Dan Smolen gets things started (Chris Guy - 3/4/2007 9:13:18 PM)
I'm here at the Del Toro for Delegate kick-off at the Liberty Center in Stafford, VA along with Cmdr. Del Toro, Del. Moran and an enthusiastic group of Carlos' closest friends and supporters. There are about 60-70 people here now, with more coming in every minute. If you're in the area, come on down.
Right now, Stafford County's great Democratic Committee Chairman Dan Smolen is introducing Brian Moran, Hap Connors, and Rev. Lawrence Davies. He also spoke about Mark Cole's unremarkable record as the 88th's current representative. Cole's only accomplishment in the House is his effort to try and dismantle one of Thomas Jefferson's greatest achievements, the Virginina General Assembly, by making it a unicameral chamber.
(update:) The Del Toro campaign has come up with a terrific biopic about the life and times of Carlos Del Toro. It turns out, Carlos was in NYC on 9/11 and took an active role in rescuing those in and around ground zero. As a Naval Officer, he took command of one of the early response areas until further aid could arrive.
(update2:) It was very emotional as Carlos took the stage and thanked his mother, who was by his side, for escaping the tyrrany of Castro's regime in Cuba when he was a small child.
Speaking on the issues, Carlos noted that Mark Cole's inability to get anything done has as much to do with him being unable to get along with his fellow Republicans, not just Democrats. He says while those of us in NoVA are sitting in traffic, those in Richmond are busy assigning blame instead of coming up with rational solutions. College tuition prices and stem-cell research also are issues he wants to make a priority.
He says Mark Cole represents the politics of no, he wants to get things done.
(update3:) Cmdr. Del Toro is a remarkably gifted speaker for a novice politician. But Carlos's response to that is, "When it comes from the heart, it's easy"
***ALSO, More pictures from the event coming soon!***
Have fun down there.
