Feder Campaign Statement on Obama Nomination

A statement from the Feder for Congress campaign on Barack Obama's nomination for president:

Last night, Senator Barack Obama made a powerful case for the need to change the direction of our country.

On Iraq, health care and our stagnant economy he made it clear that America simply cannot afford four more years like the last eight.

To make change a reality in 2009, we’ll need to elect candidates committed to ending the war in Iraq, getting affordable health care for every American and jump starting our economy, up and down the ticket.

Thanks to your help, we’re on the air incredibly early making Judy’s case for change. We set a goal of raising $75,000 online in August to help fund our early ad buy and as of this morning we were at $71,124.

Click here to help us raise the final $3,876 and reach our August goal!

We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive reaction to our ad “28 years,” but we need your help to make our on-air presence even stronger.

Click here to help us raise the final $3,876 and reach our August goal!

Thank you so much for your support. With your help, the Obama-Warner-Feder ticket is going to deliver the change we need on November 4th.

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager

Frank Wolf and the Schaghticokes

Here is the latest on the chaghticoke Tribal Nation's quest for federal recognition (and Frank Wolf's role in stopping them):

A day after a federal judge ruled against it, the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation is not ready to give up on its quest for federal recognition, Schaghticoke Chief Richard Velky said Wednesday.

[...]

The Schaghticokes say their long quest to gain federal recognition was derailed by people with political ties directly to President Bush.

In its motion, the tribe detailed a March 30, 2004, meeting attended by three Republican members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation and U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., and then-Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.

In a deposition, Norton said Wolf and the Connecticut delegation -- which included U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, and former representatives Nancy Johnson and Rob Simmons -- pressed her to overturn the decision.

She said Wolf threatened to ask President Bush to replace her. But Norton later testified she did not take that threat seriously.

Frank Wolf, what a "nice guy" huh?

Frank Wolf Mails It In

A short while ago, Congressman Frank Wolf sent a mailing to his constituents. Billed as constituent information so he could make use of the free postal services afforded to Congresspeople, in reality it is a thinly disguised campaign mailing designed to make the voters of the 10th District think Frank Wolf is doing something about their issues, without actually having our Congressman do anything about our issues.

Congressman Wolf has sponsored 14 Bills in the 110th Congress. That's about one bill every six weeks. But wait! Of those 14 bills, 13 of them are from 2007. Looking back on Frank Wolf's 28 years in Congress, his track record is even more interesting.

Frank Wolf has sponsored 105 bills since Jan 5, 1993, of which 70 haven't made it out of committee and 17 were successfully enacted. Wolf has co-sponsored 2345 bills during the same time period. - GovTrack.us

The Republicans held the majority in Congress between January 1995 and January 2007. In spite of being a senior member (elected in 1982) of the majority for most of the period tracked by GovTrack, our Congressman was only able to get 17 of his bills passed in fifteen years. In the 110th Congress, only two of his bills were passed, a bill calling for the government to develop a strategy to help Chad (and not Chad, the AOL employee who lost his job on Frank Wolf's watch, Chad the African nation), and a bill expressing condolences on the death of his Congressional colleague Jo Ann Davis.

I don't know about you, but if I only produced approximately one success a year in my job, I'd be fired.

Returning to the mail received recently from our Congressman, it is worthwhile to examine Frank Wolf's constituent mailing on Energy, for example, in comparison with Frank Wolf's actual actions in Congress. To cast an informed vote on November 4th, it is helpful to determine whether our Congressman has actually done something on the issues he claims to care about, versus where the Congressman simply claims action without proof. Let's take Frank Wolf's stated positions on Energy from the mailing one by one.

• Invest in Alternative Renewable Energy - The Congressman lists this as his top priority in the mailing. And yet, a review of his 110th Congress bills, the Congress in which this emerged as a critical issue, shows that Frank Wolf sponsored no bill to invest in alternative renewable energy. He has cosponsored some of the Republican bills, but demonstrated no individual, independent leadership on this issue.


