It's Been A Long Time Since We Rock And Rolled

Here it is: The first entry on Vote Tuesday in about three months.

The folks at GoodByeJim.com are reporting that former Democratic Congressional candidate Andy Rosenberg and a group of his supporters have founded New Voice For Northern Virginia, a group that will work "to elect Democrats who are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent" in Virginia.

Vote Tuesday encourages to you to stay tuned to New Voice's site, as the entries will likely continue to be infrequent here on the Vote Tuesday site. You can get your news from, and/or put your energy into, New Voice For Northern Virginia. And there's always Wonkette. DCist is a good one too.

Moran Gives VoteTuesday A Reason To Keep Going As He Fails To Unite The Party On Election Night And Insults Those Who Voted For Rosenberg

Rather than congratulating the Rosenberg campaign on a well-fought race and giving Rosenberg's supporters a reason to stand behind him in November, Jim Moran insulted what he called the "alleged Democrats" who voted for Rosenberg over him in Tuesday's Democratic primary and told reporters Rosenberg "shouldn't have been running." Moran also accused Rosenberg of seeking out Republican voters in the open primary.

Why does Jim Moran continue to act with such little class? He is still not a Congressman to be proud of and, with his statements last night and his failure to recognize the Rosenberg campaign and their hard work in getting over 40% of the vote, Moran has given many people who may have stood behind him in November a reason to again not vote for him. What kind of an idiot would get up say things that would turn-off 41% of the people who came out and voted in the Democratic primary, rather than try to unite his party?

VoteTuesday was considering shutting down with Tuesday's primary now behind us, but for now, Moran has given us a reason to keep going. You proved Tuesday night, with your acceptance speech and your comments afterward, that you still don't know how to behave like a proper and respectable member of the U.S. Congress, Mr. Moran.

Moran Wins VA Primary; Will Face Republican Cheney and Independent Hurysz In November

The Washington Post, a well-respected national newspaper that--while quoted here during their election coverage--failed to show any balls and take a stand on the 8th District Democratic primary and endorse either candidate, is reporting that incumbent Jim Moran defeated challenger Andy Rosenberg 59% to 41%, a rather close margin of victory for a 14-year incumbent. The staff here at Vote Tuesday could have referenced many publications in reporting the news of Congressman Moran's win, but felt like getting in that cheap shot at The Post, which, as stated earlier, showed no balls.

Congratulations to Congressman Moran, who will face challengers Lisa Marie Cheney and Jim Hurysz in November. Maybe The Washington Post will find their nuts by the fall and endorse one of the candidates.

WashingtonPost.com Reports: "Moran-Rosenberg Primary Could Be Close, Voters Say"

From WashingtonPost.com (Tuesday, June 8, 2004; 3:29 PM):
Moran-Rosenberg Primary Could Be Close, Voters Say
By Annie Gowen
Washington Post Staff Writer

Voters are going to the polls today in Virginia's 8th Congressional District primary between U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. and challenger Andrew M. Rosenberg, in a Democratic contest that focused more on personal issues than policy.

Many of the voters interviewed today who supported Rosenberg, a 36-year-old Alexandria attorney, said they knew little about the newcomer but were determined to vote against the seven-term congressman, who has been entangled in several political and personal controversies in recent years.

Among Moran supporters, many said they came out to vote because they thought that the congressman had been unfairly characterized and that he continued to be an effective representative for the district.

Last week, Moran's former pollster, Alan M. Secrest, said he left the campaign after Moran refused to apologize for making an anti-Semitic remark during a private campaign meeting. Moran and several others in the meeting said the congressman made no such remark.

"Let's get rid of this embarrassing Moran," said Janis Viksne, 67, a retired Navy employee and Fairfax County resident, voting this morning at Belle View Elementary School. "He's a pugilist. Everywhere he goes, he gets difficult with people. It's time for someone else."

Carol V. Dodd, a virtual assistant from Alexandria, said she was casting her "anti-vote" at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center in Alexandria. "[Moran] has put his foot in his mouth one too many times. I think we need a change, I really do."

Rosenberg, on leave from his job at the Washington law firm Patton Boggs, is a relative newcomer to Northern Virginia politics, having formerly worked for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass).

Seileen Mullen Murphy, 40, a Fairfax County resident and Moran supporter, summed Rosenberg up this way: "lawyer, kinda young, worked for Kennedy."

Rosenberg often sought to focus the campaign on Moran's troubled past, which included public spats with family members and colleagues and controversial financial dealings.

