Andy Hurst Live Blogging - Tuesday, 8:30 PM

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/5/2006 6:08:34 PM

TomorrowThis evening (Tuesday) at 8:30 PM, Andy Hurst will be on Raising Kaine for an hour (or more) live blogging session.  Please leave your questions for Andy, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 11th District.  Yes, that's Tom Davis' district, and it's a longshot, but we're going to give him a run for his money - emphasis on MONEY - this year.  Ha. :)

Here's Andy's statement:

One of the first things I did when my campaign started picking up steam was have lunch with Dan, Josh and Lowell of Raising Kaine.  I had read the blog during the 2005 elections, and really liked what I saw.  We had a great time at lunch, talking about the issues that brought us to Democratic politics, and what made us write and think about political issues while our friends and colleagues were pursuing other interests.  Our lunch really made an impact on me, and in some part shaped the way I presented my ideas and beliefs to fellow Democrats and voters in the ensuing months.  I continue to read Raising Kaine (as well as other Virginia blogs) on a regular basis, and learn a lot from them.  I particularly enjoy the substantive articles that appear on Raising Kaine on a regular basis.

I am delighted to be given the opportunity to live-blog on Raising Kaine.  I'm a fairly decent and quick typist, so be assured that it is me answering and writing these answers.  As a first-time candidate who has never been a believer in professional politicians, I will answer any questions you have as candidly as I can.  Our race may not be one that it is getting all the attention right now.  But the Eleventh Congressional District has unrealized Democratic potential, and we have a dynamic grass-roots campaign that is getting our messages out, and having fun while we do it.  In addition to answering your questions, I would like to hear your advice, concerns, criticisms, etc.  The Virginia blogosphere is home to some of the most intelligent and outspoken political minds I've encountered, and I am genuinely interested in what people like Ben, Paul, Kenton, Teddy, Waldo, Vince, Melissa, James, Kristen, Greg, Brian, J.C., Alice, J. Sarge, and others (now Chap! too) have to say about our race and my campaign.  Thanks again for letting me come on!



Comments



Money, Money, Money (RichmondDem - 6/5/2006 6:47:26 PM)

Dear Mr. Hurst:

I'm a recent college graduate and I've done lots of work on Democratic campaigns--especially door-to-door outreach. I'd have to say I'm fascinated and inspired by your campaign's committment to face-to-face persuasion and mobilization. The blogs, the robocalls, the e-mail lists--none of them replace a handshake and a good conversation IMO.

My question for you concerns what drives people away from that wonderful personal interaction and local expertise that drives good campaigns--money.

Do you feel your campaign has raised enough money to compete seriously with Rep. Davis, a powerful incumbent?

What problems have you run into in fundraising? How do you plan to overcome them?

Given how good your message is, I sincerely hope that you all raise the money to bring it to the people.

Good luck!!



Good Question (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:21:27 PM)
Richmond Dem, a big reason I am running for this office is that I believe money has become too big an influence in our federal elections and legislative process.

However, I understand the importance of raising money to conduct a successful campaign.  As of right now, I've only raised enough money to compete seriously with Ken Longmyer.  If I win the primary, I will raise enough money to compete seriously with Tom Davis.  While I'll never raise the same amount as him, I certainly can raise enough to conduct a campaign that will get our message out.  I've already raised more than double what any challenger to Davis has, and that's as a first-time candidate for office in a primary. 

I've found two obstacles to raising money.  First, I have self-imposed restrictions on who I'll take money from (i.e. I accept no PAC money).  I'll still be successful in raising money with those limitations (as was John Edwards) through hard work, and having a message that folks respond to.  Second, like most people who have worked hard to get where they are in life, I don't like asking for things from others.  This primary has taught me not only how necessary it is to ask, but how well people respond when you believe in what you're doing.  I have lost whatever reluctance I had when I began this effort. 

RD, you can count on me to do the work and to have the creativity to get the resources we need to take on Davis this year.



Dagger!!! (Virginia Centrist - 6/5/2006 7:24:34 PM)
Do you have a contingency plan if Tom Davis drops out and his wife runs in his place? Rumors are swirling...


Cakes would be proud... (Tom Joad (Kevin) - 6/6/2006 6:55:22 AM)


Gratuitous Junkies References (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:23:15 PM)
Virginia Centrist, I don't pay much attention to rumors.  Suffice it to say that I am eager to take on Tom Davis, or anyone else the conservative right throws at us.


Would you prefer to run against Tom Davis with Jim Webb (Lowell - 6/5/2006 7:29:23 PM)
at the top of the ticket, or Harris Miller?  In general, which man - Webb or Miller - would help Virginia Congressional candidates the most this year, and can you quantify the impact?  Thanks.


