What about the Board of Supervisors, Dranesville candidate John Foust? How about BOS Democratic candidate Mike McClanahan in Springfield District? Tough races, both.

Lowell, you are correct to put the pressure on Connolly.  I know one should not "look a gift horse in the face" or some statement like that.  BUT CONNOLLY WITHHOLDS $$$$ FROM CHAP AND FOUST.  When Connolly is given $10,000 for a plate of food at one of his bashes, surely he can spare a dime for Chap and Foust.  What gives? 

Seriously, Barker's got far less in the bank than Chap does, and Chap has more feet on the ground from what I've seen.

Man, Connolly just can't win with some of you.

The $185,000 to the DPVA is not a contribution. Its payment to the party for the direct mail sent out using the DPVA's mass mailing permit (which makes the mail cheaper).  In other words, this is just reimbursement for funds spent on his behalf already.

That's right, out of that $1.2 million that was shaken out of the party faithful and other Democratic sources (like the Governor's PAC), $5,000 was contributed by Gerry to other candidates.  That $5,000 was given to candidates with precincts in Prince William County, to try to curry favor with the party folks down there in anticipation of a run in the 11th District.

There's no more than that $5k coming, not that it would matter at this point anyway.  Anyone reading this blog should remember that November 7.

spending all that money on TV.  Every morning I wake up to an add about how he eliminated the car tax stickers.  And I think that is a great idea.  If I lived in Fairfax, I'd vote for him for that alone.

It does make me think that "Green" Arlington County should do the same.  I mean that's just wasted energy to put a sticker on your car for a tax they collect based on registeration data from the DMV.  I know it's off topic, but still.

The Personal Property Tax? There is a huge drawback to not having a decal sticker in lost revenue from unenforced personal property taxes...

When you register your vehicle, you note where you garage it.  This is information that the DMV collects.  All the county need do is compare that listing to the tax bills they are sending out.  Viola!  Tax is collected.

You could get around that by not registering your vehicle or not reporting to the county that you have located your vehicle in the county.  But that is a risk now even with the stickers.  A Merrylander can move here and never register their car here.  How would we know unless somebody turns them in?

And while we are at it, we should get rid of inspection stickers.  That could all be stored in a state DMV database too that cross-references registrations.  When are we going to start taking advantage of technology and move to a paperless process?

not Viola.  But that was hilarious, I made myself laugh. =)

I've edited the diary accordingly.

There are many words to describe Connolly but generous is not one of them.

The $185,000 "contribution" to the DPVA is actually supporting his own campaign. The $5,000 Lowell cites for other candidates is a paltry amount, given Connolly's resources.

He's got his election in the bag.  Calling all Democrats...Gerry, are you there?

See my edits to the diary.

  You are kidding yourself if you think Gerry's getting his money from the "party faithful."

First off, this morning on WTOP, Gary Baise said something like Gerry gets 80% of his cash from 15% of the contributions.  That means $850,000 (or whatever) of Gerry's $1m+ is coming from big donors and big business. 

That would make sense when you look at the haul of checks for $10,000, $5,000, $2,000, etc., at Gerry's big St. Patrick's Day party.

Second, where are the big contributions coming from?  They are coming from Republican developers, land owners, land use attorneys, etc.  Have a look on www.vpap.org: Gerry's biggest and most frequent contributors have given almost exclusively to Republicans otherwise (for example, John and Milton Peterson, Clemente Development, Base Technologies, etc.).

Not really the "party faithful," in my opinion.
 

I only see you on here to rag on Connolly.  Do you do anything else?

Oh, and where do you think Gary Baise is getting his money?  Given that he's well, a Republican, I'd venture that it's also form, you know, other Republicans. 

And forgive my cynicism in thinking that Connolly's opponent has good reason to be slippery with facts regarding the man he's trying to defeat.  I don't doubt that he's a bit too cozy with developers, but does anyone think a Republican would be any less cozy?  And aside from that particular point Connolly's a pretty conventional Democrat.

To answer your question...."I only see you on here to rag on Connolly. Do you do anything else?  Yep, I do something else?  But I won't tell. 

Plus, I have posted on RaisingKaine 20 times.  Without going back and reading each, it appears that only 6 postings reference Connolly activities.  I guess I must be slipping. 

And I figured you actually DID do something else, but you do of course realize that quoting Connolly's opponent about him does, shall we say, lack a certain credibility.

Craig, help me out....are you saying to "...quoting Connolly's opponent about him....lack a certain credibility.

Are you referring to him as Connolly or to Baise? 
Are you saying that because I am quoting Baise, I lack credibility? 
Or are you saying that Baise lacks credibility? 
Or you might even be saying that Connolly lacks credibiity....

