Monday, June 30, 2008

End of Quarter Deadline Tonight at Midnight

Tonight at midnight is the end of the quarter, a critical fundraising deadline!

It's been an incredible few months. First, Judy posted a strong win in our June 10th primary, setting us on the path to victory for November. Then, based on the strength of our campaign the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) added us to their list of top targeted races!

Thanks to your help we've raised $47,683 towards our $50,000 online goal. We need your support to keep the momentum going!

Click here to help us raise the last $2,317 by midnight tonight!

Thank you for your continued support,

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager
Judy Feder for Congress

Friday, June 27, 2008

Feder: "We've got to end our dependence on oil"


It's nice to see that SOMEBODY out there "gets it" when it comes to the energy crisis we're facing. Hint: that somebody is NOT named Frank Wolf. Heh.

With that, here's Judy Feder on how to deal with this challenge:
But the problem is long term. We've got to end our dependence on oil and fossil fuels...and we've got to #1 promote efficiency and conserve energy. We can do that in our cars, in our homes, in our buildings. We've got to use less. We've got to invest in alternative fuels so that we can be more energy efficient and more environmentally sound...We've got to restore our position of leadership in the world on environmental policy that will protect our environment for the future. So, in the short term and the long term, we need leadership and we need change.
You can say that again!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wolf Votes Against AMT Relief, for the Oil Companies

Another day, yet another party line vote by Frank Wolf, this time on H.R. 6275, "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, and for other purposes." The House vote yesterday was 233-189, with Frank Wolf joining most of his Republican colleagues in opposing the measure.

According to the AP story, "The legislation would save mostly upper-middle-income taxpayers exposed to the tax an average $2,300 in 2008." What could be wrong with that? Apparently, Frank Wolf doesn't like the fact that the bill "would offset the $61 billion cost by raising taxes on oil companies and hedge fund managers." Whoops, increasing taxes on ExxonMobil, which has been making record profits in the history of mankind, in order to provide some relief to American consumers as they struggle to afford rising fuel and food prices? Nope, can't have that. At least, not in Frank Wolf's world.

It's time for a change in the 10th CD.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wolf Votes Against Child Abuse Prevention Act

Another day, another strange vote by Frank Wolf. This time, it's against H.R. 5876, the "Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008 ("to require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs.") The bill passed the House of Representatives Friday by a 223-185 margin. Can anyone explain why Frank Wolf would have voted against this? We're stumped here at Farewell Frank.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Why VA-10 Matters

Just in case you thought the fight for one more seat in Congress, ours, doesn't really matter, OpenLeft reminds us that it matters more than those of us actually knocking on doors may realize.
7. Feder/Wolf. This one may surprise you, because VA-10 is a very tough district, and Judy- while being a remarkable candidate and raising a ton of money- is a ways from the top of the DCCC targeting. VA is a really important state in Presidential politics, though, and winning upsets in the DC market gets lots of national media attention and shakes people up (see Donna Edwards). But I mostly have her on this list because of Judy's savvy knowledge and passion on health care- if she is in the Congress, it improves our odds dramatically of getting a good universal health reform bill passed. Given her knowledge, skill, and connections, she would be one of the highest impact freshman members of Congress of all time. - OpenLeft
Judy has always been a superstar for her fight for universal and quality healthcare. It's great to see the national blogosphere taking a notice as well. And in this case, even putting its money where its mouth is.

It's nice to know that the nation has our backs as we fight for a progressive 10th District.

(Crossposted from Leesburg Tomorrow.)

James Hansen: "Time is Short' on Global Warming

Yesterday, NASA climate scientist James Hansen testified before Congress, 20 years after he first testified that global warming was a real and dire problem. Over the past 20 years, we have not only failed to make progress in dealing with this situation, we have gone backwards on almost every measure. Now, we are just about out of time. Here is the transcript, highlights of which I've reproduced here, of Dr. Hansen's testimony:
...a wide gap has developed between what is understood about global warming by the relevant scientific community and what is known by policymakers and the public. Now, as then, frank assessment of scientific data yields conclusions that are shocking to the body politic. Now, as then, I can assert that these conclusions have a certainty exceeding 99 percent.

