As I promised earlier, the following is an analysis of the rally at Robinson High School this morning. (More photos can be seen by following this link.) In addition to a few other bloggers, Lowell from Raising Kaine has also written a post that gives a fairly descriptive account of what the candidates spoke about. This post will, therefore, attempt to give a general outline of the rally as well as a personal analysis of the day+óGé¼Gäós events.
Even though today was a rainy day and many people are out of town for the Labor Day Weekend, the event had a turnout of about 350-400 people. The high attendance can be attributed to the fact that the event took place indoors and that there were four great candidates speaking at the same event. It also helps that since Webb will be spending time with his son this weekend, this morning+óGé¼Gäós event was one of the few (if not the only) event that he would be attending this Labor Day Weekend.
For those of you who don+óGé¼Gäót know, this event was a rally that allowed voters to hear from the three Democratic Congressional candidates from Northern Virginia (Judy Feder, Andy Hurst, Jim Moran) and Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate for US Senate. (Gerry Connelly, the Democratic chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and a few other local politicians also gave a few remarks.) When Gerry Connelly spoke at the beginning of the rally, he stated that the Democratic Party has a 7 to 3 advantage on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and a 10 to 2 advantage on the Fairfax County School Board. Not only did the statement energize the crowd, but it also provided a clear example of why the Democratic candidates from this area have a good shot at winning on November 7.
For those of you who don+óGé¼Gäót know, this event was a rally that allowed voters to hear from the three Democratic Congressional candidates from Northern Virginia (Judy Feder, Andy Hurst, Jim Moran) and Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate for US Senate. (Gerry Connelly, the Democratic chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and a few other local politicians also gave a few remarks.) When Gerry Connelly spoke at the beginning of the rally, he stated that the Democratic Party has a 7 to 3 advantage on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and a 10 to 2 advantage on the Fairfax County School Board. Not only did the statement energize the crowd, but it also provided a clear example of why the Democratic candidates from this area have a good shot at winning on November 7.
As everyone gathered in the hallway before the event actually began, it was obvious that the atmosphere in the High School would clearly provide for a great rally. 
The candidates were answering questions and shaking hands, which allowed the voters to talk with them about their specific concerns. For instance, I saw one blogger asking Andy Hurst a few questions related to labor issues. As most events do, the one this morning also provided the audience with an opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances and meet more of their fellow Democrats. I was happy to see some volunteers from the Hurst Campaign that I knew and I also met a few people from Virginia+óGé¼Gäós blogosphere. I was also pleased to be able to speak to Andy again and meet his wife, who seems to be an extremely nice woman. (For those of you who are wondering, I was the guy that was wearing an orange shirt and sitting a couple rows behind the candidates).
As people were gathering in the hallway, each candidate had tables and was distributing campaign materials. I already had an Andy Hurst bumper sticker, so I picked up one from Webb+óGé¼Gäós table, as well as a Webb for Senate yard sign. As Andy Hurst would later point out in his speech, bumper stickers, yard signs etc. can provide more opportunities to spread the word about a particular candidate than people expect. Since not everyone has the time to volunteer or the money to donate, they can get involved by simply doing the small things. Even if it is as small as displaying bumper stickers on your car. At the very least, displaying bumper stickers will make people aware of the fact that so and so is running for office. Andy also gave the audience an example of how that theory has been put into practice.
He mentioned that his wife sometimes wears his campaign t-shirts while she is out and about. When she wears these shirts, people often stop to ask her about Andy+óGé¼Gäós platform, which allows her to answer questions that the person might add. It also allows her to give personal examples of why Andy should be our next Congressman. Now you might be thinking, +óGé¼+ôOf course his wife is going to help his campaign,+óGé¼-¥ but I think it is important to get at the heart of what Andy was saying +óGé¼GÇ£ everyone can do their part because +óGé¼+ôwe are in this fight together.+óGé¼-¥
Many people would agree that bumper stickers, t-shirts, yard signs, etc. can potentially have more of an effect than other forms of advertising. If a person is willing to display a bumper sticker or wear a t-shirt, they obviously believe the candidate will be a productive Member of Congress. And if a significant number of voters are displaying these signs, then other voters will soon realize that the particular candidate has some credibility. Furthermore, many voters will trust the word of a fellow citizen more than they will a commercial they see on television. (Partly because you can interact with the live p
erson. You cannot interact with a television commercial.) So by handing out bumper stickers and signs this morning, the candidates were gaining the support of the more voters than just the several hundred that were in the auditorium this morning.
As I mentioned before, the actual speeches were started by a few brief remarks by Gerry Connelly (who is only a few days out of surgery.) The first candidate to speak was Judy Feder who is the Democratic candidate in the 10th District. As did the other candidates, Judy received a standing ovation filled with cheers and whistles as she made her way to the stage. During her speech she pointed out that no matter what Frank Wolf wants people to believe, conditions have not gotten better under his leadership. Among other things, she mentioned that traffic is still horrendous and the health care system still needs improvement. It was Feder+óGé¼Gäós argument that the current Administration+óGé¼Gäós solution to the health care problem is for the people to become better shoppers and then pay a higher portion of the bill. She then issued the battle cry that +óGé¼+ô[she has] been standing up for what+óGé¼Gäós right and [she has] the scars to prove it.+óGé¼-¥ Clearly that was supposed to signify that she believes the Government needs to be held accountable for its actions and she has been running her campaign partly based on that principle.
