Moran and Armstrong: "Seven Reasons for Change"

By: Lowell
Published On: 9/26/2007 11:21:14 AM

I just got off a blogger conference call with Delegates Brian Moran and Ward Armstrong, who have embarked on their Take Back Virginia"Seven Reasons for Change" tour of Virginia.  The purpose of the tour is to lay out seven strong reasons to change leadership in the Virginia General Assembly in 41 days:

1. Republicans have opposed increasing the minimum wage
2. Republicans have opposed stem cell research
3. Republicans are responsible for the hated abuser fees
4. Republicans have blocked raising teacher pay
5. Republican policies have jeopardized our state's AAA bond rating
6. Republicans have opposed providing long-term care for seniors
7. Republicans opposed the largest investment in education in Virginia history

In general, thanks to Republican control of the General Assembly, "Virginia is not moving forward as it should."  And, as Ward Armstrong points out, the definition of insanity is expecting a different outcome from the same set of inputs.

Blogger questions on the "flip"
I asked about immigration.  The delegates blamed a failure at the federal level to deal with the issue, and said that states are going to have to step up to do what Washington has failed to do.  They also asked how Republicans will pay for the illegal immigrant detention center they propose.  The bottom line, according to Brian Moran, is that we need to have "discussion" and "dialogue" about this issue, not "demagoguery" and "rhetoric."  But Democrats won't dismiss any idea out of hand.

Eileen Levandoski asked about pre-k education, and Brian Moran said "we support the governor's plan" as an "investment in our future."  Armstrong noted that Democrats are viewed as much stronger on education, and that Republicans are against this investment.

Ben Tribbett asked where the tour would be heading.  According to Del. Moran, it started in Manassas this morning with Jeanette Rishell, then moves on to Richmond, Virginia Beach, Danville, SWVA, and NOVA.

Finally, I followed up with Del. Moran about stem cell funding, and he said the Republicans were "extreme" on the issue, even opposing PRIVATE funding of research, not just state funding.

Comments



hold on one minute (HeathPulaski - 9/26/2007 11:51:39 AM)
1. Republicans have opposed increasing the minimum wage

if you knew anything you'd know raising the minimum wage puts an unneeded strain on small businesses.  They usually end up folding or cutting staff.

2. Republicans have opposed stem cell research

they opposed feedle stem cell research... you get same results using adult stem cells but you wouldn't get it would you.

3. Republicans are responsible for the hated abuser fees

Again wrong it was Gov. Kane who struck those abuser fees out that would of effected All not just Virginians

4. Republicans have blocked raising teacher pay

Teachers need to step up to the plate and show results.  We have some of the highest paid teachers in the country in VA.  Stop being so damn selfish.

5. Republican policies have jeopardized our state's AAA bond rating

That just a LIE

6. Republicans have opposed providing long-term care for seniors

Why should the taxpayer be burdent wiht this.  Why couldn't these people save.

7. Republicans opposed the largest investment in education in Virginia history

Another LIE this is like saying Bill Clinton over saw the single largest tax increase in US history.  Stop using FUZZY MATH

If the Extreamist Liberals were in the drivers seats there would be no need for you distorting every Republicans record.  Also FYI Gerry Connolly got $1000 for Jack Abramoff's law partner.



try "fetal" instead of the nonsense of "feedle" (teacherken - 9/26/2007 11:54:36 AM)
or perhaps even just try using spell check

minimum wage has very little impact on small business, since in many cases they already have to pay well over Federal minimum wage to hire employees. 

as for the rest of your blather . . . .



Actually... (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 9/26/2007 12:04:16 PM)
We're 26th in terms of average teacher pay. Our average expenditure per pupil is 22nd. Now these are from the year 2004-05 but not much has changed to raise pay.

http://www.nea.org/e...
 



Dude that is some silly stuff (WillieStark - 9/26/2007 2:21:15 PM)
Please give us some valid arguments. I know you want to defend your conservative positions, but people here play on a much higher level than what you posted. I would suggest you go and hang out with some 8th grade schoolchildren until you are at least ready to run with the big dogs.
 


Let's try to stay impersonal (snolan - 9/27/2007 10:55:12 AM)
I agree that he has some silly arguments, but thank goodness he posts them here.  They happen to be Republican talking points and pretty common arguments - so having us learn how to turn those talking points into positive comments for progressive and liberal candidates is a good thing.

So he does not use a spell checker - it does not matter, the point is that we are getting some opposition points of view that are worth tackling, because in the districts I live in - these views, silly as they seem to me, are all too common.



This Is Precisely (Not Harry F. Byrd, Sr. - 9/26/2007 12:22:52 PM)
What Democrats ought to be hammering home for the next 40 days.


Correct, but how do we dumb-down our message (or should I say massage :) (Matt H - 9/26/2007 2:27:53 PM)


Are you for rea? (S. Becker - 9/26/2007 2:31:53 PM)
4. Republicans have blocked raising teacher pay

"Teachers need to step up to the plate and show results.  We have some of the highest paid teachers in the country in VA.  Stop being so damn selfish."

Try explaining your statement to a teacher that works in Grayson or Bland County.  Their pay is just plain pothetic.



Tour Kicks Off in Virginia Beach tomorrow (elevandoski - 9/26/2007 7:35:08 PM)
The first leg of the tour starts in Virginia Beach tomorrow (Thurs., Sept. 27), 11:15 am at Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. 

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran will join House of Delegates candidates Bobby Mathieson and Joe Bouchard in Virginia Beach to discuss their support for Governor Kaine's Early Childhood Education initiative. Moran will highlight the "Seven Reasons for Change" of the Republican leadership and rollout support for Early Childhood Education as a signature initiative of Democrats next January. Moran, Mathieson and Bouchard will be joined by elected officials, business, community and education leaders.

I swear I didn't know they'd be coming to VB to talk about education when I asked my question about education.  How ironic!



Ward Armstrong (Gordie - 9/27/2007 6:56:22 AM)
has already taken sides for 2009 Gov. race. When candidates outside his favortism want to push issues he tells them to back off. Now he steps forward with his choice for Gov. in 2009.

The GOOD OL BOY's are alive and well in VA politics, in those smoke filled rooms. Oh well, those smoke filled rooms may soon end, but the good ol boys will last for a long time.