Loudoun County Young Democrats/Virginia Young Democrats 10th District Blog

Long Long Overdue Update

2008-11-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone,
It has been wayyyy too long and I apologize. I dropped off the face of the earth here, but Loudoun Yd's has been put on the map thanks to a lot of people and events in 2008!! Much of it, Much of it has to go to Robert Latham, the new President of Loudoun County Young Democrats. I now sit as the Vice President, Mr. Errin Beckner is the Communications and Visibility Chairman. Much more people I dont have their full names in front of me, I'll add more later. Just to say that on November 4th, our luck changed for the better with Loudoun going solid for Barack Obama!! And Mark Warner. .. A new tide is sweeping over the western part of northern Virginia. Its growing blue!!

Marrett

Three Days and one Senator-Elect Later

2006-11-10T19:53:00.000-05:00

All of every single Democrats ultimate dream came true on Tuesday night. From the time I woke up Tuesday at 5:00, I knew that that was going to be our day. We had nearly 50 percent turnout at my precinct alone with voters. It was awesome. I've never seen that before, and Jim Webb prevailed over George Allen by about twently votes when it was all said and done. Judy Feder was way behind and that was unfortunate. BUt being able to stand against the machine known as George Felix Allen was a dream come true. His reckless behavior, his mediocre service and his overall poor stance was showing at the polls. I got so many responses and feedback from the voters about how they were either "Republican and voting Democrat" or simply "voting anti incumbent." This was just music to my ears.

I have been active in state politics for twelve years since Oliver North took on Chuck Robb in 1994, before that I went to a Clinton rally in 1992. Never have or could I have imagined this big turnout or such good turnout for the Democratic Party. I was so amazed at the attitude of the voters. And they said something to me, that we need a new direction in America. That we need new leadership in America and in Virginia. Unfortunately, that leadership is not in George Allen and George BUsh. And they found that out very strongly. Time and time again, I had the feeling Jim Webb would not prevail and that our prospects of taking back the Senate ... were at best slim. I was surprised about Judy Feder and the margins between her and Frank Wolf. But the western part of my district was going to go for Wolf. We always stay out of that area. But I sure do hope she goes for it again.

I think now that this nation has a new and fresher road to go down now that the Republican establishment has been voted out. A new road that means we will have new policies go into effect that make difference to the regular people like you and me and not the one percent of Americans that always get first hand attention from this administration that they have been getting for the past six years. I think of a fresher road in Iraq and a chance to hold George W Bush more accountable than he has been held in the duration of time he has been in Washington. November 7, 2006 is definately a night to remember and go down in history. Anyone who I have invited to join this blog I urge you to add to this and offer your own opinion, as well as anyone who will read this.

On the eve of Election 2006 by Marrett Ceo

2006-11-04T20:27:00.000-05:00

It is Saturday night before the midterm elections in 2006 and what a comback year this election in Virginia to say the least has. We actually are within striking distance of taking down George Allen and perhaps, perhaps Frank Wolf. Jim Webb is ahead of Senator Allen in the polls and Judy Feder as outraised Congressman Wolf in the last quarter.

Nick, Ginger and I have been contemplating ideas to get something going again for the YD movement here in Loudoun. We are all open for ideas, and urge anyone who stops by this site to definately submit their ideas and brainchilds for what could really stir up some excitement and involvement here in the west. Fairfax and Arlington are so active with their chapters and I think with all the success Democrats have been having over the past year, I for one think that its time that things get going again and we have some type of meeting. After the election I think you can look forward to soemething happening.

On this election, I know I need to be more thorough on contributing to the blog I started up on my own. My computer was messed up so badly in the spring and I paid for having internet when I should have canceled it sooner, but I can be a dumb ass. Oh well. But its almost a year after Tim Kaine made headlines, along with David Poisson at the House of Delegates level. Hopefully this can all translate to, not only Jim Webb and hopefully Judy Feder being successful on Tuesday, but many others. It looks like Montana and Missouri are poised to hopefully lean in Jon Tester and Claire McCaskil's favors. I hope I spelled the latter candidate's name correctly.

In New Jersey, I do think that Bob Menendez can retain the Senate seat he has had for a year. I used to intern for former Senator Robert Torricelli and I got to work with Jon Corzine when he was a senator, and my family hails from the New Jersey/New York area. Just because your dad is a former governor of the state and sat on the 9/11 Commission doesn't mean you can use that to climb into the upper house of the United States Congress. Bob Menendez has been in the House for a long time and I also can say that the man vying to replace him will win on Tuesday as well. I do feel confident that NJ will stay Democratic as it is and has been in the past. Hillary Clinton in NY, well... she has had token opposition and no real fight there.

Democrats from wherever and anyone who sees this post should really realize that this is our chance, our one shot at taking back what is ours. Congress! Both houses! Governors races as well. Who is going to feel comfortable on November 8th when you wake up and stretch and wipe the fog out of your face and look at the Washington Post or your local paper with a smirk on the face of George W. Bush or George W. Allen or some other Republican and it says "Two more years of Republican rule as Bush looks forward to more BS policy.

A clear road for the final two years for Bush." This CANNOT happen folks! We re-elected Bush, that was an embarassment enough as it is. We cannot allow this Congress, as lazy and ineffective as it has been to simply roll over for this president as it has. George Allen might as well not be running, he disappeared when he entered Washington in the first place. The once big Republican behemoth is .. he has dropped off the map and that giant I used to think of in George Allen is no more. Please, go to the polls and vote for Democrats, vote for a new direction in Iraq, a REAL and RIGHT strategy. Three thousand dead and counting along with no clear direction is not the way to go!!! Sixty four million Americans without healthcare is not the option as well.

I invite anyone to offer their input again as I said earlier, please go to either the state of VIrginia website to find your polling place www.Virginia.gov and go to STate Board of Elections. Or go to www.WebbforSenate.com or www.JudyFeder.com to find out the issues. IF we don't go to the polls and show this Congress the change we need, we will have lost that chance and it will evaporate and we can look forward to the next two years of more Gestapo like tactics by this incumbent Congress and the Bush administration. Hopefully we won't take that route. Vote Tuesday Jim Webb for Senate, Judy Feder for Congress and No on the Marriage Amendment!!!

2006-05-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

Its been way too long and overdue. I must apologize for the last few months. I have been trying to get my career back on track and was busy running for Vice President of VAYD. It didn't seem like anyone was going to run for any of the offices except for the incumbents and I thought I would step up to the plate. We reworked the entire organization from the bottom up. Now, instead of a VP, we have several Vps of Comm, Political Action, Fundraising Membership and an Executive Vice PResident.

I dropped down to run for VP of Comm, I figured Executive VP would be too much for me since I'm starting a new career. And Dominic, our president had wrapped up a lot of support for Shayna Englin. She seems like someone who has a vision like Dominic and goals. What a convention though, we had a visit by Governor Kaine, a dinner with Senator Creigh Deeds and a lot of fun. Unfortunately, my position has been eliminated. I am still appointed as the district chair for this area. But I honestly believe, that Dominic Gabello has the right vision for this org, and I stand behind him no matter what. There is nobody that I think could do a better and more progressive job as VAYD President than him.

I think we will be having more events soon with the 10th district as soon as we have another meeting. I'm working with Nick and Ginger about doing that. I'm also continuing doing work with Bryan Spoon, the City/County Caucus chair who was just elected President of Fairfax YD's. Congrats to my man Bryan, who is my backbone in this org. Without Bryan I'm blind and so is this organization. He was selected as the Male YD of the Year and he deserves it for everything he has done and more.