I tend to not take candidates for office seriously when their criticism is about the guy they're running against.  I mean what do you expect Baise to say, he's running against the guy.  So I think he just might have a slight bias.

If you think Baise's numbers are wrong, prove it.  Again, with all of the $25,000, $10,000, etc., checks Connolly rakes in, I feel pretty comfortable w/ Baise's statistics.

And, you want to talk about bias and playing fast and loose with the facts?  How about Connolly's criticizing Baise for some obsecure non-connection to Abramoff when Connolly's the one taking $1,000 from Abramoff's boss (http://www.washingto...)?  How about Connolly's calling Baise a polluter when Connolly himself is the go-to guy for dirty industry (http://www.examiner....)? 

And, have you just missed all of the posts from Party folks about their displeasure over the taint of Connolly's shenaigans on the Party and not helping out his own?

I am just hoping we can inject a bit of honesty and integrity back into politics, and I just don't think Connolly is the way to get there.

I'll have to re-consider my opinion of Gerry Connolly from here on out. Thanks changeagent!

Sarcasm. It's grrrrreat!

...or the Virginia legislature.  He already has his attention focused on the 11th CD and is hoarding his campaign funds for that race.  Get real, people, and vote against this anti-Democrat next Tuesday.  If you can't bring yourself to vote for a Republican, then write-in "RJ Squirrel" or just leave that race un-voted on your ballot.  Send a message to this self-important and corrupt hypocrite.

...the "Democrats for anyone but Connolly" people are out in force again.

And exactly what is wrong with opposing a corrupt, duplictuous, arrogant, self-serving, power-hungry, machine boss politician so that we can restore community-based democracy that is not bought and paid for by outside developers?
Here is my litmus test:  when one candidate's greatest percentage of contributions is his friends, family, and supporters while another candidate's greatest percentage of contributions is from businesses seeking preferential treatment, then I would tend to believe that the former is going to be more responsive to citizens than the latter.
Have you ever attended a BOS meeting when Joe Citizen had the audacity to stand up for three minutes and state his case against one of Boss Connolly's "clear-cut and pave" development ptojects?  Man of the people, my ass. 

Just tell it like it is!

P.S. You covered most of the bases but I think you forgot egotistical and Napoleonic.

Connolly can't use his 2007 funds for 2008.  Check the FEC, but Virginia's lack of contribution limits makes it illegal for him to use state funds for a federal race.  Same is true for Mark Warner.

But, he can dispose of them in a variety of ways that will boost his campaign.  He can contribute to various PACs that would then reciprocate by supporting his constituency issues, he can contribute to 507s that would run ads supporting his positions, ad nauseum...
Campaign finance is a very dirty game and Connolly is a master of dirty games.  Ask yourself:  why else is he sitting on $1M when control of the Virginia legislature hangs in the balance?  Wouldn't the guy who sees himself as being the chief executive of FFX for the next four years have a very vested interest in a Democratic legislature in Richmond that would be kinder to NOVA?  Of course, but a guy who see himself running for Congress next year would have very different priorities.  Think about it.

Dirty Tricks??? Politicians are supposed to raise money, the only pols who wont take big time donors' money are those who can not get the donors' money in the first place. I do agree Connolly should give Barker and co. more $$$ but it is his money to do with as he wishes. Also doesnt Diablo kick in for those door hangers and flyers with all the down ballot canidates on them.

A candidate is expected to raise money.  However, what do you call it when a candidate raises a record amount of money for a local race, including that in a leadership PAC, then leaves his own party's candidates in toss-up races twisting in the wind, hoarding the contributions to be used in a later Federal race in "questionable if not illegal" ways?  I call that dirty tricks.  BTW, I used the quotes because that is exactly how some of Connolly's activities have been described in the past, such as the "consulting fees" from a West Group company when he was the Providence District Supervisor and West Group had rezoning applications pending before the county.  Dirty tricks is the least of Boss Connolly's ethical lapses.

to do with what he wishes.  But if he doesn't wish to help out his fellow Democrats, several of whom are locked in tight races with well-funded Republicans, then it's not our obligation to be happy about it, let alone to support him in any future political endeavors he might choose to undertake.

Lowell, read the profile in the WP on Connolly.  Does the word Power mean anything?  Money talks and Connolly has a lot of each.  Maybe he wants those candidates left swinging in the wind to fail. 