The difference is that now we have used up all slack in the schedule for actions needed to defuse the global warming time bomb. The next President and Congress must define a course next year in which the United States exerts leadership commensurate with our responsibility for the present dangerous situation.

Otherwise it will become impractical to constrain atmospheric carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas produced in burning fossil fuels, to a level that prevents the climate system from passing tipping points that lead to disastrous climate changes that spiral dynamically out of humanity’s control.

That's right, we have one more election to get this right. Choose wrong, and we will see "tipping points that lead to disastrous climate changes that spiral dynamically out of humanity’s control." Sadly, we've wasted the last 8 years under Bush/Cheney and their Big Oil buddies. Now, we have to work much faster to make up for lost time.

More from James Hansen's testimony:
The fossil-industry maintains its strangle-hold on Washington via demagoguery, using China and other developing nations as scapegoats to rationalize inaction. In fact, we produced most of the excess carbon in the air today, and it is to our advantage as a nation to move smartly in developing ways to reduce emissions. As with the ozone problem, developing countries can be allowed limited extra time to reduce emissions. They will cooperate: they have much to lose from climate change and much to gain from clean air and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

We must establish fair agreements with other countries. However, our own tax and dividend should start immediately. We have much to gain from it as a nation, and other countries will copy our success. If necessary, import duties on products from uncooperative countries can level the playing field, with the import tax added to the dividend pool.

Democracy works, but sometimes churns slowly. Time is short. The 2008 election is critical for the planet. If Americans turn out to pasture the most brontosaurian congressmen, if Washington adapts to address climate change, our children and grandchildren can still hold great expectations.

But "our children and grandchildren" won't be able to hold onto those "great expectations" with "brontosaurians" like Frank Wolf in Congress. We need a major change in this area, as in so many other areas. We need representatives in Congress who "get it," and when I don't mean "get wads of money from Big Oil." We need smart leaders who understand the crisis we're facing, not ones who vote against renewable power and the environment, time and time again. In short, we need to replace representatives like Frank Wolf with smart people like Judy Feder. As James Hansen says, we've got one more election to get this right. Let's make it count.

Monday, June 23, 2008

"Made the List!"

From the Feder for Congress campaign:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) added Judy to its list of top targeted races, and it's all thanks to people like you!

Being designated as an "Emerging Race" is a huge boost. In 2006, Judy didn't make this list until the end of the campaign! Now, thanks to your hard work and the strength of Judy's campaign we're already on the list, and stronger than ever.

The timing of this announcement couldn't be better, with only have 8 days left before our critical June 30 fundraising deadline.

Click here to contribute today and help us build on our momentum.

This important recognition from the DCCC is a crucial step on our path to victory. But now it becomes even more important to show strength through our fundraising totals on June 30.

We need to raise $35,000 in the next 8 days to show the strength of our campaign and demonstrate our growing momentum. With only 8 days left, your dollars willl make the most difference now!

Click here to help us raise $35,000 in the next 8 days.

Thank you for everything you have already done. Together we can make real change in Washington, bring our troops home from Iraq, get affordable health care for every American and rejuvenate our slumping economy.

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager
Judy Feder for Congress

Why We Need Democratic Leadership in Richmond...and in Washington


This video shows the Republicans introducing their new transportation plan for Virginia. As the chirping crickets indicate, it's no plan at all. As the Washington Post says today, we can blame that on "Virginia's Republican leadership, arch-conservative ideologues whose insistent sloganeering -- No Statewide Taxes! -- suggests an utter failure to grasp the stakes in the transportation debate."

