Tonight was Janet Oleszek's 60th Birthday and Campaign Kickoff for the 37th District Senate seat. Currently, that seat is held by right-wing extremist Ken Cuccinelli...but not for much longer, especially in this increasingly Democratic "blue" district. Certainly, around 150-200 Oleszek supporters at The Pond's Community Center in Burke had other ideas this evening!Attendees tonight included Leslie and Larry Byrne, Sen. Dick Saslaw, Sen. Creigh Deeds, Sen. Janet Howell, Del. Kris Amundson, Del. Jim Scott, Del. Chuck Caputo, Del. David Bulova, Del. Dave Marsden, and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Gerry Connolly. Democratic General Assembly candidates included Bruce Roemmelt, George Barker, Morris Meyer, and Rex Simmons. Bloggers included Ben Tribbett, Kenton Ngo, and "Anonymous is a Woman" (and her husband). Oh, and Fairfax County School Board member Ilryong Moon led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Janet Oleszek.
For highlights from the speeches, please continue to the "flip." In sum, Janet Oleszek CAN win this race, MUST win this race, and WILL win this race. Of course, she needs all of your support, so please help her out financially and in any other way you can. Thanks.
Del. Kris Amundson served as "MC." She kicked things off by talking about the "godawful" legislation that has come from the House of Delegates but has been stopped in the Senate by moderate Republicans who are now retiring. That's why it's crucial that Democrats take back the Senate this year, that we send "mainstream people" there, like Janet Oleszek.
Sen. Creigh Deeds quoted the Book of Matthew, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Deeds called Republicans "mean-spirited folks," and stressed that we had to have our hands "back on the wheel" by redistricting in 2011. Which is why we must elect a Democratic Senate this year...our last clear chance to take it back before 2011. We need four seats that Tim Kaine won. There are three seats that Leslie Byrne and Creigh Deeds won, and this is one of those seats. Creigh talked about how Janet had stepped up for him, and how it was time to step up for her. If Janet's elected, it will pay off for Fairfax County and for Virginia. It will also mean that Dick Saslaw becomes majority leader.
Gerry Connolly talked about the "cataclysmic changes" in the State Senate with moderate Republicans, who had served as a "buffer" against the craziness coming out of the House of Delegates, retiring. Their replacements may not be pretty. We need to "put a break on these ideologues." To do that, we need to win back the Senate, and Fairfax is the key with three targeted seats. If we work together, we will win. If we lose, we'll end up with a General Assembly that's hostile to our interests. We need people in the General Assembly who believe in tolerance, who understand complex problems, etc. Ken Cuccinelli is more concerned with "gay marriage and baggy pants" than with important issues. Cuccinelli has "pulled the wool over voters' eyes for the last time." The stakes could not be higher, the opportunity could not be greater this year.
Dick Saslaw said that Cucinelli votes like he represents Lee County more than Fairfax County - letting people bring concealed weapons into airports, punishing an employer who employs an illegal immigrant by taking away their right to operate their business in Virginia for a year, taking money from public schools to pay for roads, etc. We need to pick up four seats, and Janet's going to give us one of those. This is definitely winnable. Janet will be the most knowledgeable person in the Senate on K-12 issues. The only way we're going to ensure that what gets through the House is stopped in the Senate is to win it back. Janet will get the job done.
Leslie Byrne said that Republicans are "funny in some ways." They focus on "guns, God and gays" as a "switcheroo" to distract people from the fact that 1 in 7 Virginians don't have health care, from a transportation system that's a mess, etc. It's like a magician "sleight of hand" trick. But we've caught on to this in NOVA, and decided that it's not how we want to be represented. These are the things that the current occupant of the 37th Senate district doesn't understand. "Our friend" Janet Oleszek will stand up for what we believe - tolerance, health care, the elderly, transportation. This is the lowest point in the four-year political cycle in Virginia in terms of turnout If you "pull the numbers that you did for Kaine and Webb," you'll have a Democratic State Senate, and Janet Oleszek as Senator.
Janet said she was "blown away" by the crowd and couldn't thank people enough. Why is she running for State Senate? "Our representation in Richmond has failed the people of the 37th District" with its "rigid, right-wing ideology." We need someone in Richmond with better plans for the future, someone who shares our values, and someone who can give Tim Kaine an ally on all his issues. "It's time for a change in Richmond." We need more of our tax money to come back from Richmond and help with problems like transportation in NOVA. "Partisanship and ideology have led the way for far too long." Health care is an issue that "absolutely must be addressed." Everyone should have access to health benefits, including veterans. All citizens of Virginia should be able to buy into the state employee health program. There's no good reason not to pursue solutions like these, only partisan reasons. Education is the issue "I am most passionate about." All students should start school with the "same advantages." "Let's get that pre-school program started." "Let's ensure that everyone who wants to go to college CAN go to college." Other important issues include land use, the environment, and a woman's right to choose. "I will work hard to earn your votes...we need to do this now."
One last picture...two thirds of the 2005 "TLC" ticket. Can you imagine how much better off we'd be if Leslie Byrne and Creigh Deeds had defeated Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell?