I'm in the striped shirt...for future reference (Lowell - 9/2/2006 5:30:04 PM)
This morning was the Labor Day Democratic campaign kickoff rally with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly, Congressman Jim Moran, Congressional candidates Judy Feder and Andrew Hurst, Senate candidate Jim Webb, State Senator Mark Herring, Delegate Jim Scott, State Senator Dick Saslaw, former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne, and over 500 enthusiastic audience members on a rainy day in Fairfax. I should have dozens of photos coming later, plus a video (hopefully) of the event. In the meantime, here are some highlights.[UPDATE: Photo set is uploaded!]
*Gerry Connolly, who apparently just had hernia surgery, still managed to kick things off in typical, enthusiastic, witty Gerry Connolly style. According to Connolly, just a few months ago all the pundits were saying there was no WAY the Democrats could take back the House of Representatives this year, and certainly not the US Senate. Now, we've got a great chance of taking back both the House AND the Senate, with people like Andy Hurst, Judy Feder and Jim Webb.
*Connolly declared, point blank, "we're gonna elect Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate."
*State Senator Mark Herring stated that people in the 10th District were demanding change and accountability. Herring noted that Frank Wolf voted "9 times out of 10 with President Bush," and that "we're not gonna get that kind of change from Frank Wolf." In contrast, Herring introduced Judy Feder as the person to bring "that kind of change to Washington."
*Judy Feder gave a rousing, energetic speech, in which she said that she was going to help change things in Washington. Feder noted that Frank Wolf has been in Congress for 26 years, and that all we're going to get from Wolf is "more of the same."
*Feder asked, rhetorically, whether traffic or gas prices had gotten any better with Frank Wolf and the Republicans in charge (loud audience response: "NO!!"). Feder asked, again rhetorically, whether it was right to give oil companies tax breaks when they were making record profits (loud audience response: "NO!!")
*Feder talked about the cost of heatlh care going up while the quality has gone down, and declared that "this is not acceptable."
*Feder said that she was "not afraid to stand up to powerful lobbies like the HMOs and pharmaceuticals," and noted that she had the "scars to prove it!"
*Jim Scott talked about how this election was more like 1974 - the post-Watergate election in which Democrats picked up 48 House seats - than 1994.
*Introducing Andy Hurst, Del. Scott had a great line, riffing off of Lloyd Bentsen's all-time-great slam of Dan Quayle: "I served on the Board of Supervisors with Tom Davis. I know Tom Davis. And Tom Davis is no Andy Hurst!" That one brought the house down.
*Andy Hurst bounded (does he ever NOT bound? ha) onto the stage in his usual super-energetic fashion. Hurst noted that he had knocked on thousands of doors, and that he was having a great time.
*Hurst talked about how people in the district were receiving glossy mailers from Tom Davis, "paid for at taxpayers expense," and how this wasnn't right. So, Hurst decided to do something about bit and filed a formal complaint against Davis. Good going Andy!
*Hurst joked that Tom Davis was probably "a great guy, cured cancer, loves puppies," but that he's simply wrong on the issues, and part of the problem, that being the Republican leadership in the House.
*The bottom line is that Hurst doesn't "believe what Tom Davis believes in," and he's going to fight Davis all the way. Gotta love Andy Hurst!
*State Sen. Dick Saslaw dismissed George Allen with just three words, noting that he had known Allen for over 20 years and that "he ain't much." Ouch!
*Saslaw mocked Allen's cowboy image, given that "Allen was born and raised in Southern California."
*Saslaw recalled that Allen "didn't have that accent when he came into the [Virginia] General Assembly." Saslaw also recalled that Allen "wasn't the quickest guy around."
*On Allen's racist comments to S.R. Sidarth, Saslaw pointed out that Allen had "tried to gain a political nickel at the expense of someone's nationality, and it's blowing up in his face." Saslaw wondered if Allen would have made those comments if he had not been in Southwest Virginia, surrounded by white Republicans. And Saslaw pointed out that Sidarth "is more of a Virginian than George Allen is!"
