RK ARCHIVE - Northern Virginia Progressive Blogs Endorse Moran, Feder, Byrne for Congress

Jim Moran - 8th
While the corporate media only seems to focus on Jim Moran when he makes a misstatement or a mistake, the truth is that Jim is working hard for Northern Virginia and the nation on a wide variety of issues everyday. Jim was an early vote against the war in Iraq and has continued to oppose the war, even moving away from his former DLC allies over this and other issues (e.g., "free trade" vs. "fair trade"). Jim has been a strong voice for Northern Virginia on the House Appropriations Committee, has done great work on the BRAC issue, and is a strong environmentalist. In addition, Jim and his office have been great friends of the netroots and the Virginia progressive blogosphere. In contrast, Jim's opponent is an unknown who has made no case for replacing the 9-term incumbent. Elections are not about achieving the perfect, they are a choice between the candidates on the ballot. In this matchup, it's Moran by a mile.

Judy Feder - 10th
The 10th CD primary offers Democrats an easy choice. In 2006, Judy Feder gave Frank Wolf the toughest race he's seen in more than a decade. This year, Judy is building on what she accomplished the last time around. For 2008, she has started earlier, is raising more money, and has built a highly capable campaign team -- all in a district that is trending blue and in a year which has seen record Democratic turnout across the country. Needless to say, the Republicans are worried, and justifiably so; perhaps that's why they've already begun attacking Judy.

Electability is essential, but Judy offers much more. First and foremost, she is one of the leading experts in this country on health care. This could prove to be a tremendous asset to President Obama as he works to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable, universal health care coverage. In addition, as a veteran of the health care battles of the 1990s, Judy will help President Obama and the Democratic Congress avoid past pitfalls in getting this done.
In addition to health care, Judy believes in balancing the federal budget, paying as you go, getting out of Iraq responsibly, ending our oil addiction, and protecting our environment. As a member of Congress, she will bring her tremendous work ethic and intellectual rigor to these and other issues. We strongly and enthusiastically endorse Judy Feder for Congress!

Leslie Byrne - 11th
We join Jim Webb, Chap Petersen, Donald McEachin and many others in enthusiastically endorsing Leslie Byrne for Congress. Leslie is a proven winner, having carried the 11th district in 2005, with 55% of the vote. Leslie is a strong progressive, something she has proven her entire career. Leslie is effective, having introduced and passed more legislation than any other freshman representative while in Congress. Leslie has principles; in 1993, she voted against NAFTA out of concern for labor rights and the environment. Leslie has guts; she did the politically risky thing and voted for President Clinton's tax package. Several Democrats lost their seats because of this vote, but it was the right thing to do, leading to balanced budgets and contributing to the years of prosperity in the 1990s. Finally, Leslie has her priorities straight, fighting for working people as opposed the powerful special interests and the super-rich. We strongly urge all Democrats in the 11th CD to vote for Leslie Byrne on June 10.

Comments

Help Leslie GOTV! (Lowell - 6/4/2008 9:21:36 PM)

This is it! After many months of hard work, we are just a couple of days and a few hours away from the polls closing in the 11th congressional district primary. We have been pushing since November to make sure that Northern Virginia has the strongest Democratic representative in Congress. You know that I have the courage to stand up for our shared progressive values. You and I have crisscrossed the district to make sure that everyone else knows it, too. I have been deeply touched by all of your efforts.
Now, we need to give everything we have for one last push. May I count on you?

In the next five days, we have to reach out to every Byrne supporter from Vienna to Dale City and from Mount Vernon to Bull Run. This race could come down to who does the best job of getting their people to the polls. I need your help to make sure that the voices of real Democrats get heard.
I'll be talking to voters right up until the last polling station closes - please join me by clicking the button below and signing up:

We have come as far as we have in this race because of the dedication of volunteers like you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that you have done for me and for this campaign. Now, let's finish the job - and get the campaign off on the right foot for November!

