RK ARCHIVE - More Tysons Tunnel Coverage

First off, I'd like to apologize for the delay getting these videos posted. I won't bore everyone with the details of the technical problems and the extreme slowness of Youtube. I'd also like to apologize for the overall quality - the images aren't as sharp as I'd like and in a number of clips the sound quality isn't that great.

Jim Moran (part 1 and 2)
Wow. This is the highlight of the day - not because of the inspirational words but because of the forthright honesty and difficult realities Rep Moran bring out. Obviously the crowd isn't too happy - you can hear a few hecklers.

I've seen a few negative comments about Moran because of his remarks, but I don't agree. It's very refreshing to hear an elected official lay out the difficult and complex realities of a situation without sugar coating it or giving a by-the-book, feel good, say-nothing, speech. Thank you Jim!

The only thing I wonder about is whether the other players were part of this decision to bring up the complexities. In other words, did Jim draw the short straw? I'm sure Tom Davis (or Wolf, who didn't make it), arguably the "bad guys" to this crowd, would not have wanted to make these sobering remarks. So was it a collaboration in order to help manage expectations - or just Moran telling it like he see it. Either way, it sure made things more interesting.

Tom Davis
An interesting last minute addition. Given Moran's remarks the fact that Davis (and his wife) appeared makes more sense than it did before. He was good in front of the crowd - as he usually is.

I don't have any specific comments about some of these other speakers - the videos pretty much speak for themselves.

Chap Peterson vs. Jeanne Marie Devolites Davis
This November, these two will be fighting it out for the state senate seat Jeanne Marie currently holds. So we spent a few minutes with both of them to get their thoughts on the tunnel issue. Jeanne Marie also makes an appearance in Chap's video at about the 1:15 mark.

George Barker
And finally, candidate George Barker (who hopes to take on Jay O'Brien this November) gave us his thoughts on the matter. Sounds like he's ready to start digging tomorrow.

We'd like to say a special thank you to Chap Peterson, Jeanne Marie Devolites Davis, and George Barker for taking the time to speak with us.

Comments

Jeanne Marie's "Jetsons" tunnel solution (Jambon - 2/11/2007 4:20:09 PM)

Does anyone have any links to the technology she was talking about? Maybe next she'll propose teleportation as the solution to the tunnel issue:

BEAM ME UP TO TYSONS 2 JEANNE MARIE!

Thanks Eric for posting this--Quite informative..... (bladerunner - 2/11/2007 4:37:51 PM)

I personally am not that effected by the tunnel in Tysons, but after listening to these speakers, I am much more informed about it. And it sounds like the tunnel is the right way to go--no rushing. Chaps philosophy sounds like the right way to go--open bidding for job. I am more than a little skeptical on Jean Marie's "Sci-Fi" attempt at getting people around Tysons with people movers--not to mention, and I might be wrong, but it sounds like the company that she says does it is in Reston--Could it be another sweet heart deal for her? Will they give her lots of money to lobby for them? I think Chaps idea of competitive bidding sounds much better. We've had enough of Jean Marie's easy money scams!! Chap's the man.

Quintessential Tom Davis. . . (Afton Dem - 2/11/2007 6:19:36 PM)

He's incredible. Davis is probably the elected official who has done the most to ensure that the tunnel doesn't happen, and he manages to: (1) grab a speaking role at the rally in support of it; (2) bump a number of rival speakers off the podium to make room for his wife; and (3) make Jim Moran come off as the bad guy. He's not a very good Congressman, but he might be one of the best manipulative politicians of our generation.

Best quote of his speech: "I don't owe Tim Kaine anything, he campaigned againt me and he's in the other party. . ." He's the governor of the state you're purporting to represent in Congress! Anyone who thinks Tom Davis is a bi-partisan who works across party lines had better wake up. He works for the betterment of one man -- Tom Davis.

As for Lowell and Eric, I was looking for better commentary out of you guys. He's "nice"? Of course he is. He was smiling when he voted against the minimum wage again and again. He was positively charming when he voted against and otherwise worked his tail off to make sure campaign finance reform never happened. He was charming as he supported the anti-gay amendment this year. He was very likeable as he ran a committee that did not oversee billions in government spending, and provided access and money to his cronies. He knows the game, and how to be nice when he's getting his way, even to people on the other side of the aisle. And he has stuck it to you on almost every issue you care about for more than a decade. There's enough people fooled by that -- you two should know better.