That's ALDERMAN BlueDog!

[SoxFan]

Thank you very much!

We did it! I'm the new alderman-elect from Manchester's Ward 3. I was the only challenger to defeat a sitting incumbent on Tuesday.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go collapse. I've been up since 5 AM, and have been on my feet for virtually the entire time. Lot's of work to do, but some sleep to catch up on first!

[KitchenWitch]

1. Congratulations, Alderman!

:woohoo:

[lildreamer316]

2. Congrats!!

GOod work!
Get some rest..you're gonna need it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Congrats, ALDERMAN BlueDog!

Oh, good for you!

That must be very sweet indeed, to be the only challenger to beat a sitting incumbent!

Sweetest of dreams!

:patriot:

[WCGreen]

4. Dude....

You made it...

[Richard Steele]

5. Congratulations, Alderman!

:applause:

[Suich]

6. Heartiest congratulations Alderman BlueDog!

:toast:

[billyoc]

7. Congratulations, Alderman.

:hi:

[conscious evolution]

8. Congratulations

May I recommend your first official act as alderman?

Introduce a resolution calling for the impeachment of bushcheney.

[malta blue]

9. congratulations!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[lizziegrace]

10. Congratulations!!

:toast:

[Burma Jones]

11. Way to put your money where your mouth is.........

Congrats and thanks.....

[flvegan]

12. Congratulations, sir!!

[bigwillq]

13. Congrats!

:toast:

[mainegreen]

14. You go make New Hampshire blue!

We need more blue up here!

[Gormy Cuss]

15. Hey, Mr. Alderman. There's this pothole on Canal Street...

Congratulations, BlueDogDem!

[SoxFan]

20. LOL

Hey, I just want them to finish that sewer line upgrade on Pine St. before the ground freezes over!

[zanne]

16. Y'know...In a way, I'm glad I'm in Ward 12....

So I won't have to watch my P's and Q's! ATTA BOY, BLUE DOG!

[quip]

17. Congrats, Alderman. Say, I've got this ticket I got for parking in a......

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. Congratulations. Now can you send someone to pick up my trash?

Jeez. :-)

[Swede]

19. Nice work Alderman.

:toast:

[livetohike]

21. Congratulations! n/t

[SoxFan]

22. Thanks, everyone!

I finally got some sleep, for the first time in nearly a week. I was on my feet at the polls for 13 hours, so my lower back is still a bit dicey, but I'm feeling good right about now.

One of the first orders of business is going to be mending some fences here in the community. This race was actually a non-partisan affair, with two Democrats running against each other. Most Republicans lined up with me as the more fiscally conservative Democrat, while Democrats split, with older activists and party "regulars" (ie, mainly Hillary and Richardson types) were with my opponent, while I was stronger with environmentalists and good-government types. I'll be spending some time reacing out to the local labor community and the city Dem committee leadership to remind them that while I won't play along with a lot of the budget games, I'm not Zell Miller, either (and I've got the Obama lawn sign to prove it).

I know the DLC takes a beating around here, but one of the great things the group does is publish an ideas book for state and local elected officials. One of the ideas I hope to crib is the CitiStat initiative that Martin O'Malley implemented while he was mayor of Baltimore. It uses computerized data management to monitor potential problems in the neighborhoods and to track progress in efficiently and quickly delivering city services. It makes government more responsive to the needs of the residents, and that's ultimately in everyone's best interest.