I'm curious, what were the main factors that motivated you to run for office this year?  Was it a concern over specific issues, a desire to end the reign of Tom Davis once and for all, or a combination of factors?  

I started in politics with a simple premise: To make a better community for  all of our children. As I wrestled with the decision to run, a political activist in the women's rights community reminded me that I shouldn't do less for my grandchildren. That is when I decided to run.

Whether I've been in elected office or not, I've worked on issues to build better communities.

Iraq, foreign policy in general, terrorism, the economy, global warming, health care, education, immigration?  What are your priorities if/when you are elected to Congress?

I believe Iraq and the economy are at center stage. All that you mention have  importance but they are also inter-related. For example, we still haven't  adequately addressed the threat of terrorism because of the enormous amount of money going into Iraq. The economy and healthcare are intertwined. The 47 million uninsured drive up the cost of healthcare because they get their healthcare at the Emergency Room. This is why we pay  $10.00 for a aspirin at the hospital, as they try to spread costs among the insured. Premiums go up and fewer people are able to afford insurance or insurance puts a bigger pinch on family budgets.

Climate change, immigration and education all have economic components. There is one issue I believe we can act on decisively and quickly. This is consumer protection. We as a nation have a right to clean food, safe medicines and products that meet safety standards.

So far, Tom Davis has refused to co-sponsor one of the two main global warming bills moving through the House.  Would you support cap-and-trade legislation mandating carbon emission cuts of 80% by 2050?  In addition, what would you do to make sure Virginia gets on the cutting edge of the new clean energy economy?

Yes, I support cap and trade efforts that cut carbon emissions. I also support increasing miles per gallon standards (CAFE). I believe we can tie these efforts to energy independence. I support doubling the federal investment in basic energy research using the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency  (DARPA) as a model. I also believe we need to aggressively transition to renewable energy sources.

for President in 2008?  If not, what are the main factors that you think should help determine which candidate to support?  

Nope, all I know is any one of our candidates would do a better job than the current occupant of the White House or any of the Republican candidates.

"Albo must go" about sums it up. We missed a real opportunity this last election.

Do you regret the ridiculous things you said about Chap Petersen in the 2005 race for Lt. Gov.?  Questioning his Democratic principles b/c he disagrees with you on a couple of issues?  I'd like to give you the opportunity to apologize.

Thanks  

Chap and I are friends, our respect and friendship grew after campaigning against each other. We don't share identical views but we do share identical goals. I came out of that primary as friends with all my opponents, Chap, Viola, and Phil.

Once-And-Future-Congresswoman Byrne:

Could you name a Virginia Republican who you agree with or respect, and a Virginia Democrat who you don't agree with or respect?

My Grandma use to say, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day". I've worked with Randy Forbes on protecting abandoned babies, with Dick Black on tax relief for senior citizens and with Bob Marshall on land use issues. I have found if you respect others, you can look for those "right twice a day" opportunities, even when you don't agree with them 99% of the time. The thing that loses my respect is saying one thing and doing another--that goes to the heart of the political process, trust.

Congresswoman Byrne,

Thank you for reaching out to the community here at RK. I would like to know, if you had to choose, which one issue or problem facing America pushes you forward each day? Put otherwise, on your first day in office, if you could fix or change one thing about our country, what would it be?

Secondly, what do you think you bring to the table as Democrats that makes you better poised to beat Tom Davis than those who have come before, and those who are either running or considering running today?

Thanks again, I can't wait to get out there on the doors for you.  

What keeps me involved in politics is the idea government must govern on the side of our "Better Angels" as Lincoln called them.

Hubert Humphrey said that the moral test of a society is measured bye how we treat those in the dawn of life (children),  the twilight of life (the elderly) and those in the shadows of life ( the sick, the needy and the handicapped). Jim Webb is on the mark when he speaks
of measuring the strength of our nation at our economic base, not at the economic apex. Working to get government institutions to treat all people with fairness, dignity and respect is what I've done for the last twenty years.

What I bring to the table, regardless of who else is running, is a solid record of experience, effectiveness and integrity.

Fellow Mason District Resident here...

My question involves the viability and sustainability of our economy in the future.  With the current push of oil prices to tipping over $100.00 dollars a barrel.  With China, Mexico and other trading partners sending us tainted food, tainted toys, and inferior (but always cheaper) products.  What is your plan to help push America towards a more stable footing.  I feel that the ability of local regions to survive and thrive without international goods and food has become more and more difficult, as our food, goods, and materials are coming from farther and farther away.  I personally would like to see more of our federal subsidies go to local organic farmers to serve local markets over large agribusiness who fill their foods with hormones and antibiotics.  I would also like to see our government heavily regulating and investigating the practices of foreign business who want to sell their goods to our markets.  I'm sick of the republican mantra of less-regulation, our environment, our children, and our stomachs! can't survive much more of it.

