Alan Grayson: "So, I had a lady call me up at home at 8:30 on a Sunday....."

[seafan]

Alan Grayson at the Florida Democratic Party annual convention, Orlando, October 10, 2009

Video at his web site, and don't miss it. His sense of comedic timing is icing on the cake.



(As transcribed)

Welcome to my home.

I look around this audience and I do not see a single, not one single foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging Neanderthal. Not one.


I had a lady call me up at home at 8:30 on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago. I answered the phone. She said to me, “Is this Congressman Grayson?” I said “Yes.” She said, “Get off my TV.” I said, “What do you mean?” She said, “You’re on my TV. Get off my TV!” I said, “Have you thought about changing the channel?” She said, “You’re on ALL the channels!”

So, I said to her, you know, when I’m on those channels… I can see you. And I think you better either turn off the TV or put on some clothes. I would really appreciate that. She hung up.



I want to say a few words about what it means to be a Democrat. What it means to be a Democrat. It’s very simple. We have a conscience. We have a conscience. Everyone in this room with a conscience, get on your feet. Get on your feet!

You know, scientists have studied for years this difficult question of why some people have a conscience and some people don’t. Some people are called Democrats, and some people are called Republicans.

When we see someone in need, someone who needs to see a doctor, someone who is hungry--- adult, a child… when we see someone in need, something within us says we need to do something to help that person.

That spark within us is what makes us good people. And that’s something they need to nurture.
That’s why I humbly propose that we change the name of the Democratic Party to The Conscience Party.
We’ve known for over 3000 years that a good society, a civilized society, is one that shelters the homeless, feeds the hungry and that HEALS THE SICK.
Now, the other side may disagree.

They actually read books with titles like “The Virtue of Selfishness.” I didn’t make that up. “The Virtue of Selfishness”. They think that it’s good somehow, that you have a hard heart. Well, WE don’t have a hard heart. We look around and see another fellow human being in need, and we care.
WE CARE. That’s what it means to be a human being.

So my other humble proposal today, just to make this clear to all the voters, is that that other party also change its name. And they rename the Republican Party to The Selfish Party. Every single day, I think this is becoming clearer and clearer to America. Every single day. The times, they are a-changing. People look around, and they see that the other party are these nattering nabobs of negativism.

These NO-mongers. These people who know, that if the president has a BLT sandwich tomorrow, the Republicans are going to try to ban bacon. Well, you can’t be against everything. Not when our needs are so great. And things are changing, and people are seeing that. I’ll give you one example:

Since 8 o’clock last night 1500 people have come to the Grayson For Congress website and made a contribution. Just since 8 o’clock at night, and by the way, it was past my kids’ bedtime, so I’m sure it wasn’t them.


But once we get past this point, once we get past this point of entrenched no-mongering, we’re going to see a great America. Because when you get down to it, the country reflects it people.
America reflects us.

And when you get down to it, people have a good heart. That’s why the American people chose the Democratic Party to LEAD America, because we have a good heart. All of us do.

And when I say the things I say on TV or on the floor of the House, those are not my words, those are your words.

I’m simply saying the things that all of us are thinking. And it’s because of you, because of YOU that I have a chance to do that. Thank you very much!

No, Representative Grayson, THANK YOU. Courage and unabashed truth-telling are a fine combination.





Well, well, looky here... two more Republicans have chickened out from running against Grayson next year.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and now, State Rep. Stephen Precourt.

October 11, 2009

Last Monday, Crotty took his name out of the running. And today, Precourt, R-Orlando, declined the challenge, too. But Precourt still threw a few punches -- calling Grayson a "raving liberal lunatic" -- even as he begged off a federal run, to focus on his current state post instead.

"Central Floridians and the nation deserve better than that egomaniacal, socialist, loose cannon," Precourt wrote in a e-mail this afternoon.

[Joanne98]

1. BWHAHAHAHA!

[texasleo]

2. Grayson-Weiner 2016

[calimary]

3. Got my vote already!

I do deeply and dearly love that man!

[PurpleChez]

31. Every time he opens his mouth

He just keeps getting mo' and mo' better. Where has he been all these years?

[seafan]

37. He's a freshman Rep, just elected 11 months ago, in a very red district.

He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting developments we've seen in a long dry spell.