By the way man (Craig - 6/5/2006 9:08:35 PM)
you should see the crazy crap that Thomas Paine is saying about you at NLS.  I mean I think he's becoming seriously unhinged.

Oh yeah, he's also trying to spread the lie that Webb's campaign paraphernalia isn't union made.



Where? (Mookie - 6/6/2006 12:48:29 PM)
Here:  http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2006/06/national_trends.html#comment-18203868


COMMENT HIDDEN (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:28:28 PM)


Cmon (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:31:42 PM)
That is such a politician answer.  If one helps you win you should stand up and say it. 


Gotta say, Andy... (Lowell - 6/6/2006 8:37:02 PM)
I agree with Ben on this one. 


Andy (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:38:22 PM)
Beating Tom Davis is tough enough.  Do you want to take a chance of losing 51-49 and standing around on election night saying "I wish I spoke my mind"? 


Too bad to hear that. Miller is a snake. n/t (Alicia - 6/6/2006 8:32:13 PM)


and I live in the 11th... n/t (Alicia - 6/6/2006 8:33:35 PM)


Davis' "centrist" spin (Craig - 6/5/2006 8:51:33 PM)
Mr. Hurst, Davis has survived many good, qualified challengers by pretending to be a moderate.  And he must be good at convincing people, because even though he voted with Tom DeLay 89% of the time, many people I run into still seem to think he's a "moderate."

How do you plan to demolish this myth that Tom Davis is moderate if you are the nominee?



You hit that one on the head (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:35:12 PM)
My team and I are going to a lot "Double D" Democratic doors (people who voted in the last two Democratic primaries).  Even among those Democrats, the base of the base, we often hear "well, Tom Davis is one of the good ones, isn't he?"  We know different, of course.  His 86% voting record with Bush, his Schiavo subpoena, his low ratings from NARAL and other progressive organizations all establish his record of supporting the conservative right in Congress over the last decade.

He's been able to maintain this facade because we haven't run an effective campaign against him in a long time.  To change that misunderstanding on the part of voters, we have to touch as many of them as possible with the truth.  It takes hard work:  going to doors, calling, mailing, earned media, etc.  There is no substitute.  And that's what my campaign offers Democrats in the 11th this year -- the energy and the resources that can deliver that message.



$$$ v. Voters (Brian - 6/5/2006 11:45:51 PM)
I know you have had to put your very successful law practice on hold during the campaign.  How difficult was it to make this sacrifice? 

Keep up the good work and look forward to your victory in November. 



Having Good Friends (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:39:02 PM)
Brian, I am fortunate to have good partners who are willing to help me not only in my practice, but in my campaign to boot.  I'm learning that you do give up a lot to run for office, such as time with your family and friends, hobbies, and professional advancement.  But I believe in what I am doing, and hope to make a real impact on the issues that I care about.  When it gets tough, I remember that.  And having friends, old and new, who will make the walk with you makes it even easier.


Sounds a lot like blogging! (Lowell - 6/6/2006 8:40:56 PM)
Ha. :)


Thanks... (Brian - 6/6/2006 9:33:27 PM)
for this live-blog session and, most importantly, for running this year. 

We - folks in your district and all Virginians - will be lucky to have such an outstanding Congressman. 



Yes, thanks to Andy (Lowell - 6/6/2006 9:36:31 PM)
Feel free to hang out if you want, just let us know when you're signing off for the evening.  Also, come back anytime.


Do you pledge that John Kerry will win your district? (Virginia Centrist - 6/5/2006 11:58:11 PM)
Just kidding.

But seriously - George W. Bush polls in the low 30s in your district. George Allen polls only slightly higher. Tom Davis has traditionally won tons of crossover votes. How do you tie Davis to Bush and Allen?



Run a real campaign (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:45:07 PM)
Virginia Centrist, it really goes back to the answer above.  The votes that would horrify many moderates who vote for Davis are there to be seen.  We have to communicate those votes, and other aspects of his record, to voters so they realize that voting for him is the equivalent of voting for Bush and Allen.

Another race that we hope this one mirrors is Connie Morella's race in Maryland 2002.  She was very popular in her district, and had as much (or more) of a reputation as a moderate than Davis.  People there realized, however, that her presence and votes for the Republican caucus were harming the nation and their District, and voted in Chris Van Hollen.  The national picture may be so bleak that voters in the 11th District come to the same realization, with or without us helping them come to that conclusion.



Good analogy (Lowell - 6/6/2006 8:47:16 PM)
Except Connie Morella was a LOT less conservative than Tom Davis.  And Montgomery County's a lot more liberal than Fairfax, I think.


