Frank Wolf Ducks the Public Once Again?

Today on WAMU's The Politics Hour, you can listen to a debate between Frank Wolf's three challengers (two Democrats, 1 Republican). One person you won't hear, however, is Frank Wolf. Of course, if I had Frank Wolf's record of lockstep support for George "27% approval" Bush, I probably wouldn't want to try and explain that to the public either. It's kind of pathetic, though, given that Wolf is "Virginia's longest serving Congressman." Not for much longer, fortunately.

Go Judy!

Help Judy Win the Air America/Blue America Contest!

From the Feder campaign...

Your $1.01 contribution can help us win... The Air America/Blue America contest.

Judy was recently added to the Blue America list of endorsed candidates! Support from Blue America will be critical in helping ensure Judy has the resources to defeat Frank Wolf.

You can help us win the Blue America/Air America contest and with it additional resources by contributing as little as $1 and one penny today!

Here's how it works:

Go to the Blue America page and make a donation to Judy -- even one dollar is fine-- and then add one penny. The penny is your vote.

You can find Blue America at:

http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

With as little as one dollar and one penny - you can help say farewell to Frank Wolf and put Judy Feder in the Congress.

Vote with your $1.01, $5.01, $25.01 or even $100.01 contribution today!

Thanks for your support!

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager
Judy Feder for Congress

Bruce Roemmelt: "I'm voting for Judy Feder on June 10th"

Great letter by Bruce Roemmelt, former candidate for House of Delegates:

I'm voting for Judy Feder on June 10th

The Democratic congressional primary is fast approaching. In the 10th Congressional District there is a primary to decide who will face a Republican who has for all intents has been a rubber stamp for President Bush, and for all intents and purposes supported the him at all costs.

Judy Feder is my choice in the 10th for two huge reasons. Her health care background is stellar and the administration's (and Frank Wolf's) lack of addressing this issue is a very critical failure to me. Not only is it important to figure out how to insure 48 MILLION Americans with out health care, but it's also important to deal with the outrageous costs associated with health care that are added, for example, to every product produced in the USA. Judy is the clear choice to deal with this issue.

Then there is the war. Judy has been right on Bush's misguided policies from the beginning just like our next president Senator Obama. Speaking out and opposing the war in Iraq was not popular, nor respected three and four years ago, but Judy was there with a firm understanding of what is really needed to protect America. As a Vietnam veteran I fully support her.

A vote for Judy in the primary will be my initial support for her, prior to her election and taking a well deserved seat in the 111th Congress.

Bruce Roemmelt
Haymarket

Judy Passes $1 Million

This is great news, and a sign that people believe the 10th CD is really in play this year with Judy Feder:

Judy Feder, a Democratic candidate in the 10th congressional district, will announce today she has raised more than $1 million for her campaign, her campaign staff said last night.

Feder, one of the best funded challengers in the country, faces Mike Turner in the June 10th Democratic primary. The winner will take on U.S. Rep Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.).

[...]

"People want to finish what we started in 2006 and get our country back on track," said Feder, noting she passed the $1 million threshold four months earlier than she did in her race two years ago.

Great news, and it's only going to get better after June 10. Go Judy...and Farewell Frank! :)

Volunteer for Judy!

There's plenty to do for Judy Feder leading up to the primary election on June 10. For a few ideas, click here:

Phone Banking (5/28, 5/29, 6/2, 6/3): For more information contact Sean at 703-388-2813.
Door-to-door canvassing (5/31, 6/1, 6/7/6/8): For more information contact Sean at 703-388-2813.

Or, just stop by the office at 6618 Tennyson Dr in McLean.

Thanks for your help in electing the next representative from the 10th CD and bringing urgently needed change to Washington, DC!

A "Wolf Premium?"

I see that Rep. Bob Goodlatte is blabbering about how $4 per gallon gasoline prices are all the Democrats' "fault." Specifically, Goodlatte claims on his blog that "Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress have failed to show leadership" and that "Americans can’t afford the Pelosi Premium."

