Blog Archives
Keith Fimian's Response to the State of the Union Address
Keith Fimian, candidate for Congress in the 11th District, released this statement after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address.
“Tonight the President said he planned to make job creation and controlling wasteful spending a priority. I commend him for that and hope he carries through on his pledge. So far we have seen too many broken promises from this White House and members of Congress like Gerry Connolly. The problem is that the agenda in Washington is being driven by career politicians who cut their back room deals and leave taxpayers like you and me to pay for it all. Or worse, who borrow the money from China and obligate our children and grandchildren to pay it back. That’s just plain wrong and it has to stop.”
“I believe in a different course of action. I am businessman who has actually created hundreds of jobs and a CPA who knows how to balance a budget. We need to stop playing the games the insiders play and stop cutting deals with special interests. We must stop the failed stimulus. Too many of the President’s proposed reductions in spending are somewhere off in the future when what we really need are real spending cuts right now. Let’s start a serious audit of the federal government now to make serious cuts. Then we need to have government stop trying to create ‘temporary jobs’ with more spending, and instead give small businesses and the American people the freedom to grow, expand, and create jobs in the private sector.”
Fimian makes good points here. One thing Obama should remember is to rely on the free markets, instead of playing “Mr. Fix-It.”
Flip-Flop Gerry!
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) has decided to go against his campaign promises to repeal the 2001 federal tax cuts. I guess the crumbling state of the economy has really impacted Gerry or the fact that he knows he could lose the General Election in November.
According to a Dow Jones Wire Report, Connolly was quoted about the pending expiration of the 2001 tax cuts. He said, “I think there is a certain logic to leaving well-enough alone for now, given the fragility of the economic recovery. It’s a question of prudent judgment and timing.”
Connolly ran in 2008 on promises that he would raise taxes and revoke the 2001 tax cuts. Just last year, Connolly voted for the Stimulus and Omnibus spending bills, in addition to other pork-laden projects. With the tanking economy, he decided to change his stances for re-election purposes. He now wants to see the 2001 tax cuts extended.
Republican challenger Keith Fimian released this statement about Connolly’s change of heart.
“Apparently it takes unemployment above 10 percent and still rising to get Gerry Connolly to admit he’s been wrong on taxes. The simple fact is that Connolly does not know how jobs are created and has been recklessly irresponsible on fiscal and economic policy for years, from his time on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to his brief tenure in Congress. The only reason Connolly is changing his tune now is that his political career is at risk. Given his liberal record, we cannot take him at his word. At this rate, he’ll be calling himself a moderate by Valentine’s Day and a Reagan Republican by Easter.”
Flip-flop Gerry! I guess the name fits.
A Look into the 11th Congressional District Race
Lately, there have been rumors about Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) considering a run for Congress and challenging Keith Fimian in a possible primary or convention. This may be old news, but it is worthy of bringing this back into the fold again.
Some of the rumors have been that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) wanted Herrity to run, as he would be the stronger candidate to go against freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly for the 11th District seat.
While Herrity would provide a good challenge to Connolly, Fimian has been active with various community and grassroots-related events. During the summer, when Connolly refused to meet with constituents at open townhall-style meetings, Fimian was alongside of the grassroots (tea party) activists calling on Connolly to meet with them and discuss why he would be in support of the health care reform package.
Fimian has been working tirelessly for a rematch against Connolly. When Fimian first ran in 2008, the climate was bad and the voters used the Presidential elections (along with the Congressional) as a referendum against George W. Bush. The tide has changed significantly in the 11th, as Bob McDonnell (and the Republicans) won decisively in the recent elections. There is no doubt that Fimian can win this election against Connolly.
A national GOP official said that they have not actively recruited GOP challengers in the 11th District, as they are confident with Fimian’s ability to fundraise and to get his message across to voters. The official mentioned that Fimian recently raised $500,000, and that he is one of the top 10 challengers to watch this election cycle. This is good news for Fimian, as he was recently named one of the Top Guns by the NRCC.
Right now, this race is going to be competitive and one to watch.
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.
Fimian Townhall Meeting
Tonight, I attended Keith Fimian’s townhall meeting on health care. Since I arrived a little later than I intended (thanks to traffic on I-66), Fimian’s townhall meeting filled almost the entire auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. Fimian’s meeting had a completely different theme compared to many townhall meetings. Since our Congressman Gerry Connolly did not want to face the public (other than those in gated retirement communities), Fimian wanted to inform everyone about what is included in this legislation by having three panelists, who are experts in health care.
Panelist #1 was Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute, Panelist #2 was Jim Capretta of the Ethics & Policy Center, and Panelist #3 was Tom Miller of the American Enterprise Institute. Each panelist had the opportunity to deliver opening remarks. Most of the opening remarks centered around how the long-term costs from this health care plan. Basically, the proposed health care reform legislation will expand Medicaid to 133% of the poverty level and will cost the government $400 Billion over the course of a decade. The premium discount program would subsidize the insurance program, which would bring $1.2 Trillion in new spending, and this would result in tax increases. The taxpayers would be paying $500 Billion in taxes.
After the opening remarks, Fimian called people up for questions according to numbers. Below are some selected questions to the panelists:
Q:
Would the government have access to our tax records? Is this a fact or myth?
Panelist #3: This is partly true, as there is a provision in the House legislation that allows for the government to have access to your tax records.
Q:
How will FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) be enacted in the health care legislation?
Panelist #1 explains FOCA, but mentions that Obama has pledged not to pursue it at first in his health care plan. Panelist #2 chimed in by saying that the House plan will include provisions that were introduced by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) that will cover abortion.
Q:
The man who asked this question has a brother, who has diabetes. His brother received an insulin pump a few years ago. He asked, “Would this pump have been invented and who would be eligible under Obama’s plan?”
Panelist #1 said that America rewards innovation. Under the Obama Administration, there would be a Comparative Effectiveness Council that will determine what treatments will be covered. Panelist #2 chimed in by saying that Americans want a health care system responsive to health challenges.
Overall, the meeting clarified some of Obama’s health care plan. Keith Fimian should be commended for holding a townhall meeting that was geared to inform from a free market perspective and was open to all within the 11th District.
Fimian to hold an OPEN Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Compared to our current Congressman holding health care town hall meetings at gated retirement communities, Republican candidate for Congress, Keith Fimian wants to hold a town hall meeting that ALL constituents can attend and learn more about health care reform. On September 1st at the Fairfax County Government Center, Fimian will be holding a health care information panel featuring speakers, such as Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute, Jim Capretta, Ethics and Public Policy Center, and Thomas Miller, American Enterprise Institute. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
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.