Connie was not really liberal. (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 9:22:52 PM)
[ Sorry, Lowell ... ]

She was "liberal" in the sense that Harris Miller is a "liberal": she mouthed some coffee table issues to please her constituency but had a very anti working families agenda.  She represented the kind of people that think "I'm not a racist, my maid is a Filipina" meanwhile they live in a 95% white neighborhood and think their SUV is eco-friendly because it's named "Tahoe".  There were plenty of trust fund Democrats that agreed with her: unions are for the little people. She was exceptionally ineffective even after gaining seniority, she should have been put in charge of some committees that affect Federal workers which is big in the DC area, instead she got Harris Miller's Y2K committee which she used as a bully puplipt to promote the ITAA guest worker proposals.  You have to do more than say "I support education", you have to back it up.  The Dems finally put some muscle into a campaign but Van Hollen barely won and redistricting helped (they had to add a little of PG county and chop off the northern more conservative parts).  Moco is Fairfax with Alexandria added to it and with better traffic.  Tom Davis will be tough to knock off. Who knows, there could be a Democratic tsunami in which case Andy has a fighting chance.  Of course a guy "born fighting" at the top of the ticket will help all fighting Democrats in November.



From Wikipedia (Lowell - 6/6/2006 9:26:29 PM)
Morella was able to survive as a Republican in a heavily Democratic district by earning a reputation for independence. She opposed her party's positions on abortion, gun control, gay rights, and the environmental movement, voted for government funding of contraceptives and needle exchange programs for drug addicts, and favored the legalization of medical marijuana. She also received the support of organized labor and opposed many tax cuts. She voted against declaring English the official language of the United States and in 1996 against a bill overwhelmingly approved by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton, to combat illegal immigration. Morella was the only Republican in the entire Congress to vote against approving the use of military force in Iraq in 1991 and in 2002. Indeed, by many surveys, her voting record was consistently one of the most liberal.

Morella was active in human rights, women's health, and domestic violence issues in Congress, and served on the Science and Government Reform Committees. She was U.S. representative to the 1994 U.N. International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and co-chair of the Congressional delegation to the 1999 U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Among the legislation she sponsored were the 1992 Battered Women's Testimony Act, which provided funds for indigent women to hire expert testimony in domestic abuse cases, and the Judicial Training Act, which funded programs to educate judges about domestic violence, especially in child custody cases.

Morella's politics came under pressure after her party took control of the House in 1994 Congressional elections. Not only did she did not sign the Contract with America developed by her colleagues, but she voted against many of its provisions. She did not openly challenge the new House leadership until 1997, however, when she voted "present" for Speaker of the House instead of for the incumbent, Newt Gingrich. In 1998, she was one of five Republicans to oppose all four articles of impeachment against Clinton.



Uh. Not true. She did sign contract with America. (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 9:41:08 PM)
Just google it :

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22contract+with+america%22+1994+%22Connie+Morella%22&btnG=Search
Also ...
http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/text/cwasign.txt

That's the scam she ran: "I'm a liberal" but deep down she wasn't pro-middle class or working class.  That wikipedia article is bull.



I'm not defending her, I'm just saying that (Lowell - 6/6/2006 9:44:00 PM)
Connie was a bit more liberal than Tom Davis.


Agreed. (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 9:54:34 PM)
She was a "little" more liberal.  I'm surprised that revisionism and falsehood is in Wikipedia.  Again, Morella was good on coffee table issues, bad on kitchen table issues.  Tom Davis is beatable, you just have to run a perfect campaign.  Same with Allen.  It's time for the perfect storm!!!  (Andy does look a little like George Clooney)


Actually (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:50:35 PM)
If you want to mirror a Morella race it should be 2000 not 2002.  The Democratic candidate that year almost won- but had the exact TV ad you need.  It was a watch ticking while they announced what the Congress did and said "Time for a Democratic majority".  The only way to have a shot at Davis is if people are voting for Democratic Control, he is too personally popular to beat otherwise.


Exactly. Need to "nationalize" this race... (Lowell - 6/6/2006 8:52:15 PM)
and make it clear that Tom Davis may be a "nice guy" and a relative "moderate," but he's part of the Republican majority that gives us right-wingers like Tom DeLay, Dennis Hastert (who Harris Miller endorsed, by the way), etc.


Harris Miller + Denny Hastert (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:55:38 PM)
= BFF


COMMENT HIDDEN (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 9:33:42 PM)


1 question (AlecBGreen - 6/6/2006 2:26:14 AM)
What is the most serious problem facing the 11th district besides transportation and how do you propose to solve it?