True, this is complete silliness and distortion, but since when has that stopped Republicans like Bob Goodlatte from mouthing off? In this case, though, it's particularly egregious, as it's overwhelmingly been Bob Goodlatte, Frank Wolf and their fellow Republicans who have blocked a sensible energy policy for this country in recent years. Whether voting against renewable energy development, showering outrageous tax breaks on record-profit-making oil companies like ExxonMobil, proposing to "drill our way out of the problem" (which no serious energy experts believe we can do) and trashing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the process, doing nothing to slash our oil consumption and get off our "oil addiction," blocking a "cap and trade" system, opposing higher fuel economy standards on vehicles and appliances, etc., etc., it's been Republicans like Frank Wolf and Bob Goodlatte -- not Nancy Pelosi -- who have contributed to rising energy prices.

A "Wolf Premium," one might say if one were so inclined. Fortunately, we'd never say something like that, as we Democrats care about actually getting things done, not just trying to score cheap political points and distract attention from the real causes of our energy problems. As the Goodlattes and Wolfs of the world like to do.

Video: Judy Feder Explains Why She's Running for Congress

Judy Feder is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress from VA's 10th Congressional District. At a campaign debate on May 22, 2008 on the Loudoun Campus of the Northern VA Community College Judy explains why she is running for Congress.

Happy Birthday Judy!

Today, May 22nd, is Judy's birthday! Help us celebrate by signing up to volunteer. You can even volunteer from home by signing up to make calls with our new virtual phone bank feature Go here and click on "make calls from home!"

Wolf Votes Against Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act

Here we go again with Frank Rudolph Wolf, the best friend the oil companies (and the Saudis) ever had in Congress. This time, Wolf voted against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act to "help expand the production and use of renewable energy, create 'green collar' jobs and provide tax important tax benefits to middle class families." As Rep. Jim Moran says, "The path to energy independence, however, is paved not with petroleum but with sustainable, renewable sources of power-a path that protects our environment, creates good jobs and boosts our economy." Moran adds, "Americans have always had the ingenuity, drive and vision to make this a reality; finally we have a Congress to match that's willing to put its muscle behind a plan for a green future."

Apparently, Frank Wolf is not a believe in American ingenuity, drive and vision OR in a "green future." Instead, it's huge profits for ExxonMobil (and the Saudis), $4 per gallon for you. Welcome to Wolf's world!

Don't like $140 per barrel oil? Tell Frank Wolf

This pretty much sums up where we're at in terms of energy, thanks in no small part to President Bush's complete inaction the past 7 1/2 years to break our "oil addiction." And remember, as you pay $4 per gallon at the pump, that Frank Wolf has been there to rubber stamp Bush every step of the way. Remember:

*Wolf has voted repeatedly to maintain tax breaks for Big Oil, even while those companies pollute the environment and rake in record profits.

*On January 18, 2007, Frank Wolf voted against H.R. 6, the "Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act."

*On December 6, 2007, Frank Wolf voted against H.R. 846, "Providing for the Consideration of the Senate Amendments to the Bill (H.R. 6), Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act." Again, what does Frank Wolf have against the environment and energy security?

*Wolf has voted time and again against clean, renewable energy.

*Those votes have earned Wolf dismal ratings from the League of Conservation Voters - a 27% average over the past 5 years. Awful.

If you don't like Frank Wolf's record on energy issues, you can contact him at these phone numbers or by email. Even better, you can support Judy Feder for Congress and get a representative who's more concerned with you than with Big Oil.

A Few Great Photos of Judy Feder

Meet the next congresswoman from the 10th CD! :)

"Americans United for Change" Blasts Wolf

As usual with Frank Wolf, you can count on his priorities being completely backwards. In this case, he cares more about millionaires than about extending unemployment insurance struggling in the Bush economy. Great stuff, huh?

Americans United for Change, as Part of its Bush Legacy Project, Blasts Reps. Drake, Wolf for Voting Against Extending Unemployment Benefits to Over 55,000 Virginia Workers Struggling in Bush Economy

Drake, Wolf Continue to Contribute to Failed Bush Legacy on the Economy

Washington D.C. – In the face of four consecutive months of negative job growth under the Bush economy totaling 260,000 lost jobs since the beginning of the year, Americans United for Change, the non-profit progressive issue advocacy group which recently launched its Bush Legacy Project, sharply rebuked U.S. Reps. Thelma Drake and Frank Wolf for voting against meaningful legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of Virginia families in need. The goal of the Bush Legacy Project is to cement into history how two terms of failed conservative policies – supported by Bush and his allies in Congress including Sen. John McCain and Reps. Drake and Wolf - have weakened America’s security abroad while neglecting and undermining important priorities here at home.

