I look forward to answering your questions at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday the 23rd - Doug

I was wondering if you could elaborate on a few of your points.  First, I completely agree that "No Child Left Behind is in need of serious reform."  What do you think the main problems are with NCLB, and how would you fix them?  Thanks.

All, welcome.  I'll begin to work my way down these answers.  First, I'll address the question on NCLB

I think accountability in education is important.  If you don't measure progress, you'll never improve.  But there are problems with NCLB.  We need to use more than just one day snapshot test scores to measure progress.

I think the main problem with NCLB is the government's one-size-fits-all approach to enforcing educational standards.  States need the flexibility to design accountability measures that accurately reflect the actual conditions and unique characteristics in real communities. 

One example of this conflict is in the 11th CD where our school systems are arguably the best in the country.  However, we've seen a decrease in school passing rates this year, and a perception that our schools are declining in quality.  Tied to this is the challenge of effectively evaluating the English skills of students who have recently arrived from other countries.  Depending on what grade they are in, children that arrive from other countries may be forced to take the English SOL exam their first year in America.  Many of them fail their English SOLs, and end up dragging down their schools' numbers; jeopardizing government funding. 

I think it makes sense to assess improvement in these students' scores over a period of time.  Schools should be able to document their student's improvement over the course of a year, and when these non-native English speaking students catch up to their peers, they can begin to be tested alongside them in future SOL tests. 

This is just one example of how I'd reform NCLB.  Other items to consider are providing financial incentives to promote the hiring of high quality teachers in schools/districts that need the most help, and we need to continue to stress the importance of reducing class sizes so teachers can stay focused on students that need extra help. 

A final thought, as a parent of a 7th grader and 4th grader who just finished helping with two homework projects this weekend -- parents/guardians/adults who are primary caretakers need to take an active role in their children's education.  Today, I just finished helping to build and paint a map of Virginia with my fourth grader and I've been having the joy of re-learning math with my 7th grader.  It's hard, it takes time, but we can't expect our kid's teachers to do it all by themselves.

How would you "ensure all Americans have access to health care?"  Do you support a single payer system?  What do you think of the leading Democratic presidential candidates' health care plans?  Thanks.

We have a health care crisis in America.  Health care is increaslingly unaffordable for businesses and individuals For the estimated 34 million Americans without access to insurance, our country needs to have a better system in place than one that has employers being the primary providers of health care coverage for it's employees, and one that provides access to health care for all Americans. 

A recent study said that since 2001, premiums for family coverage have increased 78%, while inflation has risen 17% and wages have risen 19%. 

I believe a single payer system and Universal Health care coverage are goals we should actively pursue, but the challenge will be in finding a revenue stream to support it, and in overcoming the powerful organizations that will lobby to prevent its implementation. 

Yes, I'm a supporter, but I also believe choice is important, competition is important, and the government doesn't always serve as the best manager of complex consumer-oriented programs.

I am impressed with the efforts in Massachusetts, the developments in California, and succesful programs in other countries with similar challenges, including public/private partnerships.  I'm evaluating different options, including recent proposals by the Democratic presidential candidates, and as your Congressman, I will actively fight to pass this most important legislation. 

What do you think are the root causes of northern Virginia's transportation problems?  What, specifically, are the solutions?  Specifically, please tell us what you think about the "abuser fees" as a concept and also practically speaking.  Also, I'd be interested in your views on sprawl and the need to tie land use and transportation much more closely together. Finally, what's the proper role for the federal government in local and state transportation problems?

Just like every citizen who travels throughout the 11th Congressional District in Virginia, I am frustrated with the poor transportation infrastructure in place to service the needs of an ever-increasing population.  In simple terms, our commutes are horrible and there has been a failure in visionary leadership in planning for future growth in our region.

We are now being forced to play catch up when our region is continuing to grow at an incredibly fast rate.  Unless we get ahead of the issue by making sure the infrastructure for development exists prior to the growth, we will continue to play catch up.  The solution is an aggressive increase in transportation infrastructure improvements in our region. 

I will fight in Congress to increase our share of funding to improve our infrastructure, and work with my state and local counterparts to impress upon them that it is time that this region received its fair share.

On the abuser fees, the Republicans in the General Assembly clearly used the abuser fees as a deal breaker for any transportation bill.  I think it is imperative that the General Assembly readdress the issue in next year's session and work to repeal them. 

On sprawl, unquestionably we need to pursue smart growth initiatives and we need to tie land use and transportation decisions together. 

On the role of federal government in local and state transportation problems, the federal government has too often failed to play the role of partner and advocate.

Just one example is the upcoming transportation debacle associated with the BRAC move that will bring approximately 20,000 new employees to Ft. Belvoir.  Where are the federal funds that will improve the infrastructure in the 11th CD to support those employees and commuters? 