Unfortunately, the same type of rabidly ideological Republicans are present in Washington, not just in Richmond. So are the chirping crickets. :) It's time to change that situation. Go Judy!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

"Big Oil Fuels John McCain's Straight Talk Express"


P.S. The same video could be made about Frank Wolf.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Wolf Votes Against Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees

Yet ANOTHER day and yet ANOTHER bad vote by Frank Wolf. This is starting to get monotonous, but it's important that people know what their representative is doing for to them.

This one is a classic, with Wolf voting with his party against H RES 1277, "Providing for Consideration of H.R. 5781, to Provide That 8 of the 12 Weeks of Parental Leave Made Available to a Federal Employee Shall Be Paid Leave." The bill passed the House yesterday by a 222-197 margin, but no thanks to Republicans like Frank Wolf.

It's strange, aren't Republicans the ones who always claim that they're the "family values" party? Yet here, they're voting against paid leave for new parents? As if that's not bad enough, Frank Wolf is voting against the interests of federal employees, a large voting bloc in his district. What IS he thinking?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

What About Rights in the 10th?

It seems clear that Frank Wolf's record on human rights is one he plans on emphasizing in the fall, and while Frank Wolf has had a lot to say about human rights around the world, he cannot stand scrutiny in his own backyard.
U.S Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) penned a hot letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon requesting he not send a human rights official to Prince William County to inspect the treatment of immigrant workers here. - The Washington Post
Why does Frank Wolf care about helping and protecting everyone but his own constituents. He doesn't protect our own right to vote, but rails when other countries have questionable elections. He decries people being put out of their homes abroad, but ignores his own constituents cries for help when they're put out of their homes. It seems that when Frank Wolf speaks on rights and liberties, he is unwilling to apply the same scrutiny to his own district that he insists on in other countries.

It's a common thread for Congressman Wolf, who last year paid people in other states to survey online porn, even while people were losing their Internet jobs in his own District. In order to win in November, Frank Wolf needs to distract the voters and divert their attention from the things he doesn't do for his constituents with his twenty-eight years in Congress.

Frank Wolf thinks that helping out in little ways will distract the voters from his complete lack of helping out in big ways. Frank Wolf thinks that yelling about rights in other places will distract the voters from the erosion of their rights at home.

The Voters of the 10th are smarter than that. In November, the time will come to retire Frank Wolf, and elect Judy Feder.

Great Post at "Leesburg Tomorrow"

Excellent news courtesy of Leesburg Tomorrow:
Judy Feder came and spoke to the LCDC last night, as she has all year. She spoke of the importance of this year's election, and the great ticket we have with Sen. Obama and Gov. Warner running at the top. Mike Turner was there as well, looking quite comfortable and happy after his great run and 1 vote victory in Loudoun. Mike spoke of his happiness with his campaign and, once again, offered his full support and endorsement of Judy. All in all, Loudoun's Democrats are coming together to fight for Loudoun's votes in the fall.
Great post, read the rest of it here.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

DCCC Adds Feder to "Emerging Races" Program

Excellent news, looks like we've got a real race here!
Judy Feder Added to DCCC’s Emerging Races List

DCCC Highlights Feder’s Ability to Generate Excitement in VA-10 With Message of Change


Mclean, VA —Today the Democratic Campaign Congressional Committee named Congressional Candidate Judy Feder (VA-10) to its “Emerging Races” program. Feder earned a spot on the list by demonstrating early fundraising strength and by inspiring people from across the district with her commitment to bringing change to Washington.

“I am honored to be a part of this list. As I’ve traveled across the district and talked with the voters, I’ve heard their concerns about the rising costs of healthcare, the state of our economy, and the war in Iraq,” Feder said. “The voters of the 10th district are ready for change. They want a new direction in Washington, and that’s exactly what I intend to deliver.”

Feder, a nationally recognized healthcare expert and former Dean of the Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute , was recently ranked buy Congressional Quarterly as the 7th best-funded Congressional challenger in the country, having already raised over $1 million dollars. As a first-time candidate in 2006, gave Wolf the strongest challenge he’s had in 24 years.