• Eliminate Barriers to Exploration - In the 110th Congress, Frank Wolf sponsored no bill to eliminate barriers to exploration. He has "voted for" such things, but demonstrated no individual, independent leadership.


• Build New Refineries and Expand Old Ones - In the 110th Congress, Frank Wolf sponsored no bill to eliminate barriers to build new refineries and expand old ones. He has "voted for" such things, but demonstrated no individual, independent leadership.


• Protect Consumers - In the 110th Congress, Frank Wolf sponsored no bill to protect consumers. This issue is not even on the front page of his website.
  


• Encourage Conservation - In the 110th Congress, Frank Wolf sponsored no bill to encorage conservation. He "voted for" higher CAFE standards, and "drives a hybrid," but has taken no leadership role in Congress on legislation encouraging conservation.


• Increase Mass Transit & Telework Options - Frank Wolf claims to have "taken the lead" on rail to Dulles. However, it is unclear how someone who was taken by surprise that the Dulles Rail funding was at risk in the first place can be said to lead on the issue. Furthermore, he has sponsored no legislation on rail or mass transit in the 110th Congress.

Frank Wolf's "actions" on the issues he, himself, claims are critical are little more than parroting of talking points and "me too" co-sponsorship of other Republican's bills.

After 28 years in Congress, Frank Wolf is without an original idea on the issues that Frank Wolf himself understands to be critical in this election. He is simply mailing it in, tagging along with other Republican bills and paying lip service in mailings to his constituents.

Alternative energy, mass transit, consumer protection and energy conservation have been critical issues in Virginia's 10th District for decades. For 28 years, Frank Wolf has served in Congress. For twelve of those years, Frank Wolf was a senior member of the Republican Majority and for five years he was chair of the Transportation Committee. And yet, in that critical period where Frank Wolf should have gotten something done on these critical issues, he did nothing. It is only now, when being challenged, that he stirs from his usual torpor to merely co-sponsor his colleagues bills and parrot talking points.

After 28 years, we need a Congressperson who will lead on the important issues facing our district, rather than following the failed and tired policy prescriptions of the Bush Administration and obstructionist Republicans in Congress. We need someone willing and able to take action on critical problems, rather than merely mailing in sympathy.

After 28 years, Virginia's 10th District needs Judy Feder.

(Crossposted from Leesburg Tomorrow)

Judy Feder's First Ad

From the Feder for Congress campaign:

As of tonight our campaign is officially on the air. We wanted you to be one of the first to see our first television ad of 2008, titled “28 years.”

Click here to watch the ad.

Our first spot is about the need turn the page in Virginia’s 10th district and our country. It highlights the fact that whether the issue is health care, Iraq or the economy, Frank Wolf will not deliver the change voters are looking for.

In 2006, the realities of being a first time candidate meant that Judy was only able to run ads in the final weeks of the election. This year, your support has allowed us to go on the air incredibly early – giving us the opportunity to have an extended conversation with voters.

Click here to contribute and help us fund our ad buy.

We have a unique opportunity to make a change in 2008. Almost 170,000 voters in our district have registered since 2002. Our canvassing has shown that these voters are often unfamiliar with Frank Wolf and are persuaded by Judy’s message. We’re already setting records with our field effort and now it’s time to take Judy’s message to the airwaves.

Click here to contribute and help us fund our ad buy.

The 10th district is ready to turn the page in November and with your support we’re going finish what we started together in 2006 and make it happen.

Thank you for your support,

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager

Virginia AFL-CIO Endorses Judy Feder, Other Democrats

This is good news, and not a surprise given the fact that Virginia Republicans in Congress consistently vote against workers and for rich corporations:

After screening the candidates through the Central Labor Councils, reviewing questionnaires and listening to recommendations from the State COPE committee, the seated delegates moved to endorse the following candidates:

CD 2 Glenn Nye
CD 3 Bobby Scott
CD 4 Andrea Miller
CD 5 Tom Perriello
CD 6 Sam Rasoul
CD 7 Anita Hartke
CD 8 Jim Moran
CD 9 Rick Boucher
CD 10 Judy Feder
CD 11 Gerry Connolly

The Virginia AFL-CIO is excited to help elect these candidates and get them to Washington where they will continue to fight for working families.

