There is grumbling here in Fairfax County where I live - albeit in Don Beyer's district - about challenging Connolly next year. Locals are LIVID with him regarding his callous comments. The most generous thing I can say about him is that he's a throwback to a time when the Democratic Party was very much the minority party here - before 2004, the Republican Presidential candidate won the county EVERY time except in 1964 going back to 1944. Those days are very much over with Republicans holding ONE major office here - the Springfield District of the Board of Supervisors - and Connolly always a centrist Democrat has never fully caught up with that fact. He has goodwill here with events like his annual St Patrick's Day Fete, but even that hasn't stopped the grumbling. We shall see what happens.
To Beyer's credit, he does have regular town halls and attends local events. He also is very good on keeping close tabs on important issues here, i.e. coming out strongly AGAINST building a casino in Tysons (which I agree with 100 per cent). But yes, the realist in me expect him to be done in a few election cycles to make way for some younger blood. The VA-8 Democratic primary to succeed him when he either dies or retires though is going to be a mess.
I remember that 2010 race well. The fact that he won re-election there in 2010 at all shows he’s a pretty good candidate. The district at the time was drawn to re-elected Republican Tom Davis (the Fairfax county chair prior to Connolly) and excluded as many heavily Democratic areas as possible.
That last Republican standing, Springfield district Supervisor Pat Herrity, is now running for Lieutenant Governor. His father, Jack Herrity, was Fairfax Board chair for three terms in the 1970s and 80s, when the county's population and business expansion was, well, phenomenal. Unfortunately the transportation infrastructure didn't keep up with the population growth and economic development, and gridlocked voters booted him when he ran for a fourth term.
Not going to help him survive a primary challenge next year. His district is a D+18 Congressional District and not far from federal government agencies.
If Dick Durbin doesn't retire this cycle, we need to come for him HARD and make him absolutely choke on his precious blue slips, not to mention his decades of voting with the right wing on everything from wars to civil liberties. Through his entire career, he has actively harmed and hindered the progressive movement and continues to do so. He is not a thought leader, an activist, or any kind of motivation for the base or movement. He really just takes up precious space.
Though, the chances of facing a seriously contested primary can push older incumbents towards retirement. Who wants to spend half a year in a slog through a nasty primary at 81 years old, especially if already considering retirement?
I'd love to see Underwood threaten a primary to force him into retirement. As a former constituent I'd prefer he just take the hint and shuffle off into retirement.
Hold on, what you’re saying about Durbin voting with the GOP on wars is just not accurate.
Dick Durbin voted against the 2002 Iraq War Resolution and was consistently against the war from the get go. In fact, his record is better than Joe Biden and John Kerry’s when they served in the Senate back then.
You're definitely right. I must have lumped him in with Schumer and the other Dem leaders. I was looking at Durbin's House votes a few days ago and realized what a disappointment he was back then, but he has been much better as a Senator, except for the blue slip BS.
Not a problem. I understand though and agree with your overall sentiment and argument about Durbin.
However, in the post-Trump world since 2016, it’s still fair to lump Durbin along with Schumer to the extent that they are behind the times with where the Democratic Party should be going. Just because Durbin had a good track record on fighting the Iraq War doesn’t mean he’s exactly firing up the base.
Durbin I think, like Schumer, wants to maintain the tradition of Congress and civility for the most part. That’s a noble thing but doesn’t make enough progress.
Completely agree with all of them, although Dan Goldman made himself useful during one of the impeachments.
There is grumbling here in Fairfax County where I live - albeit in Don Beyer's district - about challenging Connolly next year. Locals are LIVID with him regarding his callous comments. The most generous thing I can say about him is that he's a throwback to a time when the Democratic Party was very much the minority party here - before 2004, the Republican Presidential candidate won the county EVERY time except in 1964 going back to 1944. Those days are very much over with Republicans holding ONE major office here - the Springfield District of the Board of Supervisors - and Connolly always a centrist Democrat has never fully caught up with that fact. He has goodwill here with events like his annual St Patrick's Day Fete, but even that hasn't stopped the grumbling. We shall see what happens.
Yeah, it’s definitely not 2010 where Connolly losing was a real risk. The NoVA talent bench is deep.
On that note, Beyer should consider calling it a career, too
To Beyer's credit, he does have regular town halls and attends local events. He also is very good on keeping close tabs on important issues here, i.e. coming out strongly AGAINST building a casino in Tysons (which I agree with 100 per cent). But yes, the realist in me expect him to be done in a few election cycles to make way for some younger blood. The VA-8 Democratic primary to succeed him when he either dies or retires though is going to be a mess.
I remember that 2010 race well. The fact that he won re-election there in 2010 at all shows he’s a pretty good candidate. The district at the time was drawn to re-elected Republican Tom Davis (the Fairfax county chair prior to Connolly) and excluded as many heavily Democratic areas as possible.
That last Republican standing, Springfield district Supervisor Pat Herrity, is now running for Lieutenant Governor. His father, Jack Herrity, was Fairfax Board chair for three terms in the 1970s and 80s, when the county's population and business expansion was, well, phenomenal. Unfortunately the transportation infrastructure didn't keep up with the population growth and economic development, and gridlocked voters booted him when he ran for a fourth term.
What did Connolly say?
He made comments saying federal workers should just do what Musk wants and submit five things they did.
Not going to help him survive a primary challenge next year. His district is a D+18 Congressional District and not far from federal government agencies.
Given those comments plus the fact that he has esophageal cancer, I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs it up next year.
im a fan of Goldman but imo most of those districts can have primary races that wont change the party outcomes in november
If Dick Durbin doesn't retire this cycle, we need to come for him HARD and make him absolutely choke on his precious blue slips, not to mention his decades of voting with the right wing on everything from wars to civil liberties. Through his entire career, he has actively harmed and hindered the progressive movement and continues to do so. He is not a thought leader, an activist, or any kind of motivation for the base or movement. He really just takes up precious space.
I'd bet on Durbin surviving
Welp, guess we should abandon all hope, then.
cant agree with you here; hope is always a good thing to me
FFS dude it was snark. You're so quick to have a comment for everyone else's comment that you're missing the entire point of what people are saying.
apologies..all good
I think it’s likelier than he retires this cycle than lose a primary
Though, the chances of facing a seriously contested primary can push older incumbents towards retirement. Who wants to spend half a year in a slog through a nasty primary at 81 years old, especially if already considering retirement?
who is going to primary him though??..see what i am saying??
I’m not disagreeing with
I'd love to see Underwood threaten a primary to force him into retirement. As a former constituent I'd prefer he just take the hint and shuffle off into retirement.
Hold on, what you’re saying about Durbin voting with the GOP on wars is just not accurate.
Dick Durbin voted against the 2002 Iraq War Resolution and was consistently against the war from the get go. In fact, his record is better than Joe Biden and John Kerry’s when they served in the Senate back then.
https://www.ontheissues.org/senate/richard_durbin.htm
You're definitely right. I must have lumped him in with Schumer and the other Dem leaders. I was looking at Durbin's House votes a few days ago and realized what a disappointment he was back then, but he has been much better as a Senator, except for the blue slip BS.
Not a problem. I understand though and agree with your overall sentiment and argument about Durbin.
However, in the post-Trump world since 2016, it’s still fair to lump Durbin along with Schumer to the extent that they are behind the times with where the Democratic Party should be going. Just because Durbin had a good track record on fighting the Iraq War doesn’t mean he’s exactly firing up the base.
Durbin I think, like Schumer, wants to maintain the tradition of Congress and civility for the most part. That’s a noble thing but doesn’t make enough progress.