Over the years I have given thousands of dollars to the campaigns of my state and local politicians, including the state Democratic Caucus.  Our system is obviously broken, particularly since as an individual I will never be able to outspend contributions made by other interests.

Do you or the party ever plan on introducing legislation that will encourage a creative way to bring common folks into the process without having to pay to be heard?  To me this is a backdoor tax that hurts the poor and compromises our trust in the state government.

The good news in Virginia is our full disclosure laws that allows every Virginia voter to examine campaign contributions by going to www.vpap.org. Sunlight is the best disinfecttant.

One small positive steps we made a few years back was legislation to expand tax credits for those that make small political donations. The bill has been used successfully to level the playing field and I'd encourage anyone who can to send a $50 contribution to the candidate of your choice.

Last year, I also sponsored legislation cracking down on out of state groups that funnel money through Virginia - using Virginia as a Cayman islands of campaign finance.

earlier this year, you heard a lot of talk about an all-out revolt from people on the right. Do you think it was all talk, or do you think some normally reliable Republican voters will vote Democratic next week?

Thanks for the question. I don't think it was all talk, I believe strongly that the overwhelming majority of Virginians reject this kind of Washington style gimmickry. We all know we have a transportation crisis, particularly in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. The voters of Virginia know that means real solutions not $1000 speeding tickets.

It's not a partisan issue, I think Democrats and Republicans will join together and vote against those that developed this proposal. We know we need a change of leadership in Richmond when this is the best they can do to solve our transportation crisis.

What is the Democratic message on illegal immigration?  Also, how powerful do you think this issue has turned out to be this year?  Have you been surprised, one way or the other? 

Thanks for the question and thanks for inviting me to be with you before election day.

The issue is incredibly powerful but it's power lies in two areas: (1) a legitimate concern of folks that we make sure people are following the law and playing by the rules; (2) an issue for demagoguery and hate that has been used in slogans and sound bites to benefit Republican candidates this year.

The immigration challenge is here due to the failure of a Republican Congress and a Republican President. Ultimately, we need federal action on immigration policy.

During this comming sessoin we will evaluate what state and local communities can do, legally, to address this important issue. We have a bi-partisan commission headed by Senator John Watkins (R-Richmond) to look into proposals before January.

anything on illegal immigration since 1999, when the GOP took control?

they've done about as much as their Republican counterparts in Congress and the Whitehouse.

Hi Brian - thanks so much for coming on RK and sharing your insight on the elections and more.

I'm interested in your views on how well the VA Democrats have done this year in defining and framing the issues vs. your Republican counterparts.  In recent years the Republicans have done a good job of finding and defining issues that really helped them hold on to power.  While I almost always disagreed with the framing of their issues I've got to give them credit for finding the right buttons to push to keep the votes going their way.

This year I thought the Democrats really had the issue in the Abusive Fee/Tax aspect of the Transportation bill.  It was going strong in July and August - especially with the 180,000 or so online petition signatures.  However,  the Republicans may have staged a timely come back by focusing on the immigration issue and framing it in such a way that speaks to the majority.

For these two issues, do you feel the Democrats were outmaneuvered yet again?  Did the Abuser fee issue just peak too soon (bad luck with timing)?  Or are the appearances deceiving in this case?

And more generally, how would you rate the overall Democratic efforts to define and frame the issues this year?

I'm incredibly proud of the way we have defined and framed our plans for Virginia's future. You know, it's not always easy when you govern with substance and not sound bites for Democrats to get our message across but we've done a good job of it. We traveled across Virginia on our 'Change the Assembly' tour to highlight  7 reasons to change the Republican leadership in Richmond. They blocked our efforts to raise teacher pay, to invest in stem cell research, to balance our budgets and preserve our AAA bond rating, and much more.

It's true the Republicans have run on the slogan that Government doesn't work and once they get elected they prove it to be true.

We have rolled out new, innovative programs to invest in education and early childhood education, to expand care for our seniors so they can grow old in dignity and remain in the home where they raised their family, efforts to research alternative and renewable energy sources to preserve our environment, and commitments to open and accountable Government. You can follow our tour and our initiatives on my website at www.BrianMoran.com.

How do you plan to pay for all of the various initatives you are proposing?

Why have you decided to support numerous races instead of focusing on a few key winnable races?