I think both the State and Federal governments can do more to strengthen home grown organic farming, not only gearing federal subsides to small organic farming but away from multi-national agribusiness. We can also improve the distribution system from farmers, direct to consumers.

The decade long dismantling of safety standards for food, medicine and products is apparent. This is an issue every American should care about because it effects all of us.
One of the things we should do is do what Japan does in regards to Chinese imports. Japan sends inspectors to China to make sure food and products meet their health standards before they are allowed in the country.

if you remembered me.

We ran into each other at the 2006 Virginia JJ dinner in the lobby.  I told you then that your race in 2005 was just saying "hello" and that as soon as we were finished making Jim Webb a Senator we would find a way to put you back to work for Virginia.  Remember that?

Well, it's time to go to work.

Byrne 2008!

True Blue
I remember and you, indeed knew something that I didn't know at the time.

I appreciate you stopping in and I most certainly appreciate you running! One to the questions...

What are your opinions on universal healthcare and do you think its possible to see some sort of legislation passed in that regard in the coming years?

Also, as an early supporter of Jim Webb, and someone who always takes on the cause for labor, what does economic fairness mean to you and what do you plan to do to forward these causes once elected to Congress?

Thanks for taking time out of your schedule and I look forward to help getting you elected!

I support universal healthcare and have since 1990. Every year that passes with universal healthcare harms our economy more. This is why you are seeing groups like the US Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO working together to address this issue. I believe progress will be made in two years.

Ms. Byrne,

As a member of both the House of Delegates and Senate during redistricting cycles and a federal elected official, you may be more familiar with redistricting than most politicians in Virginia.

I'd like to know a bit about how you feel about how redistricting is done in Virginia:

1) Do you support non-partisan redistricting, removing authority from the GA and the Governor and giving it to a commission?

2) Do you think the 11th District is fairly drawn?

and

3) As a member of the majority in Richmond in 1991, you helped create the Congressional district that you immediately went on to represent; did you draw the lines with your victory in mind, and is there any truth to the rumor that you ensured McLean remained in the 10th district to prevent McLean resident Harris Miller from running against you in a Democratic primary?

Thanks for coming to answer questions, and I look forward to turning the 11th blue again!

that they were drawn by "Mr. X" and the drafting was intended to create a Democratic District that John Milliken could win, at least in the original drafting, knowing Virginia would be getting an 11th seat.  But a monkey wrench was thrown into it all in the election of 1990 when in the old District Jim Moran "upset" Stan Parris, so that the intended lines had to be adjusted for the reality that Moran was already an incumbent Democratic Congressman, and that it was as much that as anything going on in the General Assembly that led to shape of the 11th and other districts.

Oh, and the reason "Mr. X" was anonymous is that he was covered by the Hatch Act.  But he is retired now.  And now that he no longer works at the CIA, he can be open in his support of his politician wife, State Senate majority caucus leader Mary Margaret.

I will not offer my sources (multiple) for this tale, except to say that at least one is a currently elected public official in Moran's district (not Mary Margaret).  And of course since I am officially a senior citizen (now 61) it is possible that my memory is totally flawed.  

But that's my tale, and I am sticking with it.  In other words, Leslie may have had some ability to play around the margins of the design of the district, but the basic shape of the districts was already set before 1991.

Hi Ken:

As Henry Howell use to say, "there is more that goes bump in the night besides Santa Claus", particularly when it comes to redistricting. How I saw it was described above.

but since story was first passed on by an elected I thought it at least worth repeating.   Not a big deal.

Congratulations on all the endorsements.

Since you mentioned the CIA,I will tell you a funny story. When Delegate Alan Mayer was elected,he had just retired from the CIA, a fellow Delegate congratulated on being the first person elected from the CIA. Alan smiled and said , "how do you know?

Thanks, there will be more endorsements to come soon.

The story I heard was that the then Chair of the Privileges and Elections committee wanted an inner suburban district which would support mass transit and then drew districts radiating out from the city on the theory that commuting distance constituted a community of interest (as the late Ed Campbell would have put it).

1) Yes, that is why I support Sen. Deeds efforts.

2) No, when you see precincts split or little slices of Woodbridge and Dumfries put in the 1st Congressional Dist., it is neither compact, contiguous or shows a community of interest.

3)Thanks for allowing me to put this rumor to rest. I called the 11th District in 1991, the "leftovers" district. That is because the incumbent Congressmen grab up their favorite precincts and what was left, the "leftovers" became the new 11th.

thank you for not waiting around to see what Tom Davis was going to do before you made the decision to run. And that goes for Doug Denneny as well. Congressman Davis doesn't warrant that level of caution.

