Presidential candidate Chris Dodd has hired a traveling blogger to write and videoblog his campaign trips in real time. While candidates typically travel with a retinue of advisers, spokespersons and "body" aides, this may be the first traveling blogger in presidential campaign history.
The blogger, Matt Browner Hamlin, has written for websites such as The Huffington Post and Connecticut's MyLeftNutmeg, but this is his first campaign job. He was an active volunteer supporter of Ned Lamont, the Greenwich businessman whose netroots-powered campaign defeated Connecticut's other Senator, Joe Lieberman, in a primary last year. Browner Hamlin will join another Lamont enthusiast, Tim Tagaris, who runs Dodd's Internet strategy and previously worked for the Lamont Campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Dodd was impressed by innovation and impact of Internet activists in his state, and his campaign has experimented online more than most of his competitors. The official website already offers behind the scenes videos, like senior staff discussing the recent debate and shots of Dodd backstage at the Daily Show, and Browner Hamlin says he will provide enough video and blogging from the trail to make the campaign "transparent in real time." The Dodd Campaign also relaunched its website today and it is planning a large Internet ad buy.
I'm very happy to announce that I have been offered and accepted a position on Senator Chris Dodd's presidential campaign. I moved to Washington DC on Sunday and today is my first full day in Dodd HQ. From this point forward I will only be publishing my writing in an official capacity for the Dodd campaign on its blog and on progressive blog community sites around the net.
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The question most of you are probably asking yourselves is "Why Chris Dodd?" I believe that America needs a leader who can solve the problems facing our country with poise and conviction. Thanks to the Bush administration's failures, our next president will enter office will little margin for error. I believe Chris Dodd is best person to fill this national need because he's already doing it. By standing up to the Bush administration and calling for an end to the Iraq War, by fighting to restore the US Constitution and the right of habeas corpus, by protecting Americans working families from predatory lending, by strongly opposing the nominations of John Bolton, Sam Fox, Porter Goss and Michael Hayden, by working to increase make college education affordable through Pell Grants, Senator Dodd has repeatedly lead through his actions. That's what America needs today - action, not rhetoric. That's why I'm going to work for Senator Dodd.
As an activist and I writer I have spent the last two and a half years blogging about the things I want Democratic politicians to do in service to America. In Chris Dodd, I find a man who has time and time again done the right thing without having to be asked. I deeply respect his active commitment to democratic ideals in a time when we've watched far too many politicians shirk their responsibilities to the American public. I look forward to helping him win the Democratic nomination and become the next President of the United States.
Although it pains me to see another great writer leave My Left Nutmeg, I'm happy that Senator Dodd hired Matt as he'll be a terrific asset to his internet team.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.