Which races are you forcasting for democratic party pickup

We have a series of initiatives we are proposing because we believe strongly that you can't just say what we're against, we must lay out a clear vision of what we are for. Every Virginia voter knows what they are getting by pulling the level for a Democratic candidate this November. That's why we first proposed a Military Veterans Bill of Rights, a new Protect our Seniors Act, and proposals to improve alternative and renewable energy resrouces in Virginia.

It's been Democratic leadreship that preserved our AAA bond rating and made Virginia the 'Best Managed State' in the nation. We will continue to make fiscally responsible investments.

On your second question, we've focused our resources and our time on top quality candidates across the state who have a reasonable chance to be successful. Our Caucus program has targeted nearly 3 times as many races as in the past - and has had three times the funds. Our members should each be congratulated for stepping up in a significant way to help fund the campaigns this year.

I've been extremely proud to stand with military commanders, prosecutors, police officers, school board members, nurses, accountants and many others who are running for the House as Democrats this year.

and take back the State Senate, how will the change in committee chairmanships affect the Democratic agenda for Virginia?  How will it affect issues particular to Northern Virginia, transportation in particular?  And how will the General Assembly work differently/better with Gov. Kaine?

Thanks.

With gains in the House and victory in the Senate, we will be able to better work with Governor Kaine to move Virginia forward. The issues Republican have blocked in recent years, like real transportation solutions, improvements in education, and investments in alternative and renewable energy will be back on the table. For Northern Virginia, we will be a major beneficiary of Democratic leadership in the Senate with Senator Leaders like Dick Saslaw and Mary Margaret Whipple.  It will be good for Northern Virignia and for all of Virginia with Democratic control in the General Assembly.

Northern Virginia legislators have a unique appreciation for the transportation crisis in our region and the challenges it poses for families. With more senior representation from Northern Virginia, we will better able to meet this challenge. 

Do you see a scanario where it is a Democratic pick-up?

Let me start by saying that I had the privilege of serving with Congresswoman Davis when she was in the House of Delegates and my sympathies go out to her family in this difficult time.

Before getting to your question about the politics, let's have this loss inspire us to recommit to finding a cure for Breast Cancer. In September, I lost a sister-in-law and mother of six kids to Breast Cancer, this disease strikes every family. We must do more - and we can do more - to find a cure.

I do believe that we have some great Democratic candidates stepping forward in the 1st CD. Any voter who looks at the Democratic record in Virginia under Mark Warner's and Tim Kaine's leadership and contrasts that with the last 7 years of Bush/Cheney will be inclined to support our nominee in CD1.

I look forward to campaigning for the nominee.

I am most concerned with Iraq/Afghan veterans who leave active duty without a verified disability, then end up suffering from PTSD or any of a number of other maladies. These are going to be unfunded federal obligations with which the state will be saddled.

Great question. As the son of a veteran from the Second World War, I know we must do more to take care of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan today. The Federal Government has truly let our veterans down.

I toured the PTSD facilities at the Hunter McGuire Veterans Care Center last fall and was down there just the other day for a new groundbreaking at that facility.

We have rolled out a Military Veterans Bill of rights because Virginia must step up to the moral obligation to care for those who put themselves in harms way to defend us.

The bill will provide quality medical and counseling care, protect Veterans against financial hardship from service, ensure access to education opportunities, protect military families financially while serving overseas, ensure they received high quality healthcare, and provide additional benefits for families of fallen soldiers.

You can learn more about the bill at http://www.brianmora...

Two weeks ago, Representative Drake expressed the view that our young Americans "write a blank check" when they join the service. That is how the Republican leadership has come to value the sacrifices of the service members.

on being named 'Child Advocate of the Year' by the Virginia PTA. I'm glad to see a REAL family man in office these days. As a new father, I'm interested in your plan for early childhood education. Could you tell us a little more? Thanks.

I was honored to accept the award from the state PTA last weekend.  I've enjoyed working closely with them on issues ranging from quality education to childrens healthcare.

Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs before a child turns five. We know that children who attend high-quality preschool are more likely to finish school, find good jobs, and are less likely to commit a crime. That's why I'm partnering with Governor Kaine to invest in new Early Childhood Education intiatives that expand access to as many as 12,000 new Virginia children.

As the father of two young children who benefited from a quality preschool education, I'm entirely committed to this effort next session.

