Tomorrow, June 10, there are two important primaries in Virginia that deserve progressive netroots attention. Both races feature candidates with strong local and nationalnetroots support.
First, the 11th CD pits Gerry Connolly, who Howie Klein has correctly called"a Zell Miller/Joe Lieberman type Democrat," against Leslie Byrne, a progressive Democrat who is supported by essentially the entire Virginia progressive netroots.
This morning, Jim Webb -- who Leslie Byrne was instrumental in helping during the early days of the "Draft James Webb" movement in 2006 -- wrote the following about tomorrow's primary:
Leslie was one of my earliest supporters in 2006. She and I share certain fundamental beliefs -- that America's leaders must be accountable to its people, that our economic system must give everyone a fair shot at success, and that our foreign policy choices must be governed by thoughtful strategic goals. Like me, Leslie was an early warning voice against the war in Iraq.
[...]
During our campaign's toughest moments, Leslie remained loyal to our effort and to the importance of these shared beliefs. And so when she decided to make a bid to return to Congress, I was determined to show her the same loyalty and support.
[...]
The 111th Congress will face considerable obstacles. Leslie Byrne has the courage and the experience to help us win those fights. I am looking forward to seeing her defend our common principles on the House floor. Please join me in helping Leslie become the next U.S. Representative from the Virginia 11th today.
In contrast, Howie Klein writes the following about Gerry Connolly:
...Connolly's record conforms to the worst stereotypes of the corporate Democrat and threatens to cost the party a long-awaited takeover. Connolly has been
mired in questions about his employment with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), one of the worst of the major defense contractors, his cozy relationship with business developers and his
general affinity for what most of us would call pay to play politics.
Connolly's most egregious offenses against the progressive agenda are only recently coming to light, largely due to his own hypocrisy on the Iraq war. Connolly, who was a proud "moderate" until the moment he declared for the House, has taken to touting his anti-war credentials by claiming that he's "been against the Iraq war from the beginning" and that he plans to "hold CEOs criminally accountable for wasting taxpayer's dollars."
So, why is this a problem? Well, it's an issue because Connolly's employer, SAIC, is one of the most secretive defense contractors in the world. Think about that: Connolly works for a war profiteering company that not only cheer-led for Bush's unjustifiable invasion but that makes much of its money by cheating taxpayers.
In short, the 11th CD is an easy choice for progressives, and we strongly urge a vote for Leslie Byrne.
As to the 10th CD, that's another winnable district, with nationally recognized health care expert and strong progressive Judy Feder running against Bush rubber stamp Frank Wolf. In 2006, Feder gave Wolf the toughest race he's seen in a quarter century. This time around, Feder has started earlier, is raising more money (already over $1 million, one of the top Democratic challengers in the nation), and is going after Wolf aggressively. But first she has to get past a primary against "Blue Dog Democrat" Mike Turner tomorrow. I strongly urge that, if you live in Virginia's 10th CD, you join every U.S. Senator, Congressman, Virginia Delegate, and labor union that has chosen to support a candidate in this race and support Judy Feder for Congress.
There's more...
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