Andy Hurst also spoke about how it was necessary to begin the process of reforming Congress. The audience could easily tell that the topic of reform was something that Andy was passionate about. That passion was absolutely devoured by the audience, which had even shouted answers to rhetorical questions during Judy Feder+óGé¼Gäós speech. Among the several issues that Hurst spoke about, he reminded voters that Tom Davis has recently taken advantage of the taxpayers+óGé¼Gäó money by issuing campaign materials through his Congressional office. Even though it was very likely that no action would be taken, Andy decided that he should file an official complaint. His reasoning behind taking that course of action was that a main reason he had entered the race was to ensure that Congress was held to the highest of standards. 
Therefore, it was the only logical conclusion that he would begin to do so even before he became a lawmaker.
I believe that Andy+óGé¼Gäós story clearly shows us that he is serious about reforming Congress. Many politicians often speak about what they will do if they are elected. Once they are in office, however, some of those promises become neglected. Andy Hurst, however, has already begun holding himself to those campaign promises. Ensuring that the taxpayers don+óGé¼Gäót have to pay for Davis+óGé¼Gäós campaign materials is proper fitting to holding lawmakers accountable for their actions. As Hurst joked, he+óGé¼Gäós a taxpayer and doesn+óGé¼Gäót want to pay for ads that are against him, and neither does anyone else. (Another joke made by Andy was that Davis was probably +óGé¼+ôa great guy, cured cancer, loves puppies,+óGé¼-¥ but is a prime example of why the Government needs to be reformed)
It is also worth noting that Andy called attention to the fact that he was dressed for the canvass that he was holding immediately following the rally. I believe this is illustrates that he realizes the importance of getting out and talking to the people. Yes, it is important to attend r
allies like the one this morning. As the name +óGé¼+ôrally+óGé¼-¥ implies, however, these events are intended to rally his supporters. Andy also takes the time to take part in canvasses because he realizes the importance of talking to those voters who are undecided or perhaps just slightly leaning towards one side or the other.
The next candidate who spoke was Congressman Jim Moran. Moran praised both Judy Feder and Andy Hurst. He pointed out that Andy is doing such a good job that Tom Davis is more scared than he has ever been before. Moran strongly believes that it is time for the Democrats to take back control of Congress and make sure the Government once again represents the needs and concerns of the American people. He even took out a little timer and told us how much longer George Bush had in office. (As a side note, I believe the jokes made by the candidates today show that they are truly down to earth people who simply want to ensure that the Government does the best that it can.)
Moran then took a serious tone when he discussed his recent trip to New Orleans. He stated that the Republican lead Congress turned its back on the city after Hurricane Katrina hit. He attributed this to the corrupt policies that allowed the contracts to go to big companies who had donated to Republican candidates. I believe Moran+óGé¼Gäós comment illustrated the concern that all Americans have +óGé¼GÇ£ the Republican Party has too many ties with big business and lobbyists. It is those relationships that hinder the progress Congress is making. That can be tied up in what was perhaps my favorite li
ne of the night. +óGé¼+ôRepublicans campaign on the theory that government can+óGé¼Gäót work, and once elected, they spend their time proving it.+óGé¼-¥
Before turning the microphone over to Jim Webb, Moran+óGé¼Gäós speech also included a few other examples of how the Bush Administration had +óGé¼+ôdeceived+óGé¼-¥ the American public over the years. Of course the crowd went absolutely crazy when Jim Webb took the stage. Staying with the New Orleans theme for a little bit, Webb pointed out how he believed it is important to rebuild our own country before we decide to rebuild another. I believe Webb absolutely made a valid point with that statement. We have hundreds of thousands of people in our country who have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina. It is important that we help our fellow citizens get back on their feet after such a horrible tragedy. That task is extremely difficult, however, because so much of our budget is focused on Iraq.
Webb did also make a few comments about Allen+óGé¼Gäós recent decision to welcome S.R. Sidarth to this country. He pointed out that Allen probably wouldn+óGé¼Gäót have made the comments if he wasn+óGé¼Gäót in that part of the Commonwealth, which is an insult to that region because it shows that Allen believes people in that area would be racist. I believe that is a major part of why the comments received so much attention. Allen made the comments thinking that everyone at the rally simply wouldn+óGé¼Gäót think anything of it. Judging by the national attention the comments have received, however, I would say that it is reasonable to assume that Allen was wrong. 
Webb pointed out that Allen was also wrong to try and paint the picture that Webb hadn+óGé¼Gäót spent much time in Southwest Virginia. Webb drew attention to the fact that while Allen was living in California, he was visiting relatives in Southwestern Virginia. George Allen, however, has been arguing that Webb would not be a true representative of Virginia because he isn+óGé¼Gäót familiar with the different areas of the Commonwealth. Obviously, Allen wouldn+óGé¼Gäót want to admit that Webb has family in Southwestern Virginia because that would force him to let the voters know that Allen isn+óGé¼Gäót the best candidate for that region. In fact, since he believed that the members of that region were racists, he probably is the absolute wrong person to represent Virginia as a member of the US Senate.
As Webb pointed out, however, many Republicans like to take the attention off of the real problems. It is, therefore, not surprising that George Allen would use that technique. As all of the candidates mentioned, it is important for lawmakers such as George Allen to be taken out of office so that the Government can begin addressing the issues that are truly important to the voters. I believe that this event was a great way to rally the base in order to accomplish that very mission. I am extremely glad that I had the opportunity to attend.