...Gerry Connolly. Why? Because usually, when your protege (Linda Smyth) wins by a tiny margin over an underfunded, first-time, admittedly "amateur hour" candidate, you don't gloat. Instead, you acknowledge that the voters have sent an important message and that you are listening to their concerns. But no, not Gerry Connolly (or Linda Smyth). Instead, here's "Boss", as Lee Diamond calls him:
There was a backlash among Democratic voters to the involvement of Republicans in Hall's campaign," Connolly said. "I think that had a very strong impact on primary voters. You want to run as a Republican and talk to the congressman, be our guest. But to actually seek his counsel was clearly unwelcome."
Nice, keep repeating the same lies as during the campaign. Ignore the fact that Linda Smyth headed up Republicans for Connolly and voted almost exclusively in Republican primaries her entire adult life. Ignore the fact that Connolly himself has undoubtedly met with (even "sought their counsel," I betcha!) Tom Davis and other Republicans many, many times. Ignore the fact that many of the people fighting hardest for Charlie Hall were strongly pro-environment, pro-smart-growth, pro-reform Democrats like Lee Diamond, Eric and myself.
Next step? Having completely ignored the lessons of a razor thin "victory" yesterday, my prediction is that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors now move be "full speed ahead" on its 100-year mistake: the $5.1 billion (and climbing) Metro to Dulles disaster, complete with secretive no-bid deals, lack of public accountability, funding approved without even knowing what's in the deal, and the anti-smart-growth "aerial option" for Metro in Tysons Corner.
But wait, there's more! That's right, we can also look forward lots of happy talk about transit oriented development around Metro stops, which is great in theory but not-so-great when it's not integrated into commmunities and existing transportation networks in a truly "smart" way.
But wait, there's even more! That's right, we can also look forward to more insufferable quotes from Gerry Connolly, like the ones above. We can look forward to Linda Smyth patting herself on the back, with quotes like this: "A lot of people came back and said, 'Thank you for all the work you've done in my neighborhood." And we can look forward to even LESS accountability than ever from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
***Warning, heavy snark alert****
Hey, here's an idea: Connolly for Congress, Smyth for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors! Yeah, that's the ticket! :)
It really is low class to continue to bash the opponent with an outright lie. I suppose this is designed to make people feel good about their Linda votes and continue to think Gerry is a good Democrat. He's got next year to worry about, after all.
I think we need to get fresh energentic blood - Andy needs to jump in and go for two. Change a fund raising strategy and I think he will walk away. Especially since he received 44% of the vote by osmosis.
After this race, I wouldn't support him for dogcatcher of Albania.
The primary is over, yet you continue to savagely attack Fairfax County's highest ranking Democrat. You say you wouldn't support him for dogcatcher. Does that mean you are supporting Abramoff-buddy and fake environmentalist Republican Gary Baise this November?
Does this mean you are going to continue to cherry-pick the Democrats you choose to support based on your ever-changing elitist standards? Will you support Republicans and independents over Democrats in the future?
I kept my criticism to myself until after the primary because I gave you the benefit of the doubt. But after reading your postings, including your childish "No Class Award," I could no longer remain silent about your recent tirades about Democrats and Fairfax County issues that were, more often than not, inaccurate, downright false, edited to highlight your opinion, nonsensical, or just plain nasty.
The most negative comments during the primary campaigns came not from any of the candidates, but from this blog and the keyboards of you and your cronies.
Case in point, you and the folks supporting Charlie Hall painted Linda Smyth as a supporter of the aerial route through Tyson's Corner. Had you bothered to research the issue (or tell the truth) you would have discovered that Smyth and Dana Kaufman were the two supervisors who fought hardest and longest for the tunnel.
There are hundreds of points that could be debated about your primary "coverage," but that is water over the dam. What matters now is if you are going to consider yourself a member of the Democratic Party, you ought to follow the rules and show some respect for the Democratic candidates you have obliged yourself to support.