UPDATE: The Sierra Club also has endorsed Judy Feder over Frank Wolf and his abysmal environmental record.

Four More Years of McCain, Wolf, et al? No Thanks

It's time for a change. Go Obama/Warner/Feder!

More Wolf Wackiness

Apparently, it never ends. Check this out.

Frank Wolf's Best Friend

Do a Google search for Frank Wolf and wingnut Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), and you'll see that these guys are BFF's (best friends forever)...political soulmates, pretty much. With that, enjoy this video.

Judy Surges to Second Place in Progressive Patriots Contest!

Please go vote for Judy now. Thanks!

Thanks to our grassroots supporters Judy has gone from 7th to 2nd place in the Progressive Patriots contest! We're now only a few points from the lead.

Even if you've already voted you can still help! Copy the link below and send it to 5 friends and ask them to support Judy.

http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/pickapatriot/vote-house-v.html

If you haven't voted yet, there's still time. Voting runs through Friday, and doesn't cost you a thing. Show the strength of our grassroots support and click the link below to vote for Judy today!

Vote for Judy today to make her a Progressive Patriot and help us win $5,000!

Thanks again,

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager

Wolf Says We Get 20%-25% of Our Oil from Venezuela. Not!

In this interview, Frank Wolf demonstrates once again how out of touch and uninformed he is about a number of subjects. Given my own background as a world energy market analyst at the US Energy Information Administration for 17 years, for now I'd like to focus on one in particular: oil. According to Frank Wolf, as stated in the interview, the United States gets 20%-25% of its oil from Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. Uh, Congressman? You're not even close. In fact, 20%-25% of our oil consumption would amount to 4-5 million barrels per day, which is far more than Venezuela even produces (2.4 million barrels per day of crude in June 2008), let alone exports!

For more information on U.S. oil imports, see EIA's website. According to the U.S. government's top energy statistical agency, in 2007, the United States imported 1,361 thousand barrels per day of oil (crude and refined products) from Venezuela, out of 13,468 thousand barrels per day of total U.S. oil imports and 20,698 thousand barrels per day of total oil U.S. consumption (see here for more). Quick math tells us that's 10% of U.S. oil imports from Venezuela and 7% of total U.S. oil consumption from Venezuela -- not even close to the 20%-25% Frank Wolf claims, obviously.

Of course, Frank Wolf is the same person who also likes making false claims about Cuba leasing oil rights to China – a falsehood that was started by Vice President Cheney and later shown to be untrue. And Frank Wolf is the same person who has voted time and again against energy efficiency and renewable energy, while defending absurd subsidies for Big Oil companies at a time when they're making record profits in the history of mankind. Given all this, Wolf's latest gaffe probably shouldn't be surprising. More broadly, it shouldn't be surprising that Frank Wolf's lethal combination of ignorance and ideology leads to bad policy. It's not surprising, but it's sad that Frank Wolf's in Congress and able to do so much damage to the environment and to U.S. energy security. Reason #infinity why it's TIME FOR A CHANGE this November. In short: Farewell Frank, Hello Judy Feder! :)

Another Call to Vote for Judy!

From Feder for Congress campaign manager Luke McFarland:

The election may not be until November, but you can make a difference by voting for Judy today!

Senator Feingold is nominating 9 house candidates nationwide as part of his “Pick a Progressive Patriot,” contest – and on Friday Judy received a nomination!

The winner of this contest will receive a $5000 check from Senator Feingold and national exposure for their campaign.

Vote for Judy today to make her a Progressive Patriot!