Connolly is the Democratic leader of FFX, just as Tim Kaine is the Democratic leader of Virginia.  Compare Connolly's contributions to Kaine's.  Even the door hangers that Connolly has paid for promote him more than the other candidates.  For example, I got one this week for the Boss and Chap.  Given Chap's popularity and Connolly's baggage, that hanger helped Gerry more than it helped Chap.  If Kaine was as selfish as Connolly, people would be screaming to kick him out of the Democratic Party.  Perhaps it is time to consider that alternative for Gerry.  First step:  withhold your vote for Connelly next Tuesday!

It will be a great day when Foust wins in Dranesville.

Democrats should flock to these new candidates that have been left swinging in the wind.  Gerry probably told developers that they are not to give one red cent to these candidates.

Ever seen this kid who goes in the room and snatches the toys away from the other children and cries, "It is mine.  I want it all."  That is my vision of Connolly.

What goes around comes around, Connolly.  People are taking notice now.  Many have long memories.

Not defending some of the more questionable things he's done, but to hear some of the people around here talk you'd think he was some sort of hybrid of Megatron and Skeletor who's piss was pure liquid evil.  Jesus people, calm down.

Please explain

I get frustrated when Democrats attack other Democrats, particularly on the eve of a general election.

Gerry Connolly has provided more financial help to candidates in Fairfax County, Prince William County, and Loudon County than any other candidate has in this cycle. Review all of the campaign reports and you will see that.

Show me one other candidate with an opponent who has dropped the kind of money Connolly has into other campaigns.

Most of you don't consider that Connolly was facing a candidate with a net worth of $35 to $50 million who could have made the race very competititve at any time if he had dropped a lot of money into his campaign.  Gerry has no such personal wealth and certainly needed to raise the funds necessary to combat any such assault.

Gerry has also given substantial sums to the DPVA (beyond mail) and to the Senate Caucus.  He has given money to the House caucus and contributed directly to a number of Senate and House campaigns.

Ask the local Fairfax County candidates, including the School Board candidates, who was responsible for insuring that they were included in door hangers we are putting out all over the county in these final days before the election.  They will tell you it was Gerry Connolly.

Ask local Supervisor candidates Mike McClanahan, Corey Riley, Sharon Pandak, or Frank Principi whether they were helped by Connolly.  The answer will be yes.

Ask Commonwealth Attorney Ray Morrogh, Fairfax Clerk candidate Dale Evans, or Prince William Clerk candidate Bill Ryland if they received help from Gerry.  The answer will be yes.

I don't have a complete list of those who received money from Gerry Connolly, but the Connolly-haters will find out the list is a lot larger than they care to admit.

Gerry Connolly and his campaign staff have worked hard this year for Gerry and other candidates on the ballot.  Gerry has a right to raise money just like every other candidate.  And Gerry Connolly's strong showing on Tuesday will carry several other Democratic candidate over the finish line who wouldn't make it otherwise.

As for those who will be quick to attack me for defending Connolly, let me make myself perfectly clear.  When this election is over and we move into the race for the Democratic nomination for the 11th Congressional District seat, I will remain neutral as I did in the 2006 primary for the 11th.

It is my job as chair to review the petitions and to certify the Democratic candidates to the State Board of Elections. I view my role as serving as a referee between the Democratic candidates if and when such action is needed.  As a result, I must maintain my neutrality, but my committee members are free to support whom they choose.

In the coming months, the 11th CD will decide on the nomination process to choose a Democratic candidate for the 11th CD. I predict the 11th CD committee will vote to hold a primary.

Meanwhile, the Connolly-haters should bite their tongues until election day.

-- George Burke, Chair
  11th Congressional District Democratic Committee

George,
Can you point us to any non-partisan resources that support your claims of Connolly's financial support?  Because, VPAP says otherwise.

Please don't take this personally, but your assertions sound very much like typical Connolly claims.  He makes an assertion, but the facts prove that he is actually doing the opposite.

1.  He is providing real estate tax relief.  No, he is lowering the tax rate while raising taxes by increasing real estate assessments in a falling real estate market.

2.  He is environmentally committed.  No, he is allowing developers to cumlatively clear-cut vast acerages of woodland and destroying single-family neighborhoods by rezoning them for high density without providing for green spaces, recreational facilities or adequate schools.  (Except in Manatua, of course.)

3.  He is addressing transportation issues and traffic congestion.  No, he is exacerbating the problem with the fraud of TOD which assumes that people will live near Metro and give up their cars and driving--something that hasn't happened in Arlington or any other inner suburb.

4.  He supports open and accountable government.  No, he runs the county government like an imperial court, conducts BOS business behind closed doors, denies citizens the right to speak on issues before the BOS, and belittles, berates, insults, and humiliates citizens who dare to offer an opposing viewpoint on those occasions when the BOS deigns to award three minutes of public comment.

