This blog is about the actions of Congressman Gerry Connolly- albeit from a view which remains highly skeptical of his motivation. We are not here to shill for any opponent of his, Democratic or Republican. However, as individuals who are formally entering the 2010 race for the 11th District announce- we’ll definitely cover their activity as well. Below you’ll find Keith Fimian’s statement of candidacy:
Keith Fimian: Statement of Candidacy
Fairfax, VA — Last year I campaigned for Congress on the platform of fiscal responsibility, opposition to corruption and the need to get our economy moving. Those issues are even more critical today.
Consider how Congress has gone out-of-control on spending:
• A staggering one year Federal budget of $3.6 trillion, nearly half of which ($1.7 trillion) will be financed by debt.
• $787 billion stimulus law that has done nothing to slow unemployment or spur economic growth.
• A cap-and-trade boondoggle that contains massive taxes that will hit Northern Virginia families.
The numbers are mind numbing. And that doesn’t even include the trillion dollar health care bill being debated!
This Congress has blown through spending records without even reading the bills they are voting on! And this spending has not slowed the growth in unemployment. Rather, it’s creating economic insecurity. Northern Virginia families are hurting and Congress has no answer but more spending.
I had hoped that Gerry Connolly would learn from his mistakes. He drove Fairfax County’s budget into a $648 million ditch of red ink. Then he moved across the Potomac and has continued being a rubber stamp for runaway wasteful spending in the trillions.
We have to say NO to the politicians and special interests who are pushing our nation into bankruptcy. We need to encourage, not burden, small businesses so they can hire people and help our economy grow again.
Because Gerry Connolly has proven he is incapable of addressing the challenges Northern Virginia families face, I have decided to run once again for the 11th Congressional District.
The hard truth is America faces enormous challenges. We are mortgaging our grandchildren’s future with this spending and massive debt. It jeopardizes our jobs, economy, retirement, homes – our entire way of life.
I’ve created jobs. I’ve tackled tough budgets. In Congress I will put the brakes on the spending, curb the special interests and focus on getting our economy moving again, so our children and grandchildren will have an America as great as the one we inherited. I ask for your support.
New Congressman Gerry nickname = Gerry “Cut-And-Paste” Connolly.
Faith & Politics blogger Beloved Spearwas falsely arrested at the Canadian border last year. In anticipating of an upcoming trip he wrote his representative in Congress seeking some intercession. Unfortunately, he was represented by Congressman Gerry. Here’s Gerry’s response:
Dear Rev. Williams,
Thank you for contacting me about _________. I appreciate your interest in this issue and your views are important to me.
As a Member of Congress, it is essential that I know my constituents’ thoughts and concerns so I can best represent their interests in Congress. I will continue to watch this issue closely going forward to determine if any Congressional action is necessary.
Once again, thank you for expressing your concern on this very important issue. I enjoyed hearing from you. For more information on my views on other issues, please feel free to visit my website at http://connolly.house.gov. I also encourage you to visit the website to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely, Gerald Connolly Member of Congress
Maybe he was waiting for Nancy Pelosi or Steny Hoyer to fill in the blank for him?
Short and sweet letter to the editor in this morning’s News & Messenger, the local paper for Prince William County.
The author, Gaile Skeele of Woodbridge, makes a great point! Gerry’s trying to do his best for veterans. Then he follows it up with votes that appeal to the radical fringe of the Democratic caucus.
Classic political shell game- classic Congressman Gerry.
Via Democratic Connolly critic Not Larry Sabato I came across this gem from Cantor’s YouTube channel. It’s like he just took a big swig of twice distilled smarm, gurgled it, and spit it back out all over the House floor.
In the comments thread local blogger Bwana asks: “How much does Gerry Conolly have to pay annually to offset his carbon foot print?”
I think we can probably calculate that…. stay tuned.
Check out the vote here. The Lewis (CA) amendment would have prohibited any funding of President Obama’s reckless decision to close Guantanamo Bay without any plan for how to deal with the detainees in place.
Thirty-nine of Gerry’s colleagues found the courage to vote against their party. Gerry came up short. The sad thing is it is his constituents who might have to deal with this.
The brig at Quantico Marine Corps Base is one of few sites who could handle this terrorist population. The Eastern Judicial District of Virginia (headquartered in Alexandria) is the most likely place we’d try these terrorists. Guess which Congressional District these dangerous criminals will be traveling through in between their court dates?
You would think that he would at least want the administration to pause. You would think he would have one, single, solitary, question. You would think he would have some sympathyfor his constituents who are concerned, outraged, and engaged in this issue.
No. Gerry calls it “a distraction” on Mark Plotkin’s radio show. Perhaps a distraction from kissing up to Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi?
Thank god we have Congressman Frank Wolf (and Rob Wittman) looking out for us in the 11th District. Congressman Wolf, like a good legislator, actually asks questions of the executive branch, does his research, and engages in the issues.
Congressman Gerry ran for Congress as a pro-business moderate Demeocrat who would follow in the footsteps of retiring moderate Republican Tom Davis. So one would expect that after 6 months on the Hill, Congressman Gerry would have a pretty moderate voting record, right?
Not so fast my friend.
A quick check of the WaPo’s Congressional Voting Database shows that Congressman Gerry has voted with his party 98.8% of the time. This gives him a more partisan voting record than Jim Moran and Bobby Scott. Lowell Feld posted a run-down in order of partisanship on his Blue Virginia blog. Gerry Connolly (D-11): 98.8% Bobby Scott (D-3): 98.4% Rick Boucher (D-9): 98.1% Jim Moran (D-8): 97.3% Bob Goodlatte (R-6): 95.6% Eric Cantor (R-7): 95.5% Randy Forbes (R-4): 94.4% Robert Wittman (R-1): 94.0% Sen. Mark Warner: 92.0% Frank Wolf (R-10): 92.0% Tom Perriello (D-5): 91.1% Glenn Nye (D-2): 89.5% Sen. Jim Webb: 86.7%
Gerry is up there on Capitol Hill trying to build up his resume with the Democratic leadership in the House. You’d think he was running for Freshman Class President or something!
