been an amazing ride. Now it's time to crank it up for 2006 (goodbye George Allen) and beyond!
Update by Brian:
Lowell Feld is too modest, but he deserves more credit than the rest of us. He has carried the torch for the Virginia Democratic blogosphere and was by far the most frequent contributor to Raising Kaine, in addition to helping edit posts for others. We all owe him a big thanks too.
Update by Lowell:
Genevieve, who designed a bunch of cool RK merchandise and also the "party in a box" (PIAB). I even bought an "Always Have, Always Will" t-shirt! :) Thanks Genevieve.
Greg, who came up with a brilliant plan for targeted marketing using Yahoo banner ads. If we had raised enough money to do this statewide, Greg believes - and I agree with him -- that we could have pushed up Democratic turnout by as much as 20,000-40,000 votes. Based on Tuesday's results, this would have won the election for Creigh Deeds AND Leslie Byrne!! So why wasn't Greg's idea ever funded, despite our attempts to market it? Anyone have an answer out there?!?