*Saslaw mocked Allen for learning his fake cowboy shtick at a "dude ranch while OUR candidate, Jim Webb, was fighting in Vietnam." Saslaw aded the classic line, "George Allen is no more of a cowboy than Jerry Seinfeld."
*Saslaw concluded by urging people to vote for Jim Webb, a man who won't "rubberstamp" bad leadership as Allen has done, but will do "what he believes is right."
*Rep. Jim Moran, who knows Tom Davis and Frank Wolf well, asserted that Davis is "more concerned than he's ever been" about winning re-election, and that Wolf hopefully "is not as scared as he should be."
*The bottom line problem with Davis and Wolf is that they are on the "wrong side of all the most important issues," that they are "loyal members of their political party," and that "this is a gulf that can't be crossed."
*Moran spoke passionately about his recent trip to New Orleans, how this was "the worst natural disaster in U.S. history," and how the Republican-led government had "turned its back on New Orleans."
*Moran went further, saying that what the Bush Administration and Republian Congress have done to New Orleans has been "the result of deliberate policies." Where has all the money gone? To "big contractors who have given money to the Republican Party."
*The bottom line with the Bush family and the Republicans in general is that, to quote FDR, "they are frozen in the ice of their own indifference." In other words, according to Moran, "they simply don't care."
*Moran laid into the Administration for "endemic" corruption, "indifference" and "incompetence." Moran had a GREAT line when he pointed out that "Republicans campaign on the theory that government can't work, then when they're in power, they spend their time proving it!"
*Moran charged the Bush Administration with a "pattern of deliberate deception" to push us into war with Iraq. According to Moran, they "deceived us and now we're stuck in a morass with no viable plan to get out."
*Moran also condemned Republicans for taking "hundreds of billions of dollars from the working class and giving it to the richest who don't need it." According to Moran, "that's stealing."
*The bottom line, in Moran's view, is that "we have NEVER been led by a worse President," and that it's time to "stand up" and "take this country back." Luckily, we have an alternative to George Allen "who will make us proud" - Jim Webb.
*Webb gave a great speech, with many people saying afterwards that it was the best one they'd ever heard him give, and noting how much Webb had improved just in the past few months and how he was really hitting his stride.
*Webb talked powerfully about Hurricane Katrina, noting that "a lot of people think I got into this over national security," but that New Orleans - where his wife is from - was "the final straw."
*Webb talked about how, when South Vietnam fell in 1975, our country was able to take "500,000 people out of [boats in] the ocean" and bring them to America. This demonstrated, according to Webb, that "with the right leadership from the top, we could have taken care of [the people of New Orleans]."
*Instead, according to Webb, New Orleans has been allowed to "just sit there," even as "a lot of profit" has been made by a few people off of that tragedy. That's why we need new leadership, to "rebuild the infrastructure of the United States...[starting] in New Orleans."
*Webb said that he was trying to recall whether or not there had ever been "a time in my life when the stakes were so high" for this country. On foreign policy, Webb said that he is sure this is "the worst ever," and declared that we must "dramatically change the political system."
*Webb slammed the Bush Administration as having "the reverse Midas touch," where "every single foreign policy situation they have touched, it has screwed up."
*Webb referred to his debate at the Homestead with George Allen, and Allen's attempt to mock him for opposing the FIRST Gulf War, back in 1990/1991. At the debate, Allen tried to insult Webb by pointing out that even the FRENCH were for the first Gulf War (kind of funny how Allen always insults the French, given that his own mother is French Tunisian; paging Dr. Freud!). Webb related how his son, Jimmy, had commented that Allen hadn't fought in Vietnam. The classic quote, courtessy of Jimmy Webb: "Dad, even the FRENCH fought in Vietnam!" (tremendous audience laughter and applause)
*Great line by Webb: "This Administration, and people like George Allen who have supported it blindly, threaten to disrupt the very fabric of what we are as Americans."
