Press Releases

Demo Memo: 7/11/08

Posted by Greg on Friday, July 11

July 7, 2008 - July 11, 2008
www.vademocrats.org

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INTRODUCTION

As you've probably heard by now, Barack Obama will be accepting the Democratic Party's presidential nomination at Denver's Invesco Field on the final night of the national convention next month.

If you're interested in being a part of this historic event, please let us know by signing up at http://www.vademocrats.org/denver and we'll send you more information on obtaining tickets as they become available. Seats will be limited!

Best,

Levar Stoney
Executive Director

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"I entered elective politics because of my commitment to strengthen America's national security posture, to promote economic fairness and to increase government accountability. I have worked hard to deliver upon that commitment, and I am convinced that my efforts and talents toward those ends are best served in the Senate."
- Sen. Jim Webb, taking his name out of consideration for the vice presidential nomination [Washington Post, 7/8/08]

"The House and Senate Democrats rose to the challenge and came together to move Virginia closer to a meaningful transportation solution. But House Republican leadership, once again, stood in the way, rejecting legislation that originated in the Senate. The citizens of Virginia deserved better."
- Gov. Tim Kaine, on this week's conclusion of the transportation special session [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/10/08]

"Right now, it's a pure toss-up. Both sides privately admit that. It's 50-50. It could go either way."
- Prof. Larry J. Sabato, on Virginia's presidential leanings [Daily Progress, 7/10/08]

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HEADLINES

Gov. Tim Kaine

Sen. Jim Webb

General Assembly             

Election 2008

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EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

"Don't be fooled by the parliamentary razzle-dazzle and the gush of obfuscatory recrimination pouring forth from Richmond this week. The failure of Virginia's lawmakers to provide the first new new source of funding in a generation for the state's aging transportation network lies squarely with the Republican leadership in the House of Delegates." [Washington Post, 7/11/08]

"The failure to come up with a program sufficient to the needs ultimately will hurt Virginia Republicans more than it will hurt Virginia Democrats. Our GOP friends seem blissfully unaware." [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/11/08]

"House Republican leaders laughed, joked and patted themselves on the back for their grand success Wednesday. Majority Leader Morgan Griffith bounced up and down in his seat and bragged about his clever parliamentary maneuvers that drove into the ditch every effort to pass a viable transportation plan this year. He and his colleagues acted like boys in a locker room, snapping their towels, while Virginia's economy strangled on traffic congestion. Instead of committing themselves to solving the most serious crisis facing the commonwealth, House Republicans played games. They declared themselves victors because they scored the most political points against Gov. Tim Kaine and Democratic lawmakers. The behavior was not cute or funny, especially not to the commuters and businesses who have to live with a transportation system ruined by years of neglect in Richmond." [Virginian-Pilot, 7/11/08]

"Local officials in Northern Virginia don't want to carry that load for House Republicans, and they shouldn't have to. Not when the transportation bill the GOP proposes balkanizes what should be a statewide system and ignores a glaring shortfall in the road maintenance budget for the entire state." [Roanoke Times, 7/9/08]

"[F]or someone so fresh to the job of senator, Webb has delivered impressive results by knitting together a bipartisan coalition of support for a new 'GI bill.' Webb introduced the bill on his first day in office, and it gives a new generation of veterans full college benefits, including tuition, housing and living costs. That's no small thing. With less than a third of his six-year Senate term completed, it would be a shame not to see Webb further develop in a role that seems to suit him. His decision to forgo the big race this fall ensures that he will." [Daily Press, 7/9/08]

"It's encouraging when a politician is willing to finish the term he was elected to. Webb would have brought a lot to Obama's presidential campaign, but he belongs in the Senate working for Virginia." [Danville Register & Bee, 7/9/08]

"Senatorial hopeful Jim 'Drillmore' Gilmore dropped by area gas stations Tuesday to pump up the price chatter. He dubbed it his 'Virginia Working Families' tour. He's working families all right. Gilmore is back to his old trick: Find a pocketbook issue that pinches families and convince them that he has an easy, painless solution. Last time, when he was running for governor, Gilmore fooled voters into thinking he could make their car tax go away. Some, who write smaller annual personal property checks, still foolishly think he helped them. He did nothing of the sort. He simply took what was a local tax and made it a state tax. Folks still pay it, just out of a different pocket." [Roanoke Times, 7/10/08]

"If Gilmore believes his own rhetoric, he's a fool. If he doesn't believe his claims, he's a silver-tongued liar... Voters should look past Gilmore's gas-price gimmicks and demand real solutions to the nation's energy crisis." [Bristol Herald Courier, 7/10/08]

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DPVA PRESS RELEASES

The Verdict Is In: House GOP Games Killed Roads Plan (July 11, 2008)

Five Questions John McCain Won't Answer (July 10, 2008)

House Republicans Kill Transportation Solution (July 9, 2008)

House Democrats to Offer Statewide, Regional Transportation Solutions (July 8, 2008)

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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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