As your Congressman, I will make it a priority that the federal government acts as an equal partner in finding transportation solutions - we are all in this together as it is a quality of life issue for our entire region.

I am disappointed in your answer.  The major cause for the traffic gridlock that we have is that Fairfax Board members never see a land use application they do not like.  In fact, I bet if someone looked at the number of applications that came forth and how many have been denied in Fairfax County, the number would probably be less than 15.  What we are getting is approval of applications that result in additional thousands of new vehicle trips on already congested roads.  Wait until the task force approves the density of 135 million square feet of development in Tysons Corner.  We are being sold the mystical story that people will live, work, and play in Tysons so the impact on Rt 7 and Rt 123 will not be as bad as we think.  Why aren't local residents from Vienna and McLean up in arms about this prospect?  When we can't drive from point A to point B because of congestion, we will ask...."How did this happen?"  So I throw out to the blogging community....how did we get to be in the traffic mess that we are now in? 

What did you think of the Senate's vote to condemn MoveOn.org for its "Betray Us" ad?  More importantly, what do you think of General Petraeus' testimony the other day, claiming that some progress has been made in Iraq and talking about reverting to pre-"surge" levels by next spring?  Thanks.

I'll be brief on this and we can do follow up if needed.  I think it was wrong for Move On to attack the General.  A plus for the right spirit, C minus for attacking a General who is trying to execute a flawed mission. 

I agree we need to completely change course in Iraq, but attacking him was the wrong way to go about it. 

I am always skeptical of information I hear about the war from senior officers.  I think you have to go to Iraq like I have, hear from a variety of sources in the military at different levels, and make your best judgment.  I've watched troop surges over the last four years, they've been tried before, they will not work.  The solution in Iraq is a political one, and the Iraqi government needs to take charge of their own country.  We don't need more U.S. troops, we need less. 

After fighting there in 2003, going back twice on the ground and once to Afghanistan, I'm excited to become the next Congressman from the 11th CD so I can bring my vast military and defense experience to Capitol Hill, influence my peers and do something about ending this war. 

What did you think about the Senate vote to condemn MoveOn for its ad?  If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted?  Thanks.

thorough answers to my questions!

If I was in the Senate, I would have voted for the resolution.  Move-on gets an A plus for effort, they just overstepped on this one because they attacked an active duty General officer. 

I will tell you what else I would have voted on/supported.  I would have been vocal in opposition to the swift boating of John Kerry and the attacking of the patriotism of Max Cleland, former Senator from Georgia who was seriously wounded in Vietnam.

They weren't active duty officers, but those types of attacks against Kerry and Cleland were despicable.

How, in your opinion, do we "fix our broken immigration policy?"  Also, can you please comment on the role of ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS who employ and exploit illegal immigrants in order to increase their own profits (and to bust unions in the process, btw)?  Thanks.

We need to fix both our legal and illegal immigration policies.  First and foremost, the federal government needs to fulfill its responsibility and strengthen our borders. 

However, that is just one part of the problem. Illegal immigrants are coming here primarily to fill jobs, and if we build a 34 foot wall, they will find a 36 foot ladder.  So we must do more.

We need to pursue the employers who are breaking the law by hiring illegal immigrants, and we need to realize that there have to be new policies in place to account for the strain these illegal immigrants are placing on the services provided by our local communities. 

from companies that violate Democratic principles on labor, environment, human rights, or anything else? 

Non-stop fundraising at the federal level has become a necessary evil in campaigns today and one of the hardest parts of running for office. 

Just a technicality that I know most of you know but want to refresh others that read this? federal office seekers can't accept money from companies.  Some companies have PACs that represent their employees, and I can accept only $5000 per election from a PAC.  I haven't accepted any PAC money - yet, and will pay attention to who is donating to me and what their PAC stands for. 

To answer your question, if I don't like what the PAC stands for, I won't take their money.  Always tough to get to the bottom of that when you've got a group of employees that are being represented.  But I'll do my best. 

I am going to run a clean, ethical and transparent campaign.  This site will be a great opportunity for folks to comment to me about what I'm doing, and if there is any sense of impropriety, I'd like to know about it. 

For those that don't know me, I'm going to be totally up front and straight with you every step of the way. 

What did you think of the Webb-Hagel bill that went down this past week?

Also, what do you think about reinstating the draft?

Thank you.

HP,

Understand that you are a Leslie Byrne fan. 

I like Leslie too, but think that at this point, it is possible to be a strong affirmative advocate without ad hominem attacks on her possible opponents.