The DCCC Emerging Races list is made up of candidates who have taken traditionally non-competitive districts and, through the strength of their campaigns, put themselves in a position to win in November. DCCC Chair, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, called Feder, “a tireless advocate for change.”

Help Judy Raise Another $1 Million

From the Feder campaign...

Last week, we scored a decisive win in our primary election, setting us on the path to victory for November.

Thanks to people like you, we're now the strongest, best funded, best known challenger Frank Wolf has ever had.

But our work has only just begun.

We're already part of a coordinated field effort that will harness the grassroots enthusiasm for change and ensure the election of the Obama-Warner-Feder ticket in November.

Winning will take tremendous resources.

We've now raised over $1,000,000 - a total we didn't reach until Labor Day in 2006! But to beat Frank Wolf and make the changes we need, we have to raise another $1,000,000 by November.

It's a goal that's well within reach but it's only possible with your support.

Our June 30th fundraising deadline is less than two weeks away.

Please make a $25 donation today:

https://judyfeder.com/contribute

Thank you for your support,

Judy

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Another Feder Photo from the Convention


Thanks to Eric Grim for this one.

Judy Feder at the Convention: Photo


Here's a photo of Judy Feder with a supporter at the Democratic convention in Hampton Roads this past weekend. I'm hoping to get more photos soon.

Judy Feder - Thanks Blue America!


Somehow, with everything else going on leading up to the June 10 primary, I missed this video of Judy Feder thanking the national, progressive netroots. Belatedly, here it is. Now, let's all help Judy Feder prove that the 10th CD is rapidly becoming part of "Blue America!"

Monday, June 16, 2008

Wolf Votes Against NASA Funding

On Thursday, the US House of Representatives passed legislation "Providing for Consideration of H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act." The vote was 221-188, almost completely along party lines. According to New Scientist:
...the NASA Authorization Act of 2008 [H.R. 6063] would be the first new authorization for NASA since 2005...

The science committee pumped up authorised spending from the $17.6 billion the Bush Administration requested in its budget proposal to $20.2 billion, a hefty 15% increase. The biggest single addition is $1 billion to speed up work on the Ares launchers and Orion crew module that are to replace the shuttle. That reflects Congressional concern about the five-year post-shuttle gap in US human spaceflight under the Bush budget.

...The act also sets aside specific amounts for a range of projects, from aeronautics to lunar robotics and Mars exploration.

But the White House's Office of Management and Budget "strongly opposes" the extra spending and several mandated projects...

How did Frank Wolf vote on this one? Let's put it this way; all you need to know is that last line, about how the Bush White House "strongly opposes" it.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Wolf Votes Against Extended Unemployment Compensation

Another day, another vote by Frank Wolf against the working people of this country. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 279-144 in favor of H R 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. Among those voting "yea" were 230 Democrats (none voted no) and 49 Republicans (144 voted no). Believe it or not, even Virgil Goode was smart enough to figure this one out. But not Frank Wolf. For whatever reason, he opposes this:
Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes a state to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor under which the state agency will make emergency unemployment compensation payments to individuals who: (1) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under state or federal law with respect to a benefit year ending on or after May 1, 2007; (2) have no rights to regular compensation or extended compensation with respect to a week under such law or any other state or federal unemployment compensation law; and (3) are not receiving compensation for such week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada.

Why would anyone oppose this? Maybe someone can ask Frank Wolf sometime why he's even more anti-worker than Virgil Goode.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Frank Wolf Runs Away from John McCain

This is pretty funny:
...there are both centrist and conservative Republicans representing various parts of the country who are not embracing McCain.

Republican members who have not endorsed or publicly backed McCain include Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Reps. Jones, Peterson, John Doolittle (Calif.), Randy Forbes (Va.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.), Virgil Goode (Va.), Tim Murphy (Pa.), Ron Paul (Texas), Ted Poe (Texas), Todd Tiahrt (Kan.), Dave Weldon (Fla.) and Frank Wolf (Va.).
Can we expect a Frank Wolf endorsement for Barack Obama shortly? Or maybe Wolf, Virgil Good and Randy Forbes all consider McCain, who votes 95% of the time with George W. Bush, to be too "moderate?" While we're on the subject, I wonder if Frank Wolf will distance himself from Jim Gilmore as well, as John Chichester and Vince Callahan have done. Maybe Wolf will endorse Mark Warner? This should be fun to watch.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I'm Voting Republican!