Here is what he was doing before coming to Congress this year.



One man. One voice. A heart of gold. And he's from F L O R I D A.

[calimary]

49. I don't know!

But wherever he came from, I hope there are lots more like him!

I bet there are women all over the blogosphere who want to have his baby!

[pink-o]

14. Oy Gevalt! But is America ready for an all Jewish ticket? n/t

[Pool Hall Ace]

23. Hey, before I learned who Alan Grayson was,

I was thinking of a Frank / Franken ticket!!

[Drunken Irishman]

29. Luckily Grayson isn't a Jewish-sounding surname!

[Cha]

52. In 2000 and 2004..they were ready

for an idiot..and in 2008 we elected a Black man. I'm thinking it does not matter any more.

As PO said tonight on ESPN..

"todos somos Americanos — we are all Americans."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[JustAnotherGen]

38. Just seeing those two names on a ticket?

Makes me moist!

[elleng]

39. THAT will make history!

Brooklyn Jew and Florida Jew!!!! YAAAAAAAY!!!!

[dysfunctional press]

53. grayson-feingold 2012.

just sayin'...

[truedelphi]

59. Right on. And not a moment too soon. n/t

[pinto]

4. Kick.

[Fridays Child]

5. k/r

[lib_wit_it]

6. Gotta love the Grayson!

[Pool Hall Ace]

7. So Precourt thinks Central Floridians "deserve better"

yet he isn't going to run?

Then he obviously realizes he is not better.

[Joanie Baloney]

8. Right on!

Mr. Grayson Goes to Washington!

[armyowalgreens]

9. This guy cannot be a real congressperson.

This is all an act

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. +1

[Ghost in the Machine]

11. K&R! Keep talking, Mr. Grayson...

We need 400 more like him in Congress...

[Initech]

12. That was a pretty fucking awesome speech. ROFL at the second paragraph

"So, I said to her, you know, when I’m on those channels… I can see you. And I think you better either turn off the TV or put on some clothes. I would really appreciate that. She hung up."

[walldude]

13. K&R... Damn this guy is good...

Too bad the rest of the Dems aren't taking their cues from him.

[spartan61]

15. I also live in Central Florida but, unfortunately,

I do not live in Rep. Grayson's district. I live in Cliff Stearns' district, another No Party repuke. I congratulate all of you who live in Grayson's district for having the wisdom and intelligence to elect such a wonderful Congressman. You should all be so proud of yourselves.

[lovelyrita]

34. Adam Putnam's district here. When his name was mentioned

at the Convention, the three rows of Polk County Delegates shouted and booed.

[ChiciB1]

43. Vernie Buchanan, The Man Of Many Lawsuits Represents Me... It SUCKS!! n/t

[kestrel91316]

16. I happen to love this particular "egomaniacal, socialist, loose cannon".

[sallyseven]

17. Reminds me of Barney Frank

of 25 years ago. Loved him too.

[PJPhreak]

18. Bawhahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

"I had a lady call me up at home at 8:30 on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago. I answered the phone. She said to me, “Is this Congressman Grayson?” I said “Yes.” She said, “Get off my TV.” I said, “What do you mean?” She said, “You’re on my TV. Get off my TV!” I said, “Have you thought about changing the channel?” She said, “You’re on ALL the channels!”

So, I said to her, you know, when I’m on those channels… I can see you. And I think you better either turn off the TV or put on some clothes. I would really appreciate that. She hung up."

Now I have to wipe the coffee off my laptop...That's a classic New Yorker response...Read that as "Lady,Get Outta My Face,Dumbass!"

[PSzymeczek]

44. I. Love. This. Man!

I always go for the tall guy. I'm 4'10".

[drm604]

19. K&R

Go Grayson!

[LittleGirl]

20. Makes me want to move to central FL

I wanna work for that guy. I wanna vote for that guy. He speaks for me.

Thank you!

still giggling about it.

[onethatcares]

21. and so I emailed Rep. Grayson,

and I told him I wished he was my Representative or that I lived in his district. Then I emailed Bill Nelson, that republican in a democrats suit and told him, "this is what your constituents want, and this is what they deserve. Remember when you wanted to serve the people, that was before you got bought by every special interest that came your way. Don't you think you should leave the party and stop pretending the Democrats are where you belong?"