The polar ice caps are melting, the planet is in deep trouble, what do Democrats plan to do in 2008, after they take back the State Senate and get close to taking back the House of Delegates?  Specifically, how about signing on with many other states on the side of California in its battle with the Bush Administration over setting tougher greenhouse gas emissions standards?  How about turning Virginia into a "Cool Commonwealth" by, among other things, pledging to slash carbon emissions 80% by 2050?  How about a revenue neutral increase in carbon taxes (while cutting regressive sales taxes on food and the like and also subsidizing energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners plus top-notch transit, rail, etc)?

Thanks, and sorry for the rambling question! :)

It is clear to me that the challenge as we head into the second decade of the 21st is expanding alternative and renewable energy resrouces, promoting conservation, and preserving our environment. 

We've proposed a plan that would expand public-private energy efficiencies, use alternative energy solutions to help low income families reduce their utility bills, explore ways to reduce global warming, and expand alternative energy research at colleges and universities.

But, like the nuns used to teach me in school, all charity begins at home. Environmental action should as well. I am a regular recyler of paper and plastic products and compost much of my garbage. We need to all commit to doing our part to preserve the planet.

?

1. Sign on to California standards?
2. Turn Virginia into a "Cool Commonwealth?" (modeled on the "Cool Cities" program that Fairfax County signed onto)
3. Pledge to slash carbon emissions 80% by 2050?

I believe I read somewhere that about 80 percent of the General Assembly races are uncontested this year.  Is that about accurate?  What's your view on how the Democratic Caucus has approached finding qualified folks to run? 

The Washington Post in its 10/25/07 endorsement of HOD-51 Democrat Paul Nichols said that "[Republican opponent Faisal Gill] bashes illegal immigrants -- urging that the hiring of undocumented workers be a felony -- while failing to mention that the law firm in which he's a name partner solicits clients in deportation hearings."

As an attorney yourself, do you have a problem with candidate Faisal Gill saying that "illegal is illegal is illegal," while this same Faisal Gill looks for loopholes to protect his illegal immigrant clients from deportation?

When Faisal Gill's activities on behalf of his illegal immigrant clients contradict his campaign rhetoric, isn't that an appropriate issue for Paul Nichols to raise? 

in the campaign this year. Which ones have you found to be getting the most traction with voters?

In Prince William County, we are hearing from even die-hard Democratic voters that they don't want to vote for Paul Nichols, Chris Brown, and Jeannette Rishell because the mailers contain half-truths.  They're killing us.

I'm told that the candidates themselves have only 15 minutes to read the ads and approve them.  Is that so?

This should not have been so hard.

(by Pew):

Interestingly, transportation isn't even on this list, and immigration ranks toward the bottom in importance.  I presume this isn't what you're seeing in Virginia -- or is it?

Thanks.

And pick up a saslaw  yard sign?

It looks silly that I have  Patsy Ticer yard sign, and I am not in  her district.

PAul v

Thank you to the whole Raising Kaine team for having me join you today. Let me also thank you for all the work that readers of RK have put into this falls campaigns. We started working together 18 months ago to recruit and encourage good people to stand for office this fall and now we close out the campaign season giving all we can to help win these important races. I will be traveling tomorrow and Saturday throughout Southwest and Southside for our great candidates and on Sunday will be in Hampton Roads. No stopping until election night.

Now on to your questions...

Old Town Alexandria on Monday evening for the traditional end-of-campaign GOTV rally?  Or perhaps we'll just see you at one of the great bars in Old Town having a much-deserved beer after all your hard work? :)

can we also revisit these ridiculous regional authorities?  What we need is a STATE WIDE SOLUTION that doesn't unduly burden one region or the other, not a gerrymandered mess.  Now, let me tell you how I REALLY feel!  Ha. :)

We have a real chance to change the General Assembly this election day - I hope you'll continue to keep up the work in these final days. The stakes couldn't be higher.

We have tremendous candidates running and they are desreving of your support. We have a clear record of success and promise for the future.

Over the next few days, I'll be traveling with Governor Tim Kaine, former Governor Mark Warner and Senator Jim Webb to campaign for all these great candidtes in every corner of Virginia. I hope to see you there.

Then, we can all celebrate on election night.

Thanks Lowell and everyone for inviting me to be with you. I have to heard off to another event as we head into election weekend.

Your Friend,
Brian

It's much appreciated, as are your efforts to make Virginia an even greater place to live.  If you have a chance, I'd still be interested in your answers to the remaining questions -- but only if you have time, of course.  Thanks again!