Our campaign continues to gain momentum and this is another great opportunity for you to help Judy -- at no cost to you! Voting runs through Friday. Click the link below to vote for Judy today.

Vote for Judy today to make her a Progressive Patriot!

Thanks for your support,

Luke McFarland
Campaign Manager

Please Vote for Judy Feder as a "Progressive Patriot!"

Here's a great chance for you to help Judy Feder against Rep. Frank Wolf "in sheep's clothing." That's right, it's time once again for Russ Feingold's "Progressive Patriot" contest!

It's time for our fourth 'Pick a Progressive Patriot' event of 2008, where you decide which candidate most deserves our support. In June you voted for your favorite Senate challengers and now, based on your nominations, we've chosen 9 House challengers to feature in our latest online voting event. Please take a moment to vote for your favorite today.

Vote to Pick a Progressive Patriot Today

Together we've built a strong national progressive organization that provides vital support to campaigns nationwide. Many of the decisions we make on which candidates to support are made by you, the Progressive Patriots online community. It's essential that we build upon our victories in 2006 by supporting all of these candidates as they face a well-funded Republican opposition this fall.

Please take a moment today and cast your vote. Whoever receives the most votes by next Friday at 5 PM CDT will receive a $5,000 contribution.

Vote to Pick a Progressive Patriot Today

Your vote will help provide our next Progressive Patriot with the resources they need to build a strong grassroots campaign that will be vital to their success on Election Day. Thank you for your continued support.

Thanks, and go Judy!

Bush=McCain=Wolf

Frank Wolf "only" votes 88% percent of the time with his fellow Bush-bots, which practically makes him a "maverick!" Ha. :)

Democrats in VA-10 Outperform McCain Field Effort Nationwide in July

From Feder for Congress...very impressive!

Democrats in VA-10 Outperform McCain Field Effort Nationwide in July

Feder Campaign and Democratic Party of Virginia’s Coordinated Campaign Combine for More Than 98,000 Door-knocks and Phone Calls

McLean, VA – Just over a week after receiving the endorsement of Emily’s List and being added to the list of “Red to Blue” races by the DCCC, the Feder campaign is demonstrating the overwhelming advantage the Democrats have going into the fall election.

During the month of July, the Feder campaign in conjunction with the Democratic Party of Virginia’s coordinated campaign combined for a total of 98, 519 door-knocks and phone calls in the 10th congressional district.

Compare that to the efforts of the McCain campaign nationally during the same time period and the advantage Feder will have over Wolf on the ground becomes obvious:

"Every Friday, the 11 regional directors file a detailed report to political director Mike DuHaime with precise numbers such as how many voters were contacted in their states that week and how many county and precinct chairs were added. Then, on Saturday morning, DuHaime holds a conference call with the regional directors, as well as with top RNC aides and the state directors…A month ago, McCain's campaign made a combined 20,000 phone calls and door-knocks." (McCain Ground Game Revs Up, Politico, 8/8/08)

“There is so much excitement for the Obama-Warner-Feder ticket, it really is making a difference in connecting with the voters," said Feder campaign manager Luke McFarland. "Virginia’s 10th congressional district is ready for change, and in July what we really saw was a door-to-door blitz in the field that highlights the enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: anyone who thinks this is just going to be a replay of 2006 is kidding themselves.”

Feder Statement on $79 Billion Iraq Surplus

From the Feder campaign:

Statement from Judy Feder on $79 Billion Iraq Surplus

McLean, VA — According to a report released last week by the Government Accountability Office, the Iraqi government will have a budget surplus of approximately $79 billion by year's end. The following is a statement from Judy Feder in response to the report:

"Five years ago the American people were told that Iraqi oil revenue would pay for reconstruction costs in Iraq. Five years later the American tax payer is still paying the bill. That is unacceptable given the financial burdens we're facing today.

"Congress needs to be held accountable for the burden they have placed on the American taxpayer – a burden that should now be shouldered by the Iraqi Government. We need to hold our representatives in Washington accountable for managing our resources effectively.

