Sign up for National Day of Action

This Saturday, August 28 is a big day -- here in Northern Virginia and across the entire country. We need to knock on 2,500 doors in the 11th district, helping Democrats across the nation reach a goal of 200,000 doors. We must recruit 85 volunteers to reach that goal.

Sign up here to volunteer for a door-to-door shift Saturday.

Gerry will be personally kicking off the first volunteer canvass at our campaign headquarters Saturday morning and we'll have shifts going throughout the day.

Our opponent and national right-wing groups have said they will spend "whatever it takes" to win this seat. The best way for us to fight back is to talk to our neighbors about our community and our values. Can you do that with us this Saturday?

This is your campaign and we need you to be the face of it. No amount of TV attack ads or slick mailers can compete with you talking face-to-face with your neighbors about why Gerry Connolly is the best choice for Northern Virginia.

On Saturday and through November 2, we need you to be the face of this campaign.

Thanks,

James

James Walkinshaw
Campaign Manager

P.S. Just two hours of your time this weekend can make the difference in helping reach our goal. Sign up now.

Keith Fimian Chooses Wall St

Join Gerry Connolly in fighting for Main St.

http://www.GerryConnolly.com

Follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ElectConnolly

PWC YD's Hosting Watch Party

Virginia's in the national spotlight. We are watching Governor Warner's key note speech as he addresses the nation at the convention. Join us on Tuesday, August 26 @ 9pm:

Woodbridge Pizza Party

Uno's Bar & Grill

2680 Prince William Parkway

Woodbridge, VA 22192

Washington Post Column--The Year The Youth Vote Arrives

By E. J. Dionne Jr.Friday, July 25, 2008; A21

The conventional wisdom on certain subjects is so deeply rooted that no amount of evidence disturbs its hold. That's how it is with those dreary predictions that young Americans just won't vote.
Since the late 1960s, the same chorus has been heard from election to election: The young don't care. They're disengaged. They're too wrapped up in their music, their favorite sports and their parties to take an interest in politics. Predicting that the young will vote in large numbers is like saying the Cubs will finally win the World Series.
As it happens, the Cubs are doing well this season, and the evidence is overwhelming that this year the young really will vote in large numbers -- and they just might tip the election.
The trend started four years ago. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or Circle, electoral participation among 18- to 24-year-olds increased from 36 percent in 2000 to 47 percent in 2004. For the larger 18-to-29 group, participation rose from 40 to 49 percent.
The 2006 midterm elections brought a greater increase in off-year voting among the under-30s than in any other age group.
Then came this year's primaries: According to Circle, the turnout rate for under-30s nearly doubled between 2000 and 2008, from 9 to 17 percent.
None of this means that young people will vote at the same rate as middle-aged people or senior citizens. The young move around more, and voter registration laws in most states make it harder for the footloose to exercise their rights. It has long been the case that citizens become more involved in politics when they settle down and develop stronger community ties.
Nonetheless, given present trends, it's a near certainty that young people's overall share of the electorate will grow substantially this year.
Defying stereotypes, the young are more engaged in this campaign than are their elders. A Pew Research Center study released this month asked voters whether they considered this year's campaign "interesting" or "dull." Among those 18 to 29, 67 percent called the campaign interesting, as did 66 percent of those 30 to 49. By contrast, 58 percent of those 50 to 64 and 52 percent of those 65 and over saw the campaign as interesting.
The increase in political interest among the young is staggering. Between 2000 and this year, the percentage of those under 30 describing the campaign as interesting was up 36 percentage points; the increase among those 65 and over was a more modest 18 points.
Could the young make a difference in Barack Obama's favor? Again, the answer is clearly yes. Age is one of the most powerful lines of division in this election. In Pew's survey, under-30s gave Obama his largest lead, 56 to 36 percent. He also led among voters ages 30 to 49 but ran behind among voters 65 and over.
This is not a one-time phenomenon. The under-30s were by far John Kerry's best age group in 2004 -- he carried them over George Bush 54 to 45 percent -- and they voted better than 3 to 2 for Democratic House candidates in 2006.
A study released last week by the Rockefeller Foundation and Time magazine helps explain why the under-30s are so engaged and why their political views have more in common with those of the New Deal generation than of the Reagan generation.
Nearly half of the under-30s said that America was a better place to live during the 1990s, the study found, and they think the country will continue to decline. This is a more pessimistic view than that of the older groups. They are also the generation most worried about their own or their families' economic security, and half of them went without health insurance at some point in the past year, more than double the percentage of any other group.
In light of this, it's not surprising that the Rockefeller report found that 86 percent of the under-30s -- significantly more than any other generational group -- said that "more government programs should help those struggling under the current economic conditions."
Young Americans show all the signs of being interested enough and upset enough to flock to the polls this year. If they do, they could be the most politically consequential generation since the cohort of the Great Depression and World War II. Think of these newcomers as the Engaged Generation.
postchat@aol.com

