Alan Grayson is fresh off the campaign trail by way of Austin, Texas, home of the Netroots Nation 2008 Conference. 

Alan understands that this country is shifting from a top down legislative democracy to one that is people driven. Our future leaders will be in a position to influence, counter point and lead at the level they do politically due to the rise of millions of people just like you and me. People who found the net, kicked the tires, pushed the boundaries of where it could take them, how they could wield the tool, bend the system, and tackle the giant. Being part of the netroots doesn't mean you can dictate policy, but as a sphere of influence there is viable power there. This is a political fact. There are no campaigns being run today without tapping into the voice. Our voice. 

When Alan Grayson talks about rebuilding this country into one that cares, educates, equalizes and builds on the base of valuing every brain, using every ability, cultivating every talent, he isn't saying it because I and other bloggers like me are saying it over and over on the net. He says it with us. 

Blogging is a tool that gives us our voice, our ability to interact with and for our democracy. What we see now that we didn't see 4 years ago is the return on our investment. Those endless hours spent blogging, lost sleep, fights with spouses over time management, bleary eyed late nights, early mornings, skipped lunch hours, time stolen from work... if you blog, you know the drill; all of that is morphing into something better, bigger than fighting over the net with the other side. It's becoming the way we impact DAILY on how we want our country run. We are in the faces of the representation, grabbing the reins and pulling the runaway stage back from the brink. We are the people. 

This is not accomplished by grandiose plans, events or issue campaigns, but rather by the sheer volume of citizens who are getting into the netroots mix. It's only going to grow, and the more we use our voice, the better we, and our government, will become.

The days of voters being an inconvenience to politicians are numbered. Candidates like Alan Grayson who run with the netroots will be the ones who win. The net returns something to the process that got lost... it takes the burden of heavy fundraising off the candidates plate, and gives that candidate a way to talk to the voters, listen to them, and be funded BY them. 

As Joe Trippi wrote, 'the revolution will not be televised'. 

Me? I'm blogging it. If you want to join me, email me, and don't forget to visit ActBlue. 

See you on the intertubes! 

Jet Netwal
Netroots Coordinator
Grayson for Congress

The Grayson for Congress campaign is proud to announce endorsements by Orange County NAACP Chair Reverend Randolph Bracy, State Senator Gary Siplin, and former Orange County Soil and Water Commission Chairman Tim Adams.  They join former Orange County Commissioner Homer Hartage in supporting Alan Grayson for Congress.

Reverend Bracy and his wife LaVon are the founders of the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, which has over 2000 members.  He has been preaching for over 30 years.  A respected leader, Reverend Bracy became Orange County NAACP Chair in 2007.  Many local elected officials have credited him for inspiring them, and providing spiritual guidance.

State Senator Gary Siplin is the only Democratic State Senator in the Orlando metropolitan area.  He has served in the Florida State Legislature since 2000, and in the Florida Senate since 2002.  He is one of the highest-ranking Democratic officials in the State, serving as Vice Chairman of both the Education Appropriations Committee and the Health Regulation Committee in the Senate.  Born in Orlando, he graduated from Jones High School.  He is noted for helping to extend health coverage to over 100,000 needy children in Florida, among many legislative accomplishments.

Reverend Tim Adams is the former Chairman of the Orange County Soil and Water Commission.  He was elected in 2004, with over 131,000 votes.  (By comparison, the last Democratic candidate for Congress in District 8 drew only 82,000 votes.)  He also was born in Orlando, he graduated from Jones High School, and he later taught at Jones High School.   He has been outspoken on social issues.

These community leaders join Homer Hartage and Wes Hoaglund, who already have endorsed Alan Grayson for Congress.  Hartage, Hoaglund and Grayson were three of the four Democratic candidates who challenged incumbent Ric Keller in 2006.   They are now united behind this campaign.

"I am deeply honored to have earned this support," said Congressional Candidate Alan Grayson.  "These are not only esteemed leaders in our community, but also people of conscience, who strive to make the world a better place for all.  These are the people here in Central Florida who speak out, day after day, for justice, equality, and peace.  All of us have joined together, to bring change.  A new day is dawning."

This year, support the candidate of change.  On August 26^th and November 4^th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.

Watch Video

You can view more videos at http://www.graysonforcongress.com/videos.asp .

Are you a Bright House customer? If so, you can also watch the video on Bright House's Election '08 Channel. Simply go to Channel 888, navigate to "Candidates", select "Federal", and then select "Alan Grayson" and click Play on your remote.

Watch Alan's videos on VeohTV.		Subscribe to the RSS feed to get alerted whenever there's a new video.		Watch Alan's videos on your iPod or iPhone! Subscribe to his iTunes podcasts.

Get involved today and be part of the movement for change!

Unity.  It's a question on the minds of Democrats these days.  Can the Democratic Party unite, and move America in the right direction again?  We here at Grayson for Congress hope so, and we're doing our best to make that happen.