The Culture of Corruption That Pervades the Republican Majority in Congress (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 8:49:22 PM)
Alec, I think the insidious culture of winning at all costs, pandering to special interests, and allowing lobbyists to run our government is the most serious problem facing every Congressional District in the United States.  Nearly every piece of bad legislation, every bad decision made by George Bush and his cronies, and every failure to act in a crucial situation by the majority party can be traced back to this culture created by Karl Rove and Tom Delay.  Until we change the way business is done in Washington, we will not be able to effect real change on issues like transportation, health care, the war in Iraq, and other problems that Eleventh District voters are concerned about in their everyday lives.  That is the reason I am running.


Steroid hearings and other miscellani (PM - 6/6/2006 9:39:35 AM)
With all the pressing matters in our society, and with all the "reform" issues that could be addressed in Congress, do you think it was a wise use of resources for Tom Davis' Government Reform Committee to hold hearings on steroids in baseball?

Tom Davis employs Linda Safavian, wife of the allegedly (-- I say this because his trial is continuing)ethically compromised David Safavian.  Do you see any problems with such employment?

Area congressmen have naturally supported federal employee interests.  How effective do you rate Tom Davis on this issue?  Recently retired, it seems to me that federal salaries have barely kept pace with, or slipped behind, inflation.  Has he really done much for federal employees?

What percentage of the time has Davis voted with the Administration?

What is your position on repeal of the estate tax?  What was Davis' position?

Do you support legislation that would get American soldiers out of Iraq by the end of 2006?

Do you support the Federal Marriage Amendment?

Do you think the House should hold impeachment hearings in regards to President Bush to determine whether there are grounds to impeach him? 

What do you think of the President's faith-based initiatives?



Great Softball Questions (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:06:47 PM)
I think you and I may be of the same mind on these, PM. . .

1) The most powerful piece in our campaign was a one page flyer we issued in August, 2005.  In that, we highlighted a day where six brave Marines were killed fighting in Iraq; and Tom Davis spent the day discussing whether he was going to subpoena Rafael Palmiero.  The fact that our Government Reform Committee was focused on steroids in baseball for months, and failed to make any effort to do anything to reform government, is disturbing to say the least.

2)  This is just one example of the questionable hiring practices so prevalent in Washington, and perfected by Tom Delay and his colleagues.

3)  Tom Davis hasn't done more in that area than any other area member of Congress, but certainly has a better sales team.  The fact is that AFGE and other federal employee organizations have been disappointed in his performance for federal employees over the past few years, although they have noticed that he has recently shown a new interest in their issues now that he wants to run for the Senate.

4)  Davis has voted with the administration nearly 90% of the time.  I think the percentage of Eleventh District voters who would be as consistent in siding with George Bush is pretty small.

5)  I am against repealing the federal estate tax.  Davis voted for repeal.  How he and his colleagues could do this in the middle of a war with the largest deficit in history is mind-boggling.

6)  I support the Murtha Resolution, and would do whatever I could in Congress to end the war in Iraq and get our troops home.

7)  I do not support the Federal Marriage Amendment.  Not only is this effort misguided, it angers me that with all the issues facing our country, our elected leaders believe this is an issue they should be spending time on.  I think most Americans would agree that Osama bin Laden is a lot bigger threat than gay marriage, and that maybe the administration should be devoting their energy to finding him, and less to trying to amend our Constitution to take away rights of our fellow citizens.

8)  Congress should investigate all the misdeeds of the Bush Administration, including its intentional use of misinformation to justify a war, and its illegal wiretapping efforts.  If grounds are found to impeach the President, it should be done.  Tom Davis voted to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about having sex in the context of a "perjury trap" set by right-wing idealogues.  His failure to do anything to hold this administration accountable in the face of its malfesance should be enough for Eleventh District voters to vote him out.



Cong. Bliley (PM - 6/6/2006 9:48:26 AM)
The New York Times did a story today on lawmakers' trips.
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/06/washington/06travel.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

I have excerpted the portion dealing with a Virginia congressman and would like your opinion of his actions:

Wendell Rawls, acting executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan group that has conducted many investigations of money and politics over the years, said Monday that some trips could be considered legitimate for educational purposes. But he pointed out that the study found multiple ethics violations from members of both political parties, and that many trips were paid for by corporations that had business interests before Congress.

Mr. Rawls also questioned the amount of spending on some trips. For example, he said, former Representative Thomas Bliley, Republican of Virginia, and his wife went to London at a cost of $31,171 for four days in July 2000. Their air travel tickets were valued at $11,938.49 each, and were paid for by the Brown and Williamson tobacco company. The former congressman's public filings listed the purpose of the trip as meetings with officials from British American Tobacco and other trade officials.