With no help from Reps. Drake, Wolf -- the U.S. House passed an amendment to an Iraq/Afghanistan/Domestic priories supplemental appropriations bill last week that would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits – legislation that would extend benefits for 55,036 Virginia workers, according to the National Employment Law Project. In states with higher levels of unemployment, an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits.

“Voting to extend unemployment benefits to over 55,000 Virginia workers is the very least Reps. Drake and Wolf could have done after voting time and again to enable President Bush’s failed policies that have contributed to and even exasperated the economic downturn,” said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for Change. “Ignoring these workers’ struggle, as Reps. Drake and Wolf clearly want to do, won’t make it go away. For four consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs. In total, 260,000 jobs have disappeared. Furthermore, there are 800,000 additional Americans looking for work than a year ago. The number of long-term unemployed – 1.35 million workers – is higher now than when Congress last extended unemployment benefits in 2002.”

“But Rep. Drake and Wolf think that more Bush tax cuts for millionaires is the only prescription for the ailing economy – tax cuts that never manage to ‘trickle-down’ to the people who really need it,” added Funk. “But, in fact, extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-acting ways to help stimulate an economic recovery because the money is spent quickly; every $1 spent generates $1.73 in new economic demand, according to the Congressional Budget Office. How many more Virginia workers have to lose their jobs before Rep. Drake and Wolf realize that their ‘trickle-down,’ ‘Voo-doo’ economic policies never fail to fail? It’s time they get their priorities straight, stop contributing to Bush’s failed economic legacy, and instead focus on serious solutions for stimulating this worsening economy.”

Judy at the JJ's

As we come down the home stretch to June 10, Judy Feder had a busy and productive weekend, including attendance at the Prince William and Fairfax County JJ Dinners this weekend.

Judy gave a short, energetic speech at the Prince William JJ. She said that electing the next Democratic president couldn't come soon enough. She called for change -- on health care, the economy, the war in Iraq, etc. -- and said we need leaders with the energy and commitment to make that change happen. She declared that Frank Wolf was NOT the member of Congress to bring that change, and that she WAS that leader. Two years ago, Feder reminded the crowd, she "gave Frank Wolf his toughest race in a quarter century." According to Feder, the way to beat Wolf is to "come at him again," to "build on what we accomplished" the first time around, to run a "longer, stronger race."

At the Fairfax JJ, none of the candidates spoke, but there was a Democratic straw poll for the 10th CD. Judy won that overwhelmingly, 65-7. Congratulations, now let's do it in the real vote on June 10!

Tom Davis: 10th CD "in play" for Judy Feder!

It's not often that you get to read a memo written by one Republican arguing that one of their Republican colleagues (and neighbors) is in electoral danger. But now we've got one, courtesy of Rep. Tom Davis (R-11). It's a long memo, but here's the part we particularly enjoyed reading over at Feder for Congress:

A look at key House races shows Democratic candidates much better funded than their GOP counterparts. This is in addition to the major advantage held by the Congressional campaign committees and their liberal 527s. Even second tier Democrats have substantial fundraising cash on hand, allowing a well stocked DCCC to put races in play that are not currently on radar. The following chart illustrates the point (bolding added for emphasis):

District Republican COH Democrat COH

California 04* McClintock $125K Brown $590K
California 11 Andal 531K McNerny 1.153M
Florida 16 Valeche (pr.) 589K Mahoney 1.032M
Rooney (pr.) 442K
Florida 24 Feeney 549K Kosmas 581K
Idaho 1 Sali 124K Minnick 327K
Illinois 10 Kirk 2.25M Seals 745K
Indiana 3 Souder 293K Montagna 267K
Michigan 7 Walberg 604K Schauer 751K
Missouri 6 Graves 1,132M Barnes 954K
New York 29 Kuhl 355K Masas 565K
Virginia 10 Wolf 735 K Feder 700K
Washington 8 Reichardt 695K Burner 921K