Because of that, we are proud to announce that Wes Hoaglund has endorsed Alan Grayson for Congress.  Hoaglund is well-known in Central Florida for his progressive views, and his love of the environment.  He has been involved in local government for decades.

Hoaglund, a life-long Democrat, qualified for the ballot and challenged Ric Keller in the last election.  Thousands of people, dissatisfied with both party candidates, voted for Hoaglund.

With Wes Hoaglund endorsing Alan, three of the four Democrats who qualified for the ballot to challenge Ric Keller in 2006 are supporting Alan Grayson:  Homer Hartage, Wes Hoaglund, and Grayson himself.  As for the fourth one, who lost to Keller by more than 12,000 votes, you know who you are - what are you waiting for?

This year, choose the candidate who can unite the Democratic Party in Central Florida.  On August 26^th and November 4^th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.

Just kidding.  We know that you're not going to be in London tomorrow.  But if you were, then you could turn on your TV at 9 p.m., and tune in to BBC-1, the most popular network in the United Kingdom.  And you would see an hour-long special news report called "Daylight Robbery," about contractor fraud in Iraq, featuring our own Congressional candidate, Alan Grayson.

"The Beeb," as they call the BBC in London, flew a film crew of four, with a top network anchor, from London to Orlando a few months ago to interview Alan.

Why?  Because the BBC wanted to report on contractor fraud in Iraq, and:

• Alan is the attorney in every case of Iraq contractor fraud now in litigation.
• Alan has testified four times before Congress about contractor fraud in Iraq.
• Alan was the Taxpayers Against Fraud's Lawyer of the Year.

After the show airs throughout England, it will be released internationally.  It will come here to Orlando, on Brighthouse Channel 153, BBC America.  We'll keep you posted.

The BBC would never fly across the Atlantic to interview any other District 8 candidate for Congress. Because no other candidate has a record of accomplishment, doing good things for people like you.  Alan Grayson is the only candidate with a record of leadership, protecting the troops, and protecting our wallets.

For years, Alan Grayson has been fighting to help you, other taxpayers, and our troops.  Imagine what he will do for us in Congress.  On August 26^th and November 4^th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.

Together, progressive Democrats Alan Grayson and Homer Hartage received well over 50 percent of the District 8 Congressional Democratic Primary vote in 2006.  Alan is proud to be endorsed by a fellow progressive Democrat.  Since Commissioner Hartage has decided not to run again, Alan is the only progressive Democrat in this race.

Hartage served eight years as District 6 Commissioner, until term limits ended his public service.  Hartage was known for his success in improving health, transportation, education, safety and public services.  His relief work following Hurricane Katrina, and for the destitute people of Haiti, was widely admired.

Click here or on the icon below to listen to what Commissioner Hartage said, in his own words, about his decision:

"I'm supporting Alan Grayson for U.S. Congress, District 8, and I ask that you join me in supporting Alan Grayson for U.S. Congress.  I'm supporting Alan Grayson because our families need more people in Congress on our side.  I know the pain of hard-working families in Central Florida.   I meet and talk with them every day.  The single working mom whose employer has cut her hours twice; the dad who has withdrawn money from his retirement fund to pay the mortgage for his son, who has just lost his job.  Young men and women knocking on doors of businesses every day, only to be told, ‘we're not hiring.'  And those who have given up.

"Alan Grayson and I hear your cry.  Alan comes from a family like these.  He has worked tirelessly as an attorney winning cases against government contractors who mis-use our hard-earned dollars.  I believe he will work even harder to help our families.  That's why I'm supporting Alan Grayson for Congress, and I ask that you join me."

To show his commitment to the success of Grayson for Congress, Commissioner Hartage has recorded campaign advertisements for the Grayson campaign.  Those ads will start airing this week, and will continue throughout the campaign. Click here to listen to Homer Hartage's endorsement.

Said Alan, "Homer Hartage and I belong to the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.  He and I both believe that the Democratic Party is the party of people with a conscience.  We are real Democrats.  I am deeply happy that we have joined together this time for a common purpose:  to offer the people of Central Florida a genuine alternative to Ric Keller.  A choice, not an echo.  We are the voice of change, and a new direction for America.  The People, united, will never be defeated."

Alan Grayson is the only Democrat in this race with a record of progressive accomplishments.  Alan has recovered millions for taxpayers, and protected our troops.  Alan Grayson has done more than just talk about change, he has made change.  We know what kind of Congressman Alan will be - he shows us that, every day.

This year, choose the candidate who can unite the Democratic Party in Central Florida.  On August 26^th and November 4^th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.

On Saturday, Alan Grayson joined other local leaders at a "Legacy Luncheon" honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military pilots.  In World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen shot down over 100 Nazi aircraft.  Thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S. military was desegregated in 1948.  Last year, the Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal.  Over 150 Tuskegee Airmen made the ultimate sacrifice defending their country.