I know you have "issues" that you could raise that are important to you, and in this regard, I really appreciate your recent plea on RK for:

1. "full disclosure on Project Blue Book . . . as well as contact with Extraterestrial Aliens."

and

2. Someone "who would level with us on what really happened at Roswell..."

We all have different issues . . . perhaps at this point, it would be best if we all stuck to them.

I would have fully supported the Webb-Hagel amendment that would have forced the military to give the troops as much time at home as they did deployed to Iraq (in essence). 

When it failed last week in the Senate, it showed me how far we have to go in Congress to even pass any legislation that will support our troops in this war.  It also showed me how important it will be to get Mark Warner in the Senate to help out on close votes like that ... and for me to get to the House where I can introduce companion legislation.

I am not for re-instating the draft.  Its implementation is a technique that could be used to end the Iraq war, but the draft would be a very blunt instrument that would negatively impact the military, and the lives of millions of Americans.

We've got an amazing all-volunteer military force.  I think it is an exceptional group of Americans and I'm eager to represent them and their families in Congress.

Good luck to you!

It looks like the Senate will bring up a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade bill to the floor this fall, but no similar legislation will likely even move out of committee in the House.  Tom Davis has refused to co-sponsor strong legislation to curb global warming.  Would you support a bill to cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050, the minimum scientists say is needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change?

I am a member of the Fairfax County Environmental Advisory Council and a strong supporter of the environment.

Global warming is a problem that requires immediate action and I'm excited to get to Congress to be able to raise the volume on this most important issue. 

I haven't studied this bill in detail, but on face value, I would support the bill to cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050.  We need tough action now to cure our national addiction to oil, and to preserve our environment  (and planet!) for future generations.

Doug,

I am very concerned about the virtual emasculation of our Article I legislature in the face of the rampaging and blatantly unconstitutional actions of the Executive.

Even if the next President is a Democrat, as appears likely, how would you approach using the vast array of powers the Constitution gives the Congress to influence military and war policy to ensure a rapid end to this fruitless quasi-war in Iraq? What are your views on the prudence and constitutionality of the War Powers Act? What SHOULD Congress be doing (i.e., what would you be doing were you representing Virginia right now) to combat an Executive that feels it can unilaterally break the law to, amongst other things, spy on large numbers of Americans in contradiction of FISA? And, what do you propose the next Congress do to make sure all these actions are shown in the light of day?

Finally, as a military man and policy maker, how do we begin to address the, in my view, dangerous privatization of military functions?

Thanks, look forward to your answers.

We need to have a vote to re-authorize the use of force.

The military fulfilled its mission, it liberated Iraq ... now what are we doing?  "Fighting them over there so we don't fight them over here" is a sound bite that seems to be the basis for a mission that was never authorized by  Congress.  This re-authorization of force legislation needs to be brought up as an amendment on every piece of germane legislation.

Second, Congress needs to deny the funds needed to fight the war.  It is the President's defense budget request, and defense supplemental request (emphasis on request).  A tough call, but without the money, the war will end (happened in Vietnam as you know).

As the next Congressman from the 11th CD, I will take my vast knowledge of defense issues and congressional issues and fight hard to end this war.

On privatization, it is amazing how these companies are allowed to operate on the battlefield.  We are critical of the militias in Iraq and Afghanistan, but expect the Iraqis to turn a blind eye to our own?  There is very little oversight and very few policies in place.  We need Congress to step up its oversight of the DoD on this and demand that these private firms are brought under the umbrella of a U.S. military organization.

Doug, one of the three boards you mentioned working on was one dealing with the future of Tysons Corner. I'd like to hear a little more information about that. For instance, what type of work did you do on the board? What was your position on the tunnel vs. elavated plan for metro? And, do you believe there is any hope of a tunnel plan being implemented?

Thanks,
Bryan Scrafford

I am a very vocal advocate for the tunnel option for the Metro through Tysons.

As the Federation of Citizens' Association representative to the Tysons Land Use Task Force, I actively supported a resolution by the Tysons Land Use Task Force to have the Board of Supervisors choose the tunnel option.

If I was the Congressman from the 11th District, I would have fought to ensure the metrorail project through Tysons corner underwent a competitive bidding process (it didn't), a tunnel option was considered as part of the bidding project (it wasn't) and that federal funds were ensured because it is part of a federal infrastructure program (they weren't). 

This above ground metrorail project that was approved in mid-2007 is fatally flawed.  As a concerned citizen, I saw the writing on the wall and wrote a letter to the editor of the Washington Post.  Here is a link:

http://www.tysonstun... 

That letter was published in the print and online editions on January 4, 2007 and encapsulates the frustration I think many of us feel regarding the decisions made in this congressional district regarding transportation decisions. 

But I took action.

