This race is driving me crazy.

Turnout in the primary two years ago with the marquee Webb v. Miller matchup above the Hurst v. Davis race was only around 5% or 20,000.

Somehow, Byrne has to become the obvious choice of progressive-friendly voters to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo.  Otherwise, I'm afraid Connolly's money advantage, name recognition, and sheer inertia is going to give him the edge.

I don't like Gardner's article, precisely because it makes it sound like there are no meaningful differences between Byrne and Connolly.

We have only 45 days to make these important points:

1) Byrne has the obvious advantage of her prior service in the House, giving her an edge over all the other freshmen in terms of seniority;

2) Byrne's clearly demonstrated progressive credentials, particularly her signing on to The Responsible Plan to End the War, would put her on a faster path to the leadership; and,

3) The compromises Connolly has has to make over the years to curry favor with special interests and his friend Tom Davis would continually distract him and make him divide his loyalty to his constituents and his donors.

Basically, Connolly would move the seat to the left, but even if he's more motivated to bring home the pork, which is only arguable at best, he wouldn't be as well positioned to do so as Byrne.

With Byrne, on the other hand, we can get everything we'd get with Connolly and more.  Most notably, we'd have a chance for a true progressive leader.

It maddens me to think that we might pass up this chance.

VA-11, the ONLY downside to Byrne is that she won't last long in the seat, because she'd rise like a rocket to bigger and better things.

VA-11, the ONLY downside to Byrne is that she won't last long in the seat, because she'd rise like a rocket to bigger and better things.

Byrne has tried to rise to bigger and better things, and have lost in those attempts. She has been at this game for nearly 20 years, and I think this is her last big shot at office.  If she wins, she is still 61, and I believe that she will not be in the seat long due to her age if anything. Of course, that is a relative term since she could be in the seat for 10-16 years, and that is a decent amount of time for a Rep.

I am not sure what the answer is here, I am just bringing up a point that I think that if Leslie wins the seat, I don't think she is going anywhere.

I should have said the Hurst v. Longmyer race, not Hurst v. Davis.

The second "has" in #3 should be "had."

She appears to have finally figured out this isn't Gerry vs. 3 others, but Gerry vs. Leslie.

As an Arlington Dem with no dog in this fight, I'm increasingly troubled by the some of the snide criticism of Gerry Connolly by some of the Byrne enthusiasts. It has shades of the over-the-top criticism by some Hillary backers against Obama - and like that, could come back to haunt in November.  

I think that, for better or for worse, the Presidential Primary has given people the pass to destroy their opponents, regardless of party.

My question is: Will Byrne (Clinton) supports vote for Connolly (Obama) if he wins the nomination, and vice versa?

The 11th CD is almost a certain Democratic pickup, the primary is our chance to get a real progressive in there.  Why wouldn't we fight hard for that?  Also, I'd point out that the candidates have been going at each other pretty hard, as well they should.  It's called "democracy."

and all I can say is, if you think the 11th CD primary has been rough (which it hasn't, by any standards), go back and see what it was like in American history with people like LBJ in Texas.  Wow, now THAT was rough!

Oh, I think you are right, what is going on in VA-11 is nothing compared to some of the famous races in our countries history. I think what is interesting is how Ferocious supporters are getting. I think sometimes progressives are tehir own worse enemies.  

It is not that I am against Spirited primaries, I think that at the national level, the Presidential Primary has motivate a lot of people into the process, and it gives a better opportunity in all 50 states.

I do think however, that some groups of people (not candidates, but their supporters) run the risk of pushing too hard, to the point of alienating potential allies. What IF connolly won? How can you reconsile past remarks and help him win in the General? How could someone believe in any future support for Connolly after a "spirited" primary? Would a non-Byrne candidate be as likely to help out progressive causes if you attacked her or him so hard in a primary?

And I think it would be dangerous to underestimate Fimian, political neophytes has a knack on surprising people.  

primary is 99% certain to win the general election. I'm not concerned.

to those of us in Fairfax who haven't always agreed with him. He regularly abuses ordinary constituents whose testimony in public hearings are contrary to his position on the issue.

The most disturbing thing is that he seems to relish abusing these folks. That's why he's considered a bully.

Your post was interesting, because I consider Connolly's campaign tactics to be more akin to Hillary's. e.g., He has been transforming himself into a candidate who has always been fighting for NOW and women's rights when he's actually been nowhere to be seen on these issues. Yet these are the core issues which Leslie has been championing for decades.

Anyone know which unions support him or have endorsed him? He also forgot CWA, a little union of a million members or so. And the AFL-CIO both endorsed Leslie.

Leslie came here to C'Ville and spoke at a LW rally at UVA
And we didn't have to drag her kicking and screaming.

Connolly's blowing smoke. She may have the auto workers and firefighters too although I can't say I know for sure. I don't know who the Teamsters are going with.

He has the Fairfax, Firefighters and Paramedics Union
The Prince William Firefighters Union
and the International Firefighters Union.

So, he doesn't have as much union support as Byrne.  

are notoriously Republican. I'm sure  they endorsed Bush twice.

in terms of raises, facilities, etc.