"Thank You Mike!"

From the Feder for Congress campaign...

Mike Turner ran a hard-fought campaign over the past year. A 28-year veteran of the United States Air Force and senior official at national non-profits such as the Red Cross, Mike has lived a life dedicated to service. Over the last few years he has spent countless hours working on behalf of Democratic candidates to help turn Loudoun County blue. “For his service to our country, commitment to our community and dedication to our party, we all owe him our thanks,” said Judy Feder.

“Mike and I spoke on the night of the primary and he was extraordinarily gracious, offering his full support in the general election. I know that together we can bring an end to business as usual in Washington and give Virginians the change they’re looking for in November.”

DCCC Chairman Congratulates Judy Feder

From the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee:
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on Judy Feder’s primary victory in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

“I congratulate Judy Feder on her victory in the primary contest for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Judy will be a tireless advocate for the change Virginians are looking for in Washington this election. ”
If you haven't heard, Judy Feder won yesterday's Democratic primary 62%-38%. Hat tip to Mike Turner for a solid showing yesterday. Now, on to beating Frank Wolf this November!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Get Out and Vote....for Judy Feder!

Today is primary election day, so don't forget to go vote (for Judy Feder, of course). Also, if you want to help Judy today, email her campaign at sean@judyfeder.com or call 703-388-2813. Judy's HQ is at 6818 Tennyson Drive in McLean. Finally, join Judy after the polls close this evening to watch the returns come in. Judy and friends will be celebrating at her McLean office, so feel free to drop by anytime after the polls close at 7pm.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Tomorrow: The Beginning of the End for Frank Wolf's Career

Tomorrow, primary day in the 10th CD, marks the beginning of the end of Frank Wolf's overly-long-yet-extremely-unproductive career in Congress. If for whatever reason you've forgotten how bad Frank Wolf's been, I'll let "Americans United for Change" remind refresh your memory:
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.”

OK, so those are all the reasons it's time to say "Farewell Frank." How about some reasons to vote FOR Judy Feder? Here's Bruce Roemmelt:
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.

Is there anything more to say? Oh yeah, don't forget to vote tomorrow, and also to remind all your friends to vote, for Judy Feder and a new direction for our country. Thank you.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Another Excellent Point on "Too Conservative"

I'll tell you, if this keeps up, I might just let the people at "Too Conservative" start posting on here directly. I mean, this stuff is just too good!
Congressman Wolf has spent more than $zero on this campaign because he is running scared, afraid his supporters will not show up on Tuesday. Now your story is that we do not want to waste resources. If Wolf was secure and everyone thought he was upholding Republican values he could run on his record alone. Your whining about having to waste resources contrasts with Feder whose supporters have not been whining about Turner’s challenge. She has been willing to debate Turner head-on unlike Wolf being MIA on debates.

Finally you are holding McKinley to a higher standard than Wolf that he has to be perfect out of the block. Wolf struggled in his early campaigns, first losing a primary and then losing a general before finally winning his first race.

On the first point, it's true, Wolf's skipped pretty much every joint forum this campaign season, while the other three candidates have shown up and debated the issues. Why hasn't Wolf showed up? Is it arrogance after decades in Washington? Or, is it simply that he knows he's got an impossibly awful record of rubberstamping Bush to defend?

On the second point, that's exactly the argument Judy Feder's been making, that Frank Wolf himself didn't win the first time he ran. In this case, Judy's going to win on try #2, sending Wolf to a pleasant, much-needed retirement. :)

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Too Conservative: Frank Wolf's view "to the right of his district's"

Gotta love this comment from Nova Conservative at the blog "Too Conservative":
As I said, I think Frank Wolf will have a tough race this November. That’s not a revelation–but the idea that somebody with no name ID whose views are not in line with the districts (understanding that truthfully Frank Wolf’s views are probably to the right of his district’s at this point) could beat a well funded Democrat is absurd.