Sincerely,

Leslie Byrne

How Can NLS...... (Flipper - 6/4/2008 9:41:57 PM)

be counted as part of the "Progressive" blogosphere in NOVA? He is still trashing Senator Obama after he already clinched the nomination. Are you all, as progressive supporters in NOVA, agreeing with his comments? Is he going to support Obama this fall?

NLS is divisive, mean-spirited, and causes more harm than good. The trash he has been spewing for months against anyone he does support is appalling and is leading to long term problems for the party.

His latest petty broadside against Creigh Deeds over the mis-spelling of a sign was petty and hardly noteworthy. Just as the Byrne campaign is suffering from their close association with NLS, it is hard to understand why Jim Moran, and his campaign would want to be associated with this trash.

If Byrne loses her primary, will he support the Democratic nominee?

It is truly appalling that those in the progressive blogosphere are still willing to be so closely associated with him.

Sometimes we agree, (Lowell - 6/4/2008 9:49:48 PM)

sometimes we don't agree. For instance, I agree with Ben about Leslie, Chap, Donald, Judy, and many others. I also agree with him on issues ranging from the environment to gay rights to smoking in restaurants to the estate tax to...we could go on and on. With regard to the Obama-Clinton campaign, let's just say we agreed to disagree - strongly.

Bot Lowell....... (Flipper - 6/4/2008 10:15:26 PM)

no one knows how he feels about any issues beause all he does is trash candidates he hates. And yes, I am using the word HATE here, because that's what it is. As progressive bloggers who obviously work in conjunction together, aren't there standards you all use as bloggers? His behavior is really over the top - are you conmfortable being associated with it?

And it's not just disagreeing with candidates - that is fine and it is healthy. But his personal attacks against everyone he does not support are outrageous - it is the nuclear option every time. I really don't understand why you and the others support this.

You know, this is really getting tedious (Lowell - 6/5/2008 7:33:25 AM)

I tell you I know Ben and how he feels on issues, you tell me "no one knows how he feels about any issues." But more than that, this diary is about almost the ENTIRE Northern Virginia blogosphere -- Anonymous is a Woman, Blue Weeds, Bryan Scrafford, Leesburg Tomorrow, NLS and RK -- all endorsing Leslie, Judy and Jim, and you only want to talk about your anger at Ben? That's very unfortunate. Also, I presume that, by your reasoning, NLS should be shunned, sent to Elba, etc, or we're all -- Karen, Evan, Bryan, etc. -- tainted? I don't buy that in the least bit. But see how far you get with your anti-Ben campaign; my guess is, not far at all.

More broadly, I'd just say that we all have different styles. The way I look at NLS is it's sort of like the New York Daily News or one of those papers with the blaring headlines and somewhat outrageous (funny?) takes on life. Not my style, but to each his/her own.

I know I am a tiny personal blog, but I endorse the same three (snolan - 6/5/2008 9:38:52 AM)

I live in the 10th, so having Judy Feder be our next congresswoman is a very wonderful thought!

I used to live in the 11th, and I am doubly happy to see Tom Davis leave, and very excited that Leslie Byrne will be back.

I have admired and respected Jim Moran for many years.

I heartily endorse all three candidates.

Oh - and don't forget Glenn Nye - who will likely win the 2nd away from that Drake and that is about time.

I do not know Ben personally, but I find his blog offensive (snolan - 6/5/2008 9:41:53 AM)

I agree with him on many issues, disagree with him on many issues.
I am very glad he is blogging as he frequently breaks the campaign changing stories; and that is amazing...
I just can't bring myself to read his annoying blog... it's about style. It simply makes me too mad to be rational.... sigh.
I am very glad people here on RK and elsewhere point out the really important stuff on NLS so I can cherry pick the times I go there for important information.

may I add my voice (teacherken - 6/5/2008 6:41:11 AM)

as a periodic editor and front-pager, albeit not on the executive committee. I endorsed Leslie and Judy a few weeks back, and of course with Jim as my Congressman, have continued to support him every cycle.

