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.