Then, another commenter ("Loudoun Insider")responds:
I agree with you wholeheartedly that Frank Wolf is absolutely pretty far to the right of the majority of constituents in his district. However, he keeps getting elected because of his excellent record and reputation. He also comes off as a likable guy. The new brand of wingnuts cares not one iota for general election viability and thinks you have to be an arrogant in your face prostelitizer in order to receive their blessing (and many of them look at this as some kind of “divine” quest that they’re on).

Frank Wolf is as conservative a politician as is going to be elected in this district. Period. All else is pie in the sky zealotry.

That's right, Frank Wolf is NOT the "moderate" he claims to be. But don't take our word for it; these comments are from one of the leading conservative blogs in Virginia. In other words, we rest our case.

With that in mind, please vote for Judy Feder on Tuesday and we'll spend June, July, August, September and October letting everyone in the 10th CD know who the real Frank Wolf is. Thanks.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Feder Pre-Primary Newsletter; Come Help GOTV!

Campaign News Update 6/6/08

Get Out the Vote

Election Day is almost here! Judy is running strong, but we need your help to Get Out the Vote on June 10th. Click here to join our GOTV team, or call Sean at 703-388-2813 to find out how you can help.

The Experience

From the halls of Congress to the oval office, Judy has been a public servant at the highest levels of government. For the last decade she’s been training the next generation of civilian and military leaders on how to make change and solve real problems. Her experience and her commitment to change will make her an invaluable leader in transforming how Washington does business.

The Issues

As a nationally recognized health care expert, Judy is exactly what we need in Washington, and in Congress she’ll make the changes we need too:

Iraq – Judy is committed to ending the war and bringing the troops and the $12 billion dollars we’re spending each month in Iraq home.

Health Care – Judy knows we need quality, affordable health care for every American, and no one is better qualified to get to work and make it happen.

The Housing Crisis – Judy will fight to protect home ownership by cracking down on fraudulent lending and closing the bankruptcy loophole.

Support for Veterans – As someone who has taught military students, Judy is committed to honoring their service. That’s why she supports Senator Webb’s 21st Century GI Bill of Rights.

Transportation – Judy will put her policy know-how to work to improve our infrastructure, support smart growth, and extend rail to Dulles.

Winning in November

Democrats in our district have a choice on June 10th. We can start back at square one – as we have every two years against Wolf; or, we can choose to build on our success in 2006 and run a campaign with the name id, resources, and organization necessary to win in November.

Judy is the candidate with the resources necessary to go toe-to-toe with Wolf. On June 11th, our opponent would face a deficit of nearly $800,000 or more if he were our nominee.

In 2006, with the help of Democrats across the 10th we gave Frank Wolf his closest race in a quarter century. He knows that coming back at him is the way to win – that’s how he did it. If we elect Judy as our nominee she will be the strongest, best funded, best known challenger Frank Wolf has ever had, and with your help we’re going to win in November.

The Support

Our friends and allies know Judy’s the candidate to beat Wolf too. That’s why we’re proud to be able to claim the support of every U.S. Senator, Congressman, Virginia Delegate, and labor union that has chosen to support a candidate in this race. Here are a few of those that we’ve been fortunate to have had the support of during this campaign:

Delegate Chuck Caputo
Delegate Margi Vanderhye
Fairfax Co. Supervisor John Foust
HoD Candidate Jay Donahue
HoD Candidate Bruce Roemmelt
Supervisor Candidate Jeanne West
LCDC Leesburg Chair, Dave Kirsten
LCDC Sterling Chair, Tony Barney
The American Federation of Teachers
The Intl. Brotherhood of Boilermakers
Service Employees Intl. Union
AFSCME
Intl. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The United Auto Workers
U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
U.S. Senator Tom Daschle
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Congressman Jim Moran
Democratic Caucus Chair, Congressman Rahm Emanuel
Congressman Henry Waxman
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

Election Watch Party

You’re invited! Be sure to vote, then join us after the polls close on June 10th for a celebration and primary night watch party at our McLean office – 6818 Tennyson Drive, McLean VA 22101.

