Press Releases

Demo Memo: 6/13/08

Posted by Greg on Friday, June 13

June 6, 2008 - June 13, 2008
www.vademocrats.org

Register for the 2008 Virginia State Democratic Convention

Renew your membership online

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INTRODUCTION

This is it! The 2008 Virginia State Democratic Convention kicks off this weekend, and we have a lot to look forward to. With the conclusion of this week's primaries, we have a Democrat running in every congressional district this year - for the first time in almost two decades.

A full list of events is available on our website, along with a ride share board if you want to beat those gas prices.

See you in Hampton!

Best,

Levar Stoney
Executive Director

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"We have never seen this kind of political activity in a general election cycle in Virginia, ever."
- Fairfax County Democratic Committee chairman Scott Surovell, on increased focus on Virginia heading into this year's elections [Washington Post, 6/8/08]

"Not a penny more."
- A former Virginia Republican donor, on future giving prospects following the party's "complete takeover by the far-right." [Southern Political Report, 6/8/08]

"I appreciated Gov. Warner's consistent efforts to work in a bipartisan and cooperative way."
- Former GOP Delegate and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Vince Callahan, endorsing Mark Warner for U.S. Senate [Virginian-Pilot, 6/10/08]   

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HEADLINES

Gov. Tim Kaine

Sen. Jim Webb

Congressional Delegation

General Assembly             

Election 2008

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EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

"The 'easy fix' that Attorney General Bob McDonnell is pitching for last year's transportation plan is no fix at all for Hampton Roads. Last week, McDonnell opined on these pages that '[t]he regional options for Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia can be easily fixed legally restoring the total new funding of last year's bill to $1.2 billion annually.' McDonnell's 'simple' solution requires cities and counties to raise fees and taxes to pay for their region's priority road projects... McDonnell is a statewide official who must balance the needs of all Virginia. In doing so, however, he should be careful not to take his hometown friends and colleagues for granted if he expects to have their support in the future." [Virginian-Pilot, 6/7/08]

"So-called 'leaders' of the Assembly, such as Del. Griffith, don't see that there's a transportation problem at all, at least one that's statewide in scope and in need of a statewide solution. They just don't seem to care that Northern Virginia and Tidewater, the economic drivers of the rest of the state, are in states of emergency when it comes to transportation. It doesn't seem to bother them one whit that the day is quickly coming when those two regions will simply exercise the political power they already possess and divert as much transportation money as they need to their regions, to the detriment of everyone else. Southwest, Southside and Central Virginia left out in the political desert? Who cares, certainly not folks like the majority leader and the speaker." [Lynchburg News & Advance, 6/7/08] 

"Old-timers remember when Virginians cracked that the Republicans could hold their state convention in a phone booth. The party progressed. Throngs convened in vast arenas and public halls. Last Saturday's climactic session hinted at reversion. Although cells threaten to make phone booths obsolete, a few remain. The first task of the freshman chairman is to find one for the GOP's next wing-ding." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/7/08]

"Pity poor Jim Gilmore. The former governor claimed the nomination he so desired, for U.S. Senate. But, for the moment, his political situation smacks of that tagline for that short-lived recruiting advertisement. He's an 'Army of one.'" [Winchester Star, 6/12/08]

"On Wednesday, The Hill newspaper quoted a petulant-sounding Warner: 'I'm not going to keep answering this question about Gilmore. I'll get my press office to send you a statement.' Don't know if The Hill has received one. But the statement that landed at the Richmond Times-Dispatch said nothing about activities on behalf of Gilmore, other than a check that's $300 short of the maximum individuals can give federal candidates." [Jeff Schapiro op-ed, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/8/08]

"Rep. Rick Boucher, the Democrat from Virginia's 9th House District, long has championed legislation to preserve freedom of the press... Democratic Sen. Jim Webb has worked as a journalist and has written fiction and non-fiction. He understands. Last week he signed as co-sponsor of the shield bill. Boucher welcomes Webb. Both deserve the citizenry's thanks and applause." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/11/08]

"Political parties like corporations do better when they are 'attracting people and have welcome mats out,' Mr. Davis said in a morning meeting with editors and reporters at The Washington Times. The Republican Party began to shrink when it became exclusionary, requiring 'admissions tests' to join or 'run for office,' and making social issues like flag-burning and gay marriage center pieces of the party's identity at the expense of fiscal-conservative principles." [Washington Times, 6/11/08] 

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DPVA PRESS RELEASES

Memo: Why Virginia is in Play (June 9, 2008)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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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