Blog Archives
Will Gerry Connolly Oppose ObamaCare?
The answer is probably not, and if Connolly chooses to oppose the monstrosity known as President Obama’s health care plan, it will probably be done in private. However, Connolly should come out and publicly state why he is either in favor of the plan or against it (I mean, transparency is a good thing…right?).
Keith Fimian, who is one of two candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Connolly in the November General Election, called on Connolly to oppose the health care bill in Congress and questioned whether Connolly even read the 2,300 page bill that is going to be voted on yet again.
“This healthcare bill is a 2,300 page mess, full of back room deals and special interest giveaways that will only drive up costs, reduce the quality of care, and give government control of nearly 20 percent of our nation’s economy despite clear public opposition,” Fimian said.
“Before casting a potentially tie breaking vote to destroy the best healthcare system in the world, will Gerry Connolly even bother to read the bill? Or are Gerry Connolly and the rest of the career politicians in Washington more worried about clearing their schedules for a Rose Garden signing this week than the devastating impact this legislation will have on our healthcare system and our economy,” Fimian added.
“I call on Gerry Connolly to join his constituents in Virginia’s 11th District to oppose the healthcare monstrosity Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are attempting to ram through Congress against the will of the American people,” Fimian said.
Despite their large majorities, Democrats are resorting to procedural maneuvering to push their healthcare legislation through Congress because many of their own members are threatening to defect. Many realize not only is this a badly crafted bill, but it will accomplish nothing its proponents claim.
“We should dump this bill and start from scratch with real reforms we can all agree on,” Fimian said. “Addressing wellness, portability, pre-existing conditions, and purchasing insurance across state lines are all good places to start. We can address each of these with stand alone legislation. These are real reform measures which will lower costs—a good thing for hardworking families and the federal budget.”
How about relying on free markets to help with the health care reform? This should be one important key feature in any health care reform plan.
Poll: Fimian Beating Connolly 40-35%
Keith Fimian, candidate for Congress in the 11th District, released a poll today showing him beating incumbent Rep. Gerry Connolly 40-35% in the General Election. The poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates showed these results with 25% undecided. Among independent voters, the poll showed Fimian defeating Connolly 43-28%.
“Keith Fimian is in an outstanding position to win the race for U.S. Congress in Virginia’s 11th District. Voters are extremely disenchanted with the current state of affairs in Washington and are significantly more favorable toward a Republican candidate,” Jim McLaughlin, Fimian’s pollster said. “Congressman Gerry Connolly’s favorable rating and vote share are both well below the 50% thresholds for strong incumbents. The fact that Keith Fimian is already beating Gerry Connolly shows how vulnerable Connolly is to Fimian’s challenge.”
“I am excited that this poll shows that I am the best candidate to win this seat.” Fimian said. “This is because of my energetic grassroots support, strong fundraising results, my message of fiscal responsibility and the concrete proposals I am offering to create a vibrant environment for job creation. Voters also welcome my commitment to eliminating the culture of wasteful spending and corruption that career politicians have created in Washington.”
Fimian has also raised more money than Connolly for two consecutive quarters, in addition to being named a “Contender” in the NRCC’s Young Guns Program.
Gerry Connolly…One of Charlie's "Virginia" Angels
Well, isn’t this comforting? With all of the promises of hope, change, and making Congress a more ethical place to be, the Democrats have Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) to deal with, as he is under fire for neglecting to tell the IRS that he was receiving rental income from his Caribbean villa. Normally, what would seem like an offense that would land someone with fines or possible jail time, Rangel has only “temporarily stepped aside” as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Of course, the House Ethics Committee found him in violation of these allegations, and there will definitely be a vote to remove him from that position.
Rangel’s problems have now left New York and traveled down to Virginia, as one of our own elected officials received money from his leadership PAC when first running for Congress. Of course, there is no mention on whether Rep. Gerry Connolly has returned the $7,000 contribution he received from Rangel or even if he would vote to remove him from the Ways and Means Committee Chairmanship. Connolly received this contribution on June 25, 2008. Perhaps, we should call Connolly and demand he return the contribution, as he is supposed to be part of the “most ethical Congress,” right?
Keith Fimian released this statement on Connolly’s refusal to give back or donate Rangel’s contributions to his campaign.
“Gerry Connolly should immediately return all funds he accepted from Rangel,” Fimian said. “As bad as it is that he is still holding onto to those tainted funds, it is even worse that Connolly voted to let Rangel off the hook for his ethical violations after having accepted campaign contributions from him in 2008. As the saying goes, money talks…and Gerry Connolly listens.”
“Aside from the campaign cash, Connolly’s vote to give Rangel a pass on his ethics violations should come as no surprise to anyone who remembers Connolly’s tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,” Fimian said. “When it comes to ethical lapses, I have no doubt that Gerry Connolly can empathize with the situation Representative Rangel finds himself in.”
Fimian Minute
Keith Fimian, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 11th District, is releasing a new video series called the “Fimian Minute.” Each of these clips will be based on items of local, state, and national importance. Here is his first video.
Check out Keith Fimian's New Website
Keith Fimian has released a new website, and I must admit that I like the clean simplicity of the site. I am definitely excited to see Fimian’s new media efforts over the course of the next year.
Fimian Calls Connolly Out on his support of "Pelosi Care"
On Saturday, Keith Fimian held a press conference to talk about the Congress health care bill (H.R. 3962) outside of Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office in Annandale. Fimian will be challenging Connolly in 2010, and he is already out there speaking against the health care issue and other issues. Fimian is correct in calling Connolly out for his support of Nancy Pelosi’s health care plan, as it will place more economic burden on small businesses and families.