Carolyn Hankins I wish was still here, but she moved to South Carolina, she was Female YD of the Year, I nominated her because of all the advice she has given me and the support. Hopefully she will be able to do in South Carolina what she did in Virginia in Tidewater. I intend for one to get more active with the state and the party.

I want to serve on a commission or board whether its county or statewide and I would encourage anyone who reads this to go to either www.loudoun.gov/advisory or to the Secretary of the Commonwealths website to see lists of state boards and commissions to find opportunities. I have other ideas for the Loudoun YD's in the future, maybe a trip to Richmond to see the Executive Mansion and meet Governor Kaine himself. Soon, I want to get the high schools involved, its kind of late this year with school almost over but maybe we can get lists going.

Feel free to add anything to the blog and lets get it up and running again. Back in the game!!!

special election, kaine in town

2006-01-20T00:17:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't written on here yet about our special election coming up, but it will be in less than two weeks. The election for the 33rd district will be January 31, and our candidate will be Mark Herring, the former Leesburg supervisor, and he'll be running against Dick Black's buddy Mick Staton. Whats even more exciting than very likely picking up a senate seat is that on Saturday afternoon Governor Kaine will be here in Sterling for a Herring fundraiser at NoVa to help it happen. Check out Herring's site at www.herringforsenate.com

Talk about impressive!! Kaine to respond to State of the Union

2006-01-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

Democrats Tap Kaine to Deliver State of the Union Response
By Michael D. ShearWashington Post Staff WriterThursday, January 19, 2006; 10:25 AM
RICHMOND, Jan.19 -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has been tapped to give the Democratic Party's response to President Bush's State of the Union speech on Jan. 31, according to Capitol Hill sources.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are scheduled to call Kaine Thursday morning to officially ask him to accept. They, along with Gov. Bill Richardson, the chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association, are expected to make the announcement later this afternoon, according to two sources, who declined to be identified before the announcement is made.
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Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner declined to comment, saying no announcement has been made yet.
Kaine, who won a tight election to become Virginia's 70th governor in November, is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. He won convincingly in a conservative state and he campaigned as a fiscal conservative and spoke frequently about the importance of his faith.
For national Democrats, those messages are attractive as both parties head toward the mid-term elections later this year.
In the wake of the congressional lobbying scandals, Democrats are attempting to capitalize on what they call a culture of corruption in the Republican-controlled Congress. That makes it appealing to turn to an outside-the-Beltway governor, rather than a member of Congress, for the response to Bush's speech this month.
For Kaine, the selection is the culmination of a whirlwind of activity since he defeated Republican Jerry W. Kilgore on Nov. 8.
Kaine spent weeks traveling around the state at town hall meetings on transportation. Last Saturday, he was inaugurated in an historic ceremony in Williamsburg and gave his first speech as the state's new governor.
This week, he unveiled his legislative priorities to lawmakers, including a push for new controls on growth and development. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to announce his plans for raising new money to fix the state's transportation network.
In previous years, congressional leaders have chosen insiders, such Reid and former House leader Richard Gephardt, or governors such as former governor Gary Locke of Washington state.

Damn, been a long time, better say something

2006-01-02T12:01:00.000-05:00

Sorry, its been so long. Wow a lot has happened lately. A lot. It seems as though we have fallen short and I mean SHORT in the recount for Attorney General. Bob McDonnell was certified the winner and he has won fair and square. However, this has now opened up a state senate seat in Loudoun with Bill Mims being appointed to be Chief Deputy Attorney General with McDonnell. Looks like a date will be set in January. We can rebound the loss with a bittersweet win. This seat was held by Charles Waddell for nearly 30 years before Mims took over. We can really win here, we can take it back. In doing this, if we come out for Mark Herring, Waddell's stepson and a former Leesburg Supervisor, we will shrinken the Republican majority and hopefully set the state for 2007 when we take back our General Assembly. We can do this, I've talked to Andy Resnick who will be helping Mark out again, (Mark ran in 2003 against Russ Potts and lost after he had served on the Board, Andy was his manager.) Funny how this seat encircles the 32nd house district that Mims used to hold and David Poisson recently won, thank god. We stand a fighting chance. More to come on this.

Loudoun County Young Democrats is in the midst of having another meeting soon now that the holidays are behind us and the new year hopefully will bring in good and better things for our organization and for our party overall. I'll give you an update or Ginger or Nick will as well. One thing I must say switching subjects, the town hall went real well with Governor-Elect Tim Kaine. That was so cool, first meeting him as Lieutenant Governor in Loudoun, then as candidate for Governor and now as Governor-Elect. About 300 people came to the Leesburg Airport and a lot of imput was put in, except for the damn LaRouche people. And all you other chapters you all suck because Lyndon LaRouche and Nancy Spannaus live in my backyard, in Lovettsville so I have to put up with his bull#@!$ . He is always on Cablevision of Loudoun and it gets annoying. If he comes out to any event, of course it will be here first, consider yourselves lucky. IF I could, I would legally ban his organization from any Democratic event or any event where a Democrat speaks, he is not one of us and he is the dark side of our party. NOBODY in our party is convicted of mail and fraud charges and runs for president from prison in Minnesota!!

There will be another town hall at George Mason High School in Fairfax on Tuesday night. Anyone interested should try and make it out. I'm sure they could use help in setting up. Then in two weeks, Governor-Elect Kaine will offically be dubbed Governor. Everyone is invited, the event will be in Williamsburg. The capitol in Richmond is under renovations. If you can make it you should contact me or Nick and Ginger. Carpool might be a good idea if we get a good size crowd. There are also Inaugural Balls that are still open I believe. A Young Professionals Ball in Richmond another one is there as well, and one in Williamsburg. Let me know if you can go or go to www.KaineInaugural.com. This should be good. We haven't inaugurated a governor in Williamsburg since Thomas Jefferson a couple hundred years ago. If you can, come!!

Visit Forward Together, Governor Warner's new PAC

2005-11-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

Dear Marrett,
I'd like to personally invite you to the Forward Together website, a new federal leadership PAC for which I am the honorary chair. Check out the information about what we’ve been working on in Virginia, and please join our discussion of where the country needs to head in the coming months and years.
We’ve just finished a hard campaign with a terrific victory. Tim Kaine ran a great race that was positive and forward looking, focusing on results and solutions. The win was an affirmation of what we’ve been doing over the past four years, and I know Tim will be a terrific Governor.
I’ve still got two months left and will be unveiling new initiatives along with my last budget. After I finish in January, I want to be a significant voice in the debate on how we move our country forward. Again, thanks for checking out the Forward Together web site. I hope the website will become a "must visit" for online activists and all who are committed to meeting America's challenge to move forward together.
Stay in touch. Please join me at the site: http://www.ForwardTogetherPAC.com to give me your ideas and comments and I will be sure to send you updates on the issues we are working on and where we are traveling. Have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,Mark Warner

We Did It

2005-11-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

I have been so proud to be from Loudoun this week. Not only did we elect Tim Kaine (even my precinct, which is usually real conservative, went blue), but we got rid of Dick Black and have a great new delegate, David Poisson in the General Assembly……..we now have two Dems from Loudoun districts in the GA. Poisson won 18 of 20 precincts on Tuesday, which is a clear sign that Loudoun won’t stand for the type of hate-mongering that Dick Black has done. The only reason these people have stayed in office as long as they have is because the voters need to be informed just how bad they are. Hopefully, we can get the word out and have some more candidates to reclaim the Board of Supervisors from Black’s friends in a few years.