That's right, Tom Davis himself says that the 10th CD is in play, that Judy Feder could defeat his pal Frank Wolf this November. I doubt this makes Frank Wolf very happy, but Tom Davis is known as one of the GOP's most astute political analysts and that's his analysis. At least Frank Wolf won't be surprised when, come November, we're all saying "Farewell Frank!" :)

Guess Who Does NOT Support the Troops

Guess who does NOT support the troops? That's right, it's Frank Wolf, who voted yesterday against Jim Webb's post-9/11 GI Bill. That's right, Frank Wolf joined Virgil Goode, Eric Cantor, and the rest of the Virginia GOP super-patriots (except for John Warner, who is standing with Jim Webb and the troops) in opposing "a historic provision to provide post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive educational benefits, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) seventeen months ago on his first day in office." Wolf apparently also opposes "provid[ing] service members who have served since September 11, 2001 with improved educational benefits similar to those provided to World War II-era veterans."

The question is, why does Frank Wolf TALK about supporting the troops when he really does NOT support the troops? Let's face it, what Frank Wolf supports is the WAR, not the troops. Just like George W. Bush and Wolf's fellow House Republicans.

Man, is it ever TIME FOR A CHANGE in the 10th CD!

"Ayatollah" Cuccinelli: Frank Wolf is an Anti-Choice Extremist

There are a lot of shades of gray in life, but one thing that's black and white is this: you are most definitively NOT a moderate Republican when far-right-wing state Sen. "Ayatollah" Ken Cuccinelli speaks glowingly about you like this (from the May 15 "Cuccinelli Compass"):

Throughout his years in Congress, Congressman Wolf has consistently voted against the federal funding of abortion and for the protection of the rights of the unborn, including his strong support of the "Hyde Amendment." As the ranking member of the House State-Foreign Operations appropriations subcommittee, Congressman Wolf led the successful effort to keep the "Mexico City policy" in place in the final spending bill for FY 2008. It should be noted that this is a very big deal and it will continue to be a challenge in a Democrat-controlled Congress. This is quite an accomplishment while in the minority.

For those of us who've forgotten what the Hyde Amendment is all about, here's the National Organization for Women explaining it:

The Hyde Amendment denies federal funding for abortions that do not fit its narrow criteria, and places the financial burden on already-tight state Medicaid budgets, in effect encouraging states not to expand abortion coverage. Currently, more than half of the states provide no additional funding, according to the National Abortion Federation, which notes that only South Dakota provides less coverage than the Hyde Amendment, even refusing funding for abortion services in cases of incest and rape.

Great stuff, huh? But wait, it gets worse (more from the "Cuccinelli Compass"):

Congressman Wolf has also consistently opposed using federal tax dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research, and he has also opposed weakening the policy of prohibiting abortions at U.S. military facilities, even if privately funded. While I don't think these organizations always get their picks right, in this case, the endorsements of Congressman Wolf by the National Right to Life and the Virginia Society for Life are right on the mark. For what it's worth to any of you, I add my endorsement to theirs. See you on June 12th at the polls.

That's right, Wolf opposes vital stem cell research AND keeping women in the military from exercising their constitutional right to choose what to do with their own bodies! How anyone ever thought this guy was a moderate is utterly incomprehensible.

Oh, and Senator Cooch? The primary's on June 10, not June 12. D'oh!

Why Does Frank Wolf hate polar bears?

Personally, I think polar bears are amazing animals. Certainly, I wouldn't want to see them lose their habitat or even go extinct. Yesterday, even the heinously anti-environment Bush Administration listed the polar bear as "threatened." Who would want to see the polar bears, these iconic animals of North America, harmed? Well, now that you mention it...

...from the 2006 League of Conservation Voters scorecard, here's Frank Wolf's pathetic environmental record (27% LCV rating) in general, and his even more pathetic record on the polar bear specifically:

*Wolf supported drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), with its "abundant and diverse wildlife, including rare musk oxen, polar bears, grizzlies, wolves, millions of migratory birds, and more than 120,000 caribou."

But wait, it gets worse. Not only has Frank Wolf supported drilling in the polar bear's habitat, he also has not supported comprehensive global warming legislation that would protect that habitat from melting in to oblivion, taking the polar bears with it.

