Judy Feder Office Opening

On Sunday afternoon, I attended an event in McLean to celebrate the opening of Judy Feder’s new campaign office. You couldn’t have asked for better weather, which made the event even more enjoyable for the large number of people who showed up to show their support for Judy. Prior to becoming Judy’s campaign office the building was originally a single family home and was later used as a doctor’s office. This essentially was important because the weather therefore helped to illustrate how the office has a decent sized yard which can be used for future campaign barbeques, ice cream socials, etc. Of course, it also means there a lot of room inside (8 good sized rooms on the first floor, a few more upstairs, and a basement that can be used for storing road signs and other campaign supplies).

As the crowd continued to grow it included supporters from all across NOVA including Delegates Jim Scott (53), Bob Brink (48), and Margi Vanderhye (34); former candidate for the House of Delegates Bruce Roemmelt; and Chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee Scott Surovell.

After getting an opportunity to tour the building, the hot topic of discussion was how Judy’s candidacy really presented an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat in the House of Representatives. That was of course combined with discussion about how many people believe our strong candidates at the House and Senate level could result in Virginia playing an important role in the presidential election. Once we all had settled in, it was time for the speeches.

Del. Jim Scott welcomed us to the 53rd House of Delegates district, which he represents. He then proceeded to talk about how Frank Wolf doesn’t represent the interests of the 10th District, it is a great time for us to elect an expert on health care policy, and how Judy is an all around great candidate. He also mentioned how talked the area has produced several great members of the House of Delegates and that the Democrats lead 14 to 3 in representing Fairfax in the House of Delegates.

Del. Bob Brink mentioned how Frank Wolf said he would embrace term limits when he was first elected, but that he now seems to have forgotten that promise. He focused on how we need to all go out and knock on doors and make phone calls to help turn out support for Judy.

Del. Margi Vanderhye really gave a passionate speech that pumped up the crowd. After mentioning all the progress we’ve seen in the General Assembly, she began to focus on how Frank Wolf and other Members of Congress who have blindly followed the Bush Administration truly are out of touch with Virginians. She received a great deal of applause, for instance, after saying that “this has been a reckless, arrogant, really malevolent administration when it comes to what’s best for the American people.”

After Margi then proceeded to talk about what type of values she believes the Democrats need to stand up for, Judy Feder built upon the energy Margi built up by saying “We need to take these Virginia values across the Potomac to Washington.” Among the different points that she drove home was the fact that she’s “running to give the 10th District the leadership that we all want. The leadership that comes from years of training our future civilian and military leaders, some of who are here today, what it takes to deliver results and bring change.” Judy also mentioned that:

• “We need universal coverage, affordable quality health care coverage for everybody and we need it now.”
• “We need to protect home ownership and to crack down on fraudulent mortage lending and we need to do it now.”
• “We need to bring [the troops] home, get them the health care they need, and enact Jim Webb’s 21st Century GI Bill and we need to do it now.”

This event was very representative of how Judy’s campaign is being run. As Judy and the other speakers pointed out, there were many Democrats in the audience who truly believe in grassroots activism. Throughout the last few years, I have knocked on doors and phone banked with a large number of people who were at the event. I bring this up because I think it shows how the crowd was made up of people who will not only show up to events such as this office opening, but will also being doing the volunteer work that’s a critical element to any successful campaign. If the energy shown at this event continues, I am confident the 10th District will soon have a newly elected Representative in the next Congress.