More young Virginians are registering, but will they vote?

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/more-young-virginians-are-registering-will-they-vote

...Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan national organization working to register young people to vote, classifies Virginia as one of four “Tier I” states, meaning the organization believes the youth vote will decide which presidential candidate wins the state.

...Enthusiasm among young voters is no different this year than during any other presidential election, said Frederick, who predicts young voters will have the same influence as they did four years ago. Lets prove our fellow PWC resident wrong!

Next Meeting

Please come out to our next Young Democrats meeting on July 30^th at 7:30 pm. The meeting will take place at Prince William County Democratic Headquarters located at 4326 Dale Blvd Ste 6. Woodbridge VA.

Obama Campaign Opens Office

Below is an article that appeared in the Potomac News on Sunday:

In a small business park office off Prince William Parkway, presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama again made history.

He, to the best of anyone's knowledge, became the first presidential hopeful to open a campaign office in Prince William County—an area that has experienced tremendous growth in the last 10 years and is now being seen by many as a place that, as far as politics go, is up for grabs.

"This is a signal of the commitment Barack Obama has made to Virginia," said Keith Scarborough, the Prince William area coordinator for Obama's campaign, to a crowd of roughly 100 who gathered outside the office at 4308 Ridgewood Center Drive. "I hope you will make this headquarters a home away from home."

The Obama campaign opened 10 other offices across Virginia on Saturday.

Among the officials in attendance were Del. Paul F. Nichols, D-Occoquan, gubernatorial candidate Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, D-Fairfax, and Woodbridge Supervisor Frank J. Principi.

Moran got the crowd riled up, talking about the struggling economy, high fuel prices and the need for change.

"With all that to worry about, complain about and worry about," Moran said, "you're getting off the couch to do something about it. … We cannot be on the sidelines of history."

The two full-time campaign staffers who will run the office said efforts would mostly be focused on registering new voters, recruiting volunteers and canvassing neighborhoods.

Immediately following the speeches, people ushered into the office, out of the sweltering sun.

A large sign counting down the days left until election hangs on the back wall, and clipboards with volunteer sign-up sheets covered a table in the reception area in the three-room office.

Steven Coney, 48, of Dumfries, said he is engaged in this presidential race more than any other.

"If they would have been opening this office in Richmond, that's where I'd be," he said.

Coney said he plans to help by knocking door-to-door and contribute food for campaign staffers and volunteers working long hours.

In late May, presumptive GOP nominee John McCain opened his Virginia headquarters in Pentagon City.

The Arizona senator has five other campaign offices throughout the state, including one in Fredericksburg and another in Fairfax, which opened last week, said Gail Gitcho, McCain's mid-Atlantic communications director. Three other offices are slated to open soon, she said.

"We of course believe that Virginia is going to remain a red state, but we're not taking anything for granted," Gitcho said.

Additionally, Prince William County Republican Committee chair Lyle Beefelt said their headquarters will be available to McCain campaigners and that hours will be extended as the campaign draws nearer.

The Democratic Party of Virginia has set up a coordinated campaign office in the headquarters of the Prince William County Democratic Committee in Glendale Plaza for the senatorial, congressional and presidential races, said Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

"This clearly is going to be by far and away the largest ever presidential focus we've had in Prince William County in the history of the commonwealth," he said.

Obama asks for Volunteers in Virginia

You can play a major role in our campaign in Virginia.

With the general election approaching, supporters are coming together in their communities to form Campaign for Change Precinct Teams to help grow our movement for change.

Precinct Teams will reach out to voters, canvass their neighborhoods, and help bring people into our political process by registering new voters.