Which leaves us with a simple question: "Why does Frank Wolf hate polar bears?"

MS-01 Yesterday, VA-10 on November 4

Dear Congressman Wolf:

Just in case you missed the news from last night, here it is again:

U.S. House Republicans said an election loss in Mississippi yesterday may portend widespread voter rejection in the November races, and some complained that party leaders are failing to provide an adequate election-year strategy and agenda.

At a closed-door weekly meeting of all House Republicans today, Representative Tom Davis of Virginia distributed a 20-page assessment of the party's prospects, telling reporters later that it warned that following the ``same-old, same-old is a 25-seat loss.''

Republicans are increasingly concerned about their election prospects after Democrat Travis Childers yesterday won a Mississippi House seat that Republicans had held for more than 13 years, the third time since March that a Democrat won a Republican-held seat in a special election.

``There is a lot of heartburn and anxiety,'' said Representative Ray LaHood of Illinois. ``People are very concerned.''

"Heartburn and anxiety" is right. So take your antacid, Congressman Wolf, because here's the deal: MS-01 yesterday, VA-10 on November 4. :)

Yours truly,

The Judy Feder for Congress Campaign,
Farewell Frank blog

"If I Were A Terrorist"

Funny, seems like this is pretty much the Bush plan that Frank Wolf has rubber stamped the past 7 1/2 years.

$1,000 to Frank Wolf from Pro-Myanmar Lobbying Firm DCI

Prior to yesterday, you probably never heard of a company called the DCI Group or its chief executive, Doug Goodyear. But now you have.

The public relations executive whom Senator John McCain’s campaign had chosen to run the Republican National Convention this summer resigned his post on Saturday after a magazine reported that his firm had lobbied for the military junta that runs Myanmar.

The executive, Doug Goodyear, said in a statement that he was stepping down as the coordinator of the convention, which will be held Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, “so as not to become a distraction in this campaign.”

[...]

The rulers of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, have been widely condemned for stymieing relief efforts after a cyclone ravaged the country’s coastal areas on May 3, killing thousands. The United States has denounced the Burmese government as one of the world’s most repressive, and Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, has long been critical of the government as well. During the campaign, he has called for Myanmar’s leaders to halt human rights abuses.

I think it's fair to say that Myanmar's government is one of the most evil and corrupt regimes in the world -- "illicit narcotics, human rights abuses and political repression," according to former U.N. ambassador John Bolton. Currently, the junta is in the process of allowing tens of thousands of its own citizens to die in the aftermath of a cyclone. So, it's not a big surprise that the McCain campaign quickly ditched the chief executive of the company that lobbies for this regime.

It's not just Myanmar, either; DCI has also worked on such wonderful causes as protecting Big Tobacco and denying global warming. Great stuff, huh?

So, what does any of this have to do with Frank Wolf? Well, according to the FEC disclosure database, Wolf received $1,000 from DCI in December 2005. Knowing how much Frank Wolf cares about human rights, he’ll no doubt be refunding this contribution voluntarily soon. We’ll see, but we're not holding our breaths.

Judy Feder Live Blog Today

Head on over to Bryan Scrafford's blog and check out Judy Feder's live blog at 3 pm today. Thanks to Bryan for doing this, and also for being such a strong supporter of the 10th CD's next congresswoman! :)

Bryan Scrafford on Judy Feder Office Opening

I couldn't make Judy Feder's campaign office opening last Sunday because I was traveling with Mark Warner on his campaign kickoff "flyaround," but Bryan Scrafford covered it well. Bryan concludes:

This event was very representative of how Judy’s campaign is being run. As Judy and the other speakers pointed out, there were many Democrats in the audience who truly believe in grassroots activism. Throughout the last few years, I have knocked on doors and phone banked with a large number of people who were at the event. I bring this up because I think it shows how the crowd was made up of people who will not only show up to events such as this office opening, but will also being doing the volunteer work that’s a critical element to any successful campaign. If the energy shown at this event continues, I am confident the 10th District will soon have a newly elected Representative in the next Congress.

Sounds great, wish I could have been there...and GO JUDY!

Frank Wolf Votes Against Mothers. Apple Pie Next?