"I would ask if every constituent for Representative Bliley had the same access as the people at Brown, Williamson," Mr. Rawls said of the former chairman of the House Commerce Committee. Mr. Bliley could not be reached for comment.



Yet Another Example (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:13:18 PM)
This is another example of this culture created by Tom Delay and Tom Davis.  Members of Congress, and their staff and contacts, take luxury trips funded by lobbyists on an extraordinarily regular basis.  Reading the testimony in the Safavian trial, as well as the facts in the Abramoff pleas, is truly breathtaking.  If the public knew half of the perks that were lavished on lawmakers by people trying to influence legislation, they would be horrified. 


Vienna MetroWest Development (Eric - 6/6/2006 9:54:43 AM)
What do you think of the MetroWest development that will soon be going up near the Vienna metro? 

There is some concern locally about what this will do to traffic and general congestion in the area - if this does become an issue how would you address it?

Do you generally support this higher density growth and if so, do you have any plans to promote or encourage it (both locally and nationally) should you win the seat in November?



I'm very interested (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:56:34 PM)
In your answer to this one.  I can think of no more pressing issue in Fairfax County than the developers control of the board.


Congress doesn't belong here (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:21:21 PM)
Eric, the Vienna MetroWest development is an issue to be addressed by local government, and should involve the community as a whole.  Tom Davis' interference in this process was a misguided political ploy.  Regardless of the merits, Davis was wrong to try to use his office to determine the outcome of this project.

In all honesty, I don't know enough about the project to know whether it will be good for Vienna, is well-planned, and addresses the affordable housing and transportation problems we are suffering from in Northern Virginia. In general, we will have to have some well-planned high-density growth in the area.  Hundreds of thousands of new people will be moving to this area over the next two decades, and building sensible housing that takes into account transportation and affordability needs is essential. 

While I will make every effort to bring federal resources to help local communities deal with housing and transportation issues, I will not abuse my office by wielding my influence to color zoning decisions for political gain.



What do you base that on? (Ben - 6/6/2006 9:24:30 PM)
Can you please explain "political ploy" in more detail?  From what I saw the Congressman was a) on the side of local citizens and b) isn't METRO a federal issue?  Should local Congressman not make sure METRO is getting a fair deal for its excess property since they have to make up part of the difference in costs if they don't?


This was a local zoning meeting that brought Davis out of DC that day (Mookie - 6/6/2006 9:41:48 PM)


That's crap (Ben - 6/6/2006 9:44:30 PM)
I was there when Tom was asked to intervene.  People came to him, not the other way around.


Are you saying it was not a local zoning meeting? (Mookie - 6/6/2006 10:10:25 PM)
Or that he should interfere in a local matter because some people asked him to?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/11/AR2005051100757_pf.html



More support that Davis was interfering in a local matter (Mookie - 6/6/2006 10:42:23 PM)
One politician who spoke to Davis says the congressman told him straight-out that he opposes Pulte Homes' MetroWest project because "all it does is produce Democrats."
http://democracyforvirginia.typepad.com/democracy_for_virginia/2005/04/index.html

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III said he will intervene in a contentious local issue by proposing legislation to scale back a massive development planned next to the Vienna Metro station, a project he acknowledges is near his own neighborhood.

The Northern Virginia Republican appeared at a community meeting this week that attracted many opponents of the project. He said he attended as a homeowner...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6031-2005Apr20.html

The project is now in the midst of the rezoning process. During this process, the developer offers a package of contributions that are designed to offset the impact of the proposed development.
U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), who represents the area, has stated that he plans to block the project which he says is too dense.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=55592&paper=63&cat=139

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=15516781&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506096&rfi=6



it starts (pvogel - 6/6/2006 1:10:47 PM)
The nazis republicans are gonna raise the terrorist threat... sure sign that an election is coming up!


Money as Free Speech (Josh - 6/6/2006 1:46:39 PM)
Mr. Hurst,

I was at your kickoff meeting a few months ago, and I thought your speech was fantastic. You spoke very movingly about money in government, and I've had a tough question nagging me for a while...

What amazes me is the fact that I as a voter, citizen, Virginian, have so much less opportunity to influence government than do the very wealthy and large corporate interests. 

Since the 1976 supreme court decision that said  that "money is free speech", how can regular people ever hope to compete for political influence when they are up against corporate entities.  Corporate entities are legally "persons" who are immortal, have no body to incarcerate, have no soul to save, are legally required to maximize profits first and foremost, and because of the resultant massive concentration of money, they retain millions or billions of times the effective freedom of speech than could accrue to any individual?

Sorry for the rambling question, it's a lot to take on.  I appreciate your thoughts on the subject.

Anyway, you've got my vote, Andy.  Keep up the good work and give 'em hell.