Loudoun spoke. Loudoun delivered

2005-11-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Poisson ousts Black
By Anne Keisman and Jana Renn 11/09/2005
In a night dominated by Democratic victories statewide, four-term Republican Del. Dick Black lost his eastern Loudoun seat in the Virginia House of Delegates to Democrat David Poisson on Tuesday.“I guess tonight Loudouners chose their poison,” said Poisson in his victory speech at O'Faolain's Irish Pub in Sterling, referring to Black's mispronouncing of his name in a candidate forum in October.
Poisson promised to get right to work on the issues he highlighted during his campaign: finding solutions to transportation problems and supporting public education.
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“I'm going to focus on the education agenda that I proposed in the campaign and go right down the list on all of the things I said I'd focus on,” he said. “I'm looking forward to getting those things done.”In his concession speech, Black thanked his supporters, especially his wife, Barbara, his daughter Michele Staton – wife of Supervisor Mick Staton -- and his aide Callie Chaplow. “It's been eight years and I've probably cast about 50,000 votes," Black said. "In looking back, we have never varied from principle in any instance.”Black spoke of the causes he championed, including his support for gun rights and his consistent opposition to higher taxes. But he emphasized most strongly his crusade against abortion. “America is going to rise or fall on this single issue -- whether we view children as human beings or disposable objects,” he said. ”With my dying breath, I will oppose abortion.” Poisson's win marks a major political shift in a district that usually votes Republican. Poisson and local Democrats ran an aggressive campaign against Black, attacking the legislator as ineffective in Richmond and too focused on far-right social issues.The crowd at the Democrat's party Tuesday night was thrilled when it was announced that Poisson won the Lowe's Island precinct, where Black lives. But Poisson said it was "more precious” that he won his Cascades precinct.“It's wonderful to be able to know that I have the support of my neighbors behind me," Poisson said. "It was a great affirmation of what we set out to do as a neighborhood and as a family. I'm just prouder than anything of that victory.”Black said he wished Poisson well, and that he had called him but hadn't been able to reach him to congratulate him yet.“This is the rough night for Republicans, but I got to tell you – you've got to keep perspective,” Black said. “Because before there was Ronald Reagan, there was Jimmy Carter.”Black said his immediate plans were a vacation with his wife in the Everglades, but after that, his future is unsure. “I'm a very restless person. ... I would not say that I'm out of politics,” he said.During the campaign, Black blasted Poisson as a liberal who would raise taxes, support gay rights and work to loosen abortion restrictions that Black helped put in place.Plenty of opposition was mounted against Black. A separate political action committee, BlackOut 2005, organized a Web site with the slogan “Extreme. Ineffective. Dick Black” list 100 reasons Black should not be in office.Poisson, with his wife, Laura, and 14-year-old daughter, Kate, also rallied local women to form a group called “Loudoun Women for Poisson,” which organized rallies and fundraisers for the candidatePoisson is a lawyer, with a Ph.D. in education who has spent much of his professional career lobbying legislatures on behalf of businesses.In his campaign, Poisson promised to get funding for improving Route 7, to extend rail to Dulles Airport, build a Potomac River bridge, create incentives to businesses to locate in Loudoun and teacher pay reforms.The nd District comprises Ashburn, Lansdowne, Cascades and CountrySide among other neighborhoods. It contains 58,413 of the county's 144,947 registered voters.

election night jitters

2005-11-07T22:42:00.000-05:00

It's the night before the election and everything is still in the house. Ok, actually I just finished writing my paper on reflections on David Poisson's campaign. It has been fantastic the amount of momentum his campaign has had. We've knoked on so many doors and met so many people, I'm so optimistic about tomorrow, and the idea of having a Loudoun without Dick Black will make me rest easier. I was just thinking about how having extremists represent the area i consider home is so ofensive to me. I grew up here, and these people like Delgaudio and Black didn't. And Dave is one of the best and harest working candidates I've ever seen. As for the governor's race, the Survey USA poll yesterday showed Kaine up by 9 points!!!....and even after i got one of those silly flyers in the mail from Kilgore claiming to be from Potts telling me not to vote for Kaine...that is a sneaky trick, Mr. Kilgore....well, now i have to get some sleep....by this time tomorrow, we'll know!

Deep Thoughts by Marrett Ceo

2005-11-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

Dear Everyone:

As I sit here at my computer, the clock says it is 5:38pm. Tomorrow by this time, we will be starting to round up the votes across this Commonwealth and begin tallying the votes. By the end of the night we probably will not have a clue who our next governor will be. I believe, this is me but I think the election results will go into Wednesday morning. Who knows, this might be an echo of the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

What I can be sure of, is the involvement that Virginia Young Democrats has had in coming out to support our candidates, our slate of people. To date, I’ve met Tim Kaine eight times. Eight different times he wanted to change history in this commonwealth. Loudoun County is always been rather red if you ask me, we have a lot of Republicans in office now. Our slate to Richmond is Republican, and Frank Wolf has been in Washington since 1980. Kaine has been the first Democrat to challenge this record, this past of Loudoun County. This shows that this Democrat will go beyond what the critics will say, what the experts and consultants will advise. How many times have I met Jerry Kilgore? Uh, none, don’t care to. He was in Leesburg last Monday for the Halloween parade I remember but he rarely comes out. And that’s what type of governor I think he will be. Rarely coming out to all areas of the state and seeing just what other types of lives Virginians live. Tim Kaine chooses to be a different type of governor, and that I like.
Tomorrow marks not the end of an election, but the potential BEGINNING of the rebirth of the Democratic Party as a powerhouse and a powerhouse of the people!! Yes we are a red state, and yes we went for Bush last year, (don’t know how but it did.) But anyone can agree, if any Republicans see this on the blog, listen up real good, that what Mark Warner-Tim Kaine did in the last four years what Jim Gilmore-George Allen-Jerry Kilgore would have to achieve in a lifetime. Look at what we have done, as a result of the Republicans blunders: turned one of the worst children's health insurance programs in the nation into one of the best, enrolling 97% of eligible kids. They took a broken Department of Transportation, and improved its on-time performance from 20% to 86%, and on-budget performance from 51% to 85%. In 2004, they joined with responsible legislators from both parties to enact the most sweeping tax and budget reform in the nation in the last decade, cutting taxes on food and incomes, and raising them on cigarettes and a half penny on the sales tax. Most of the previous mess was because of the fiscally irresponsibility of the Republicans, their methods of tax cut and spend and all that just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t add up for Virginia, it doesn’t add up for Maryland, it doesn’t add up for America, it just doesn’t even add!!
In 2006, and 2008, Virginia is going to be on the map I believe, because of what we have done. The state of our national economy, the aftermath of Katrina, Iraq, CheneyCIAgate, all shows that this Bush administration just isn’t cutting the mustard. We have done so good on a state level, others are going to take after us. Why else would we be named Best Managed State of the Year?

If we don’t elect Tim Kaine, we risk throwing that all away and going back to where we came from. And I for one, refuse to repeat 1997, when we lost all three statewide offices. This year, in order to continue the success, we must have a straight Democratic win. We need to elect: Tim Kaine for Governor; Leslie Byrne for Lieutenant Governor; Creigh Deeds for Attorney General and we must elect a lot more Democrats to the House of Delegates. We need to have an administration that is all on the same page. Jerry Kilgore, as Mark Warner’s Attorney General was not in the same line of communication as Warner and Kaine were. He did not come through for Warner as a counselor to the governor’s office which is what he is supposed to do. In addition, he fought the administration rather than defended it. And now he opposes what we have done and wants to just play a new game. Tomorrow we need to show Virginia that we have all the right pieces and all the right moves.

