RK ARCHIVE - Chairman Connolly's Disappointing Party Support

NLS has some really distressing numbers up on Gerry Connolly's fundraising vs. his donations to Democratic candidates.

Apparently, in a year when he spent over $1M on his own reelection, and in which other candidates gave him over $100,000, Charman Connolly only donated $25,000 to other Democrats across the commnwealth.

I have to say that this is really disappointing. Virginia isn't going blue on its own. Volunteers, party members, base organizations, staff and candidates really put their hearts, souls and pocketbooks into 2007. Fairfax is critical to the progressive effort in Virginia and across the country, and that transcends the interests of individual office holders.

2009 in Virginia will require an even greater effort if Democrats hope to keep the Governor's mansion, take back the AG and LG offices and especially if we hope to clean out the madhouse that is the Virginia House of Delegates. 2009 will require the best from all Vriginia Democrats, and we have to expect that the Chairman of the Fairfax Board will take up that call.

Comments

Selfish to the core (Hiker Joe - 1/22/2008 12:05:18 PM)

The only thing Connolly is interested in is Connolly. He plays the partisan Democratic Party card when it benefits him. But his allegiance is not to the party or its ideals but only to himself and his political fortune.

Kinda reminds me of Davis (Eric - 1/22/2008 12:50:04 PM)

Tom Davis has always been about TD first and foremost. Maybe there's something about being Chairman of Fairfax that does it to people.

Interesting observation (Hiker Joe - 1/22/2008 2:31:27 PM)

Several years ago, Connolly responded to accusations of impropriety for not disclosing financial links to development interests who have business before the Board of Supervisors by saying:

"I will do exactly as Chairman Davis did" - see this Washington Post article.

I want my Democratic Party candidates to aspire to higher standards than that.

I've said this many times (Lowell - 1/22/2008 12:05:29 PM)

but it bears repeating. I think it has even more weight coming from you, since you were/are kind of a Connolly fan.

I still really like Gerry... Despite everything (The Grey Havens - 1/22/2008 1:29:29 PM)

Because he really has been a leader in a time that has transformed Fairfax politics. That's been instrumental in the process that's moving Virginia out of the Red.

If we could do this in PWC (the 2nd most populous locality in VA), we'd never lose statewide again.

Huh? (Lowell - 1/22/2008 1:37:50 PM)

True, Connolly has been chairman during a period in which NOVA has been moving "blue." But you actually credit Connolly with helping to do that, when in your diary you point out that he had $1 million that he did NOT spend to help Chap, Janet, George, etc? With all due respect, I don't see how that makes any sense at all.

Common sense democratic governance (The Grey Havens - 1/22/2008 2:09:08 PM)

has been the local reinforcement of national politics showing voters that Democratic governance is good governance.

Whether he is really taking the big picture of what it takes to move Virgina blue, or not, in many ways he's leading by example.

True, he's picked the wrong side nearly every transportation issue, especially development and the tysons tunnel, but that said, he's managed the budget, kept the place safe and clean, and overseen a strong expansion of the local economy. He may not be much of a progressive, but he's been an effective manager.

He said the right thing (Teddy - 1/22/2008 6:52:30 PM)

about immigration and the dumbass Prince William's alien and sedition acts, or whatever you call their irrational attacks on immigrants. Give him some credit.

This Would Be An Excellent Question (HisRoc - 1/22/2008 4:56:39 PM)

To ask Gonzo Gerry tonight when he addresses the FCDC on "Building the Democratic Party in 2008."

Well, His Excellency Didn't Allow The Question (HisRoc - 1/23/2008 1:17:57 AM)

He showed up late, made his bullshit remarks about his wonderful record as a liberal Democrat (running hard against Leslie, already?), and left the building with no Q & A.

And this moron wants to represent us in Congress?