You see, George, Gerry would never have been elected Chairman in the first place if the Republicans had nominated anyone more attractive than a book-burning, anti-tax zeolot like Michele Bickner.  And, even with her repulsive candidacy, it was much closer than it should have been.  Gerry should have learned from that and discarded his bad old habits from Providence District Supervisor days.  Instead, he took his somewhat narrow victory over a ridiculous opponent and crowned himself king.  For the past four years he has abused, lied to, and ignored his constituents. 

Don't tell us now that we have to support him just because he is the Democrat.  He isn't; he is just Boss Connolly.

Do Dems with thousands of dollars in the campaign chest desert those candidates who do not? 

As others have stated, I find nothing that supports your claim that Connolly has provided any significant financial help to other Democratic candidates, especially relative to his war chest which is in excess of one million dollars. Press coverage of the Fairfax BOS Chair election universally states that Connolly will outspend his opponent by many times to one.  Your assertions bear no resemblance to reality.

And I have reviewed the campaign reports.  All they show me is how beholding Connolly is to developers whose projects he controls.  $10,000 contributions from developers are a dime a dozen.  $1,000 contributions from developers are a penny a dozen.  This is a recipe for disaster.  He looks more like a Republican than he does a Democrat.

Why do good Democrats object to Connolly?

1. He is a bully who routinely abuses his constituents when they testify against his big-business developer friends/contributors.

2. He suppresses ideas that differ from his with tactics of intimidation that inhibit open and free exchange of ideas.

3. He has no party loyalty, supporting anyone who advances his personal political agenda, be they Democrat or Republican.

4. He's a time bomb waiting to explode.  I am a Democrat because I believe in ethical government that represents the people.  Connolly is as ethically challenged as the Republicans I hold in disdain and may someday be an embarrassment to the Democratic Party.  We do not need another Jefferson (D-LA) who is found with $90,000 cash in his freezer.

1. Yeah, he's a bully, I won't bother trying to deny that, but I don't take politics personally.  I mean yeah he's a jerk in person, but so what, he's not running to be my drinking buddy.  And yeah, I don't especially like the fact that he suppresses other points of view, but really, it's not like this is some kind of police state where you aren't even permitted to have another opinion.  Most politicians I know try to defeat their enemies, and they see their enemies as those with ideas differing from theirs.  Sure, he's a jerk about it, but I've never met a single politician who just let the other side win the argument.

2. I don't understand why people get so up in arms about developers contributing to him.  They ALWAYS contribute to the incumbents.  Seriously, why does everyone seem to think that Connolly has some inside track that nobody else has?  And are you implying that getting any money from developers makes one a de facto Republican?  So anyone getting any money at all from dvelopers isn't really a Democrat?  Quite a litmus test you have there.  Although really Fairfax County is so developed now it hardly even makes a difference.  The time to slow growth was 20 years ago.  If you don't like the crowding, blame Jack Herrity.

3. I have to say I don't like his willingness to team up with Republicans, but again, most politicians don't just let the people they percieve as being their opponents win.  Jerky to do maybe, but please don't tell me you just expected a politician to just roll over and die in the face of opposition.

4. Personally I haven't seen anything that indicates any criminal behavior on Connolly's part.  If any is uncovered I'll be out for his head, make no mistake, but going after him because he COULD BE corrupt?  I tend to wait for actual evidence before I start tossing out comparisons to Jefferson.

So yeah, Gerry Connolly is a jerk.  A jerk who tries to shut out his enemies.  I can accept those criticisms because they're valid and cause for concern.  But this idea that he's a burgening crook is just silly.  And frankly, if you hate development, it's pretty much too late for Fairfax County.  Move to Loudoun or Prince William where they may actually still be time to slow something down.

HisRoc has summed it up succinctly and I respectfully disagree with George Burke. VPAP's statement of campaign contributions from Connolly does not match Burke's verbiage - for ANY candidate in any county.

It is only a matter of time before Connolly becomes an exposed embarrassment to the Democratic Party. We need to wash our laundry at the local level BEFORE it becomes national news.

HisRoc is right, it is time for us to take back our county and bring back good government that represents its citizens, not abuses them.

Today, Turque wrote about a Democratic candidate receiving $35,000 from a developer.  We should be furious that Turque turned the spotlight on this candidate, while turning a blind eye to the hundreds of thousands of dollars that Connolly receives. Not only does Connolly get big bucks from developers, he rakes in big bucks from contractors or "Fairfax contractors wanna be."  Pay attention folks...look at Loudoun....I believe there is an FBI investigation going on over there.  We don't want that in Fairfax. Lowell projects that Connolly is going to win EASILY over Baise, so Craig you seem to know a lot about Connolly, why do you think he is so stingy with his money?