It is of note that the most visible voices in the NoVa Democratic blogosphere are unanimous on this, despite disagreements we may have had in other recent contests.

Peace.

On numerous occasions (Red Sox - 6/5/2008 11:17:27 AM)

And given my handle, you might guess that his accent alone made me predisposed to like the man. After the 1994 debacle, he was my go-to guy when other Democrats were cowering in fear at the Gingrich crowd. But in 1996, he refused to do more than pay lip service to Democrats like Bob Weinberg and Tom Horton. Add that in with his hostility toward the Jewish community, his incident with an African-American child who dared to admire his automobile, incidents of womanizing, his ugly public divorce, his shady dealings with MBNA and Terry Lierman, and you've got a gigantic pile of suck.

On the issues, he's usually right. As a human being, he's dogshit.

Vote for Mike Turner -- He Can Beat Wolf (IndependentThinker - 6/5/2008 3:53:15 PM)

I'm voting for Colonel Mike Turner on June 10th because he has the experience and track record of real accomplishments to beat Frank Wolf and serve as an outstanding Representative. Professor Judy Feder, who lost to Wolf by 16 percentage points in 2006, brings nothing new to the party.

Colonel Mike Turner provides specific and innovative solutions on every major issue-- look at his website. Professor Judy Feder does not -- look at her website.

The war in Iraq will be the major issue of the campaign against Wolf. Mike Turner, who worked with general Schwarzkopf in the first Gulf War and understands the local culture, came out against the pending 2003 war on CNN before the bombing started. Mike Turner, along with Leslie Byrne and nearly 60 other Congressional candidates, has endorsed "The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq". Judy Feder has not endorsed this plan or any other detailed plan.

But don't take my word for it. Rather than look at endorsements from Professor Feder's paid staffers on the blogs or my reasons for supporting Mike Turner, I suggest that every blogger visit the two candidates' web sites, compare their personal accomplishments, and view the debate videos (they're posted on Mike Turner's website but not Feder's) -- then make up your own mind regarding which candidate is electable against Wolf and which candidate can provide the leadership needed in Congress.

www.MikeTurnerforCongress.com
www.judyfeder.com

Each member of the netroots should do your own homework and think for yourself!

You have the power to make the right decision for our district and for our nation.

Ok, point taken, rechecking both candidates (snolan - 6/5/2008 6:14:01 PM)

Turner has the May 22nd debate up in it's entirety (through google video) on his website.

I have only watched half so far, but they are both very good candidates. Much better than do-nothing Frank Wolf.

I still have very real doubts about wether Mike Turner can raise the funding to beat Frank or generate the turnout - but that may be a non-issue because of Obama and Warner being on the ticket.

I liked Turner's responses on New Orleans and Iraq; I like Feder's responses on health care and education... of course everyone's opinion will differ.

I feel that Judy stays on message a little more consistently, but Mike has his moments of cutting right through the bull and getting to the heart of the matter.

On issues - they are pretty closely matched; it's experience that is different. I'd be proud to call either of them my congressional representative. I am likely to vote Judy on the 10th because I think she has a better shot, but will continue monitoring both candidates closely. I will happily back either of them against the Republicans in the general.

Mike Turner also has real progressives behind him (dgordon - 6/6/2008 5:25:22 PM)

It is worth noting that Mike Turner -- not Judy Feder -- has been endorsed by the Virginia chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America. If one compares the respective positions of the two on important progressive issues, it is not hard to see why the PDA in Virginia endorsed Mike. Mike was an early co-sponsor (along with Tom Periello and Leslie Byrne) of the Responsible Plan to end the war in Iraq put out by Darcy Burner, Donna Edwards, and others. Judy has not yet endorsed that plan, or any specific plan. Mike has also endorsed a single payer universal health insurance program. Judy -- the health care policy expert -- has not endorsed that plan, nor put forward any specific alternative plan. Mike Turner is the real progressive in this race, and deserves the support of real progressives.