"The American taxpayers spend $10 billion a month to defend Iraq and rebuild the country. This administration and the Republican Party have embraced the war in Iraq, and have continued to advocate for an open-ended commitment rather than enact a timeline for withdrawal. Now we find out that the Iraqi government has windfall oil profits that amount to a $79 billion budget surplus sitting in the Federal Reserve Bank collecting $435.6 million in interest payments from the U.S. Government.

"And still we hear no response from my opponent on this issue. Many of these problems could have been avoided if our elected officials had demanded real oversight. But the Bush administration and the Republican Party have consistently opposed efforts to provide responsible oversight.

"Instead of staging gimmicky protests on the House floor and making false claims about Cuba leasing oil rights to China – a falsehood that was started by Vice President Cheney and later shown to be untrue – Congressman Wolf and the Republican Party should focus on real solutions.

"We need to get America back on track, and the way to do that is to make the economy work for the middle class again. We can't keep spending $10 billion a month in Iraq while we pay $113 per barrel. It is time for the Iraqi government to spend their own resources to rebuild Iraq and not depend on the American taxpayer any longer."

Flashback to 2006: Feder Demands Wolf Condemn "Macaca" Comments

Here's what Judy Feder had to say on August 14, 2006 about George Allen's "macaca" comments:

These remarks are unacceptable in the Virginia of today. Virginia is home of the Bill of Rights and has a proud tradition of tolerance, and the state is home to many people whose ancestors are from around the world. It is shameful that Senator Allen would insult a Virginian because of his race or heritage. I ask Congressman Wolf to join all Virginians in condemning Allen's hateful remarks. Senator Allen's remarks show why we so desperately need change in Washington and why we need to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.

Last I checked, we're still waiting for that condemnation from Frank Wolf. Maybe Wolf's just really REALLY slow to respond (unless the Chinese are bugging his computers or whatever), or maybe he thinks it's ok to call Asian Americans "macacas" and people from NOVA not from the "real Virginia?" Either way, it seems like prime time for him to take his long-overdue retirement from Congress.

Statement on Frank Wolf's False Statements re: China/Offshore Drilling

From the Feder campaign.

FRANK WOLF FACT CHECK:

Congressman Wolf Makes False Statement on House Floor

Repeats De-bunked Talking Point about China and Offshore Drilling

McLean, VA—On Monday August 4, 2008 Congressman Frank Wolf inaccurately claimed while delivering remarks on the House floor that the Cuban government "has given a lease to the Chinese" to conduct offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

The following was reported in Politico on August 4, 2008:

Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) railed about the fact that the Cuban government "has given a lease to the Chinese" to conduct offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Wolf pointed out that the Chinese have provided economic and military support to the government of Sudan, and he attempted to tie the lack of offshore drilling in the United States to the genocide in Darfur, although most audience members — tourists and staff — seemed perplexed by his argument. [GOP Returns for Day 2 Talkathon, Politico, 08/04/08]

And from a press release sent by Congressman Wolf's office that same day:

In his remarks on the floor, Wolf, who supports allowing drilling off our coasts and in remote areas of Alaska, raised the issue of Cuba selling leases for offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico -- just 50 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida -- to China, India, Canada and Spain.

Contrary to Congressman Wolf's claims, China does not have a lease for offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. This claim is simply untrue, and has been debunked on more than one occasion over the last several months:

Jorge Pinon, a senior energy fellow at the University of Miami specializing in Latin America, said Cuba has awarded offshore oil leases, or concessionary blocs, in its offshore waters to six oil companies — none of them Chinese — and soon may announce an agreement with Brazil's state oil company, Petrobras. [Cheney Attacked for Comment on Chinese Offshore Drilling, USA Today, 06/12/08]

The China-Cuba connection is "akin to urban legend," said Sen. Mel Martinez, a Republican from Florida... [GOP claim about Chinese oil drilling off Cuba is untrue, McClatchy Newspapers, 06/11/08]