And we need a good legislature that is going to be right there behind our next Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. I can advocate definitely for David Poisson, because Dick Black is anything but an honest good Delegate. Lowell Fulk, Greg Werkheiser, Jennifer McClellan, Hilda Barg and countless others need to come down to Richmond to help Virginia continue on the path we have known for four years. We cannot cede anything to the opposition. If the Republicans got their chance in 1997 to make a difference and they come up short, we should get that chance tomorrow to make a difference and actually deliver!!! Lets all do our part and phone bank or hand out literature at the polls, and most importantly, lets vote and show Virginia some T-L-C!!!

Internship Opportunity in Maryland for 2006

2005-11-01T17:18:00.000-05:00

The Doug Duncan for Governor Campaign is looking for motivated, organized and dedicated students to work in our downtown Silver Spring office for the winter or spring semesters. Interns would assist with communications, field operations and other activities as we prepare for the 2006 election.
This internship will be a valuable experience to anyone who is interested in political campaigns and it is a particularly good opportunity to get involved in Maryland politics.Part-time and full-time internships available but space is limited.
To Apply: Please email a resume and hours of availability to adamtgoldberg@gmail,com

Virginia voters are showing a lot of T-L-C!!!!! Lets show it on November 8th!!

2005-10-31T18:01:00.000-05:00

Polling Memo: A Dead Heat with 9 Days Left!

Take Action! Help Elect Creigh Virginia's Next Attorney General
Visit Creigh's website to learn how to volunteer, write a letter to the editor, or post comments on the official Creigh4AG blog!
Now more than ever, the Deeds campaign needs your help to put us over the top on Election Day! The two latest polls have Creigh and his opponent deadlocked in the race for attorney general. After slipping a few points last week, Creigh has picked up the momentum heading into the final week of this campaign.
The latest Rasmussen poll shows Creigh and his opponent tied within the margin of error: Deeds 39 percent, McDonnell 43 percent. This is the first time that Rasmussen has surveyed the attorney general's race and according to their analysis, the Democratic ticket is picking up steam and the election is shifting our way:
"In the spring and through much of the summer, the presumption was that Virginia was a Republican-leaning state [and] Kilgore should be able to take advantage and win a comfortable but decisive victory," Mr. Rasmussen said. "The fact that it has gone to a tossup is a fundamental shift in the nature of this election."
(Washington Times, 10/27/05)
An internal Democratic poll also has Creigh tied within the margin of error, with a one-point advantage on Bob McDonnell. Creigh leads 35 percent to 34 percent.
If you've been reading the newspapers lately, you know that Jerry Kilgore's negative attacks and deceptive campaign tactics have backfired. Tim Kaine is pulling ahead because voters are rejecting Jerry's politics of distortion and instead are looking for a principled leader that has a plan to lead Virginia forward.
You know what they say: What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Well, according to the Roanoke Times, Bob McDonnell has "ripped a page from Kilgore's campaign book," and just like Jerry's, Bob's dishonest attacks have backfired.
We've said it over and over again, but once again this proves that elections are about choices. The choice in this year's race for attorney general couldn't be any clearer: Do we want an attorney general who will run on a positive vision for Virginia? Or do we want someone who would exploit the tragedy of innocent children and lie in campaign commercials in a disgraceful attempt to win over a few votes? Even Bob's hometown paper, the Virginian-Pilot, took a wire brush to him this week and said his attacks were "out of context" and "savage."
Politics is a funny business sometimes. In 1996, Bob McDonnell sponsored a law making it a serious crime for a candidate to make false charges in a campaign. But in 1999, Bob's campaign admitted to making false charges against an opponent just to make a point!
Well, Creigh doesn't need a law on the books to tell him to run an honest campaign. He has spent his entire career in public service telling the truth and standing by his record. Maybe that's why every time his name has been on the ballot he's won!
But, this race isn't over yet! With just nine days to go, Creigh needs whatever help you can give him. This election will be as tight as a tick and every vote will matter!
Learn how to Take Action! Logon to http://www.creighdeeds.com/takeaction.php to make a difference today!
Through all of Bob's dishonest, negative attacks and even with all of his illegal campaign money flowing from undisclosed donors and out of state interest groups, one thing has remained the same: You have been with Creigh every step of the way. It's your support that has lifted Creigh's spirits and with your continued help, he will be victorious on Election Day!
Keep the Faith,
Susan SweckerCampaign Manager

TIM KAINE IS FOR REAL!!!!

2005-10-31T17:59:00.000-05:00

A new poll published today by the Washington Post confirms that with only nine days to go in the campaign, Tim Kaine has the momentum in the race to become Virginia’s next Governor!
According to the Post, there has been a 10-point swing in the race over the past seven weeks, giving Tim a slight lead in what is still considered a very close race.
Washington Post Poll(among likely voters)Margin of Error +/-3%
KaineKilgore
Sept. 1144%51%
Oct. 3047%44%
This poll is great news and confirms our momentum in the final days of the campaign. With your continued support, we are positioned to win this race.
But despite all of the good news out of this poll and the numerous others that show our momentum in recent days, I urge you not to get complacent. With nine days left, one thing is absolutely clear - this is an extremely close race, and will come down to the wire.
But every poll we've seen so far shows that the more Virginians hear Tim Kaine's message of keeping Virginia moving forward, the better we do.
Look at some the findings of the Washington Post poll.
Virginians are happy with the direction that the Warner-Kaine Administration has taken the state.
70% of Virginians believe that the state is on the right track.
80% of Virginians approve of the job Governor Warner is doing, as opposed to only 44% approving of the job President Bush is doing.
Jerry Kilgore's negative attacks have backfired…
Two-thirds say Kilgore has conducted a negative campaign.
55 percent believe Kilgore would "say anything" to get elected, and less than half believe that he is "honest in his political dealings."
Nearly half of voters have an unfavorable view of him.
"Voters overwhelmingly say [Kilgore's negative death penalty attack] ads were unfair, and they blame Kilgore for launching mean-spirited attacks."
Nearly two-thirds of voters say the ads were unfair.
68% of voters believe Tim Kaine will enforce the death penalty, up from 65% before the ads ran.
... while Tim Kaine is viewed as running an honest and positive campaign.
"Kaine is seen by a majority of voters as having run an honest, straightforward campaign. Sixty percent say he has been 'honest in his political dealings' and fewer than half believe he would 'say anything' to get elected."
Close to 60 percent say they think he is running a positive campaign, and nearly 60% have a favorable view of him.
Tim Kaine has an overwhelming lead among independent voters.
Kaine leads Kilgore among independents 52-33.
Nearly 75% of independents believe Kaine will enforce the death penalty, indicating yet again that Kilgore's negative ads backfired.
More than half of independent voters say Bush's support for Kilgore makes them less likely to vote for the Republican candidate.
Tim Kaine is the clear leader on the most important issue in the state - public education.
Improving public education is the most important issue in the minds of voters.
70% of voters agree that Tim Kaine will improve public education - a nearly twenty point advantage over Jerry Kilgore.
Tim Kaine is running a strong campaign in every region of the state.
Kaine leads Kilgore in Northern Virginia 53-38. In the traditionally Republican-leaning outer Northern Virginia suburbs (western Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties), Kaine leads 48-42.
In the traditionally Republican Shenandoah Valley, Kaine trails by 2 points (43-45) – a statistical dead heat.
In Jerry Kilgore's home region of Southwest Virginia, Kaine leads by 5 points (48-43).
In traditionally Republican Central Virginia, Kaine trails by 2 points (47-49) - a statistical dead heat.
In Hampton Roads, Kaine and Kilgore are in a statistical dead heat (42-44).
And in Republican-leaning Southside Virginia, Kaine is within striking distance, trailing 44-48.
These results, along with slight leads in Rasmussen and Survey USA polls and a dead heat in the most recent Mason Dixon poll, show just how close this race is.
True to form, instead of recognizing their weak message, Jerry Kilgore's campaign is attacking the messenger.
According to today's Washington Post, "Kilgore spokesman Tim Murtaugh challenged the results of the poll, which he called 'slanted.' 'The Washington Post poll has historically gone against Republican candidates,' he said. 'All of the polls have indicated that this is a close race, but we continue to believe that we have the lead.'
And in today's Associated Press story on the poll, "Kilgore campaign manager Ken Hutcheson expressed 'contempt' for the poll... Hutcheson accused the Post of having 'its agenda when it comes to characterizing the numbers and their impression of this race, but we stand firm by the ads we have run as factual, fair and informative.'
With your help and hard work over the next nine days, we will show that Tim Kaine's positive message of keeping Virginia moving forward will be more successful than Jerry Kilgore's slash and burn campaign tactics.
Sign up to volunteer down the "home stretch".
You can read the full story in the Washington Post here:Kaine Inches Ahead In Va. Race, Poll Finds: Kilgore Accused of Negative Campaigningand here:Ads May Hurt Kilgore More Than They Help: Poll Finds Backlash to Death Penalty Spots