Don't you think (dgordon - 6/6/2008 5:46:50 PM)

you should include, in comments like this, the information that you are paid by the Feder campaign for web services, specifically running the Farewell Frank blog? Mike's policy positions are set out in detail on his web site, as are his credentials in the foreign policy and national security areas. If expertise in those areas makes him "moderate," so be it. Thinking progressives can look at Mike's positions, compare them to Judy's, and decide for themselves which of these candidates best reflects genuine progressive interests. Your attempt to tag Mike with labels you regard as pejorative does not change his positions, or those Judy has taken. If you want to debate those policy positions, those of us supporting Mike would welcome that debate. But don't attempt to short-circuit that debate by labeling Mike in a way you regard as unflattering.

I've made that clear like, oh, a gazillion times (Lowell - 6/6/2008 6:32:52 PM)

But here you go:

I am a paid consultant to Judy Feder for Congress.

Happy?

By the way, this was an endorsement by the entire RK executive board. That's 6 people, only one of whom (me) is paid by the Feder campaign. The endorsement was also by numerous other blogs, none of whom are being paid by the Feder campaign. Finally, I'd note (as I have many times before) that I supported Judy in 2006 when I wasn't receiving a penny from her. Perhaps we all just like Judy?

Me too . . . (dgordon - 6/6/2008 7:10:12 PM)

I supported Judy in 2006, and I will support her in 2008 if she is our party's nominee. Will you make the same commitment to Mike? As for any claim Mike may have made to be a "blue dog" Democrat, I don't know why he made any changes he has made to his web site, but I could speculate that he made that change after realizing that people like you would not look past the label and examine his positions. His positions have been clear since he started his campaign last year. In fact, his position on Iraq has been clear since before the start of the war. If Judy spoke publicly against the war before it started, I'm not aware of it. Mike publicly endorsed Senator Obama for president last December. If Judy ever (before yesterday) endorsed Sen. Obama, I'm not aware of it.
By the way, while I am a strong supporter of Mike Turner, and a volunteer in his campaign, I am not being paid to do anything. My only motivation in all of this is to pick the strongest candidate we can to contest this winnable seat in November. I think Mike is that candidate.

Labels are for Karl Rove (IndependentThinker - 6/6/2008 8:09:32 PM)

Right-wing Republicans like to pin labels on their opponents -- whether they are other Republicans (primaries) or Democrats and Independents (general elections).

Label pinning sends swing voters to a third-party candidate, to the other party or to the sidelines. Don't chase them away.

Rather than debate whether Judy Feder is a Georgetown Liberal or Mike Turner is a blue dog, it behooves the netroots to transcend Karl Rove politics. We should all adopt Barack Obama politics -- and start looking at the merits of the candidates, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, their websites and debate videos. Look at their backgrounds, accomplishments, visions, and their positions on the issues. Decide which candidate can defeat Wolf (first requirement, as noted by Lowell) then get the job done in Congress.

I am still astonished at the surprise Wolf supporters I run into (snolan - 6/5/2008 6:18:36 PM)

I was dancing (one of my favorite hobbies) last week and the lady I was dancing with asked if I was involved in the presidential campaigns again this year; and I said not yet - that I intended to work for Obama later, but I was concerned about congressional primaries right now.

She asked if I was working for Wolf, and implied that she was happy with him; I expressed my shock. I said that as a veteran he certainly does NOT support me at all, and I did not like that he was with Bush all the time. She looked honestly surprised and dismayed... I said - don't take my word for it but please check his voting record before voting.

It is amazing to me that he has such a reputation for being a constituent responsive kind of guy. Neither he nor his office has ever responded to my own letters about several issues I thought crossed party lines. Grrr. Even Tom Davis did me the courtesy of responding.