China's oil company, Sinopac, has conducted exploratory drilling on a lease on land in western Cuba, but is not involved in the offshore development. [Cheney Attacked for Comment on Chinese Offshore Drilling, USA Today, 06/12/08]

"Judy thinks all options should be on the table, including offshore drilling. But she also believes that we ought to be having an honest discussion based on factual evidence, not misleading the general public with the kind of misinformation that came from Congressman Wolf just a few days ago," said Luke McFarland, Feder campaign manager. "It's hardly a surprise to see these kinds of tired political tactics from people like John Boehner, Roy Blunt and Rudy Giuliani, but it is disappointing to see something like this from Congressman Wolf. I guess after 27 years in Congress, it's difficult to break free from the same old Washington games. But the voters really do deserve better than that."

Frank Wolf's Rail Presumption

Amid all the blather a few weeks ago about candidates being presumutuous, the 10th District's Dulles Rail project faced a new hurdle as a lawsuit launched against it proceeded. The lawsuit hinges on whether it is legal to transfer management of public assets to private entities in order to get something else done.

The suit, filed in January 2007 by users of the Dulles Toll Road, seek to reverse the state’s hand-off of the highway — and its revenue — to pay for the Metro extension’s initial 11.6-mile phase. It says the Kaine administration needed legislative approval to give the toll road to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the rail project.

If successful, the suit would prove a major snag for the project managers by scuttling a large part of the funding for the $2.6 billion track, which would run from Falls Church to Reston. - The Washington Examiner

It seems that the MWAA may run afoul of the same unconstitutional taxation issue that sunk the NVTA. The reason that this is important is that the Federal rail money which was approved with so much ballyhoo is contingent upon Virginia and other localities making up their side of the funding. And transferring the Toll Road to the MWAA is the Virginia plan for doing so. That is why the MWAA lawsuit is critical. If the MWAA is unable to take over the Toll Road, Virginia cannot fund its part of Dulles Rail, and the conditional approval to proceed achieved in April could be withdrawn.

But don't tell that to the people in charge of the program. To them, it's full speed ahead even if they do hit an iceberg.

What happens if the authority loses the suit?

"It does not kill this project," says Authority President Jim Bennett. "All of the parties are committed moving this project forward."

Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., says if the lawsuit fails, final approval for federal funds could come in February and a groundbreaking in March.

The first phase would be finished by 2013. - WTOP.com

It seems our congressman is resting the future of the most important transportation project in the history of his district on a hope that this lawsuit fails. Frank Wolf is presuming that all will be well. This is in spite of the fact that some of the very same opinions were expressed right up until the very moment the NVTA was overturned.

Can we trust Frank Wolf's presumption? We couldn't when Dulles Rail hit the rocks before, as the FTA's original denial came as a complete surprise to him. We couldn't trust Frank Wolf to help the thousands of 10th district families who saw their homes foreclosed upon. We couldn't trust his much-vaunted "study group" to actually solve any of the problems we face in resolving the Iraq crisis. He won't even respond to his constituents to explain his position on Iraq! And we cannot trust Frank Wolf's presumption now on Dulles Rail. Ensuring the success of this project, if the success of this project is what we want, will require a strong advocate for the 10th District's concerns. It will require Judy Feder's election on November 4th.

Frank Wolf is marking time after 27 years in Congress, hoping that leaders in Richmond or the FTA will solve his districts' problems while he takes credit. Well, I say we give credit where credit is due, to the people of the 10th District who have been solving our own problems while Frank Wolf shows up for photo ops. It's time to put Judy Feder, one of those problem-solving people in Congress.

(With a tip-o-the-hat to Loudoun County Traffic. Cross posted from Leesburg Tomorrow.)

What's the "Democratic National Congressional Committee?"