A Washington Post article from Sunday's Metro section.

2005-10-30T17:31:00.000-05:00

Ads May Hurt Kilgore More Than They Help
Poll Finds Backlash to Death Penalty Spots
By Robert BarnesWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, October 30, 2005; Page A11
Democratic media strategists David Eichenbaum and Karl Struble knew the television attack was coming, but they didn't know what form it would take.
Their client, Virginia gubernatorial candidate Timothy M. Kaine, had a long history of opposing the death penalty, which put him at odds with about three-quarters of the people in the state he wants to lead. Kaine's opponent, former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore, is a vocal advocate of capital punishment who wants to add to the list of people eligible for the death penalty.

In a TV ad for Jerry W. Kilgore, Stanley Rosenbluth, the father of a murder victim, denounces Timothy M. Kaine's opposition to the death penalty. (/Www.jerrykilgore.com)
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But the real opponent for Struble and Eichenbaum was Republican media consultant Scott Howell, one of the country's most successful GOP strategists and a rival from past campaigns.
What Howell produced was one of the most arresting images in recent campaign television: a widow, seated in a darkened studio, on the verge of tears and tremulously talking about the man on death row who murdered her police officer husband.
"How could you not think the death penalty was appropriate? That's not justice," she says. "When Tim Kaine calls the death penalty murder, I find it offensive, and I don't trust Tim Kaine to uphold that law."
Eichenbaum said his first thought was: "It's emotionally very powerful." And then he thought: "This could go either way."
The ad -- and a subsequent spot that showed a grieving father who criticized Kaine for voluntarily representing death row inmates in their appeals and who said Kaine believed even Adolf Hitler was not a candidate for execution -- electrified a race that until then had seemed to many voters one without compelling characters or transcendent issues. But it also demonstrates the unpredictability of emotional appeals to voters.
A Washington Post poll conducted last week found that two of three Virginia voters said the ads were "unfair," including nearly 75 percent of the self-described independents that both campaigns covet. Even 60 percent of those who favor the death penalty said the ads crossed the line. Those who had an unfavorable opinion of Kilgore jumped 10 points, and those who believed he "would say anything to get elected" increased 16 points, to 55 percent.
"It sounds like voters have really rebelled against this ad and are punishing the messenger," said Darrell West, a political science professor at Brown University who has written extensively on the subject of political advertising.
No one knows whether the death penalty ads will move many voters to choose either Kilgore or Kaine, the state's lieutenant governor. The death penalty ranks far down the list of issues that Virginia voters say are most important to them. And voters don't necessarily oppose candidates they think run negative campaigns. But the ads, along with the response from the Kaine campaign, provide a look at the high stakes that come with the millions of dollars in television advertising that is part of a modern statewide campaign.
"If we win this race, I think you could go back [to the death penalty ads] and say this is where we could have won or lost it," Eichenbaum said.
The team of Struble and Eichenbaum have lost a few to Howell, a proficient and controversial consultant who is a protege of White House adviser Karl Rove and who has worked for President Bush. His Web site boasts that his company won 11 of 12 contests in 2002; among the Democrats he has helped unseat are former senators Max Cleland of Georgia and Thomas A. Daschle of South Dakota.
Howell's work on the campaign of Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) was particularly divisive because of ads that painted Cleland -- a decorated Vietnam veteran who lost three limbs in battle -- as weak on defense.
Howell's death penalty ads, which the poll indicated have been seen by about 80 percent of Virginia voters, were striking, spare, intimate and personal. Howell declined to be interviewed for this article, according to the Kilgore campaign. He told the Nation magazine last week: "Emotion, whether it's humor, angst, whether it makes you laugh or cry, it helps people to respond. We're in a sound-bite world, and you have to work to get people's attention."
Eichenbaum said there were Democrats who saw the ads "who thought the campaign was over."
The Kaine campaign had settled on its response to a death penalty attack long ago. Kaine appeared alone and spoke directly to the camera.
"My faith teaches life is sacred," said Kaine, who has talked extensively during the campaign about being a religious Catholic. "That's why I personally oppose the death penalty. But I take my oath of office seriously. And I'll enforce the death penalty. As governor, I'll carry out death sentences handed down by Virginia juries, because that's the law."
Many Democrats thought it a weak response, but Eichenbaum disagreed. "I always believed that Tim has always been his best advocate."
The Kaine campaign was aided by an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the ads from the state's leading newspaper editorial boards. "I've never seen the kind of editorial criticism that I've seen of Kilgore in this race," Eichenbaum said. The campaign added a second ad quoting from the newspapers, with words such as "smear" and "dishonest" scrolling across the screen.
"Third-party validation is important," Eichenbaum said.
Kilgore removed the ads and began new ones last Monday, Eichenbaum said, and the Kaine response ad has stopped airing as well. Before the ads, a Washington Post poll asked voters whether they believed Kaine's statement that though he personally opposed the death penalty, he would enforce the law. Sixty-five percent of likely voters said yes. Asked again last week after the ad barrage, 68 percent said they believed him.
Nonetheless, Kilgore press secretary Tim Murtaugh said he believed the ads had done their job, which he said included portraying Kaine as liberal.
"The fact that we're still talking about it three weeks later" shows the ads were effective, he said. "If we were shying away from the death penalty, Jerry Kilgore wouldn't be mentioning it in every speech."

It works

2005-10-29T08:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like this thing is up and running.
Marvelous!
Should we send out invites to the email list?

