Find out how Cooch took $55,000 from the disgraced "U.S. Navy Veterans Association," in apparent exchange for his promise to get the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs (which had "notified Thompson's group that it no longer qualified for an exemption from state registration requirements") off the group's back. Can we say "pay-to-play?" Find out more.
It is with great disappointment that I must announce that I will no longer be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the United States Congress in the 10th district of Virginia.
Over the past 3-4 weeks I have been experiencing a reoccurrence of a back injury I suffered years ago. While I attempted to push through the pain and continue on, I found myself in an orthopedic surgeon's office on Monday. He gave me the news I hoped I would never hear, I need to have surgery on my back.
After discussing all of my options, I was told that postponing the surgery until after the election could result in permanent nerve damage. The best case scenario puts my recovery at 4 to 6 weeks. During that time I would not be able to actively campaign. With only 8 weeks until the election, such a time frame simply does not allow me to run an effective primary campaign. So, in conjunction with my doctor and my family, I have come to the sad conclusion that I must end my campaign for congress in Virginia's 10th district.
The decision is disappointing, and was difficult to make. I truly feel that with my background in economic and workforce development and my strong message of getting our economy on the right track would have made me a strong alternative to Frank Wolf in the fall. But I believe this is the best decision for my family and me.
I want to thank all of my supporters, my staff and my family for all of their help. I can't put into words how much it has meant to me personally. I will contact as many of you as I can in the days ahead.
Once my treatment is complete I intend to do everything I can to support Jeff Barnett's campaign and focus on our ultimate objective, defeating Frank Wolf in the Fall.
All my best,
Rich
Richard Anthony
I'll have more to say about this race in coming days. For now, let me just encourage everyone to support Jeff Barnett, a strong progressive (see my Blue Virginia interview with Jeff here) like Rich Anthony.
7 pm: It begins, George Burke hosting. Introductions of the two candidates, Jeff Barnett and Rich Anthony. 3 minute opening statements.
Jeff Barnett Opening Statement: Stepping up to answer call to serve once again. "I am tired of Republican debt and denial." Tired of them "passing off the buck to the next generation." Four big areas: jobs, housing, transportation, ending our wars. I have specific proposals, people want action. Wolf has not delivered, I will. "Rock solid" Democrat, retired colonel. "This is a winnable election." "If Massachusetts can elect a Republican Senator, we can elect a Democratic Congressman."
Rich Anthony Opening Statement: Thanks everyone for debate. "I can and will beat Frank Wolf this fall...never would have gotten into this race if I didn't believe that." Positive economic message has resonated well. This issue is what I know, what I've been doing for the past 15 years - economic and workforce development. Help communities attract new employers, help people who've lost their jobs get training and assistance they need to get back on their feet. It's important to know something about the issue you're running on. One hell of a retirement party for Frank Wolf.
We knew this would happen. It's no surprise, but it is disappointing and unacceptable. The special interests and defenders of the status quo have retaliated. The attacks are deceptive, extreme and have become violent.
Lawmakers who have long defended the greedy insurance companies are trying to repeal health care reform. Right here in Virginia, our Attorney General has launched a baseless attack to overturn the legislation and is using our tax dollars to do it. But that's not the worst of it. Members of Congress have received death threats, had their home address posted online, and some have had their offices vandalized.
Representative Wolf has said nothing. Done nothing. He refuses to stand up and speak out, even when members of his own delegation are under personal attack. That's not the kind of representation we need in Virginia's 10th District. In Congress, you can count on me to stand up for your interests and speak out on your behalf.
Standing firm and refusing to back down is the most important thing we can do right now. I'll be fighting every step of the way to make sure the voters of the 10th District know the truth about health care reform and how much it will help Virginia's small business and families.
But I can't do it without your help and hard work.
Together, we can stop the deceptive fear-mongering by the special interests and put an end to politics as usual in Washington. We can send a real leader to represent Virginia's 10th District who isn't afraid to stand up to the bullies and speak out against hatred and violence.
Representative Wolf Opposes Quality, Affordable Health Care Votes Against Small Business and Middle Class Families
(Fair Oaks, VA) - Yesterday, Representative Frank Wolf once again put big profits for corporate interests ahead of Virginia's hard-working middle class families and our vital small business owners. Wolf voted against the comprehensive health care reform bill that passed the house.
This legislation will end the practice of insurance companies discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions. It will end the days of hardworking families and small businesses being priced out of the care they need in the name of insurance company profits. This legislation will help seniors by closing the donut hole in Medicare, and it will reduce the deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next two decades.
"Yesterday's vote was an opportunity for Congressman Wolf to put the people of his district ahead of the special interests and greedy insurance companies. Sadly, he chose to side with the greedy insurance companies instead of with his constituents," said Anthony for Congress campaign manager John Murphy. "People in this district have a lot of respect for Rep. Wolf"s three decades of service, but votes like this make it clear he just isn't ready to stop toeing the line for the Republican Party. The voters of this district, and all across the country, are crying out for real representation in Washington. If our elected officials cannot free themselves from the firm grasp of corporate interests, then it's time for them to go," concluded Murphy.
The following is from the 10th CD Democratic campaign of Rich Anthony, who I endorsed in December and have been consulting to on netroots/new media matters since January. For more on Rich, please see his Blue Virginia interview. Just to be absolutely clear, please note that my endorsement of Rich is my own, not necessarily that of other Blue Virginia "front pagers."
...Like many of you, I attended one of the nearly 400 Coffee Parties yesterday and I think an answer is easily available with these groups.
When you look back to elections where Democrats and Progressives have been successful, they have mostly had strong grassroot movements behind them, with people who have been willing to talk to their neighbors and complete strangers about a positive progressive vision for our country. The people, who showed up at the Coffee Party I attended, are the same people who have organized for successful progressive candidates in the past. These people went door to door for Jim Webb in 2006 and for Barack Obama in 2008, talking about progressive values. However, election cycle after cycle there is a conventional wisdom that creeps up, if Democrats act meek or act like Republicans and don't strongly proclaim any values that people will vote for them... when has this ever worked?
We need campaigns with energized volunteers to organize in their communities to get a strong progressive message out to the voters. We need campaigns where the people who came out to the Coffee Parties will want to volunteer and spread a message, campaigns where people involved in local progressive organizations or local Democratic parties will do more than simply vote or work their poll on Election Day. I am committed to bringing a strong message of progressive values. This is the type of campaign I am going to run and come November, I look forward to proving conventional wisdom wrong.
Earlier today in Vienna, Rich Anthony joined one of 400 coffee parties being held across the country. For a report on the Vienna Coffee Party, see Frank Anderson's report. Also, Rich Anthony tweets, "At the Coffee Party meeting in Vienna. Great turn out for a rainy Saturday morning. A lot of positive energy in the room." Once again, congratulations to Annabel Park and Eric Byler for starting and organizing the Coffee Party. Great work!
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Well, this is a bummer:
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