First off, let me just state for the record that I like several of the candidates in the 45th District (Alexandria, south Arlington, parts of Fairfax). Almost any of them would be perfectly fine choices in a different district, or at a different time. But right here, and right now, we badly need David Englin as our representative.
Before I get back to David, I want to emphasize that this endorsement is NOT intended as a slam in any way, shape or form at Libby Garvey. Having lived in Arlington and Alexandria for nearly 20 years, I admire Libby, have voted for her several times for School Board, and can confidently say that she would be my choice for the 45th district if David Englin weren't running. But one thing she said to me has stuck in my mind for the past few weeks. Specifically, I'm talking about her emphasis on working with anybody "across the aisle,"on the importance of getting to know them, having lunch with them, etc. Well, that's great in theory, but when I mentioned to her the fact that some of these people "across the aisle" are right-wing extremists and even bigots, Libby just laughed uncomfortably.
Frankly, I don't believe that having lunch with the Dick Blacks or Bob Marshalls of the world, as Libby has suggested doing, is going to turn them into good guys. Some people, frankly, just have to be fought tooth and nail: people who believe in imposing their religion on us for instance; people who are bigoted against homosexuals or Latin American immigrants. These people need to be defeated, not wined and dined. And David Englin can help do that after he wins on June 14.
The bottom line is this: right now, right here in the 45th District and in Virginia more generally, we need someone like David Englin. Someone to help the Democrats in this state start building up a stellar "farm team" of exciting, inspiring young candidates. Someone who truly believes in the power of the "grassroots," not the usual "top down" politics of the cynical insiders. Someone who can be a powerful voice for progressive moral values. Someone who will fight for what he believes in, and fight back hard against the right-wing extremists like Dick Black, Bob Marshall, Terry Kilgore, Ken Cuccinelli and Dave Albo.
By the way, I had not been planning on endorsing anyone in contested Democrat primaries. Besides this endorsement, I plan to stick with that plan. However, since I first met David at a Tim Kaine "MeetUp" three months ago, I have been inspired and nothing-but-impressed both by him and by his entire campaign. They are a class act all around, led by David's "better half," Shayna. Based on my experience with them, the Englins have always been responsive, friendly, courteous, and respectful to everyone they've come in contact with, and I strongly believe that should count for something. Believe it or not, David and Shayna are honest, smart, good, principled people who really care -- a rare thing in politics, as we all know. Which is exactly why, when you find that combination of traits, you've got to support that person if at all possible. And that's exactly what I've decided to do.
Another point in favor of David Englin is this: if we can't elect an unabashed, forceful progressive candidate here in Arlington (where I live) and Alexandria, where can we ever do that in this state? And David is certainly progressive, with an agenda that is pro-environment, pro-progressive taxation, pro-election reform (including making Election Day a holiday and requring paper receipts from Electronic Voting Machines). In addition, David is for allowing lower-priced prescription drug imports from Canada and Europe, for paying teachers "like the professionals they are," and for ending "No Child Left Behind" in Virginia. I couldn't agree more.
Finally, as the name of this blog would imply, my primary goal is to "Raise Kaine" - elect Tim Kaine as governor this fall. And I strongly believe that people like David Englin can help accomplish this. You see, Tim Kaine will need both a big grassroots effort and also a big turnout from places like the 45th District in order to win this fall. This is certainly possible, but the Republicans will do everything they can to prevent it from happening. For instance, the Republicans are not even running a general election candidate in the 45th district in the hopes of holding down turnout this November for Tim Kaine. We've got to combat this cynical strategy, and David Englin's grassroots, high-energy, enthusiastic, optimistic, idealistic approach is the only way to do that.
Is is for all these reaons that I urge you to VOTESTRONG for David Englin this Tuesday. Even better, help David out by volunteering today, tomorrow and Tuesday. This is an important race -- for our values, for our future, for our district, and for our state. That's why I enthusiastically say, "Go David Englin!"