Connolly Blows Off Climate Change Forum

By: Lowell
Published On: 5/24/2008 9:56:09 AM

As you can see from the League of Conservation Voters press release below, there was an 11th CD candidates' forum ("Energy & Climate Change: Solutions from the 11th Congressional District to Capitol Hill") this past Wednesday evening in Oakton.  Leslie Byrne was there.  Doug Denneny was there. Lori Alexander. Gerry Connolly was...whoops, NOT there. Why not? Connolly's campaign claims a "scheduling conflict," but click on the image to "embiggen" and note that Connolly's campaign schedule was all clear on Wednesday evening. I also checked the Fairfax County government calendar for this past Wednesday evening, and couldn't find anything obvious that Gerry Connolly would have needed to be at.

True, Connolly could have had personal business or something. But still, you'd think that someone who claims to be pro-environment, Mr. "Cool County" himself (does anyone know if anything has actually been done to implement this program since it was signed last July?), would make it a priority to show up to a forum like this.

"Statement from Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

For more information, please contact Lisa at 804.225.1902 (office) or 804.240.1976 (cell)

Congressional candidates helped call attention to climate change at a forum last night at Oakton High School entitled "Energy & Climate Change: Solutions from the 11th Congressional District to Capitol Hill." Presented by the Clean Water Fund, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the forum included an in-depth presentation on the science of climate change by Virginia Tech professor Dr. Stephen Schoenholtz and an engaging discussion on climate change and energy solutions with Democratic candidates Doug Denneny, Lori Alexander, and Leslie Byrne.  Gerry Connolly was unable to attend the event due to a scheduling conflict.

A wide range of questions, touching on land use, transportation options, energy alternatives and efficiency, and economic considerations allowed the candidates to offer a range of solutions for long-term energy sustainability and climate change. The good news is that there are many actions that individuals and each level of government can take to address the energy and climate change challenge.  We need Congress to take bold action on global climate change and our energy future.  Our next District 11 Representative will have the opportunity to be a leader on the environment for our region and our nation."

P.S. An RK reader reminds me that Connolly "skipped a debate sponsored by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce on 4/10 and he didn't show up to a forum the Chantilly High School Young Dems hosted on 4/14."  Also, "Mark Plotkin has invited all candidates to appear on WTOP next Friday for a little debate action but this week he said on the air that 3 candidates will participate." Hmmmm.

Comments



Connolly doesn't care; so, he thinks we don't either. (jsrutstein - 5/24/2008 11:26:20 AM)
Connolly disappearing from the stage conforms to my suspicion that he's counting on his base of supporters who always vote to carry him on June 10.

It seems obvious to me that Byrne's aggressive comparative [not negative] campaign, especially on her being clearly more reliably antiwar, is working.  It's also gratifying to see independent groups, like EMILY's List, helping the cause.  I got a mailer from their Virginia WOMEN VOTE! subsidiary yesterday entitled "Pay-to-Play" which effectively makes the case that Connolly has a history of dividing his loyalty between his constituents and private interests who have made suspiciously timed contributions to Connolly.  And, we all know by now about Connolly's conflicted and problematic relationship with SAIC.

Connolly can't make a positive case for himself, and he knows that he can't take the risk of publicly confronting the mounting evidence of his inferiority.  All his supporters can do is criticize Byrne as having lost elections and talk up Connolly's electoral success.  And those are not negligible facts, but Byrne can make, and has made, a very positive case for herself, and she and her allies are making the case that Connolly has won elections despite his divided loyalties, and not because of it.

I'd argue that Connolly is facing for the first time legitimate questions about whom he would intend to represent as our Representative.  He's never had to care about that question before, and he's projecting his apathy on us.

Of course, none of this will matter, and Connolly's rope-a-dope strategy will succeed, as long as he's right that we won't be sufficiently motivated to act on our principles and vote for Byrne.

Let's prove him wrong and prove to ourselves that we do have the courage of our convictions.
 



Don' you know all you need is a press release (totallynext - 5/24/2008 6:48:23 PM)
Mr. "Cool County" himself (does anyone know if anything has actually been done to implement this program since it was signed last July?


A focus for Byrne (Alter of Freedom - 5/25/2008 11:51:40 AM)
After speaking with some close friends in the 11th it seems that Leslie Byrne needs to concentrate on her record and her vison which will directly impact voters. The passive arguements by the opposition are taking root as it is obvious that she is being portrayed as someone who cannot get over the top and win as a direct result of recent attempts. Many do not want to focus or think that "electibility" is not much of an issue but it is when it is made an issue in a consorted effort as a central theme against someone. I think this case, right or wrong, is being made against Byrne.
She needs to take these misteps by Connolly and these no-shows and formulate a clear difference b/t them. In my view after speaking to my friends she should get off the anti-war focus and let Obama fund that message with his coffers as it will come down ballot to her in the Fall if she gets the nomination. Most Dems in the 11th are already anti-war it seems as a % so its like spending money beating a drum about how one is more anti than the other. I do not think that the war will be the issue to decide who wins this amongst Dems. It has to be on the very issues impacting daily lives and how she can make and provide the difference in those lives if she is in Washington.
As an independent and one prone to vote red shirt from time to time I happen to find alot in Byrne to support but do not think she is focusing on those things in her record and past that will make her a better candidate in the Fall against a Republican. Again, its not my hunt but in the end she will be representing Virginia so in that regard I care deeply.
If Connolly is going to merely duck forums and debates and ely mostly on his name or brand than Byrne should use that name and brand against him by demonstrating the pitfalls of his record----afterall it does not look like he will be around to denfend it at these events.


I agree (Teddy - 5/25/2008 3:52:29 PM)