Drop by anytime or call 703-388-2813 for more details.

If you’re free earlier in the day be sure to help us Get Out the Vote! Click here to join Judy’s GOTV team.

Obama, Daschle and Feder Bring us Universal Health Care in '09?

Now here's some food for thought: Tom Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services in an Obama administration? Congressman Judy Feder, one of the leading experts in America on health care helping Daschle and Obama guide universal health care legislation through Congress? How does that sound for you? Or, we could have John McSame, his soulmate Frank Wolf, and four more years of no universal health care coverage in this country.

Tough choice, huh?

P.S. By the way, Feder has a quote on the jacket of Daschle’s new book on health care reform. Interesting.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Northern Virginia Progressive Blogs Endorse Judy Feder

The following endorsement is being issued by Anonymous is a Woman, Blueweeds, Bryan Scrafford, Leesburg Tomorrow, Not Larry Sabato, and RK (by unanimous vote of the RK executive committee - Eric, Brian, Josh, Rob, Dave, me). Combined, these blogs account for over 90% of the traffic in the Northern Virginia progressive blogosphere.

Judy Feder - 10th
The 10th CD primary offers Democrats an easy choice. In 2006, Judy Feder gave Frank Wolf the toughest race he's seen in more than a decade. This year, Judy is building on what she accomplished the last time around. For 2008, she has started earlier, is raising more money, and has built a highly capable campaign team -- all in a district that is trending blue and in a year which has seen record Democratic turnout across the country. Needless to say, the Republicans are worried, and justifiably so; perhaps that's why they've already begun attacking Judy.

Electability is essential, but Judy offers much more. First and foremost, she is one of the leading experts in this country on health care. This could prove to be a tremendous asset to President Obama as he works to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable, universal health care coverage. In addition, as a veteran of the health care battles of the 1990s, Judy will help President Obama and the Democratic Congress avoid past pitfalls in getting this done.

In addition to health care, Judy believes in balancing the federal budget, paying as you go, getting out of Iraq responsibly, ending our oil addiction, and protecting our environment. As a member of Congress, she will bring her tremendous work ethic and intellectual rigor to these and other issues. We strongly and enthusiastically endorse Judy Feder for Congress!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

"An Argument for Judy Feder"

With less than a week until primary election day, Leesburg Tomorrow has an excellent post on why everyone should vote for Judy Feder. I just wanted to reprint the email from "great local Democrat" Dave Kirsten here as well:
From: David Kirsten
Sent: Jun 3, 2008 7:22 AM
Subject: Why Judy Feder

Hi all,

Primaries can be both exciting and dividing as they go and such is definitely the case with the race for the 10th. It can be doubly difficult when the choice is between two people who I consider friends, but we all must rally behind the nominee, whoever that nominee is. Many of you already know I am supporting Judy Feder, but you may not know why.

I am supporting Judy Feder because of her policies and because she stands the best chance for defeating Frank Wolf this November. Judy who already had my support in her 2006 campaign won my support for her 2008 campaign the night she lost in 2006, when I asked her one question: "will you fade from the fight to change the 10th or will you fight again?" Her answer then was as strong as it is today as she told me she would not fade away but fight for all those in the 10th and the LCDC!

In 2002, John Stevens garnered 28% of the vote, in 2004 James Socas got 36%, but in 2006 Judy cracked 41% against Frank Wolf. She has the name recognition necessary to win in 2008.