The terrible reality of the war and recovery in Iraq

2005-10-27T16:51:00.000-05:00

The death of a 34-year-old Army staff sergeant wounded by a roadside bomb marked the 2,000th military casualty of the Iraq war, the Pentagon announced Tuesday, cementing another grim milestone in the two-and-a-half-year-old conflict in Iraq.
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It's a number that many are using as a symbol of either a misguided military action or the ultimate cost of freedom. But who are the men and women behind the number? Of those 2,000 troops lost, nearly a third were between the ages of 20 to 22, with the highest fatality rate (11.7 percent) being among 21-year-olds, according to figures from the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, which gathers the bulk of its data from the U.S. government. Soldiers in their mid- to late-20s made up 37 percent of deaths, making almost 70 percent of U.S. casualties under age 30.Nearly half the fallen were soldiers, one-quarter were Marines and 15 percent were from the National Guard. More than three-quarters (78 percent) were killed in combat, with more than 93 percent killed after Bush declared an end to major combat in May 2003.Most casualties were suffered by men, with only 46 female fatalities. Seventy-three percent were white, compared to 11 percent Hispanic and 10.7 percent black; other ethnicities constituted the remaining 5 percent. Forty percent left behind spouses and 30 percent were survived by children.Roadside bombs, or "improvised explosive devices," were the leading cause of hostile deaths at 28 percent, while firefights, or heavy gunfire, accounted for nearly 24 percent. As a result the Army created a special unit committed to learning and teaching soldiers about IEDs in March. Training included including recognition, characteristics and placement of the devices, and how to counter those systems.As quickly as news of the latest figure broke, so did damage control by the Department of Defense. In a statement issued shortly after the 2000th loss was confirmed, military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Steve Boylan called the number an "artificial mark on the wall" and not a landmark that should be exploited by the press."The 2,000 service members killed in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom is not a milestone," he said, noting that the 2,000th soldier, sailor, airman or Marine killed in action is just as important as the first that died. Instead Boylan urged the media to "celebrate the daily milestones, the accomplishments they have secured and look to the future of a free and democratic Iraq and to the day that all of our troops return home to the heroes' welcome they deserve."Those homecomings will have to wait, however, as President Bush told the American public earlier Tuesday morning there are no plans to pull troops and that more casualties can be expected as our forces face difficult circumstances as they try to help establish political and social stability in Iraq."These terrorists are as brutal an enemy as we have ever faced, unconstrained by any notion of common humanity and by rules of warfare, [and] no one should underestimate the difficulties ahead," the president said during a speech at Washington's Bolling Air Force Base.While each loss of life is heartbreaking, Bush continued, the best way to honor our fallen troops' sacrifices is "to lay the foundation of peace by spreading freedom."Yet each fallen soldier intensifies a growing weariness from the U.S. public, whose support for the war has been dwindling in the recent months. According to the latest poll published in the The Wall Street Journal Tuesday, more than half of Americans (53 percent) now say it was wrong to invade Iraq, up from 43 percent one year ago.In light of these numbers, antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year, is planning a four-day protest outside the White House, where she hopes 2,000 supporters will gather to die symbolically by laying on the grounds to represent each fallen soldier."Two thousand families have been destroyed for nothing," Sheehan told The Associated Press. "Enough is enough. The killing has got to stop."Meanwhile, Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) spoke out to his fellow politicians and urged them to take a stand in the name of the fallen troops, including the 357, he says, that "never saw their 21st birthday," according to a Washington Post report."We cannot allow our nation to drift into a war without end in Iraq," Durbin added. "We do not honor fallen soldiers simply by adding to their numbers." — Brandee J. Tecson

What Virginia needs in Richmond, what Jerry Kilgore couldn't do!!!!

2005-10-27T16:45:00.000-05:00

Dear Marrett,
I am writing today to personally ask for your help and support for a leader that all Virginians can count on -- my good friend Creigh Deeds who is running for Attorney General in Virginia on November 8th.
Support Creigh Deeds today
It seems like every time you pick up the paper these days, there is another government scandal brewing in Washington and another Republican leader is being investigated, subpoenaed or rumored to be indicted.
Now more than ever, we need leaders we can count on. We need men and women who will stand up for what they believe in and who will lead with their principles, instead of bending to ideological extremists who threaten our basic American rights and freedoms.
Creigh Deeds is that kind of leader and as Virginia's next Attorney General he will work tirelessly to keep Virginia families safe and make our communities stronger. A father and a public servant, Creigh sponsored Megan's Law and the Amber Alert legislation to protect Virginia's children from sexual predators. He has a proven record putting people ahead of politics and partisanship.
Support Creigh Deeds today
Our challenge is pretty simple and very real: to change the course that our country is on, we need to elect more Democrats like Creigh Deeds to office right here in Virginia. He is a leader with a positive vision of what we can achieve in Virginia.
Your generous donation right now to Creigh's campaign will help him have the resources he needs to get his message on the air across Virginia in these vital closing days of the campaign.
2005 is a critical election year in Virginia. National Republicans are desperate for some good news in the sea of corruption coming out of Washington and are sending huge sums of money from undisclosed donors into the state of Virginia to stop Democrats like Creigh Deeds.
We have the power to elect Creigh on the strength of our grassroots efforts and the generosity of our hearts.
Help make sure he has the resources he needs these last critical weeks and make an immediate donation to his campaign.
Support Creigh Deeds today
I know what incredible things Virginia Democrats can do when you join together at the grassroots level. I saw it throughout the 2004 campaign, when you knocked on doors, picked up the phones, passed the hat, and helped us turn out a tremendous vote for Democrats in the general election.
Now we need to do the same thing for our friend Creigh Deeds in 2005.
Every time I asked for help in Virginia during the campaign, Creigh Deeds was there for me. I intend to be there for him -- and I know that I can count on you to do the same.
Thank you for supporting Creigh Deeds' campaign and for voting for him on November 8th.
You are a positive force for victory on November 8th.
Sincerely,
John Kerry

The Washington Post comes out with its endorsment for Virginia Governor, Timothy M. Kaine.

2005-10-24T16:46:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON POST ENDORSES KAINE FOR GOVERNOR

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. - Democrat Tim Kaine gained the endorsement Sunday of The Washington Post in a close race for governor.

The newspaper noted that this year's mean-spirited race has been largely devoid of a dominant theme, driven by "wedge issues and other distractions" and said both party candidates have "avoided straight talk about the cost of improving the state's road network and other priorities."

"But all that should not obscure this basic conclusion: Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the Democratic candidate, would make a much better governor than former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore, the Republican."

The editorial said Kaine is "possessed of an agile, incisive mind and slightly allergic to the allure of sound-bite politics," but noted he is "a somewhat left-of-center candidate in a right-of-center state."

The editors noted Kilgore is personable and astute politically, but said he "too often gives the impression of a man treading on a paper-thin pane of scripted positions, constantly at risk of plunging through and into the void should an unexpected question arise. He has been publicly embarrassed on several such occasions."

A new statewide scientific poll published Sunday showed 44 percent of the likely voters surveyed backing Kilgore to 42 percent for Kaine. Independent state Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. had 5 percent, with 9 percent undecided.

Virginia and New Jersey elect governors on Nov. 8.

