she supported Andy Hurst and agrees with him on the issues, but since he isn't running she is.

Lori may think she is filling in for Hurst, but Hurst endorsed Connolly early on in this campaign.

she was one of the first ones to speak out against the Iraq war.  "This is a seminal race in this country."

"Best managed county"
"Want to bring change to Washington"
"Federal government under Bush Administration does not work, it's dysfunctional."
"25 years of foreign policy and international experience"
"I'm looking to bring that change to Washington"

It IS about change.  No career politicians.  Iraq war combat veteran.  Biggest problems are Iraq war, transportation, economy, budget.  Passion for public service.  Three county boards, president of civic association.  

Denneny: Big government doesn't always have big government solutions.  We're spending big money on Iraq, boatloads of cash going overseas, need to change dynamic.  We are in a recession, no question about it.  We're losing jobs, it's all interrelated to Iraq war.

Connolly:  Have to take close look at Bush tax cuts, huge opportunity cost there in the trillions of dollars.  McCain would make it even worse.  Invest in a green economy, create 3-5 million new green jobs.  Look at cost of Iraq war, we should never have gotten into Iraq in the first place, it's a reckless adventure.  Bring our troops home, free up money to invest in U.S. economy.

Byrne: To answer question directly about mortgage crisis...repealed Glass-Steagal Act in 1999...now we have banks holding all this bad paper...whole economy is less sound.

Alexander: PW County is hurt the most, more than Fairfax.  Prince William was an affordable area, we couldn't afford to live in Arlington.  People want the American dream, some people decided to move further from the city and taken bad loans.  I blame this on the people who gave this loans. Need to look at the responsibility.

Connolly: I think that free trade exists in the platonic ideal.  The promise of free trade hasn't been realized for millions of Americans. We have to insist on level playing field.  We open up our markets, there's not the reciprocity with the other countries (like China).  Defective toys, food coming in.  Environmental standards, labor standards.  We're far from that.  Need to "walk the walk" about enforcement before we talk about additional free trade agreements.

We subsidize agriculture in the United States, but we have one of the freest markets in the world.  Other countries have tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Byrne: Out of everyone running, I'm the only one with a record on trade issues. Voted against NAFTA because there weren't the remedies for environmental and labor practices.  Went to maquiladoras in Mexico, they wanted to hire women between 15 and 20 because they were so pliable, I knew exactly what they were saying.  We can compete on level playing field, not if it's just a race to the bottom.

Denneny: Trade is very important. Agree with level playing field, fair trade.  We need to look at best interests for American workers. Fair trade, free and open trade with restrictions.  A company should take care of its people, its workforce.  Workers and companies need to work together.

Alexander: Canada and Mexico would be against us rolling back NAFTA.  It was a mistake by Clinton and Republican-controlled Congress.  We need to support workers. Protect workers against poor environmental conditions, poor wages.  We have strongest enviro laws in this country, it's hard to compete against countries with weak enviro laws.  There needs to be some revision.  Can't completely get rid of NAFTA, have to think about promise to Mexican and Canadian governments.

Denneny: First secure the borders.  What PW County did was to racially profile, "let's round 'em up." That's against the principles the nation was founded on.  We have 12 million people here, some will stay and some will go.  We need to treat people sanely, should not give them handouts, put them at back of line of legal immigrants.

Alexander: This is where I disagree the most with our panel.  I have friends in PW County who people on this panel have called racists.  Benefits to illegal immigrants? We're in a recession, my son could not get health insurance, I'm treating people at hospital...fraudulent behavior, have to fix the fraud.

Byrne: PW is trying to do the best it can to address the problem which goes back to federal government.  They have shirked their duty.  Homeland Security doesn't have resources it needs. This system is completely broken.  I don't think that we should start looking for localities to make up shortfall for federal government. PW tried to do what they could, but they went about it in a very odd way.

Connolly:  Another end of why we need change in Washington. We need to secure borders, completely revamp immigration system.  Federal government should not dump these burdens on local authorities.  Problem with PW approach was the rhetoric and overpromising.  Election gimmick by chairman of PW County, demonizing human beings, demagoguery.

Well he certainly go that one right.

Byrne: When I served in Congress, worked with a number of people with whom I disagreed on other issues.  Family and medical leave...over 15 million families have availed themselves of it.  Good thing from employers' and employees' point of view.  1 in 5 families can't afford to go without paycheck for 2 weeks. Need some kind of family and medical leave for those people.

Connolly: More flexible in work schedule, workplace.  Baby boom generation starting to retire.  This is an inescapable issue.  Caregivers need a break too, there's a special place in heaven for those people, respite care.  Lot more flexibility needed in the law for people to take care of loved ones in need.

Alexander: People are surprised that I'm a Democrat because I have children, they say I'm not the typical Democrat.  Republicans have taken "family values."  If Republicans are so pro-family values, they need to think about poor families hurting.

Denneny: Question about issue and process.  Health of our loved ones incredibly important.  I understand what it's like.  I fully support expanding FMLA.  Process -- need to get people who will roll up sleeves and get it done, NOT career politicians.  I've gotten things done, work together, I'll bring that as a member of Congress.

Denneny: Iraq war combatant, been there fought there. I'm a national security expert.  I have a plan to get us out of Iraq.  I am the expert in this race. Will fix other issues by fixing this one.

Connolly:  Experience. I'm only candidate in this race who brings extensive local government experience.  Effective results for citizens. I'm the only one with extensive foreign policy experience.  Electability.  It isn't a slam dunk we're gonna win this seat. I've won five elections in a row, I've never lost an election.

Byrne:  My seniority will be restored, we don't have to start over.  The votes are there, we can win this.  I think about my grandchildren.  Don't want war without end. Clean air, clean water.

Alexander:  Main concern is health care. Only licensed health care professional running.  Worked with people of all backgrounds.  Other candidates will have lobbyists and special interests educate them about what I already know.  Health care is #1 issue.

All four of the candidates handled themselves well in this radio debate.

I was surprised that Lori Alexander is so conservative.

I'm not impressed by any of the candidates.  This group is weak.

She was the one of the group who had an intelligent answer on the mortgage crisis. But she disapointed me with her mealy mouthed answer on immigration.  Gerry Connolly is so right on that issue though so wrong on almost everything else.

Oh well can't have everything can you....

I offered solutions on this show. Wacking Stewart would have been gratifiying but doesn't address how broken the immigration system is in dealing with those who are here legally and without documentation. I chose to use my limited time to point to ways to fix problems we face,whether the issue was the Iraq occupation, mortgages or immigration. The next Congress's job as I see it, is to make people like Stewart irrelevant, something he is well on his way to doing without any help.