I think this is the best thing to hit America. Brian don't stop with Manhattan, take it all the way to the top! Show America that is can be done.

Love the new ad. You kind of shocked people into listening with the first one, and now you're hitting them with local stuff. NIce.

Brian...

What to say? All I can say is that from the East Coast, you've reached all the way to the Midwest, making us here in Kansas City proud to be who we are. We're proud to have someone with a voice, even if that person isn't in our respective district. Here's my challenge to you: Take the initiative to take it where you want to go. The people of Manhattan will surely welcome you, and who knows how the rest of the states will feel. Congratulations on your progression thus far, and my warmest regards in your future prospects. If you shoot for the top, remember one thing: you have my vote. The people of America need true freedom, and that freedom resounds in your voice.

Always, a voice for justice and equality-
Matthew
President of UNITY
Rockhurst University, Kansas City

Uh...you're a Harvard graduate and YOU HAVE NO NEW IDEAS. Why not?

Brian desde caracas venezuela leí tu mensaje en español y realmente te deseo suerte. Tu causa local es la que tenemis muchos en otras partes y es la construcción de ciudadanía global con equidad, con políticas de acceso al conocimiento para todos, con calidad de vida para los que habitamos en un barrio o urbanización y todo eso pasa por crear nuevos modelos socioeconómicos de democracia participativa, donde las tecnologías de la información nos unen. Suerte

I am very happy to see such a progressive political campaign. As a poly sci major I am totally amazed that you would not only put a strong anti Bush ad out there, while also introducing your partner.

Not a critique, just never seen a campaign that open and opening yourself to so many avenues that might hurt the campaign at one time.

I like the "gay" principle behind the advert, but it distracts from the message a little bit and doesn't really flow very well. I could understand if it was targeted solely at the pink vote, but this is going out to a much larger audience.

Being gay should be seen as normal and therefore interwoven normally throughout your campaign e.g. you might be shown having breakfast at home with your boyfriend, without having to spell the situation out for the viewer. All this advert seems to do is take the issue to one side and say "AND I'M GAY TOO!". It's just a bit contrived and means a lot people are only going to remember it for that rather than your key political message about Bush.

Either way, good luck with the campaign. I'll be keeping an eye on you!

Coming from Canada (Toronto), I am always amazed how uptight many Americans are when it comes to gay politicians. For years, Canada has embraced gay politicians, many at the federal level. It's not that Canadians don't care about their personal life, it's because we DO CARE about them and include them as full members of society. The Canadian federal government recently passed a law to legalize same sex marriage. It is not a civil union or separate recognition but a full legal right to marriage. There has been little to no outcry from the public.

Americans may want to start looking to their neighbors to the north, who for years have quietly and respectfully dealt with important social issues and now lead the way globally. Good luck to all in your efforts.

I applaud Brian for having the courage to step out and be true to himself and the voting public. As a gay man, I think it is important for us to have representation that is as diverse as our society is. The fact that Brian is gay, is really of little consequence. The fact that he is willing to show the world that his love for his partner is really no different than the love of any other person, straight, African, Asian, etc, is a great thing.

Why is nobody talking about the balls this guy has to talk about local politics and take on this President. I am a native New Yorker and have been pissed as hell that my representatives haven't really represented me in the last 5 years of this presidency! go brian go!

Brian-

Great ad, good to see someone who is a TRUE New Yorker... Don't back down, don't pull punches!

Fabulous ad! Now if the rest of the dems could start showing some balls and speaking out! Good for you and good luck from the west coast!

Saw the ad on a network, the hug at the end was priceless.

You are a freak

Hold the phone... you want to run for an office? An office for the people? People who will expect you to be respectful to them? Yet, you show no respect for the fact that children are watching your commercial and learning disrespect. That is what my entire family got from your ad! We do not care what you do or who you do in your bedroom. What we are concerned about is that you show disrespect to our president... someone of authority and status. So just what kind of disrespect will you show to the people you say you want to represent, those with no authority or status? You know, the average Joe or Jean? The child with special needs?
I am sure that your answers will be of little class, just as your commercial is. You make no points with our family or any of our friends, gay, straight or otherwise.

Time for you to grow up and show some class, respect, and concern of human value. Any TV station running your ad will not be watched for one month in my home. Lets see how they like it when their ratings decline. Many of our friends and family members will also be boycotting those stations.

Dawn De France

Manhattan Borough President may be a local office, but it is within the bounds of the greatest city in the world. A metropolis whose leaders should have denounced Bush as unclothed FIRST. THANK YOU BRIAN! I look forward to watching your career with high hopes. Next maybe you can replace Mayor afraidtotakeastand.

Dear Brian,
I wanted to tell you how thrilled I was by your ads. You had the guts to speak out against this Presidential Administration, and no other local candidates mentioned anything of the sort.
Kudos to the people who worked on it!
I was going to vote for you anyway, but the ad sealed the deal.
I also appreciate that you had your partner with you at the end of the ad. My kind of family values. Plus you were being real.

Good luck today! You were the only candidate that I was really proud to vote for.

Dear David Meadvin, Campaign Manager

It was exactly his television ad that more than likely cost Ellner more votes than it gained him. On Ellner's site you describe it as the "ad that everyone is talking about." In fact, they are talking about it because it had no message and was an irresponsible waste of donors' well-intentioned campaign contributions. Showing Bush naked and declaring himself gay was pointless. Perhaps the Ellner campaign was not aware, but George Bush was not running for borough president. The website has now evolved to asking for monetary contributions to keep the "historic ad" running. Your unfocused campaign had little appeal beyond Ellner's left-wing, Bush-bashing base and fellow homosexuals - who generally are single issue voters and kneejerkedly vote for the gay candidate.

Looking at the votes for Lopez and Ellner when combined they achieved 24.8% of the vote vs. the Stinger's 25.7%. Which means a gay candidate possibly could have won.

I suggest Ellner next run for city dog catcher. At least he'll appeal to the lesbian community in Park Slope next time their cat is stuck up a tree.

Dean Diefendorf

That was the best darn political ad I've seen. I'm from Cali, and that thing has reached over here.

I think it's hilarious but a great ad all the way. I would vote for you if I lived in Manhatten.

Brian and Simon are really hot.