You live in the 11th Josh? (Ben - 6/6/2006 9:16:01 PM)
I thought you lived in Arlington.  That means he has your support, not your vote :)


Hellfire and Damnation... you're right (Josh - 6/6/2006 9:31:40 PM)
*sigh*

I guess I'll just have to phone bank and chip in a couple of dollars.



Corporate influence needs to be curtailed (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:30:06 PM)
Josh, you are dead on.  While current campaign finance laws try to limit the influence of corporations and other organizations by prohibiting direct contributions, these are easily avoided by PACs and other artificial constructs that have been mastered by Tom Davis, Tom Delay, and other professional moneyraisers in the Republican majority.

Even under the current system, individuals can compete with special interests by being engaged, educating themselves on their elected leaders, and voting them out when they are ineffective or pander to lobbyists too often.

But I think the current campaign finance system needs more radical change.  On my website you'll see my proposals on public financing of campaigns, lobbying reform, and the ways I think business in Washington needs to be changed. It will be an uphill battle because so many in Congress are like Davis and rely on special interest money and influence to stay in power.  However, it is fight that can be won, and one that must be made.



How about lobbying reform (Lowell - 6/6/2006 9:32:43 PM)
...to deal with the Harris Millers and Jack Abramoffs of the world?


Flag, foul, yellow card (rjl - 6/6/2006 9:54:04 PM)
tsk, tsk.


Ha. (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:00:42 PM)
10-yard penalty?


Just a 5-yard encroachment (rjl - 6/6/2006 10:16:17 PM)
because I have to acknowledge your determination.


Is that the way it works in the NFL? (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:18:01 PM)
:)


Throw the red flag. (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 10:28:09 PM)
Demand a booth review.


Nah; in the NFL, you'd be set-up on the next play (rjl - 6/6/2006 10:28:18 PM)
and those blind-sides and chop-blocks are so, well, tacky.

Rock on.



Ha ha. (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:31:16 PM)
Chop-blocks, that's a new one on me.  Is that like getting bashed into the boards in hockey?


Worse (rjl - 6/6/2006 10:41:43 PM)
... one guy cracks you below the knees from one angle, another above the knees from the other angle: chop. block.  Usually accompanied by a loud snapping or tearing sound, the cranking of the mobile stretcher, and fitful cursing of your agent.

I say it's worse but, being older and from Georgia, I would have no idea about getting bashed into the boards.  The only ice we had back then was in our "co-cola."



I think I'll stick to hockey... (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:45:00 PM)
...much safer than football!


New Wapo article mentions RK (loboforestal - 6/6/2006 10:49:48 PM)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060601387.html

"Absolutely not, say Webb supporters, many of whom are passionate young bloggers who admire Webb's early opposition to the Iraq war. They question Miller's commitment to Democratic principles and are joined in opposition to Miller by some union officials, who have clashed repeatedly with him over the issue of exporting American jobs overseas."

"In blogs such as The Modern Patriot and Raising Kaine, Miller is derided as a "sleaze," "a liar" and a "fake Democrat."



gee (TurnVirginiaBlue - 6/7/2006 12:21:04 AM)
There's Miller who helped us into this trade disaster
claiming 'oh it was going to happen anyway'.

Let's see, well "slavery was going to happen anyway, might as well promote it and help it along".

Same reasoning.

He's  thinking he's sounding great not realizing most Democrats think NAFTA, CAFTA-DR and the China PNTR are the worst thing negotiated in 100 years and are against them.

Look at the battle in the house on CAFTA-DR, it was driven by the Dems to stop it.



I would too... (rjl - 6/6/2006 10:52:18 PM)
..except I'd have to learn to skate.

6 days.



TC's Hurst Questions (Too Conservative - 6/6/2006 3:33:20 PM)
Mr.Hurst-
  I appreciate you coming into the Virginia blogosphere.

A couple questions:
1) When I saw you at the debate with Mr.Longmyer, you said exactly "“You can go down the list of bologna that this administration has pulled that would be impeachable offenses”
  If you're elected, you will be in Congress with the likes of Rep. Mollohan, and Jefferson. Do you feel that they should step down? Would you take money from either of them for your campaign?

2)At the same debate regarding immigration you said "Build a big fence, are you kidding me?”

“I believe in giving people a way to become citizens. There has to be a path for the people who are here now”.

Does this mean you don't support either the House OR Senate plans? Would you create a Sanders-Hurst-Pelosi bill?

Thanks again.

I look forward to your answers.



I knew you would give me some tough ones, Vince. . . (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:49:31 PM)
1)  You know where I stand on investigating this administration, and acting where criminal behavior is found.  It is a travesty that Davis and his colleagues in the majority have refused to exercise any of their oversight responsibilities. 