She also has the experience necessary to finally get all Americans universal health care. She has worked hard for us all in this area by serving first on the Pepper Commission investigating health care issues in 1988 and working as a senior official in the Clinton Administration in 1993 fighting to expand health care insurance for all. She is a former chair and board member of the Academy of Health and currently is an elected member of the Institute of Health.

When a friend and member of our own Leesburg Dems fell on hard times with no job and no health care, but real pre-existing illnesses, it was Judy I called for advice and who volunteered to help and followed through with that person finding a solution. Judy is forever more than a politician to me and that friend.

Judy has the name recognition needed to win; she has the policy background necessary to assist the next Democratic President of the United States to finally provide all American health care. I ask you to vote for Judy Feder as our candidate to finally defeat Frank Wolf on June 10th.

Sincerely Yours,

David Kirsten

Barack Obama and Judy Feder, teaming up to provide every American with high-quality, affordable health care? Sounds like a plan to me!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Ice Cream Social and Vote Raiser for Judy

Please Join Us For A Pre-Primary

Ice Cream Social and Vote Raiser

for

Judy Feder

Candidate for US House of Representatives
From Virginia's Tenth District

Join us for a few scoops of Locally made Moorenko's Ice Cream and to learn how you can help with our upcoming Primary on June 10th!!


Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 5:30 pm to 8 pm
at our McLean Office
6818 Tennyson Dr. McLean VA 22101


Click Here to RSVP!!!

Contributions appreciated but not required

call Julia for more information at 703-388-2813

Too Conservative Part Two: Democrats Winners, NOVA Republicans Losers

The latest from Republican blog Too Conservative lists "RPV Convention Winners and Losers." I particularly liked these:
Winners:

Democrats

Particularly Mark Warner. It’s not like Warner really needed a split GOP in order to cruise to victory, but his opponent winning with only 50.2% of the vote is the best he could have hoped for.

However, more than just Warner gains here. Everything from yesterday has a mountain of potential gains for Democrats, ranging everywhere from an easy Senate victory to a pickup in HD-52 to battling against a novice GOP Chair to strengthening their grip on the middle. And though the full repercussion of it won’t be felt until Election Day, the folly of choosing a convention reverberated throughout the entire day’s course.

"More than just Warner gains here" - like Judy Feder, for instance. :)

And on the "Losers" side:
Keith Fimian & Northern Virginia Republicans

Ken Cuccinelli is an anomaly, and his 101-vote margin proves it rather well. Successful Northern Virginia Republicans need a strong pragmatist streak, one that’s evident in Congressmen Wolf and Davis as well as several local members of the General Assembly and other candidates. Newcomers Keith Fimian and Pat Herrity fit perfectly into that mold which emphasizes good governance and solution-based results rather than adherence to an ideology and cultural issues like abortion and immigration.

With the advent of Jeff Frederick, I fear for Fimian’s candidacy, whether the state party gets involved and mucks it up, or whether they withhold resources because of a perceived ideological difference between Fimian and the party’s establishment. And that fear extends beyond Fimian to future candidates in 2009 and beyond.

That's right, with the new, far-right slant to the RPV, how will (supposed) "moderates" like Tom Davis (retiring) and Frank Wolf (in danger of losing) survive? It's not gonna be easy, that's for sure.

Monday, June 2, 2008

"Too Conservative": Election Night 2008 Forecast

According to the Republican blog Too Conservative, the following scenario is very possible come November 2008:
It’s Election Night, 2008.

The outcome of the election came down to the former-red State of Virginia. Senator Barack Obama managed to carry NOVA by more than a 10% margin which lead him to a slim win in the state.

Virginia’s Senators are Mark Warner and Jim Webb.

Obama and Warner’s coat tails cost the election of Frank Wolf in VA-10, and Keith Fimian in VA-11.

Thelma Drake in VA-2 is in a recount and has only managed to hang on because of John McCain’s strong presence in the region.

Democrats now control the state Senate, Governor’s mansion, a majority of CD’s, both Senate Seats, and are looking for ’09 to take over the House.

I particularly like the part about Judy Feder beating Frank Wolf. Nice.