I wonder if I'll get a response.

[ChiciB1]

42. You'll Probably Get The Usual Response He ALWAYS Sends...

AND it won't make you happy! Billy Boy sold us down the river a long time ago! I'd write him AGAIN, but I would bet GOOD money he doesn't even care. I even went to his Senate office once to have my say. He wasn't there, I left a message... never heard another word!

So, I live in Florida and mostly get people telling me HOW STUPID THIS STATE IS!!

But, Grayson is "the man" and I just wish we could CLONE HIM!!!

[MindandSoul]

46. Cloning Grayson

I never thought I would be supporting cloning!!!
But if we can clone Grayson. . .let's do it!

[ChiciB1]

66. You Got My Ringey-Dingey!! I Know -- Late Reply... But Had Some

business to take care of last night after my post!!

[democracy1st]

22. K & R

[madokie]

24. Alan, kick some Neanderthal repub ass, Grayson

I sure hope he's paying attention to whats going on around him at all times cause I'd think he is rubbing some people the wrong way. I see visions of Wellstone

[adamuu]

25. thank you for talking me into watching that

I was reluctant.

[seafan]

28. Hey, I wouldn't lead ya astray, LOL. Florida may make a comeback yet. n/t

[TommyPaine]

26. Comedy gold!

Maybe even platinum.

[PSzymeczek]

45. Titanium n/t

[voteearlyvoteoften]

27. I was there

When Senator Bill Nelson spoke he was met with a chant of "public option, public option, public option" for several minutes at the beginning middle and end of his remarks.
Damn that felt good!

[VenusRising]

30. Thanks for posting that!

He really does have great comedic timing.

"Put some clothes on!!"

I have plans of sending a donation the next time I have a little extra.


Keep it up, Congressman Grayson!!!

[me b zola]

32. "I can see you..."

"...put some clothes on."

[lovelyrita]

33. It was great hearing him speak at the convention.

He had lines around him all day of people wanting to take pictures or to speak to him. Really great day for Florida Democrats.

[Swamp Rat]

35. HAHAHAHA!!!!

[Gman2]

36. Nice to see that a conscience doesnt stop you from clockin' the right wing freak in front of you.

[BrklynLiberal]

40. K & R

[ChiciB1]

41. Living In Florida... Knowing Where He Lives... And Also Living In ANOTHER

very Red District... THIS MAN DESERVES A METAL!! The NEW Paul Wellstone AND he lives in Florida!

Damn, I'm so glad Florida FINALLY has something to be PROUD OF!! We need about 400 more!

But sadly, too many Democrats have sold their souls, and lost their spines!

I'm outta here now... but GOOD ON GRAYSON!!

[ThePantaloon.com]

47. Love this guy in 2016

[ThePantaloon.com]

48. Love this guy in 2016

[Skittles]

50. OMG

I'M SALIVATING OUT OF CONTROL

[shellgame26]

51. "I’m simply saying the things that all of us are thinking."

Yes you are! Keep going man! Set the trend!

[colsohlibgal]

54. OMG, No More Holding Out For A Hero

This guy is exactly what we've needed. He has reduced the split to what it really is. I've been mulling this subject a lot lately, how we think so fundamentally different from the other side. We are into we, they are into I. Just that simple.

Rock On Alan Grayson; Harry Truman and FDR, wherever they are, are toasting you! And poor Ayn Rand is spinning in her grave.

[InfiniteThoughts]

55. i agree 110% with Precourt ..

"Central Floridians and the nation deserve better than that egomaniacal, socialist, loose cannon," Precourt said

And that was his reason not to run.

[progressivebydesign]

56. I've been waiting for decades for Democrat like that!!! 2016? n/t

[ezgoingrl]

57. The town where I live is mentioned in this article!!

Enid, Oklahoma! I can't believe it.

[comtec]

58. Just... wow

Can we make THIS GUY Speaker or majority leader or something where he can do US some good?

This guy in the house. al in the senate, we might get thin gs done with these two in power, as opposed to the fucking rubber snakes that call themselves majority leader/speaker now!