From a panicky email by Frank Wolf:

We want to make you aware that last Friday, the Democratic National Congressional Committee decided to add the 10th District to its list of "targeted" races. This will mean more out-of-state money for Congressman Wolf's opponent...
We need your help to counter this out-of-state operation.

Uh, Congressman, how long have you been around Washington? Wait, don't answer that. Ha. :) Still, don't you think that after several decades in D.C. you should know that it's the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, aka DCCC, not some make-believe organization you call the "Democratic National Congressional Committee," that has added Judy Feder to its "Red to Blue" list? Well, then, maybe you shouldn't read this:

The DCCC's list adds up to over $34 million on TV ads this September and October in 31 targeted districts, a move designed to swamp the NRCC with the Dems' huge cash advantage.

Or this:

The DCCC raised $10 million in June, and reported $54.7 million cash on hand at the end of the month. The NRCC raised $6.1 million in June, and ended June with $8.5 million in its campaign account.

A nearly 7:1 cash advantage for the DCCC over the NRCC? No wonder why Frank Wolf is making up names of organizations that don't exist.

Faxes Sent to Wolf on July 23; Any Answer Yet?

On July 24, we reported:

The Feder campaign was alerted yesterday that Congressman Wolf's office was refusing to answer questions about his position on the Iraq War, and demanding instead that constituents fax their request for information to his Washington, DC office.

"I just think it's outrageous that the Congressman's staff couldn't be bothered to answer questions about where he stands on the issues important to his district," said Feder. "The voters of the 10th District ought to be able to pick up a phone and get answers from their Congressman — especially a Congressman who is known for constituent services."

Speaking of outrageous, but it's now August 7 - over two weeks after Wolf said to fax your questions about Iraq - and we still don't have an answer. At this point, it's hard to conclude anything else except either: 1) Wolf doesn't know what his position is on Iraq; or 2) Wolf knows full well what his position is on Iraq but doesn't want to share it with his constituents. Either way, it's not acceptable. So...will Wolf respond to this basic question before or after he's voted out of office on November 4? :)

Frankly, Frank, It Truly Is Time to Say "Farewell"

Hmmmm...perhaps it might just be time for Rep. Frank Rudolph Wolf (R-10) - how long has this guy been in Congress again? - to retire. Check this out:

Oh boy. Here's another Republican spreading the lie that China is working with Cuba to drill in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico...

The latest is Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia, who according to the Politico claimed that Cuba "has given a lease to the Chinese" to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, Cuba has not given any such lease to the Chinese, who have kept their drilling activities to the more accessible shoreline areas of Cuba...

Yeah, right, and the Commies are sending microwaves to control our brains through the thick layers of tinfoil, too. Heh.

Of course, this is the same Frank Wolf who apparently thinks we're back in 1938, still fighting the Nazis or something.

Now, here are the facts, courtesy of the Congressional Research Service (no doubt controlled by the Commies as well - ha):

While there has been some concern about China’s potential involvement in offshore deepwater oil projects, to date its involvement in Cuba's oil sector has been focused on onshore oil extraction in Pinar del Rio province through its state-run China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation. (Sinopec)"

In addition, the Miami Herald has reported that "The Chinese have done some seismic testing...but no drilling."

Onshore, offshore; testing, drilling; Cuba, Florida. Whatever. Maybe we should just call the whole thing off, Frank?

Canvass for Obama, Warner, Feder

For information on upcoming canvasses for Barack Obama, Mark Warner and Judy Feder, please click here. On August 9, there will be events in Ashburn, Winchester, Leesburg, Manassas, Dranesville, Springfield, Hunter Mill and Sully. If you have any questions, give the Feder campamign a call at 703-388-2813 or email volunteer@judyfeder.com. Many of these canvasses will be taking place every Saturday until Election Day, so check one out and help elect these three great Democrats! Thanks.

Barack Obama Slams Frank Wolf on Energy?

Well, no, not exactly. But Obama might as well have slammed Frank Wolf this morning in his speech, "New Energy for America." How's that? In the following excerpt from Obama's speech, simply replace the words "John McCain" with "Frank Wolf" and see how much sense it makes!

