Press Releases

Demo Memo: 3/14/08

Posted by Greg on Friday, March 14

March 7 - March 14, 2008
www.vademocrats.org

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Demo Memo, your source for regular updates and news from the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Below, you'll find a recap of the great things Virginia Democrats have been doing across the Commonwealth this week - along with some not-so-great things from our friends across the aisle.

The conclusion (for now) of the 2008 General Assembly session dominated the news this week, but there are going to be plenty of election updates coming soon as our campaigns gear up for the fall.

I'd like to also take this time to formally introduce you to a couple of new people we've added to our staff at the DPVA. Leigh Anne Collier is our new Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Operations,  Lincoln Saunders, our new Finance Director, and Don Mark, who has signed on to serve as the Deputy Political Director for Central Virginia. Our entire staff and their contact information is listed here.

One final quick note... We've got such an incredible year ahead of us! We can make history here in Virginia by securing two Democratic U.S. Senators and electing a Democratic President for the first time in 40 years! But none of it can happen without all of you. Finding your volunteer niche is key!

Lastly, today's Daily Press had an inspiring story about Jen Little, a Mathews County School Board member who volunteers in hopes of inspiring her daughter. If you'd like us to include your story or your event in future Memos, please don't hesitate to send it our way.

Best,

Levar Stoney
Executive Director

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"You can't fight the Internet."
- Del. Dave Albo (R-Fairfax), author of last year's abusive driver fees, on their repeal [Washington Post, 3/8/08]

"It's clear that Virginians are hungry for a new generation of leadership and ready for a real change in our political system."
- Fifth Congressional District candidate and newly-minted Democratic nominee Tom Perriello [Danville Register & Bee, 3/9/08]

"I disagree with what the majority of the American people want."
- Sen. John McCain, on withdrawing troops from Iraq ["60 Minutes," CBS, 3/9/08]

"It took some time, but we were able to fashion a budget that will help all Virginians."
- Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, on this week's budget compromise [Washington Post, 3/13/08]

"The House Republican brand is so bad right now that if it were a dog food, they'd take it off the shelf."
- Rep. Tom Davis, on congressional Republicans [Washington Post, 3/13/08]

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HEADLINES

Gov. Tim Kaine

Sen. Jim Webb

Congressional Delegation

General Assembly

Election 2008

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EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

"The Senate plan is responsible and forward-looking... The House's own plan -- punting the question of new taxes and fees to individual localities -- is a ludicrous recipe for inaction." [Washington Post, 3/9/08]

"[T]he Assembly -- this time, the Republicans -- rejected proposals to inject some semblance of democracy into the democratic process and rein in gerrymandering. They somewhat hypocritically turned down local-option homestead exemptions for real-estate taxes. (Why is local autonomy good for tax hikes but bad for tax cuts? Perhaps because the homestead exemption was sought by a Democratic governor?)" [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/11/08]

"This General Assembly session is almost over. In the interest of government transparency, House Republicans should record subcommittee votes next year - at a minimum. They might also decide to start giving important legislation a fair shake, even the controversial bits. Retire the bill-killing machine." [Bristol Herald Courier, 3/11/08]

"Mr. Stewart, a Republican who has been running for one office or another nearly every year since he moved to Prince William in 2001, has by demagoguery transformed a relatively harmonious county into a hotbed of intolerance. That is the platform on which he evidently hopes to base his current race, and no wonder, since he has largely ignored the issues on which he was originally elected -- traffic, growth and development. It is a wretched legacy for Mr. Stewart, and a dishonor for the county's 380,000 residents." [Washington Post, 3/12/08]

"In their rush to embrace mean-spirited immigration policies, delegates have missed an opportunity to make their communities safer." [Virginian-Pilot, 3/13/08]

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DPVA PRESS RELEASES

Bolling, McDonnell Embrace Gilmore's Fiscal Follies (3/12/08)

John McCain Will Stand Up For His Lobbyist Friends, NOT Virginia Families (3/11/08) 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

60th Annual Shad Planking
Wakefield Sportsmen's Club
Wakefield, VA
April 16, 2008 

Appomattox County Democratic Caucus
Appomattox Public Library
Appomattox, VA
April 21st, 2008. 7:30 PM

Chesterfield County Democratic Caucus
Central Library
Chesterfield, VA
April 21st, 2008. 7:30 PM

Fairfax City Democratic Caucus
Regional Public Library
Fairfax, VA
April 19th, 2008. 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Williamsburg Democratic Caucus
Stryker Building
Williamsburg, VA
April 21st, 2008. 7:30 PM

Primary Elections (U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, state offices)
June 10, 2008 

Democratic State Convention
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, VA
June 14, 2008 

General Election
November 4, 2008

You can also find more events on our web site by entering your zip code here.

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Democratic Party of Virginia
1710 E. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23223
(804) 644-1966

www.vademocrats.org

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