When you grow up, you will learn that sometimes compromises must be made for the common good. We support candidates as a group because those candidates reflect the will and the beliefs of the political party we align with.
If you can't help yourself and find a need to bust the chops of our party's standard-bearers, maybe you need to reassess your politics and look elsewhere for a party that can soothe your psyche.
But if you are going to be part of the Democratic Party, you should stop screaming about our candidates and use this resource to help get them elected. Otherwise, our efforts to turn Virginia blue will grind to a halt.
One consolation is that RK lost virtually every contested race where it endorsed a candidate. At least the voters aren't reading or buying into your often baseless and spineless rants.
Bring on the flames...
-- George Burke, Chair
11th Congressional District Democratic Committee
Member, DPVA Steering Committee
Rather than thowing flames and gasoline, George, perhaps you and Connolly-Smyth need to learn the old addage: Keep you friends close, your enemies closer.
Build a party, don't continue to divide it. What's next, another cobol to throw Hall and Cate out of the Dem Party?
As for Emilie Miller, I refuse to be drawn into a debate or say anything negative about someone who contributed a great deal to turning Virginia blue over the years. Suffice to say, she was defeated at one of the largest 11th CD conventions in history.
June 4, 2007DEMOCRATIC SUPERVISOR SMYTH GARNERS BROAD BASE OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR JUNE 12 PRIMARY
As we move into the final week before the June 12 Democratic Primary for Fairfax County Supervisor in Providence District, I wanted to re-cap an impressive list of endorsements for incumbent Democratic Supervisor Linda Smyth that shows the broad base of support and satisfaction with her work on behalf of county citizens.
Supervisor Smyth?s endorsements come from key Fairfax community leaders and elected officials, respected environmental groups, businesses small and large, and first responders and law enforcement personnel who support her stewardship of our resources, her leadership in Providence District and on the Board of Supervisors, and her record of achievement.
Among those endorsing incumbent Democratic Providence Supervisor Linda Smyth are:
* Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics, IAFF Local 2068
* Fairfax League of Conservation Voters
* Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff?s Coalition, IUPA Local 5016
* Sierra Club, Virginia Chapter
* Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
* Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerry Connolly
* Delegate Jim Scott
* Senator Janet Howell
* Delegate Steve Shannon
* Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw
* Senator Mary Margaret Whipple
* Delegate David Bulova
* Delegate Bob Hull
* School Board Members At-Large IIryong Moon
* School Board Members At-Large Janet Oleszek
* Providence District School Board Member Phil Niedzielski-EichnerThese parties and others are supporting Linda Smyth as the Democratic incumbent supervisor in the June 12th Democratic Primary in Providence District. Copies of their statements and press releases are available.
George Burke, Chair
11th Congressional District Democratic Committee
202-288-2104 (cell)
703-852-4457 (fax)georgeburke@cox.net
Falls Church, VA
AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR BY SMYTH FOR SUPERVISOR
"her stewardship of our resources, her leadership in Providence District and on the Board of Supervisors, and her record of achievement"
"the broad base of support and satisfaction with her work on behalf of county citizens"
These are you words. Any reasonable person would view your letter as one of endorsement.
Obviously, I would never support Gary Baise or any Republican running against a Democrat. I will continue to press for positive change in Fairfax, and throughout the Democratic Party of Virginia. If Gerry Connolly is part of that change, great. If not, I will certainly not be working for his interests. (not that it matters anyway, since you've made it clear you don't think the netroots has any influence, despite what happened in 2005 and 2006 here in Virginia...whatever).
In the case of Baise, Connolly's going to kick his butt anyway, so that's just a red herring. However, when it comes to Congress, that likely will be a very different story, whether Connolly's opponent is Leslie Byrne, Andy Hurst, whoever. Now THOSE are Democrats I can support!
Because of my training, I hold writers to standards that don't allow editorializing by omission and require that facts truly be facts.