Wow, this has really got to take the cake - the Mother's Day cake, that is -- in the list of Frank Wolf's bad votes. That's right, Frank Wolf voted AGAINST H RES 1113, "Celebrating the Role of Mothers in the United States and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Mother’S Day." For more on this, see Dana Milbank's column in the Washington Post, "Republicans Vote Against Moms; No Word Yet on Puppies, Kittens." Oh, and Happy Mother's Day! :)

Wolf Votes Against Foreclosure Prevention Act

Another day, another bad vote by Frank Wolf. This time, it's the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. According to CQ Politics:

The House sent the Senate sweeping legislation Thursday aimed at slowing the pace of foreclosures and stimulating the real estate market.

[...]

House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank , D-Mass., who authored the centerpiece of the House package, won 39 Republican votes on the floor but fell short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a veto.

Members approved the legislation as three separate amendments to the Senate-passed housing measure (HR 3221).

Lawmakers adopted, 266-154, the heart of the package — an amendment that combined several major pieces of legislation. They are an overhaul of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a modernization of the Federal Housing Administration and an expansion of the FHA’s loan programs aimed at helping borrowers get out from under mortgages they can’t afford.

Actually, Frank Wolf voted against the bill twice, on Roll Call 301 and Roll Call 303. Oddly, Wolf voted yes on Roll Call 302. I guess you could say that Frank Wolf was for the Foreclosure Prevention Act both after AND before he was against it. Now THAT is leadership! :)

Money's Not Everything, But Still...

Money may not be everything in political campaigns, but still...this is great news:

House Challenger Candidates Who Have the Most Campaign Cash on Hand (as of March 31)

1. Jim Himes, Democrat, Connecticut's 4th ($1.1 million)
2. Kay Barnes, Democrat, Missouri's 6th ($954,000)
3. Sandy Treadwell, Republican, New York's 20th ($929,000)
4. Darcy Burner, Democrat, Washington's 8th ($922,000)
5. Mark Schauer, Democrat, Michigan's 7th ($751,000)
6. Dan Seals, Democrat, Illinois' 10th ($745,000)
7. Judy Feder, Democrat, Virginia's 10th ($700,000)
8. Michael Skelly, Democrat, Texas' 7th ($667,000)
9. Gary Peters, Democrat, Michigan's 9th ($645,000)
10. Robert Lord, Democrat, Arizona's 3rd ($632,000)

The point is not that money will win the race for Judy Feder, the point is that the amount of money she's raising indicates two things: 1) competitiveness; and 2) support. Combined with the fact that Frank Wolf has been a consistent rubber stamp for George W. Bush, not to mention completely out of touch with the wishes of 10th CD residents on a whole host of issues -- ranging from Iraq to stem cells to reproductive rights to health care to the environment -- Judy Feder's prodigious fundraising bodes well for her chances this fall. Go Judy!

John McCain is not a "moderate." Neither is Frank Wolf.

If there was any further doubt that John McCain is no longer -- if he ever was one -- a "moderate," check this out:

Highlighting an issue he plans to use aggressively in the general election campaign, Sen. John McCain on Tuesday decried "the common and systematic abuse of our federal courts by the people we entrust with judicial power" and pledged to nominate judges similar to the ones President Bush has placed on the bench.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. "would serve as the model for my own nominees, if that responsibility falls to me"...

In short, if John McCain becomes president, you can expect a Supreme Court that moves quickly to a 6-3, 7-2, 8-1 "conservative" (e.g., Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Roberts, Kennedy, and whoever McCain appoints) majority. What does that mean for you? Well, if you care about any of the following, you should be very worried: reproductive rights, worker rights, separation of church and state, gay rights, voting rights, the environment, the power of the executive branch (including war powers), torture, warrantless wiretapping, corporate power, individual liberty, and much more.

That's why, if you're anything but a hard-core "Christian right" conservative, you should look with dread on the prospect of a John McCain-appointed, 6-3 or 7-2 "conservative" Supreme Court. And remember, these guys are on for life and they're pretty young, so electing John McCain could mean that you're saddled with a far-right-wing Supreme Court for the rest of your own life.