Despite all this, here we are, in another election, still talking about our oil addiction; still more dependent than ever. Why?

You won't hear me say this too often, but I couldn't agree more with the explanation that Senator McCain offered a few weeks ago. He said, "Our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been thirty years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the future of the country."

What Senator McCain neglected to mention was that during those thirty years, he was in Washington for twenty-six of them. And in all that time, he did little to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. He voted against increased fuel efficiency standards and opposed legislation that included tax credits for more efficient cars. He voted against renewable sources of energy. Against clean biofuels. Against solar power. Against wind power. Against an energy bill that - while far from perfect - represented the largest investment in renewable sources of energy in the history of this country. So when Senator McCain talks about the failure of politicians in Washington to do anything about our energy crisis, it's important to remember that he's been a part of that failure. Now, after years of inaction, and in the face of public frustration over rising gas prices, the only energy proposal he's really promoting is more offshore drilling - a position he recently adopted that has become the centerpiece of his plan, and one that will not make a real dent in current gas prices or meet the long-term challenge of energy independence.

The only serious difference between John McCain and Frank Wolf? McCain's been in Washington since 1983, while Wolf's been there since 1981. Other than that, it's the same tired old rhetoric, the same failed policies (or lack thereof) that got us into this mess in the first place. The energy crisis: just one good reason why it's clearly time for a change, from John McBush and Frank Wolf to Barack Obama and Judy Feder, this November. Go Judy!

Wolf Votes Against Women

This is great news...

Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act - H.R.1338. The bill is intended to prevent gender-based wage discrimination by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages.

...but this is pathetic.

Once again Virginia's House Republicans took a stand against their constituents and every working American by voting NO on this measure. The proof of their anti-worker, anti-labor, anti-American vote was recorded as House Roll Call No. 556 of the 110th Congress, 2nd Session:

• Rep. Eric Cantor (R-7) NO
• Rep. Thomas Davis, (R-11) NO
• Rep. Thelma Drake (R-2) NO
• Rep. Randy Forbes (R-4) NO
• Rep. Virgil Goode, Jr. (R-5) NO
• Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-6) NO
• Rep. Robert Wittman (R-1) NO
• Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) NO

On November 4th every one of these members of Congress deserve to be replaced.

I couldn't agree more. And in the 10th CD, it should most definitely be "farewell Frank, hello Judy Feder!"

Judy Feder Added to "Red to Blue" List!

Great news, courtesy of the DCCC. Go Judy!

DCCC Announces Fourth Round of Red to Blue

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced today the next round of candidates who earned a spot in the DCCC’s highly competitive Red to Blue program. These six candidates qualified for the fourth round of the Red to Blue program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they stand for change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress.

“The candidates for change being named to the DCCC Red to Blue program are running solid campaigns and are committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts,” said Chris Van Hollen, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “With less than 100 days to make their case for change to voters in their districts, the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November.”

Chairman Van Hollen joined Red to Blue co-chairs Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Artur Davis (D-AL), and Bruce Braley (D-IA) to announce six candidates who qualified for the Red to Blue program:

(LA-07) Don Cravins
(NV-02) Jill Derby
(OH-02) Vic Wulsin
(PA-03) Kathy Dahlkemper
(VA-05) Tom Periello
(VA-10) Judy Feder

Reflecting Democrats’ expanding playing field this cycle, there are now 44 candidates on the Red to Blue program. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country and offers them financial, communications, and strategic support. The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns. A complete list of Red to Blue candidates is available on the DCCC website at: www.dccc.org/page/content/redtoblue/.

Red to Blue was a proven success in the 2006 cycle. In 2006, the Red to Blue program raised nearly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns with an average of $404,000 per campaign. Red to Blue was also responsible for solidifying the structure of dozens of campaigns and making a real difference for Democrats across America.

For more, see here.