Secrest's allegation marks the second time in a little over a year Moran has been accused of making an anti-Semitic remark. He angered some constituents in 2003 during a speech in Reston when he said he thought the American Jewish community was pushing the United States into war with Iraq.

Many Moran supporters said they were turning out to vote because they felt Moran was unfairly maligned by Secrest's accusation. They believe Secrest's claims were part of a dispute with the congressman over spending in the campaign.

"I think anybody who really, really knows him [Moran] wouldn't believe allegations like that," said Raymond Johnson, 60, an urban planner. "I think he's human. I'm not going to excuse racism or anti-Semitic behavior, that's just not right. But I can't believe he's guilty of what's being alleged. It's hard for me to believe that, because I've seen him with too many diverse groups, too any diverse friends."

Johnson and others said that Moran remains for them a congressman who takes care of his constituents.

"He shows up to these neighborhood meetings, where there are no press, no flashbulbs, he's not being glorified," Johnson said. "You never hear about the little things he does."

Jim and Fred Parker, the co-owners of the Hard Times Cafe restaurants, echoed that theme. They said they were backing Moran in part because they'll never forget how quickly he helped solve a problem with their liquor license when they were trying to open their first restaurant in 1980.

"You can forgive a lot of things when somebody helps you," said Fred Parker, 62. "Not that Jim needs forgiving."

Many who voted in Fairfax County, Arlington and Alexandria said they would not have normally bothered to show up for a primary -- Moran has not faced a primary challenger -- but they came to vote because they thought the race would be close.

The 8th Congressional District encompasses Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and a slice of Fairfax County and Reston.

Polls in the district are open until 7 p.m. Virginia does not register voters by party, so any registered voter in the district can participate.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican candidate Lisa Marie Cheney of Alexandria, who was chosen May 15 at a party convention.

NBC 4 Reports "Turn Out Is Light" In Primary; Rosenberg Leads In Their Online Poll

Washington D.C.'s NBC 4 is reporting on their website that poll workers say the turnout is light for Virginia's 8th District Democratic primary between challenger Andy Rosenberg and incumbent Jim Moran. The full story is available here.

In an informal survey being conducted by NBC 4 on their website, Rosenberg is leading by more than 25%, but that survey has only been online for a short time and should by no means be considered an indicator of the actual election results.

The polls in the 8th District are still open for a little more than five hours. Spread the word and get people out to vote. Rosenberg for U.S. Congress!

7 Hours Left To Vote

All registered voters in Virginia's 8th District, regardless of party affiliation, have about seven hours left to vote in today's Democratic primary between Andy Rosenberg and Jim Moran. The clock is ticking and people's actions could have a large affect on the future.

Voters must chose between the incumbent Moran, whose behavior has embarrassed the 8th District and Democrats everywhere on a regular basis, and challenger Andy Rosenberg, who can represent the district just as well on the issues, without all the improper behavior residents of the 8th have had to tolerate with Moran in office.

For those unfamiliar with Moran's past, The Washington Post offered this quick summary back in April of this year:

"this is the congressman who -- you'll need a deep breath to make it to the end of this sentence -- grabbed an 8-year-old boy in a parking lot because Moran thought the kid had threatened him; borrowed $25,000 from a drug company lobbyist five days before agreeing to co-sponsor a bill that would help that lobbyist's client; took a $447,000 loan from a credit company four days before signing on to legislation that the company was pushing; got into a shoving match on the House floor with one colleague; threatened to punch another congressman in the nose; and just last year told an audience that there'd be no war against Iraq without the support of the Jewish community."

As many people have pointed out, Democrats normally call for the head of a Republican who behaves this way. Today is their day to remove one of their own from office and replace him with a younger, energetic Democrat who does not have the black marks on his record.

Additionally, one of the benefits of living in Virginia is that any registered voter can vote in the primary, regardless of party affiliation. In a historically Democratic district, this election is a chance for Republicans and Independents to remove Moran from office as well.

Democrats, Republicans and Independents Unite! Vote Democrat Andy Rosenberg for Congress today, June 8, 2004, and make a change for the better in Northern Virginia.

Mayor Williams Say He Supports Moran (Sort-Of), Yet Rosenberg Is The Supporter of D.C. Statehood

D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams came out with a wishy-washy show of support for Jim Moran over the weekend, when asked if he hopes Moran wins today. "I don't want to get into all of that, but I support Jim Moran, sure," said the Mayor.

Don't want to get into all of that? So, you'd rather just say you support him without being specific. What are you saying, Mayor Williams? It's hard to tell what what you mean by that statement because it could be read many ways. Maybe you're saying that you'll support Moran with shoulder to cry on if he loses. It's more likely that you're just playing it safe and offering up a cryptic show of support that won't get you in too much trouble.