I would hold my Democratic colleagues to the same standards as Republicans.  While I guess nothing should be surprising at this point in Tom Delay's Washington, I think the corruption that has come to light this term notwithstanding any ethical oversight in Congress is remarkable.  I would not hesitate to call for the resignation of any member of Congress in the face of evidence of wrongdoing, and have consistently called for high ethical standards and regulations to be created and enforced in Washington.  It's unfortunate that your former boss does not agree with me.

2)  While neither bill is perfect, The Mccain-Kennedy Senate bill is certainly closer to my preferences.  It provides for 370 miles of triple-layered fencing.  The House bill calls for 700 miles of double-layered fencing.  I'm not opposed to fencing in certain areas.  But fences are not the solution to our border problems.  We need to hire more border patrol agents and invest in technologies -- like infrared cameras -- that can make border security more efficient.  And we need to work with Mexico -- not against it -- to make our border more secure.

What we should be talking about here is the fact that Davis supported the Sensenbrenner legislation that would make it a crime for churches to aid undocumented immigrants.  The Sensenbrenner legislation and it's accompanying rhetoric about fortifying our borders and making felons of 11 million people is unrealistic, and is really political gamesmanship designed to play on fears of the electorate.  As an attorney who has worked significantly in the federal system, I can tell you that our courts would collapse were our government to attempt to enforce such standards.  What we need is real discussion on the issues we are faced with so many illegal immigrants in our country and our pourous borders.  And what we are getting from Congress today is not a mature discussion of those issues.

Vince, on a personal note:  we disagree on many issues, but I have been very impressed (as have some of my colleagues) with your passion and your hard work on behalf of the causes you believe in.  I understand that you are moving out of the area to continue your education.  The best of luck to you, I know you have great things in your future. 



Are you a "geo-green?" (Lowell - 6/6/2006 3:50:48 PM)
I'm referring to a column Tom Friedman wrote in the New York Times back in January 2005.  Essentially, "geo-greens" like Tom Friedman (and me) want to slash our consumption of oil, for both geostrategic AND environmental reasons. 

On the geostrategic front, the theory is that lots of the money we spend on oil imports goes to regimes that are not our friends, and possibly to terrorist groups as well.  On the environmental front, the idea is that we need to get off of oil in order to confront global warming.  Tom Friedman has even called for "making energy independence our generation's moon shot."

Would you describe yourself as a "geo-green?"  In general, if you are elected to Congress, what would you do to wean the United States off of its "oil addiction" and to keep the polar ice caps from melting?

Thanks.



I didn't know that's what they were called. . . (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 9:55:13 PM)
But I'm definitely one of them, Lowell.  We've got a couple of good white papers up on these issues.  Oil dependence and alternative energy must be on the front of all of our agendas.  Oil dependence has gone from a political issue to a human issue.

Some things we've been proposing are discontinuing our subsidies of oil companies in the face of record profits, using those savings to invest in alternative energy research, getting with every other nation on Earth in regards to the Kyoto standards and global warming, legitimate reforestation programs, and teaming with industry to make being green a profitable venture.  We have some great stuff on the website.



Great answer! (Lowell - 6/6/2006 9:59:38 PM)
This is exactly why we need you in the US Congress!


Speaking of energy... (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:02:56 PM)
...how do YOU have so much of it?  Haven't you been awake since, like, 5 AM or something?  And haven't you knocked on several hundred doors or whatever?  Amazing Andy!  :)


ahh (David Lang - 6/6/2006 10:07:10 PM)
Don't you do the same Lowell, but you blog instead?


Ha, good point. (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:11:11 PM)
:)


Do you think we're heading back to "stagflation" (Lowell - 6/6/2006 4:52:49 PM)
...just like in the 1970s?  Remember that wonderful, vicious combination of economic stagnation/unemployment PLUS inflation PLUS high oil prices PLUS rising interest rates?  Today, we also are running massive, unsustainable budget and trade deficits, risking a sharp decline in both the dollar and the equities markets. Not good.  Finally, we have a new, untested Fed Chairman named...uh, uh...what was his name, Senator Allen?  Oh yeah, Ben Bernanke! :)

Anyway, things aren't looking very good economically right now.  If elected to Congress, what would be your top priorities to deal with this situation and save us from endless reruns of "that 70s show?" :)



I'm not sure about stagflation (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:06:29 PM)
But there are some disturbing economic trends that need to be addressed.  Two major ones are the federal deficit, and corporate bankruptcies.

This administration has spent my children into debt, and there appears to be no end in sight for this reckless spree that Bush and Congress have engaged in.  And the price will have to be paid right as the highest demand is put on non-discretionary spending by the Baby Boomers.  I would make reining in government spending my top priority as an incoming Congressman.