And that's exactly why we need to elect a Democrat to the White House this November. It's also why we need a Congress that can pass legislation protecting all the things -- the environment, reproductive rights, our reputation around the world, our liberties at home, etc. -- that will be under assault from an already conservative Supreme Court. Does anyone really think that, after nearly three decades of not being, that Frank Wolf will suddenly morph into an independent voice in Congress for the 10th CD and for America? Right, I didn't think so. This is exactly why we need Judy Feder in Congress. Go Judy!

Municipal Elections Today

There are a number of municipal election today in the 10th CD. In Loudoun County, mayoral and/or town council elections are being held in Hamilton, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill. In Fauquier, there are elections in Remington, The Plains, and Warrenton. There are elections in Manassas City and Manassas Park (Prince William County), Middletown and Stephens City (Frederick County), and also in Berryville and Boyce (Clarke County). I probably missed a few, but wherever you are, please vote if you can. Also, don't forget, the 10th CD primary is on June 10th, when you'll have a chance to vote for the next representative, Judy Feder!

Signs of Things to Come in VA-10?

If I were Frank Wolf, I'd be very nervous looking at results like these:

Tonight's results will get picked apart for analysis by lots of people in the coming days. But in short, it will become obvious that Cazayoux's margin of victory came from black votes -- you disrespect that community at your own peril. And second of all, Republicans once again failed, in a blood red district, to scare voters into submission by running scary ads against scaaaary national Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.

Voters, even in solidly conservative districts, are simply not that scared of Democrats anymore. It's Bush they're terrified of.

One last thought -- Democrats now have a 235-199 advantage in the U.S. House. They started the cycle 233-202.

It's very possible that, come November, the Democratic advantage will be significantly bigger than 235-199. Let's make sure that Judy Feder is part of the Great Democratic Wave of 2008. Stay tuned, but more importantly...get involved!

20,000 Jobs Lost: The Bush-Wolf Economy Strikes Again

There's more bad news on the economic front in April:

Payrolls shrank by 20,000 workers, following a revised 81,000 drop in March that was larger than previously estimated, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Labor Department report also showed that income growth slowed in April. The economy's 0.6 percent expansion rate for the six months through March was the weakest performance since the U.S. was last in a recession in 2001.

So, why is this the "Bush-Wolf economy?" Because the causes of our current economic woes relate directly to policies supported by both of these guys:

*Continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels, including $120 per barrel oil from Saudi Arabia, etc., and a complete lack of leadership on developing a serious energy policy for our great country.

*A failure on many levels to position the United States to compete in a 21st century, globalized economy. Frank Wolf's been in Congress since 1981, and during that time -- as Jim Webb might say -- we've seen the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the middle class get squeezed.

*The war in Iraq is costing the United States hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of dollars. This money could have been far better spent to slash our debt, invest in our crumbling infrastructure, educate our children, and transition to a new energy economy. But no...that would be too intelligent from the likes of George W. Bush and Frank R. Wolf.

*Since Frank Wolf's been in Congress, the tax code has gotten consistently more regressive. Huge tax cuts for rich people and corporations like ExxonMobil, crumbs for the middle and working classes? That's Bush/Wolf economics to a "t".

*In general, the situation we're in now is the direct result of "trickle down," "supply side" economics and "free trade" agreements that are neither "free" nor "fair." It's the result of lax regulation, in this case of the mortgage industry. It's the result of policy choices which rewards companies that outsource jobs overseas.

There's a lot more, but I'm sure you get the picture. Our current economic problems are not an accident, they are a DIRECT CONSEQUENCE of policies that Frank Wolf has supported for over a quarter century now. So, next time you pick up a newspaper and read about job losses, the US economy in recession, home values tumbling and energy prices soaring, you'll know exactly who to blame.

Yet Another Bad Vote by Frank Wolf

Not only was this yet another party line vote by Frank Wolf, it was yet another BAD vote. This time, Wolf voted against H.R. 5522, the “Combustable Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act." Why would someone be against a bill that "to require the Secretary of Labor to issue interim and final occupational safety and health standards regarding worker exposure to combustible dust?" Especially when this dust can become fuel for fires and explosions like this one? Got me, but then again, I don't understand Frank Wolf's opposition to the environment, renewable energy, stem cell research, or a lot of other things that voters of the 10th CD support.