Nine bond questions for Loudoun voters, in addition to the candidates

2005-10-03T23:46:00.000-05:00

Loudoun County Bond Questions
Purcellville Fire and Rescue Station
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $8,030,000 to finance in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip the Purcellville Fire & Rescue Station? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Arcola Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $19,305,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip the new Arcola Elementary School and demolition of the existing school?
( ) Yes ( ) No
Dulles Area Middle School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $35,705,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip a Dulles Area Middle School (MS-5)?
( ) Yes ( ) No
New Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $16,300,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip an Elementary School at the Harmony Intermediate School site (ES-4)?
( ) Yes ( ) No
Hillsboro Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $2,420,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip the renovation of the existing Hillsboro Elementary School? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Ashburn Area Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $16,300,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip an Elementary School in Loudoun Valley Estates II in the Ashburn area (ES-17)? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Rolling Ridge Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $12,960,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip the renovation of the existing Rolling Ridge Elementary School? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Sugarland Elementary School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $13,950,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip the renovation of the existing Sugarland Elementary School? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Western Loudoun Area High School
Question: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $63,500,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the cost to design, construct and equip a Western Loudoun Area High School (HS-3)? ( ) Yes ( ) No

Something I received from my former boss

2005-09-28T22:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Marrett,
It is now absolutely clear that the 2006 elections will represent a fundamental choice between those who want to stay the course President Bush has set - and those who want to move America forward in a more promising direction.
By acting now, you can provide essential momentum to Democratic candidates in the closest, most critical contests. But, you have to act before midnight Friday.
The September 30th FEC reporting deadline will give key Democratic Senate candidates a unique opportunity to demonstrate the strength of their campaigns. Please act now to propel one or more of these candidates toward victory.
Make a contribution to one or more of these key races before the end of quarter deadline.
Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia)
There are two ways to incur the wrath of the Bush administration. One is to insist that the administration abide by the Constitution. The other is to ask tough questions about Bush policies. Senator Robert C. Byrd has done both as one of the Senate's most powerful and authoritative voices. As a result, the Republican Party political machine would like nothing better than to defeat him next November. Senator Byrd is an indispensable leader in the U.S. Senate. He has fought hard for the people of West Virginia and for the principles at the heart of our democracy. At a time in our nation's history when the executive branch is trying to expand its authority and one political party controls two branches of government, Senator Byrd has stood up for the Constitution and the Founding Fathers' vision of separation of powers. Now, it's time for us to stand up for him. CONTRIBUTE
Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida)
Remember Katherine Harris and the role she played in the 2000 Florida vote fiasco? Well, she's one of the GOP candidates who would like nothing better than to drive Senator Bill Nelson out of office. So, we have two priorities in this Senate race - making sure a strong Democratic Senator gets re-elected - and making certain a Republican candidate doesn't use her role in disrupting the democratic process as a stepping stone to higher office.
You can help put Florida in the winning Democratic column by providing immediate support to Senator Nelson. Whether it's stopping oil drilling off Florida's coast, preserving Social Security, or protecting our personal privacy from the intrusion of government, Bill Nelson is fighting for Florida. He has a long record of taking on powerful interests - from insurance companies to oil companies to the big banks, and he is a strong advocate for the protection of voters' rights in Florida and around the nation. He's a tough senator heading into a tough campaign and he needs your help now. CONTRIBUTE
Claire McCaskill (Missouri challenger)
Claire McCaskill is challenging incumbent Republican Jim Talent to re-capture the seat that was narrowly lost during a special election in 2002, and the race is currently deadlocked. Her victory could help narrow the GOP's advantage and add another powerful Democratic female voice to the Senate. She's already won statewide in Missouri - twice! Claire has deep rural roots and a genuine understanding of the challenges facing Missouri families. She's been a legislator, a prosecutor and a State Auditor and, in the words of the Kansas City Star, she has been "exceptional in every office she's held." [Editorial Board, 10/24/04] Claire has promised voters that if they send her to Washington she will clean up the mess that Republicans have created for working families and help make common sense the order of the day. You can help put this exceptional leader on the road to victory by acting right now. CONTRIBUTE
Jim Pederson (Arizona challenger)
Jim Pederson is challenging Republican incumbent Senator Jon Kyl. Senator Kyl has been Example A of a strict conservative who continues to put partisan politics ahead of Arizona families. The Arizona tradition is one of independence, of putting the well-being of people ahead of party, ahead of ideology, ahead of big campaign money, and Jim Pederson will make sure that he brings this tradition with him to Washington. As one of the leading Senate challengers in the country, Jim is running a strong campaign built around common sense solutions to immigration reform, increased national security, and greater access to quality education and health care. Your help now can give this impressive Senate challenger a boost at a critical moment in the campaign. CONTRIBUTE
Make a contribution to one or more of these key races before the end of quarter deadline.
Keeping America's Promise, the political action committee that I helped found, is pulling out all the stops for these four essential Senate candidates. Give to one of them - or better still, donate to all four. But, whatever you do, act now.
Don't hesitate for a moment. With the deadline fast approaching, it's vitally important that you participate right now.
Sincerely,
John Kerry

A little article that was forwarded to me that I thought would be of interest

2005-09-28T21:59:00.000-05:00

Politicos Consider Ben Affleck for OfficeTuesday Sep 27, 2005 8:00am ESTBy Stephen M. SilvermanBen Affleck for Senator?Actually, that would be "Benator," says The WashingtonPost, reporting on an idea hatched by VirginiaDemocrats to run the Hollywood star – and husband ofpregnant Alias star Jennifer Garner – againstRepublican Sen. George Allen in next year's election.Affleck and Garner are said to have shopped for ahouse around Charlottesville, Va., but still appearfar from hiring a moving van.As for playing politics, once Affleck's name wastossed into the ring by state Democrat movers andshakers, "It spread pretty widely, at least in thepolitical underground," University of Virginiaprofessor Larry Sabato tells The Post.Affleck's New York-based rep, Ken Sunshine, tells thepaper there's no reason to think Affleck would run,despite the fact "he would make a superb publiccandidate for public office in the future."At the moment, says Sunshine, Affleck, 33, isotherwise engaged, directing his first movie, Disney'sGone, Baby, Gone.During the 2004 Democratic National Convention in hishometown of Boston, a highly visible Affleckcampaigned actively for presidential nominee JohnKerry.He was also interviewed by a young reporter from Timefor Kids magazine, who asked what the actor thought ofHollywood stars getting into politics. Citing theexample of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,Affleck said: "He used to be, actually a verysuccessful actor. ... One of the things that'sencouraging about that is it represents citizenpoliticians, people that aren't career politicians."

Finally someone put the collar on DeLay's quack!!