[WillyT]

60. Yeah Baby !!! - K & R !!!

[Roland99]

61. and kudos to the audience member yelling out "blue dogs"!

[pundaint]

62. ACTION: Tell your Democratic Rep to see Grayson for leadership lessons.

I did and it was fun!

[midnight]

63. Humor a most helpful tool in these times.... Thank you Mr. Grayson....

Does he not say what has been so obvious for way to long. Even a buch of republicans knew it to be true and called themselves the bastards club:According to FBI SEARCH WARRANTS executed against several Republican legislators, Corrupt Bastards Club was the nickname 11 legislators, (including the son of Republican Senator Ted Stevens) used to jokingly refer to themselves. The legislators are being aggressively investigated by the FBI for taking bribes from an oil company (I know... what a surprise...who'd a thunk it?).http://corruptbastards.blogspot.com /

[Buzz Clik]

64. My goodness. A Dem version of Sarah Palin with the added bonus of a brain.

[bkohatlanta]

65. A Democrat who actually believes in something and is willing to fight for it!

I don't feel alone anymore!

[closeupready]

67. He's right. We have a conscience, they don't.

n/t

[Blue_Tires]

68. awesome!

[liberal N proud]

69. What a take down!

I have to wonder how he could have said that to the lady with a straight face.
He had to be busting out all over on that one.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

70. wonderful!

[seafan]

71. Third Republican chickens out of running against Grayson, saying, "When in doubt, don’t."

Bon voyage.



Daniel Webster

October 13, 2009

Former state Sen. Daniel Webster won’t run against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson despite pressure from GOP leaders for the conservative Republican to enter the race.

.....

Webster, a Christian conservative who served nearly three decades in the Florida legislature and served as House Speaker, said in a statement that despite encouragement from supporters he was prompted to “follow a principle that has always served me well: ‘When in doubt, don’t.’”

“I do firmly believe that in every public office there needs to be a resurgence of the basic principles on which this Republic was founded, and a return to our original standards of integrity and character,” he said.

And that's exactly what Alan Grayson is doing, at long last.








You won't be lonely, Mr. Webster.


You and your party cannot lead, you cannot follow, so get the hell out of the way.



Join your friends, Larry Cretul, (Speaker of the Florida House); Rich Crotty, (Orange County Mayor); Stephen Precourt (State Rep.).



Crotty



Precourt


Cretul

[seafan]

72. Lordy, ANOTHER Republican just dropped out of Grayson race (#4 as of noon today)

Another Possible GOP Grayson Foe Suddenly Bails Out


October 13, 2009

Restaurant-supply company owner Jerry Pierce suddenly removed his name from the running moments ago to take on U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, just hours after pledging to put a large sum of his personal fortune into the race.

Pierce said the fact that the race is such a high-profile contest on the national radar, means it would draw too much pressure and scrutiny on his loved ones, and he didn't want to put them through that.

"It comes down to, are you going to trade your family for that congressional seat," Pierce said of his sudden about-face. Just last night, Pierce said he planned to announce today he was putting in $200,000 of his own money into a run against Orlando's freshman firebrand congressman.

Pierce said today he was just "a few hours from getting from the Republican party endorsement," but he didn't want to put his family through what was essentially a national campaign.

"I can take this, but they can't," Pierce said.

With the recent exit of former state Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, from the roster of GOP hopefuls, that leaves a pair of Tea Party activists -- Patricia Sullivan from Eustis and Dan Fanelli of Orlando -- and recent Orlando resident Armando Gutierrez Jr., as likely Grayson foes, so far.

.....

His press release:

PRESS RELEASE, October 13,2009, noon

Restaurant equipment company owner, Jerry Pierce, has decided not to file formal
paperwork for the Florida (8) Congressional District race against incumbent Alan
Grayson. Pierce stated that the "about face" was caused by recent information
about the race becoming one of the top 5 races in the country and the added
pressure that such a high profile race would cause on his family and the family
business. Pierce stated that he would have been a ideal candidate to win, but he is
not willing to adversely affect his family for a Congressional seat. Pierce stated
that he will continue to work in various non elected roles, to help make a difference
in Central Florida.


Jerry E. Pierce

Dropping like flies, they are.