The keynote speaker at the Legacy Luncheon was Vernice Armour, the Marine Corps' first African-American woman pilot, and the first African-American woman combat pilot.  Ms. Armour completed two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf during the war in Iraq.  Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen, now in their 80s, where honored in the ceremony.  As one wryly noted, "I'm just happy to be able to make it back to another one."

Alan with NAACP Orange County President Rev. Randolph Bracy and his wife LaVon

Joining Alan's table at the event were NAACP Orange County President Rev. Randolph Bracy and his wife LaVon, State Senator Gary Siplin, State Representative Geraldine Thompson and her husband Judge Emerson Thompson Jr., Orange County Soil and Water Commissioner Susan Clary, Orange County Executive Board member Doug DeClue, and Classroom Teachers Association Board member Carl Howard. 

Alan was proud to experience living history.  As State Representative Geraldine Thompson often reminds us, history is all around us, in the exciting lives of people in our own community.

Alan with State Representative Geraldine Thompson and her husband Judge Emerson Thompson Jr.

Alan has spent the last several years supporting our troops in the current war, by making sure that unscrupulous defense contractors do not provide inferior and faulty equipment to our troops.  Our country needs leaders in Congress like Alan Grayson, who have fought for the men and women protecting our country.

Unlike the other candidates for Congress, Alan has done a lot more than pay lip service to the needs of our troops.   While Ric Keller and the Bush administration claim that they support the troops, they have done little or nothing to protect our troops.  For years they have refused to investigate claims of inferior equipment; they have done little to support soldiers' families while those soldiers are abroad; and they have cut health care for those troops after they have returned home.  Regardless of anyone's feelings about the war in Iraq, our soldiers should know that our leaders respect and honor their service to our country. 

Alan Grayson has demonstrated that respect and honor, by prosecuting war profiteers.  Alan Grayson is the only candidate in this race who has actually fought for our troops, and won.  He has helped protect our troops, while also recovering millions of dollars in stolen taxpayer money.  While other candidates talk about the war in Iraq, Alan Grayson has done something about it - something unique and important.

This year, choose the candidate who has a record of leadership.  On August 26^th and November 4^th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.

If you support Alan Grayson for Congress, and you have the time, then please come to the Great Debate.  If you support any other candidate, then come anyway, and be prepared to change your mind.

*                      *                      *

The new hit "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" earned $311 million at the box office this past weekend.  Which makes one wonder - what makes Indiana Jones so special?

We think that what makes Indiana Jones so special is his uncanny sense of direction.  Drop him in the Amazon jungle, the Himalayan plateau, the Sahara desert, just about anywhere, and Indiana Jones knows exactly where he is, where he wants to be, and how he's going to get there.

Now compare that to our own intrepid explorer, Congressional candidate Alan Grayson.  Alan has visited 175 countries, and every single time, he has found his way home.  That shows a very good sense of direction.

And what about Congressman Ric Keller?  Well, on March 26^th, Keller made one of his rare visits to Central Florida, in order to conduct "mobile office hours" in Leesburg.  There was only one problem with that - Leesburg is over five miles outside of District 8.  That shows a poor sense of direction.

This month, four different national polls found that almost 80 percent of all Americans think that the United States is heading in the wrong direction - the highest percentage in history.

Alan Grayson knows in what direction America should go.  Toward health coverage for everyone, affordable mortgages, lower gas prices, better jobs, and lower taxes on the middle class.  And out of Iraq.

And Ric Keller?  How can he find the right direction out of the mess we're all in, when he can't even find the right direction to District 8?          

Vote for Alan Grayson, on August 26 and November 4.  For a new direction.

The Alan Grayson for U.S. Congress campaign is pleased to announce endorsement by AFSCME D.C. 37 Florida Retirees Association.

All three executive boards voted unanimously to recommend the endorsement to the general membership.  At five general membership meetings, held throughout Florida, the endorsement was unanimously approved.  Eight votes, and eight unanimous endorsements of Alan Grayson.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has 1.4 million members.  It is one of the five largest unions in America.  It includes nurses, correction officers, child care providers, emergency medical teams, sanitation workers, and many other public servants.  As AFSCME proudly states, "for us, public service is not just a job, it's a calling."

Organized labor supports Alan Grayson because Alan Grayson supports organized labor.  Alan's mother and father were union members their whole working lives.  As a boy, he lived through two strikes -- both of his parents were out of work, and no money was coming in to pay the bills.  He remembers.

"I am very proud to have the support of organized labor," Alan said.  "Organized labor has served as the conscience of America for 100 years.  It created the middle class, and it brought us health coverage, paid vacations, pensions, workplace safety and the weekend.  In Congress, I want to promote social justice, just as organized labor does.  I support the right of all workers to organize.  The People, united, will never be defeated."

Alan Grayson is the real Democrat in this race.  He is with you on the issues, and he'll fight for you.  Vote for Alan Grayson, on August 26 and November 4.