*Webb talked about how after-tax corporate profits, as a share of national income, were higher than they had ever been, while wages and salaries were the LOWEST they had ever been.
*Webb noted that "one-party government" had led to "abuses of Presidential power" and widespread fraud. "We need to get rid of people [like George Allen] who won't stand up and fight" this kind of thing.
*Webb commented briefly on Allen's "incident" from a few weeks ago. Webb noted that Allen had made a "deliberate mischaracterization of me and my relationship with Southwest Virginia" when Allen stated that Webb had never been there. In fact, according to Webb, he went down the week after Allen made those comments on a long-planned vacation WITH HIS RELATIVES! Webb also noted that he had "been going to down to Southwest Virginia since George Allen was in California!" (Webb also mentioned tending to his greatgrandparents' graves in SWVA)
*Webb asserted that Allen's insult of a young, South Asian-American man, "insults MY culture," by assum[ing] that people form this culture would agree with Allen's exclusive views." In contrast, Webb declared that the culture of Southwest Virginia - WEBB'S culture - was "a very inclusive culture." Webb related a conversation with Sidarth's father, who had done a lot of business in that part of the state some years ago. According to Sidarth's dad, nobody in Southwest Virginia had EVER said something bad about his ethnic background. But George Allen insulted his son. Wow.
*Finally, Webb commented that the Republicans were using an "old Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus" trick, trying to "take peoples' attention off of REAL problems" by talking about divisive wedge issues like gay marriage, burning flags, and excluding people. In contrast, Webb believes in INCLUSIVE government, and particularly in "taking care of people who have no power" or voice in Washington's corridors of power.
All in all, this was a great rally to kick off the Labor Day weekend by a great bunch of Democrats. Now, let's go kick some butt!
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
Awesome energy in the room...
I post this comment because it is to me an example of the way a government should operate - reaching out to people, not waiting for them to ask for help. When Jim refers to our ability to take out of Vietnam the people who were at risk after we left, and to continue to accept people well after that, versus a current administration who couldn't even process the offers of help that were made even knowing a hurricane was coming, I think that all of us in governmental roles have a responsibility to be proactive as well as respond as quickly as possible when problems do occur.
I gave 4 hours yesterday to stuffing envelopes when my soccer practice was cancelled because of Ernesto. As much as I would have enjoyed being at the rally, I think that - and the blogging I did today - did more good for Jim than attending would have. But I am sorry I missed it.
Thanks for filling in those of us who could attend.
This was my favorite part.
*Hurst joked that Tom Davis was probably "a great guy, cured cancer, loves puppies," but that he's simply wrong on the issues, and part of the problem, that being the Republican leadership in the House.
here's my story, also posted on dailykos.com
I attended the democrat rally at robinson hs in fairfax, va today.
I was standing at the front of the school when I noticed Webb standing under the front awning -- no fanfare, no posse. I stood my ground and in walked Webb -- only a foot in front of me.
I snapped some pictures, was taken pictures of with Webb (and asked by a photographer -- dont know who he was with -- my name and location). I then got to shake Mr. Webb's hand, told him how honored I was to meet him, then he signed my Webb sticker.
When I entered the auditorium, i sat in the back and saw that Webb was going to pass right behind me and I said, there he is, there he is to the lady sitting next to me -- Webb looked down, saw me, smiled, put his hand on my shoulder, squeezed and walked away.
It was a great experience -- I also got my picture taken with Andy Hurst going up against Tom Davis. FANTASTIC GUY!
I've put up my pics here -- hope everyone gets a chance to see them!
Anyways, feel free to use the pics I took too at the above post -- they're not great quality, my camera is old -- but they are there!
I was so honored to meet Webb and Hurst (who was also nice enough to pose with me).
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad i went!!
The corruption and lies, failed infrastructure are symptoms of a fractured system that needs to be repaired. Our first priority needs to be restoring and rebuilding a democracy in which corruption is punished not rewarded, in which it is laughable to advocate wars based on lies, where we can take fair and honest elections for granted, where response to disaster is a given. etc. etc. etc.