Another huge problem we are about to face are the needs of millions of retirees who are having their pensions and health benefits eliminated as their corporate employers seek bankruptcy protection.  Steps must be taken to ensure that bankruptcy isn't used to beef up corporate profits at the expense of retirees, and that our pension guarantee system is up to the challenge of funding shortfalls that ensue.

The economy faces challenges, but I think with the mechanisms in place they can be addressed.  If we get a Congress with the courage to address them. 



What about rolling back the Bush tax cuts (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:09:48 PM)
for the wealthiest Americans in a time of war and massive deficit?  Seems obvious to me.


Forgot that one, Lowell (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:35:43 PM)
I agree wholeheartedly.  Was just reading a statistic today -- I think it was that the Bush tax cuts for the next ten years would pay for any shortfall that could occur in the Social Security program for the next 75 years.  I guess it's all about priorities. . .


Yeah, and we know what the priorities are (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:37:19 PM)
for Bush and Allen Republicans.  Not those of the vast majority of Americans, that's for sure!


Double Primary (Ben - 6/6/2006 5:18:45 PM)
Hi Andy,

The 11th is the only district with a "double primary" with a Dem Congressional the same day as the Dem Senate primary.  Have you noticed that more Miller supporters seem to be for Longmyer and more Webb supporters seem to be for you?  Or am I reading this wrong?



I think we're getting them all, Ben. . . (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:12:51 PM)
On my campaign, we have supporters for both Senate candidates among our committee and volunteers, including some of the most committed for either candidate. 


Thanks for coming (not gretchen bulova - 6/6/2006 5:20:28 PM)
My question is this:

Since neither you nor Longmyer have any real cash, why should someone support you over him? 

Also, who would you support in a primary for Chairman in 2007, Gerry Connolly or Leslie Byrne?



Reasons to vote for me (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:23:27 PM)
I think there are a number of reasons to vote for me in this primary.  One is an ability to bring more resources to the race.  Not sure what you mean by "real cash," but it seems clear that we can raise more money than Ken can, in the primary as well as the general.  We've also attracted more volunteers, put together a better field operation, and have a lot more energy to take Davis on.

Another reason is the campaign's message and policy proposals.  I think our message of reforming Washington and standing up to George Bush is resonating.  Our detailed white papers are much different that the usual platitudes put out by campaigns, and if we can communicate them I think they will make a difference. 

Finally, I'm ready for a scrap.  I have gone up against the Republican attack-machine as an attorney a number of times, and won.  I won't back down from a fight with Davis or his cronies, and that is what Democrats seem to want this year. 

As to Gerry and Leslie, I'd be undecided right now.  I know what Gerry does, I'd like to hear what Leslie would do in the job. 



Will you run again (Ben - 6/6/2006 8:17:04 PM)
If you are unsuccesful this year?


I honestly don't know (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:25:50 PM)
Good question, Ben.  Because the issues I believe in are what brought me here, and not a general drive to hold an office, I'm not sure how I'd feel about running in 2008.  If I thought I could make a difference on the things I were passionate about, I might do it again.  But my plan, as you can imagine, is to win this one and make a difference.


Thanks for getting us the flyers (Dan - 6/6/2006 9:24:31 PM)
Andy,

  Thanks for getting us the flyers.  We will be handing them out later this week!

-Dan



Thanks for the Answers (PM - 6/6/2006 9:28:42 PM)
Andy, thanks for the responses to my questions.  I agree with you completely.  And so the crowd knows, I don't know Andy.  Also, like Jim Webb, in 1980 I supported Ronald Reagan for his first term.  Since about 1984 I've grown steadily more disillusioned with the Republican Party.  It is now controlled by an element remniscient of Boss Tweed and his ilk.  Good luck, Andy!


Thank you folks (AndyHurst - 6/6/2006 10:44:09 PM)
I appreciate all your questions and time tonight.  I typed as fast as I could. . .  I'll be glad to get on again in a few weeks after the primary and talk about the issues as we get into the general election.

I hope that as momentum builds in the race over the next few weeks you all will get involved in turning this one blue.  I think we can pull one off this year.  Kerry only lost the 11th by .5% in 2004, and Tim Kaine took it by 13% in 2005. Davis has never gotten a hard run, and he is about to.  I can promise you that you won't see any candidate work harder than I will work, or fight harder than I will fight.

Good night!



Great job, Andy (Lowell - 6/6/2006 10:46:59 PM)
And as Edward R Murrow would say, "Good night, and good luck!"


Great work, Andy (Josh - 6/6/2006 11:28:10 PM)
Take Tom Davis apart.