What is your position on the Tysons metro rail project (over or under)?  And if under, do you believe there is a congressional legislative fix to the problem?  Why or why not?

Thanks for coming by!

I strongly support  the tunnel option, and open bidding process and costs fairly spread among all beneficiaries. I do think there are legislative fixes that haven't been explored.

A more logical, Smart Growth, and environmentally-friendly option is to construct a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from East Falls Church to Dulles Airport instead of a heavy rail line.  Running at street level, costing $40-$50 million a mile compared to $250+ million per mile for heavy rail, and operating at a more human-scale level, LRT has proven itself in at least 10 North American cities to be both a cost-effective economic development catalyst as well as an option that reduces auto traffic and channels growth in a concentrated manner.  

Summarily dismissed by Virginia rail and Metro rail planners, as well as the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, in the late 1990's, the abandonment of the tunnel idea as causing further delay and costing more money and the visual and physical negatives resulting from an elevated transit line would seem to offer the perfect opportunity for the public and rail planners to reconsider LRT.

Why does Fairfax County run away from such a proven option when it has work very successfully in so many other cities?  Maybe FTA's impending decision will force local politicians to think more realistically about their available options.

A more logical, Smart Growth, and environmentally-friendly option is to construct a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from East Falls Church to Dulles Airport instead of a heavy rail line.  Running at street level, costing $40-$50 million a mile compared to $250+ million per mile for heavy rail, and operating at a more human-scale level, LRT has proven itself in at least 10 North American cities to be both a cost-effective economic development catalyst as well as an option that reduces auto traffic and channels growth in a concentrated manner.  

Summarily dismissed by Virginia rail and Metro rail planners, as well as the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, in the late 1990's, the abandonment of the tunnel idea as causing further delay and costing more money and the visual and physical negatives resulting from an elevated transit line would seem to offer the perfect opportunity for the public and rail planners to reconsider LRT.

Why does Fairfax County run away from such a proven option when it has work very successfully in so many other cities?  Maybe FTA's impending decision will force local politicians to think more realistically about their available options.

Congressman Davis has worked to secure voting representation in Congress for DC.  When you are in Congress, how will you approach DC voting rights?

I supported and continue to support full voting representation for DC. The most direct way for the District to get voting Rights is a constitutional amendment

I hope you don't mind a question from a 2nd district resident, but here goes...

Killing time at my daughter's orchestra rehearsal, I was chatting with a dad.  Somehow the subject of labor unions came up. We were talking about how Delegate-elect Bobby Mathieson didn't gain the FOP endorsement yet got the endorsement of all the other police and firefighters unions.  The dad was a former cop who like Bobby worked the streets.  He is now working in a security capacity of some sort for the City of Virginia Beach. He believes that unions are crooked and that we should get rid of them.  He believes the best way for cops to advocate for themselves is with their feet, i.e., walking off the job if things aren't right.  What would you say in response to this guy?  

 I miss reading you on VBDems.

Labor organizations,like businesses are not monolithic. During the endorsement process both of these types of organizations tend to go with incumbents (unless they are really out of step), or be influenced by individual member politics and sometimes even endorse against own interests, as in this case.

Police like any other occupation have a greater impact on working conditions and pay when the join together.  

you are so sweet!  I can't believe you noticed.  I'm so humbled!

According to the Washington Post, the 11th Congressional District has become the wealthiest congressional district in the United States of America.  Most people associate the wealthy with Republicans.  It also appears to have become more Democratic since you last ran.

Why is it that you think that the politics of the 11th CD has changed so much in the last decade?

Wealth is measured on the average. There are people in the 11th who live on social security or small pensions or people who work 2-3 jobs just to get by.  Yes, there are some very wealthy people in the 11th, there is also poverty.

Lucky that wealth does not preclude caring about social and economic justice.

While it's not year clear whether Tom Davis is running, who do you think is likely to step into the Republican primary besides Tim Hugo if Tom Davis decides not to run?

I got into this race because of the issues I care about. I'm not focused on who else might run. There are lots of names floating out there but who knows?

For instance, we have a special election in the 1st on 12/11.  We need a candidate in the 2nd to take on Thelma Drake, because that's definitely a winnable seat.  Any thoughts on the 10th, 5th or 6th CDs?  There's even a Dem. primary in the 8th, believe it or not! :)

Presidential years are high turnout years (around 75-80%). Now is the time to bring on our strongest candidates. As for the upcoming election in the 1st Cong. District--GO PHIL!

indicates that people overwhelmingly see the 11th CD contest as the "most interesting Virginia race in 2008."  Why do you think that is?  