Take a stand, Mayor Williams! And when you do, you might want to consider supporting the challenger, Andy Rosenberg, outright. In a radio interview last week, Rosenberg came out in favor of D.C. statehood, while Moran was against it. D.C. Residents should be asking themselves, and their mayor, why he's offering his support for Moran, the one who does not support D.C. statehood. Residents of the District should also make some calls to their friends on the Virginia side of the Potomac and ask them to cast their vote for Rosenberg.

From The Hill:
Mayor Williams boosts Moran

On Sunday, just two days before today's Democratic primary showdown in Northern Virginia, incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) received a show of support from D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams (D).

The two were attending the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's annual RAMMY awards at the Washington Hilton. Williams was on hand at the black-tie gala to introduce Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin for a lifetime achievement award. During his remarks, he took time to acknowledge our neighboring congressman and a great friend to the city and its hospitality industry.

When asked if he hopes Moran will win today, Williams told The Hill, "I don't want to get into all of that, but I support Jim Moran, sure."

Moran faces the toughest test of his 14 years in Congress today as he faces lobbyist Andy Rosenberg for the right to stand for re-election in November.

WTOP Radio: "Voter Turnout Could Play A Key Role"

In an article on their website, Washington D.C.'s WTOP radio emphasizes the fact that voter turnout could play a key role in today's 8th District primary between challenger Andy Rosenberg and incumbent Jim Moran. The full story is available here.

Polls are open until 7pm tonight. Get out and vote, but don't stop there. Take 10 friends with you, call people, email people, post something to a message board or blog.

Highly Visited Blog Wizbang Supports Rosenberg

Wizbang, a blog that was over 2 million visitors since April of last year, has come out in support of Andy Rosenberg and is seeking other bloggers "to help run Moran out of office by donating ad space" on their blog for Rosenberg. Click here for the full story, originally posted to Wizbang on May 22, 2004.

The Wizbang blog entry also mentions two other blogs, Instapundit.com and Armed Liberal (at Winds Of Change), who have come out against Moran.

Kansas Man Encourages Republicans To Cross Over And Vote Rosenberg, In Order To Defeat Moran

Showing how far reaching this election is, a blogger in Kansas called Red Letter Day is encouraging 8th District Republicans to cross over and vote for Andy Rosenberg, in hopes of removing Jim Moran from office. Click here to read the entry in the Red Letter Day blog.

Some Dean For America Supporters Not Happy About Dean's Endorsement Of Jim Moran

Some supporters of Howard Dean are not happy about the fact that he endorsed Jim Moran at a breakfast last week in Tyson Corner, Virginia. The Dean Nation 2004 blog has more on this here. Scroll through the comments to see more responses.

Polls Open From 6am to 7pm Today

All registered voters in Virginia's 8th District, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in today's Democratic Primary between Jim Moran and his challenger, Andy Rosenberg.

More details are available here in this Washington Post write-up.

New York Times Covers Virginia 8th District Election

A New York Times story, dated June 8, details the Rosenberg-Moran election.

Click here to read the full story.

Northern Virginia Journal Endorses Andy Rosenberg

Thanks to poster "CentristDemocrat" for tipping us on this one, with their post to on andyrosenbergforcongress.com.

From The Northern Virginia Journal (5/7/04):
Moran Does Not Deserve To Serve:
Anybody would be better than this bigot

Tomorrow’s Democratic primary provides party members in the 8th District a perfect opportunity to replace a congressman who has repeatedly proved he does not deserve their support or their trust. Even Rep. Jim Moran’s own pollster has finally had enough of the seven-term incumbent, accusing Moran of making yet another anti-Semitic remark at a private campaign meeting. Of course, Moran denied the charge. He always does.

What he cannot deny is an embarrassing record of violent outbursts, numerous shady deals (including helping one of Fairfax Board Chairman Gerry Connolly’s major campaign contributors obtain a waiver for cyanide waste from the Environmental Protection Agency) and his well publicized and inflammatory statements blaming Jewish Americans for the war in Iraq. He is, in short, a disgrace.

Local Democratic leaders, quick to attack Republicans for similar verbal gaffes, have been uncharacterisically silent about Moran’s dangerous brand of bigotry. He’s even going around bragging about their endorsements.

So it’s now up to 8th District Democrats to make it very clear that scapegoating is not part of their party’s platform. The best way to do this is to nominate Alexandria lawyer Andy Rosenberg in tomorrow’s primary. Or failing that, electing Republican Lisa Marie Cheney in November.