Here’s Fimian’s Press Release:
Fimian Discusses Flaws in Healthcare Bill, Suggests Fiscal-Friendly Alternatives
Epic new spending and taxes, pricier insurance, rationed care, dishonest accounting: The Pelosi health bill has it all.-WSJ 11/1/2009
Annandale, VA – Keith Fimian, Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Virginia’s 11th congressional district, held a press conference this morning to discuss his concerns with H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
“I support health care reform but reform that holds the line on costs and
doesn’t replace a messy insurance system for an even worse government run
health care system.” said Fimian. “We are here this morning because we all want good health care and because we
want what is best for America.”Fimian pointed out key flaws in the bill including train-wreck costs which will increase the Federal deficit and negative effects on small business.
“Here is where I stand” said Fimian “I would vote no on this bill AND on Government run health care it is bad for our Nation and I call on you, Gerry Connolly, to reject it also. If we are to reform Health Care, let’s not just ram something through. Let’s THINK it through. And then let’s get it right.”
Fimian held his press conference outside Representative Gerry Connolly’s Annandale Legislative Office. Connolly has suggested he will support the pending bill.
H/T to Black Velvet Bruce Li
Fimian to hold Press Conference Tomorrow Morning
Things are beginning to heat up in the 11th Congressional District race already. Tomorrow morning, Keith Fimian will be holding a press conference to discuss the current health care bill before the House of Representatives. The press conference will be taking place at 10 a.m. outside of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s District Office, 4115 Annandale Road, Suite 103, Annandale.
After what happened in Connolly’s office yesterday, it is definitely time for change in the 11th District. Also, tomorrow at 1 p.m., there will be another rally at the U.S. Capitol. The House Republicans, led by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) will be speaking out about PelosiCare (i.e., Congress’ health care bill). I will hopefully have some pictures and coverage from this rally.
In the meantime, call your Representative in Congress and urge them NOT to support the current health care bill in Congress. You can do so by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Another Reason Gerry Connolly Should Not Be Re-Elected
Aside from crappy constituent letters (in the past, I have received one letter that was a fill-in-the-blank), Rep. Gerry Connolly has slipped to a new low…assaulting a constituent. Black Velvet Bruce Li has the scoop about what happened. Apparently, a woman who was standing in line reached out and touched Connolly’s arm to talk with the Congressman about the health care plan. Connolly, then tried to get the woman arrested.
Jillian Bandes of Townhall said that George Burke, Communications Director for Connolly was the only one guilty of assault, as he pushed Teri Christoph, Executive Director of Smart Girl Politics. Christoph had a flip camera, when she wanted to get Connolly’s stances on the health care bill on video. Here’s what happened soon after…
Burke allegedly pushed Christoph’s arm down forcefully after she asked about her camera, and it drew gasps of surprise from both junior Connolly staffers and about half a dozen other visitors inside Connolly’s office.
Christoph was told that she needed a press pass to have a camera.
“[Then] he bumped into my arm that was holding the camera and threatened to call the police,” said Christoph. “His young staffers conducted themselves very very well, but his senior staffer made it seem like I was the enemy…”
Gee, I thought he was elected to represent us. As a constituent, I deserve to have my complaints heard by my elected officials, right? According to Connolly, I guess not. In November 2010, you have the grand opportunity to get rid of Connolly and replace him with a real leader, Keith Fimian. Fimian will actually listen to his constituents.
Keith Fimian Declares His Run For Congress
Today, Keith Fimian declared his candidacy to run for Congress in 2010 against Gerry Connolly. Fimian ran a great race in 2008, and he will definitely provide a refreshing change to Connolly’s votes for increased spending, not to mention, his faulty constituent service (i.e., those infamous fill-in-the blank letters).
For Immediate Release July 20, 2009
Keith Fimian: Statement of CandidacyFairfax, 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
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
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.
Letter to Rep. Gerry Connolly Re: H.R. 1 (The Stimulus Bill)
On Monday, I sent Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax) a letter voicing my strong disapproval regarding the Stimulus Act. After writing the initial response, I figured that I would not receive a letter, and if I did, it would be from a standard template. Here is the letter Connolly sent me this afternoon, which prompted another response letter.
Here’s the response from Connolly:
Now, here’s my response to Connolly (which I have e-mailed to his office):
Dear Rep. Connolly:
I would like to express my gratitude for your response to my recent letter about H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
You know, as a constituent, I do not appreciate being told lies. When you mentioned “As Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I balanced the budget every year. I know the importance of cutting costs and eliminating insufficient government programs,” I would just like to remind you that is far from the truth. [Source 1] Gerry, the ONLY balance that you did was to double my personal property taxes during the time frame of 2006-2008.
Instead of listening to “We, the people,” i.e., the people you represent, you chose to follow lock and key with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
In the letter, you mentioned that you had consulted with “dozens of prominent economists.” If you don’t mind me asking, were they puppets of the DNC or Keynesian economists? The so-called dozens of economists have been trumped by the 200+ economists who are against the stimulus (4 of which are Nobel Prize winners). [Source 2] The economists mentioned are among the nation’s top experts on the Economy. Perhaps, you should encourage the Democratic Leadership in Congress and President Obama to seek their advice.
I would like to let you know of my disappointment in your vote on this legislation, which violates our Founding Fathers’ vision for our country. You cannot tax your way to prosperity, Congressman Connolly. Please be advised that I will be observing your actions in Congress. The 2010 elections are right around the corner, and I will make it my personal mission to ensure that every voter in the Eleventh district knows about your love for super-sized government, wasteful spending, and increased taxes.
Sincerely,
Crystal Clear Conservative
I admire and respect our Republican leadership in the House and the eleven Democrats, who went against their party by adhering to principle for standing up to the liberals and H.R. 1.
**Cross Posted at Virginia News Platoon