Because it is the most likely to go from R to D. It now has a 53% democratic performance and I carried it two years ago with 55% of the vote. The other races we mentioned will be good opportunities too.

Jan Cornell here from UVA, we've met several times. Now that CWA district 2 has endorsed you, can we be assured that you will support the Employee Free Choice Act? I know you are a great union supporter and living wage advocate.

Thanks and good luck to you!

Yes, you have that assurance. Thanks for your kind words.

First off, thanks for coming on RK to live blog with us today!

As you're probably aware, you are not the first Democrat running for the 11th to live blog with us - Doug Denneny joined us just a few days ago.  And there is talk of Gerry Connolly, and perhaps even Andy Hurst, joining in as well, potentially making a crowded primary.

How do you see this primary battle playing out?  Will it be a substantive and detailed debate regarding each candidates strengths and vision or will it be an ugly battle of negative meaningless sound bites?  Or anywhere in between?

And, to really put you on the spot, are you willing to make a pledge to keep your primary campaign "out of the gutter"?  Discussing an opponent's weaknesses is fair play, I'm talking about pledge to avoid garbage like the recent Providence primary where one candidate actually sent mailers accusing a fellow Democrat of being a Republican.

If Gerry joins the race and lives blogs with us I promise I'll ask him the same question.  

Doug hired Andy Resnick (Harris Miller Campaign Manager) to work on his campaign.  Andy was responsible for many of the attacks on Jim Webb in 2006- that he was a racist, sexist and anti-semite, all things that George Allen picked up on in the fall campaign.  

Meanwhile, yesterday a Doug supporter left Chap multiple comments (with multiple screen names) in his NLS liveblog in support of you- all of which questioned why could you win, and called you a Loser, etc.  Despite the fact you won the entire 11th CD in the 2005 General Election by a landslide margin.

My question is- How do you handle a candidate like Doug, who seems to be a very nice guy, yet his campaign hiring has already reached into the gutter by hiring Andy and is starting these negative tactics before most people even know who Doug is?

And do you think Andy wants to do this to get some revenge for what you did to help elect Jim Webb in 2006 when so many other elected officials were supporting Harris Miller?

I have never run "in the gutter" and will not. When you look at the 2005 Primary, I ran on issues that I believe are important. Chap, Phil, and Viola ran on their issues. We came out of the process as stronger candidates and as friends. I will work to  make sure this happend again. I also think voter are smart enough to know when a candidate has "jumped the shark".

Leslie- Thanks for being here and for stepping up early to take down the Davis machine. I know that you care deeply about issues of inequality but I wanted to hear your thoughts about fairness in our tax system in particular. The tax issue in this country has been for so long dominated by the Republican talking points that, for instance, tax cuts and tax relief have virtually come to mean only INCOME tax relief, when the truth is that most Americans pay more in payroll tax than they do in income tax.

I'd love to hear if you have any specific policy ideas - or have the intention to later release a plan - with regard to improving the fairness in our tax system vis a vis strengthening the Earned Income Tax Credit and The Child Tax Credit, or by other means?  

I support eliminating the Bush tax cuts for oil companies and the wealthist Americans. I support eliminating the marriage penalty and extending the child tax credit. I also believe we need increased tax benifits for active duty and retired military personnel, low income families and tying business tax cuts to pension protection, health insurance and paid family leave.

It will take a lot of money to be competitive in this election.  I know you've been working hard at raising funds because I've been receiving your fundraising solicitations since early October.  How much money have you raised, and how much money do you think it will take to win this race?  

I sent out a few emails in Oct. to friends (glad to count you among them!) but held off any heavy duty fundraising until after Nov. 6th. We have a series of fundraisers scheduled all over Virginia in the next few months. This is because of the high interest in this race statewide and all the supporters I made in 2005. Our first reporting period ends Dec. 31st  so that when we'll total everything up.

I raised one million and 1.5 million in 1992 and 1994, respectively for congressional races. This time I look to raising 2.5-3 million. And for those who want to help go to: www.lesliebyrne.org!

That's some tall cotton you're talking about, Leslie.  Good luck with it!

Indeed, my friend.  

Leslie - We can always count on you to tell it like you see it, regardless of where you are or who you are speaking to.

Jumping the Shark...I love it!

I'd like to thank you for your early commitment to helping Loudoun County in 2005. You were the first candidate to come out in 05 and speak to us. I can still remember you talking to a SRO crowd at the library.

And look how well we are doing! Loudoun is our next Democratic powerhouse. I am really proud of everything the Democratic Comm. there has been able to do. We still miss you!

Again, I look forwar to many of these live blogs. See you on the campaign trail and thanks again to the RK community.

much appreciated! :)

Lowell

What's the record for most live blog questions answered in one chat?  Is Leslie approaching it?

fastest! :)