Last Thursday, Barack visited Fairfax County, where he held a town hall on improving economic opportunity for women and strengthening families. We wanted to share a special moment from the event where he talked about how you can make a difference in Virginia.

Watch the video and learn about Campaign for Change Precinct Teams:

http://va.barackobama.com/VAteams

If you're ready to take the next step and make a personal commitment, you should consider joining your Precinct Team. Along with that commitment will come the opportunity to take ownership of the campaign in the Commonwealth.

Here's what Virginia Campaign for Change Precinct Teams will help do:

* Register new voters in your precinct and grow our movement for change

* Identify Obama supporters in your community and recruit more -- Campaign for Change staff will provide you with all of the resources you need

* Support Barack and other Democrats up and down the ballot this November, and help mobilize neighborhood supporters to join you

No prior experience is required. You just need to support Barack and be ready to turn your energy and enthusiasm into action.

It requires some responsibility, but don't worry -- we'll be here with all the materials, training, and support you'll need every step of the way.

Learn more about joining a Precinct Team now:

http://va.barackobama.com/VAteams

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Virginia State Director
Obama for America

P.S. -- This week we're introducing our "Can You Best Barack?" voter registration challenge where five supporters, who register more than 100 Virginians, will have the chance to meet Barack.

Learn more about the Campaign for Change challenge and help us register more voters in Virginia than Barack did as a community organizer:

http://va.barackobama.com/VAbestbarack

Democrats call on McDonnell to renounce Gramm

Top McDonnell donor believes America is "a nation of whiners"

RICHMOND - The Democratic Party of Virginia called on Bob McDonnell on Tuesday to renounce the support of top campaign donor Phil Gramm, who believes America is "a nation of whiners."

"Virginians have a right to know whether Bob McDonnell thinks we're all just whiners," said Democratic Party of Virginia executive director Levar Stoney. "We think it's time for Bob McDonnell to clean his hands of this matter. McDonnell needs to tell Virginians if he stands with this top donor or if he stands with them."

Gramm, a top economic advisor to Sen. John McCain, made headlines last week when he said that the country is in a "mental recession" and that we were a "nation of whiners." He declared the current economic recession only in our minds one day after the average gas prices in Virginia crossed $4 a gallon.

Gramm is a top-15 donor and close acquaintance of Bob McDonnell. The Former Senator gave $50,000 to McDonnell's campaign for Attorney General and another $5,000 last July. [VPAP.org]

During his time in the Senate, Gramm authored the so-called "Enron Loophole," which allowed oil speculators to drive up the price of gas. As recently as 2006, Gramm was lobbying against the loophole's closure. [MSNBC, 6/18/08]

McDonnell's latest campaign finance reports will be released this week.

"Phil Gramm gave us $4 a gallon gas, and now he says we're in a mental recession?" Stoney said. "I would hope that Attorney General McDonnell will have the sense to distance himself from Mr. Gramm."

The Verdict Is In: House GOP Games Killed Roads Plan

Editorial boards across the Commonwealth have weighed in on the General Assembly's do-nothing special session, and the verdict is clear: House Republicans once again were more interested in playing political games than finding a solution to Virginia's transportation crisis.

The Washington Post
GOP to N.Va: What Traffic?

"Don't be fooled by the parliamentary razzle-dazzle and the gush of obfuscatory recrimination pouring forth from Richmond this week. The failure of Virginia's lawmakers to provide the first new new source of funding in a generation for the state's aging transportation network lies squarely with the Republican leadership in the House of Delegates.

"It was the Republicans who rejected any real attempt at raising revenue statewide to plug what is fast becoming a gaping hole in the funding available for highway upkeep. It was the Republicans who spurned regional packages to deal with the gridlock in the state's two most urbanized areas, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, through new taxes and fees. And then -- cynically, comically -- it was the Republicans who rushed out statements faulting Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) for convening a special session of the legislature without first achieving a consensus plan."

...

Richmond Times-Dispatch
Nothing

"The failure to come up with a program sufficient to the needs ultimately will hurt Virginia Republicans more than it will hurt Virginia Democrats. Our GOP friends seem blissfully unaware."

...

