Gerry Connolly on what's "practical" (and what's not) for Democrats

By: Lowell
Published On: 4/20/2008 6:15:07 PM

This is intriguing. First, I see this flyer by Gerry Connolly claiming that he's "always stood with women in their ongoing struggle for fairness and equality -- fighting for the ERA in the 1970s -- defending abortion rights for decades -- fighting for equal pay today." That's all great, assuming he's done all those things (has he?). The flyer also claims that, if elected to Congress, Connolly will "fight...for a national law to protect abortion rights for women." Also good.

So here's what's intriguing, from February 2006:

Washington Post 2/1/06 Fairfax Focus:

Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) said he believes that the Jan. 31 results, coupled with Kaine's huge win in Fairfax, is proof that county residents will support Democrats if those candidates emphasize practical issues such as transportation and education instead of ideological stands on abortion, capital punishment and other subjects.

Can someone please reconcile how, back in 2006, Connolly lumped abortion into the non-"practical" issues that Democrats shouldn't emphasize, but now that he's running for Congress, those same non-"practical" issues (abortion, the ERA, etc.) are a centerpiece of his campaign?  What about the "marriage" (aka "hate") amendment in 2006, was Jim Webb's opposition to that non-"practical?" I guess I'm just wondering what Democrats should and should not be talking about, according to Gerry Connolly.

Comments



Someone should tell Connolly we're winning now (True Blue - 4/20/2008 6:36:25 PM)
The Democratic Party is poised for historic wins unlike anything we've seen since 1932.  Someone should tell Gerry Connolly that now is not the time to triangulate.


Gerry is an Old Establishment Democrat (Teddy - 4/20/2008 6:58:29 PM)
as you can see from the evidence submitted here on RaisingKaine.  Those political junkies in NoVa, as nearly as I can tell, who are supporting him, are also Old Establishment. 'Nuf said.

This  will be a short campaign, and he will be able to make such statements, re-writing history as needed, and the general public will never catch the re-write... unless Leslie and others like RK tell the voters, and it matters to the voters, of course.



Bird Dog The Creep - Get In His Face - Make Trouble (Lee Diamond - 4/22/2008 12:33:37 AM)
I've heard Ben is trying to start trouble.  That is not my style of politics, but in this case it might be appropriate.  If the Dems are going to win this race, it should be with a real Democrat.

There are countless examples of Connolly saying one thing and doing another.  That Cool Cities BS was an election year gimmick.  The talk of abortion rights, whatever it is, changes with the seasons.  It is just a matter of what works for  His Excellency, the Lord of Fairfax.

If Fimian is smart enough to support abortion rights and face reality on climate change, he might be able  to win against Connolly.  Wishful thinking?  Probably.

At the moment, there is not much on Fimian's website so it is hard to know much.  I was not impressed.  People in this district expect competent representation.  I imagine the federal workers expect their Rep to know their issues.  Fimian does not project anything on his website that indicates much understanding of the job.   Accounting is one thing, but people want someone to carry some water as well.

I think Connolly would defeat Fimian without too much difficulty.  He needs to be stopped in the primary.