2005-09-28T21:56:00.000-05:00

House Republican Leader Tom DeLay and two associates were indicted today for criminal conspiracy.
Specifically, the charge is conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws. The indictment is another stark reminder that Republicans have a lucrative money-for-influence machine that will do anything -- including breaking the law -- to funnel corporate and special interest money into their party in huge amounts.
People ask what the difference is between the two parties, and this indictment gives one clear answer.
Republicans are committed to pushing the legal limits to collect checks from special interests who want to use government for their own narrow purposes. Democrats are committed to funding our party with contributions from ordinary Americans so that when we take power, the government will represent the people.
You can make your personal commitment to changing the culture of corruption by getting your Democracy Bond -- a monthly commitment to contribute to the Democratic Party:
http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds
The Republican Party raises $10 million a month in huge checks from special interests who know they will get a return on their investment in the form of government giveaways and special privileges.
Even though committed small donors have revolutionized the way campaigns and organizations on our side raise money, the fact is that the Republican National Committee raises twice as much as the Democratic National Committee.
We will never compete with the money Republicans like DeLay can collect through conspiracy and corruption. That's why every single committed Democrat needs to make the Democracy Bond commitment:
http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds
The only way we will close the gap will be with a million people giving $20 a month.
A million people sounds like a lot -- and it is. But tens of millions of us already put so much of ourselves into the political process -- talking to friends, knocking on doors for candidates, writing letters to the editor of our local papers, and making contributions from time to time.
But we will only create lasting change if that sense of obligation and responsibility becomes a regular part of our lives.
That's the idea behind Democracy Bonds. We are building a community of people committed to a stable, healthy Democratic Party not just for this month or even this election cycle, but for the next generation. Join the Democracy Bond community now:
http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Governor Dean directed us to halt fundraising and divert staff resources to the relief effort. He asked you to contribute to the Red Cross, and staff members were deployed to the Gulf region.
The 24,819 Democracy Bond holders who provide financial stability for our party through their monthly contributions made that possible.
I cannot overstate how important the Democracy Bonds program is to the future of our party. This community of ordinary Americans committed to contributing whatever they can afford defines who we are as a party. If you haven't yet, please join now:
http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds
The indictment of Tom DeLay is just the tip of the iceberg.
This isn't just about clean campaign financing -- it's about who controls our government. This culture of corruption has dangerous consequences -- the Republican administration has shown us all too clearly what happens when political cronies occupy critical positions of power.
It's time for ordinary people -- whose money is wasted and whose safety is jeopardized by corruption -- to stand up and say, "Enough."
Let's stand together.
Thank you,Tom McMahonExecutive DirectorDemocratic National Committee
P.S. Get the full story and latest news on the DeLay indictment:
http://www.democrats.org/delayscandal

The message is clear Jerry Kilgore, if you can't take the heat, get out of the race!!!!

2005-09-26T17:28:00.000-05:00

KILGORE MUST DECLARE ON ABORTION LAW

Virginian Pilot Editorial
September 26, 2005

Candidates for governor ought to level with voters about where they stand on critical issues, including abortion.

Given the very real possibility that a reconstituted U.S. Supreme Court might overturn Roe vs. Wade during the next four years, there's no reason to skirt the obvious question: What would you do if the legislature sent you a bill banning abortion?

Sign it or veto it?

Yes or no?

GOP nominee Jerry Kilgore got in trouble the other day by refusing to say during a debate before the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. He demurred on the grounds that a high-court switch is a hypothetical that might or might not occur.

When moderator Tim Russert snared him into answering another hypothetical question about taxes, Kilgore looked silly at best. He could have kept his balance by just answering straight up.

In fact, Kilgore has come close to answering. All three candidates for governor - Kilgore, Democrat Tim Kaine and independent Russ Potts - say they personally oppose the practice. All three say also that they would oppose criminal penalties for women seeking or getting an abortion, if the Supreme Court throws the matter back to the states.

What Kilgore won't say is whether he would embrace criminal penalties for doctors performing those abortions. Both Kaine and Kilgore explicitly say they would not.

Kilgore ducks the issue in part by arguing that Kaine says one thing in rural Virginia and another in urban areas. As proof, his campaign offers a radio ad aimed at rural stations in which Kaine says, "My Christian faith teaches life is sacred. I personally oppose abortion and the death penalty..."

Nowhere does Kaine mention, as he did at the Fairfax debate, that he wouldn't criminalize the practice for women or doctors, but would work to stop abortion in other ways. To the extent that a 30-second spot allows, Kaine ought to say the same thing in Grundy as in Arlington.

The saving grace for Kaine is that his Web site, available equally to rural and urban dwellers, gives the complete version.

Kilgore's should as well. For now, it says only that Kilgore is a pro-life candidate, with exceptions for rape, incest and protection of a mother's life, and that he "will support common-sense policies in Virginia that reflect these principles."

If the rules change, is it common sense to send doctors performing abortions to jail, or not?

Yes or no?

Kilgore should say.
ANSWER THE QUESTION, MR. KILGORE

In prior campaigns, the Republican candidate didn't shy away from sharing an unenlightened stand on abortion. Now he's mum.

Roanoke Times Editorial

Jerry Kilgore, responding to criticism of his historical stand on abortion, said recently that he is "not going to do anything to criminalize women or criminalize victims."

Whew. That's a relief.

Unfortunately, Kilgore still hasn't answered the question: Would he, as governor, make abortion a crime?

Pro-life groups, in lending their endorsements, think he would.

And what if the mother's health were at risk? Or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest? Kilgore in 1997 and 2001 campaigns said he'd go along with legal abortions in those cases, but only if -- and this is a big if -- a woman reported the crime within seven days.

It is the last qualification that rightly rankles victims' advocates who staged a news conference last week to tear into Kilgore's insensitive position. The event was prompted by Kilgore's Democratic opponent Tim Kaine and thus did not rate high priority for news coverage, but the questions the victims' rights advocates raise, as reported in a Washington Post story, should not be dismissed lightly.

In ordinary times, a governor's position on abortion has little impact on a state. These are not ordinary times. With the balance of the Supreme Court tilting more conservative with the confirmation of Judge John Roberts essentially assured, and with the president possibly poised to nominate an anti-abortion candidate to fill retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat, Roe v. Wade could be overturned. Abortion would be left to the states to decide.

Kilgore appeared the buffoon at a debate earlier this month when he dodged an abortion question calling it "hypothetical," and then answered a similar speculative question regarding tax increases.

Since Kilgore isn't currently addressing the issue, his prior comments, especially those as the state's attorney general, are fair game. Kilgore hypothesized then that a victim would need to report a crime within seven days in order to be permitted a legal abortion. It is a strikingly unenlightened position for anyone, but especially for an attorney who has worked for victims.

Surely Kilgore isn't immune to understanding the trauma women suffer from sex crimes, which can lead victims to denial, shame and a desire to keep the crime hidden. And he certainly ought to know that incest is rarely a one-time crime, that the victims often are preyed upon repeatedly before something, such as a pregnancy, brings the crime to light.

Kilgore's seven-day exclusion might not criminalize victims, as he puts it, but it certainly would victimize victims.

At the Oct. 9 debate, Kilgore needs to answer the question

Welcome entry from Marrett

2005-09-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know its been a while since Aashish said he wanted our blogs up. I wanted to get this up though as soon as possible since the Loudoun County Young Democrats just had a great first meeting on Monday night!! It was awesome. Loudoun is now on the map and is in the game.
We had an amazing crowd, which was about ten people, TEN!! In a county that generally goes red, Monday night I hope sets the trend for future successes for Young Democrats to come, as well as the color blue. We discussed a lot of the necessary materials about getting officially chartered and organized.

We have set another date which I believe is October 17th to be held again at the LCDC HQ in Leesburg. I might be wrong on the date, not looking at my notes. Two people who were instrumental in helping out were Ginger Walker and Nick Morgan whom have been active in the local chapter for a while now. They deserve a lot of kudos for helping pull this off and spreading the word to the local committee. When we elect our first set of officers, I have no doubt that one of them should lead as president, they have invested a lot and I hope you all get to meet them in the future.

I am working with Mr. Thom Beres, Chairman of LCDC on possibly putting on a fundraiser soon so I can fulfill my duties and get some stuff going for LCYD's. And to make Mr. President (Dominic) feel better. (Thank you Thom!!) One possibility is rolling around and I have talked to a couple of bands about coming out but I dont want to say anything about where it is until I have better details. I'd love to hear from anyone about anything potential.

I'll have more up soon, enjoy.