As the then-Vice President of our Citizen's Association, I sponsored and was successful in having our large association adopt the tunnel resolution and become sponsors of the effort led by www.tysonstunnel.org

As a member of the Fairfax County Environmental Advisory Council (EQAC), I led the effort, with the help of other council members, to have EQAC endorse the tunnel position and recommend the same to the Board of Supervisors.

Yes, there is still hope.  I think there is a good chance the entire project will come apart because it is a flawed plan.  We will have an opportunity to do it right from the beginning.

When I am elected, I will do everything possible to begin a competitive bid process and include an evaluation of the tunnel option.  I will also fight to secure funds, because Metro is a federal system that supports federal, state and local needs. 

I realize you wouldn't have complete control over this, but what committee(s) would you like to serve on if you are elected?

I'd like to serve on Committees that best represent the needs of the citizens of the 11th CD.  My best guess today are (in no particular order):

Armed Services
Transportation and Infrastructure
Foreign Affairs
Education and Labor
Oversight and Government Reform
Veterans Affairs

is name of House Committee

Senate is HELP - for health, education, labor and pensions.

First of all, thank you for coming.  I'd like to know if you would support legislation similar to the Employee Free Choice Act?  That bill was defeated in the Senate on a cloture vote.  What I'd like to know is are you sympathetic to it and if it came up in the House of Represenatives, would you vote for it?

Here's a brief summary, taken from the AFL-CIO website:

A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes.

Also, what is your opinion of efforts to get a living wage in various municipalities?

I realize that some of these measures may not come up in Congress but I am trying to get a sense of where you stand on them.

Again, thank you.

Although I haven't read the legislation, I would support legislation similar to the Employee Free Choice Act.

I am pro-labor and firmly believe in the efforts (recently in Fairfax County for example) to get a living wage in high cost of living municipalities.

I would support legislation similar to the Employee Free Choice Act.

I am pro-labor and firmly believe in the efforts (recently in Fairfax County for example) to get a living wage in high cost of living municipalities.

You mention that you worked in John McCain's office. I am an admirer of the man, but strongly disagree with some of his policies. Please explain whether and exactly how you disagree with him on a few key policies.

You say:

"I had a front row seat to what was going wrong in Iraq, the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, and vowed to do what it takes to help fix those institutions and help end our involvement in the civil war in Iraq."

Exactly where do you depart from your former boss on these issues.

How about abortion?

Gun control?

No glittering generalities please: there are plenty of places we can go for those.

I don't agree with McCain on many issues, but I think highly of his service to the nation, both in and out of uniform.  His service and sacrifice as a POW was amazing and an inspiration to me.

I worked for him seven years ago in a non-partisan position.  The Navy assigned me to his office (I also interviewed with Patrick Kennedy's office and would have been happy there).  It was an amazing and educational year for me.  I was given a fair amount of responsibility, and learned a lot.

I don't pay that much attention to McCain's current issues, but here are mine that you questioned:

I'm pro choice

and,

I would have supported bans on assault weapons, supported the Brady Bill, would like to end the gun show loophole, etc.

Hope that answers your questions.

for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008? :)

I honestly haven't made up my mind between Senators Clinton, Obama or Edwards.

All three are exceptionally qualified.  It's a tough decision and not clear enough for me to make the call.
I'm not being coy ... if I had an answer, I'd give it.

Thanks for coming on RK!

Thanks to all for the opportunity to answer your questions.  I'm excited about the opporunity to serve you in Congress. 

Please spread the word that there is a well-qualified leader who is fully prepared to be the next Congressman from the 11th CD of Virginia. 
I will need your support and your vote.  I will carry forward your passion for politics and public service, and together, we'll make this nation great once again.

Please visit my website at http:\\www.dougforcongress.org and I will greatly appreciate any contributions to my campaign.

Good night and thanks,

Doug Denneny
Democratic Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives
Virginia's 11th District

Ashame we as a party don't have someone of Doug's caliber and experience running in every district in which we have a sitting Republican incumbent. 

Doug's a real breathe of fresh air.  And for those Dems who are tired of the same ole people running for different offices, Doug's candidacy really gives him an opening.  The only question remaining - can he raise the dollars to run an effective primary campaign against Connolly and Byrne - and if he can, Connolly and Byrne are going to have their hands full running against this guy.  And with the shots that Byrne and Connolly are going to be firing at each other, Doug could walk away with enough votes to pull off a BIG upset.

And as far as the party is concerned, perhaps it would be good for the party if he won.  He'd be bringing into the process new blood to help build a campaign infrastructure to help all D's in the 11th Cong Dist get elected.  Democratic activits need to keep that in mind. 

So he turned down Captain to go save the world on Capitol Hill?  Something smells here.  First time I ever heard of a squadron CO/Captain-selectee turning down such a promotion to go tilt at political windmills.