Bloggers Lunch With Gerry Connolly

*Regarding his political future, Connolly talked extensively about how happy he was to be Fairfax County Chairman, how he would have been very happy if Andy Hurst had been elected to Congress last year, and how you need to "bloom where you're planted," as the great former Governor of Connecticut, Ella Grasso, used to say.

*All in all, as far as Connolly's political prospects are concerned, he feels that "the future will work itself out" and that there are "lots of 'ifs'" involved (e.g., if Sen. Warner retires, if Tom Davis gets the Republican nomination...).  Connolly did NOT deny any interest in the possibility of running for governor of Virginia.  Certainly no "Shermanesque" statements on this topic.

*Connolly said that he had endorsed David H. Miller for Clerk of the Court at Miller's kickoff last night.  Connolly praised Miller for his "good works" as an auxiliary police officer in Fairfax County for 10 years. (note: I hear that Miller's middle name is "Harris," which would be humorous if true).  Connolly also noted that this will be the first time that Democrats have "seriously contested" this office in 24 years.

*Connolly said he had not been following the issue of Miller's lobbying for the Scientologists.

*On the transportation bill, Connolly said that he talks to Gov. Kaine frequently, and that Kaine will be making "reasonable and moderate amendments."  Then, if the Republicans reject that effort, Kaine can honestly say that he tried, that he was reasonable and made a good faith effort.

*The bill will provide $400 million out of $700 million needed annually.

*If devolution is in there, forget about it.  Connolly gaven an example of how if Fairfax imposed a 25 cents per $100 assessed value tax, and Prince William didn't, then Tysons Mall would lose out to Potomac Mills.

*On rail to Dulles, Connolly talked about how not building it would be "disastrous."  Connolly called the Dulles corridor the "most important" economically in NOVA. 

*On the Tysons' tunnel issue, Connolly believes that Gov. Kaine has shown "courage," but the bottom line is that he was presented an option by the Federal government which amounted to "take it or leave it." 

*April 5 is now the "drop dead date" on the Tysons tunnel project, after which, if current negotiations collapse, there will be another opportunity to revisit the tunnel  The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) does not allow the tunnel to be considered, so the EIS will need to be amended.

*Jim Moran is "certainly in a position to be helpful" as a "very senior member" of the House Appropriations Committee.

*Frank Wolf has "worked hard on this issue," made it "his life's work."  Now, according to Connolly, Wolf is "frustrated" and worried that it will all go down the drain.
*Connolly's attitude is that nobody "owns" any seat, whether in Congress or in the House of Delegates.  Also, he says he is primarily an "issues-driven" politician.

*Connolly likes the fact that at the local level, you can make a big difference in peoples' lives, and people "expect you to do something."  On the Hill, you're "many steps removed" from that level of engagement.

*Connolly talked about how Fairfax is not "blue" like Arlington is "blue," that Fairfax is a "moderate" and "diverse" place that is very competitive. 

*Connolly bragged about Fairfax County being "well run," with "good, clean government," low crime, great education, etc.  Fairfax County is proof, according to Connolly, that "Democrats deliver."

*What's wrong with Fairfax County?  One thing, transportation, and that is directly the fault of the Republican-controlled General Assembly.  According to Connolly, House Speaker Howell is "hostile to Fairfax" even though he and other Republicans like to "preach that we're a Commonwealth." 

*In Connolly's view, people in Fairfax are coming to realize that if they vote for a Republican, they're voting against their own self interest.  That's one reason why the GOP has lost 5 Delegate seats in the last three election cycles in Fairfax County.  The "animosity Republicans have built up in Fairfax is hurting them."

*Connolly talked proudly about his "Cool County" initiative for environmental progress in Fairfax.  His goal is for every government-owned building to be "green," for the county fleet to be hybrids, for 41% of the county to be covered by trees, for 10% of the county's land mass to be Park Authority land, etc.

*Connolly spoke at length about the importance of mental health care, and about how right now, "prisons are the largest mental health institutions" in the state.  Connolly also noted that the state "does so little" in this area, "the burden falls on the localities."  The issue of mental health care affects "so many people in the community."

*In general, Connolly believes that Democrats need to frame issues in terms of peoples' self interst, not in the traditional "liberal narrative way."

*Three things you need to do to move an agenda forward are: 1) have a clear mission and don't be vague; 2) have a passion for that mission; and 3) establish clear metrics and milestones, such as he has done on his environmental plan, so that people can "see what you're doing."

*"If you don't take risks as a politician, it's all feel-good."  They key is "getting stuff done," "efficacy."

Oh yeah, I had blueberry pancakes for lunch, and they were very good. :)

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