There is an enormous obstacle between where we are and putting traditional Democratic values on the table: we need to get rid of Bush. Not just Bush, but all that he has come to represent. From barely literate to savvy pols, that is a succinct summary of a litany of critical changes that need to be made first.
The stakes are high, and we're not talking about politics as usual. With the exception of ever present racism, most of the issues that I have been motivated to work on over the years fall into the categories of special interests: environmental, women's rights, GLBT rights. I don't know if they are even relevant in whatever form of "government" we have now with an economy that is destroying the middle class.
We have to turn the ship around before we can fuss over the arrangement of the deck chairs.
When someone says they are not working for Webb, that is an invitation to explain why you are working for him and why you hope they will, too. You won't always be successful, but there is no greater reward than seeing that particular light bulb go on.
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Oh, well, it's early and I'm procrastinating when I need to go to C'ville. What do you all think of this sig? Is it too long?
To take a nation to war on the basis of any provocation that bears the smell of fraud is to risk losing national leadership's commitment when the going gets tough. When our soldiers' bodies start coming home in high numbers, and reverses in the field are discouraging, a guilty conscience in a top leader can become the Achilles heel of a whole country. Men of shame who know our road to war was not cricket, are seldom those we can count on to hold fast, stay the course. -- VADM James B. Stockdale, USN, 1995
Don't get too concerned about those Democrats who say they are not working for Webb, but will vote for him.
Some of them were probably Miller supporters and they probably recall some of the Webb supporters during the nasty primary who said they wouldn't vote for Miller if he won the primary. Also, some of them may have been slammed themselves on this or other pro-Webb blogs during the primary. There are still hurt feelings out there and it is up to the victors -- the Webb team -- to smooth them over. Some Webb supporters still treat former Miller folks like crap and many Democrats are upset by how some of the Webb folks criticize Gerry Connolly in public.
Everyone needs to realize that there are no Miller supporters anymore. The primary is over.
Rebecca says they are the reason why Democrats keep losing elections. She obviously doesn't live in Fairfax County where, as Gerry Connolly noted yesterday, they have strong Democratic majorities on the board of supervisors and the school board. She also isn't aware of the NoVA Democratic General Assembly wins by Caputo, Bulova, Poisson, Herring, and Marsden.
If the less that fervent Webb supporters described by Rebecca and Lowell are working for Hurst, Feder, or Moran, they are already working for Webb because the campaigns will be coordinated if all goes right.
Every Democrat won't be as fervent about Webb as those who have been with him since the beginning. People, especially Democrats, like to complain. Don't criticize them too much. Once Webb hits his stride and spends more time embracing mainstream Democrats, they will come around.
Let's face it. The Webb campaign is about as unorthodox as it comes. It has many different layers where, often, the members of each of those layers operate independently of the campaign and each other. This is confusing for Democrats who are used to a top down campaign controlled by the senior campaign staff in conjunction with the party apparatus.
The more organized the Webb campaign gets, the more these lukewarm Webb supporters will be drawn into the fold.
So don't alienate these folks. Embrace them. Kathy is right about this. But you don't need to win them over on the issues. These people know issues. You need to make them feel a part of the team and encourage them to help in a meaningful way.
Right now, some folks are on the outside looking in, despite the fact that they are seasoned political operatives who have a lot to offer. Keep working to make them feel welcome.
For my money though, I was most impressed with Andy Hurst. Not only was he passionate and articulate, but in telling the story of filing a complaint against TD for using his Frank for political purposes, he displayed conviction and courage - something we all need as we go into the 2006 races fighting to bring our country back to the people.
Moreover, I hope that Andy's showing at today's rally, plus his untiring canvassing, will encourage people to write him a few checks and contribute a few hours to get him elected. This is the year to do it. If TD can't be beat in 2006 when Democrats have the best chance to take the House in God knows how long, then when are we going to beat him? It needs to be done in 2006!!!!