Unfortunately, RK has become a loose cannon and often cannot be counted on to provide factual information to back up its arguments. As a result, it has the potential to poison the waters and destroy what I described previously as the common good.
A case in point. You say you've known for a longtime time how I feel about RK, you, and the netroots in general. How can that be? We have never spoken. You (as a blogger) have never sought me out (as a source). So anything you "know" has come to you second or third or fourth hand.
That would never hold water in the world of journalism.
I apologize for insulting you and your blog. How could I forget Lee Diamond's recent comment that you, Josh, and Lee were the three most influential people in Virginia politics in 2005 and 2006.
The manner in which Connolly conducted himself during, and now after, this campaign is an embarrassment to all of us who consider ourselves Democrats.
Go back and look at the posts by Thomas Paine on RK, many of which were justifiably troll rated. They are some of the most vile, vicious, ad hominem attacks you'll ever find (on Jim Webb, Webb supporters, Ben, the RK community, and of course me). He compares people to Nazis, accuses others of anti-Semitism, says Webb associates with Swift Boaters (not true) and that he gave money to George W. Bush (not true),
THIS GUY IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 11th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE?!?
2. I'm personally not on the anti-Connolly train like Lowell at this point, but his post-election comment that Lowell highlighted was definitely uncalled for. It's ironic that you're preaching that Democrats should come together after the primary when Connolly was doing the opposite in that quote -- still attacking one of the candidates (and alienating his supporters as you can see here). As "Fairfax County's highest ranking Democrat," shouldn't he get some criticism for doing the opposite of the very thing you want Lowell to do?
People can vote for whom ever they choose... I know plenty of Democrats who supported President Bush and Sen. Allen does that make them any less Democrats.
Just becuase one chooses your party to affiliate with doesn't mean they can't vote for a better Candidate.
also you sound very STUPID when you keep calling Gary Baise Abramoff's buddy. Pose to Queen Pelosi who is Cold Cash Jefferson's and Rep Bilbry's buddy.
Also Goerge do you not support Sen. Lieberman? he is a Conservative Democrat who votes sometimes wiht Republicans... does this mena you support Mr. Keating Five John McCain in 2008 also speaking of Keating five someone should look at Gerry Connolly he was Cheif of Staff for Sen. Cranston the head of the Keating Five... also Sen. Kranston a Liberal democrat was many times refered to as the Senator from Bechtel... since he carried thier water in the senate and made damn sure they got thiewr share of no-bid contracts....
People can vote for whom ever they choose... I know plenty of Democrats who supported President Bush and Sen. Allen does that make them any less Democrats.
Just becuase one chooses your party to affiliate with doesn't mean they can't vote for a better Candidate.
also you sound very STUPID when you keep calling Gary Baise Abramoff's buddy. Pose to Queen Pelosi who is Cold Cash Jefferson's and Rep Bilbry's buddy.
Also Goerge do you not support Sen. Lieberman? he is a Conservative Democrat who votes sometimes wiht Republicans... does this mena you support Mr. Keating Five John McCain in 2008 also speaking of Keating five someone should look at Gerry Connolly he was Cheif of Staff for Sen. Cranston the head of the Keating Five... also Sen. Kranston a Liberal democrat was many times refered to as the Senator from Bechtel... since he carried thier water in the senate and made damn sure they got thiewr share of no-bid contracts....
In addition to the above reason that I'm pretty sure Andy doesn't want to run, I have no doubt that Leslie would be so formidable that Gerry's political carreer would end if he let his arrogance and ego override his political savvy and decided to run against her.
And don't forget that Leslie is still relatively young, very energetic and still has many more years of quality service left. I'll be among the first to join a Draft Leslie movement; and think we could convince her to accept the draft PDQ.
And ... we all know how important Jim Webb was in Donald's outing of Lambert yesterday, and how hard Jim will work for Leslie. One more point about why Jim would work his butt off for Leslie: Even after Webb had won the primary Gerry never did a thing to help Jim win last year, and I doubt that Jim has forgotten that nor the fact that Leslie was among the first who endorsed and worked for Jim.