The Virginian-Pilot
Game over on transportation

"House Republican leaders laughed, joked and patted themselves on the back for their grand success Wednesday. Majority Leader Morgan Griffith bounced up and down in his seat and bragged about his clever parliamentary maneuvers that drove into the ditch every effort to pass a viable transportation plan this year.

"He and his colleagues acted like boys in a locker room, snapping their towels, while Virginia's economy strangled on traffic congestion.

"Instead of committing themselves to solving the most serious crisis facing the commonwealth, House Republicans played games. They declared themselves victors because they scored the most political points against Gov. Tim Kaine and Democratic lawmakers.

"The behavior was not cute or funny, especially not to the commuters and businesses who have to live with a transportation system ruined by years of neglect in Richmond."

Young Voters: The New Democratic Base

We Are a Large, Growing, and Diverse Voting Bloc

Commonly called the Millennial Generation or Generation Y, young voters rival the Baby Boomers in size and are the most diverse generation in history.

• Millennials will be nearly 45 million strong in 2008.

• By 2015, this generation will make up one-third of the electorate.

• Voters ages 18-29 were 21% of the electorate (41.9 million) in 2006.

• 39% of Millennials identify as non-white, making them the most diverse generation in American history. Young Latinos account for the largest percentage of the population boom.

• The vast majority of young people are not in college; in fact, only an estimated 25% of 18-24 year-olds attend a four-year college full time.

We Are Engaged

The increase in young voter turnout is not a myth or “fuzzy math.” Young voters’ overwhelming preference for the Democratic Party is an ongoing trend, not a fluke.

• Young voter turnout tripled or even quadrupled in many primary states. Over 6.5 million young voters participated in the primary contests or caucuses this year, an increase of 103% over 2004.

• Sixty-nine percent of young people say they are likely to vote in this election and 49% say they are very likely to vote, according to a recent poll.

• In 2006, 10.8 million young voters went to the polls, up nearly two million from 2002.

• The 2004 elections marked the largest increase in young voter turnout since 1972. Over 20 million young people ages 18-29 cast a ballot (42 million were eligible to vote), an increase of 4.3 million voters. This was a nine point increase in turnout over 2000, more than double that of any other age group. In 2004, there were nearly as many voters under 30 years old than voters over 65 years old.

• In the 10 most competitive 2004 battleground states, turnout was 64.4% among young voters, compared to 48% across all other states. Like older voters, young people will turn out in higher numbers when targeted.

• Millennials volunteer in record numbers. They possess strong values and political opinions and connect volunteerism to social activism. And they will vote if asked.

We Are Democrats

Young voters are trending Democratic. Young people are identifying as Democrats, supporting the party’s issues, and casting ballots for Democratic candidates at the polls.

• Young people supported Democrats by a 2 to 1 margin and, of the 2.2 million new young voters this cycle, two million voted for a Democrat for president. More young Democrats cast a ballot than young Republicans in nearly every state this primary season – even in staunchly “red” states.

• Barack Obama wins among young voters by 27 points in a head-to-head matchup with John McCain, 60-33%. Obama runs strongly with every segment of the youth vote.

• John McCain has a net negative approval rating among young voters; 49% view him negatively with only 30% viewing him favorably. Additionally, 50% have a negative view of the Republican Party, and a whopping 69% view President Bush negatively.

• Democrats have a 19 point advantage in party identification. Nearly half of 18-29 year olds (47%) identify as Democrats, up from 40% in 2006. Just 28% identify as Republicans. Democrats also have a 25 point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, 52-27%.

• In 2006, young voters ages 18-29 supported Democratic candidates by an impressive 58%, six points higher than the voting-age population as a whole. Democrats made gains with young independents while Republicans lost ground with their young voters.

• Young people ages 18-30 were the ONLY age group to support the Democratic ticket in 2004. Kerry received 54% of the youth vote to Bush’s 44%. This is a significant gain over 2000, when Gore and Bush split the youth vote nearly evenly, 47%-46%.

• Young African-Americans, young Hispanics, and young women are particularly inclined to support Democrats, both on the generic ballot and when asked about specific candidates. Young independents, young white men, and even young evangelicals all favor Democrats.

• Young voters support Democrats on the issues. Young people are rejecting the failed policies of the Bush Administration and support Democrats on every key issue. The economy and the war in Iraq top the list of concerns among young voters.