Any more doubts about Leslie winning by a large margin in both the primary and the general election next year ?
T.C.
In addition to the above reason that I'm pretty sure Andy doesn't want to run, I have no doubt that Leslie would be so formidable that Gerry's political carreer would end if he let his arrogance and ego override his political savvy and decided to run against her.
And don't forget that Leslie is still relatively young, very energetic and still has many more years of quality service left. I'll be among the first to join a Draft Leslie movement; and think we could convince her to accept the draft PDQ.
And ... we all know how important Jim Webb was in Donald's outing of Lambert yesterday, and how hard Jim will work for Leslie. One more point about why Jim would work his butt off for Leslie: Even after Webb had won the primary Gerry never did a thing to help Jim win last year, and I doubt that Jim has forgotten that nor the fact that Leslie was among the first who endorsed and worked for Jim.
Any more doubts about Leslie winning by a large margin in both the primary and the general election next year ?
T.C.
Divide and conquer should not be allowed to work. It is not about D v. R. In Fairfax it is about Outsiders v. Insiders. Swiftboating is bad enough, but doing it within the Democratic Party is unacceptable.
By the way to everyone, Connolly poisoned the well with his comment in today's Post highlighted by Lowell. I stand by the things I've written about him.
Mr. Cool Counties McMansion Man TreeCutter has got to be the biggest hypocrite and most cynical politician I have seen up close. Boss Richard Daley of 1968 fame was an immoral bastard. The fact that Boss Connolly only kills trees and destroys neighborhoods rather than target minorities does not make him any less cynical than Daley.
But you are are verrrrry correct.
Democrats: take a good look at this man and decide whether you're proud that he represents our party.
As many have posted, Connolly is very vindictive.
I don't think anyone would bet me on this, because we all know that Connolly just can't resist.
Although perhaps if he is reading the blogs he will read this and hold his tongue just to spite us!! LOL!!!!
Connolly wants to have no-bid contract awarded to his developer buddies ...
This stuff is ridiculous--lies, strong-arming people, and disrespecting valid viewpoints of fellow Democrats--it must all STOP!
Doug have you ever gone to a BOS hearing and watched how disrespectful to those of us testifying that Connolly and Smyth can be? Just watch.
We wanted this strong arm tactics to be stopped. That is one reason many volunteers worked so hard to promote Charlie Hall.
However,the strong arm tactics came out again in full force. Promoting lies about Charlie being a Republican. I guess a lot of Democrats bought these lies.
Thank heavens RK is trying to shake up this disgusting behavior. Look at what is happening to the greedy Republicans in Loudoun. Do we want that for the Fx Cty Democrats?
What about rampantly unethical, disgusting and childish behavior? The real strong arm authoritarian creep in the middle of the Fairfax mess is Boss himself. It pains me to have to write his name he makes me so sick as I sit here in the Silver Diner eating ice cream.
I am not going to besmirch our Republican friends in Fairfax by calling Voldemort a Republican. We had bi-partisan support for Charlie Hall.
What did the Fairfax Machine do? Those cynics resorted to divide and conquer. Well, we'll have to see how their strategy holds up over time.
If George Burke wanted peace, he should have conducted himself honorably. The clique that rules Fairfax and FCDC cannot be allowed to continue tarring the honor and integrity of the Democratic Party.
But it was definitely inspired. I rated it a four.
"I am not going to besmirch our Republican friends in Fairfax by calling Voldemort a Republican."
Lee, you made my day.
Welcome to the Linda Smyth for Supervisor website
A Progressive Leader Who Gets Results
Linda Smyth deeply appreciates the mandate of Providence voters who have re-elected her as the nominee on the Democratic ballot in November."
Sort of like the mandate George Bush got from his loss to Al Gore I'd say!