Anybody but Jim Moran.

No Comments

Yes, it is true there is no place for readers of this site to post comments here. Allowing users to post comments is common on many blogs, but you won't find a comment button anywhere on this site. I thought this one through a bit and figured, why give Moran's team a chance to speak their minds here, when they've deleted almost every comment posted to the Moran site that has questioned Moran's abilities as a leader. Andy Rosenberg's site, on the other hand, allows anyone to post in the comments section and, even when the posts are Pro-Moran, they are left there on the site. Some nice debates have developed there because of that. Maybe I'm being a bit hypocritical by not allowing any comments here, but that's just the way it is and I feel that if you're a political candidate allowing readers to post comments on your website, that you should not delete any unless that are completely off-color and inappropriate.

So, while both the Rosenberg side and the Moran side won't find a place to post their comments here and only Pro-Moran comments are allowed at JimMoran.org, there are some good online debates happening on the Washington City Paper "inDCent Exposure" message boards and in this thread and others at AndyRosenbergForCongress.com. There hasn't really been any debate on the Craig's List politics message boards yet. Maybe the Moran team can get something started over there, in an open forum where those who question Moran will actually be able to post things without having them deleted.

Hello, GoodbyeJim.com

The website GoodbyeJim.com has been pointing out all of the reasons Jim Moran in unfit to hold public office for a lot longer than this Vote Tuesday blog you're reading right now has. And, they were kind enough to give us a mention today, in this post here.

Thanks, GoodbyeJim.com. Now if we can just get Wonkette to take down the ad the Moran campaign bought on her site and write about both of our sites, we might really be on to something here.

All kidding aside, the staff here at Vote Tuesday hopes that Tuesday, June 8, 2004 brings new meaning to the term Goodbye, Jim. Thank you for your support.

Some People Are Ready To Vote GOP In November If Moran Is The Democratic Nominee

Here's another good example of what could happen in the 8th District if Jim Moran is not defeated tomorrow in the Democratic primary. This is from the Washington City Paper message boards:

"The other guy, Rosenberg, will actually generate more Democratic votes, both in this district and nationally, than Moran. Moran is actually generating new Republican votes. I'm a member of NARAL and the Sierra Club who is ready to vote GOP in November if Moran is the nominee."

Here's yet another person who will vote GOP if Moran is the Democratic nominee in November. That's how bad some people, who might normally vote Democrat, want him out.

Where Rosenberg Stands On The Issues

Even with the polls opening in less than 24 hours, there still may be people who want to know where Democrat Andy Rosenberg stands on the issues. We already know that Moran is not fit for office because of his ongoing behavior problems, but people may be looking for more than just that, as a reason to pick Rosenberg over Moran. So here's where Andy stands on all the issues from Affordable Housing to Education to the Economy to Reproductive Freedom to Transportation. It's all spelled out here in the Issues section of his website.

Election Coverage Thickens Around Virginia/D.C. Metro Area As Tuesday Primary Approaches

The previously mentioned AP story on the election was picked up today by the Express, a free publication available throughout the Washington region. The paper is read by many Metro riders, so chances are that thousands of area residents this morning saw the article titled "Outspoken Moran Faces Challenge: Rosenberg aims for Va. Democratic primary upset". The story appears on page 14, with a picture of Andy in the foreground and Moran behind him. It includes a brief run through of Moran's past problems and a quote from Rosenberg explaining that Moran has "notoriously made headlines for all the wrong reasons."

Another free paper with a wide distribution in the 8th District, The Northern Virginia Journal, is running a story in their Monday edition titled "Primary battle lines set".

The word is out about this election. Polls open in less than 24 hours.

The Washington Times Jumps In

The Washington Times has picked up the story with an AP article today, "Moran Challenger Mounts Strong Bid". This is the same story that was picked up by NY News Day and Chicago Sun Times.

Rosenberg Is Not A Republican. People From The Moran Campaign Who Tell You That Are Idiots.

The Moran campaign has been digging through old voting records, in an effort find some dirt on Rosenberg. They'll tell you that Rosenberg voted in a 2000 Republican primary. This is true. Rosenberg even admits to it. He is a Democrat but, because Virginia allows any registered voter to vote in any primary, Rosenberg also chose to vote in the Republican primary in 2000, in hopes of keeping George W. Bush out of office. Rosenberg voted for John McCain in that republican primary, but for Al Gore in the general election that year. He even traveled to Florida to support Gore and assist with the recount effort.

Being able to vote in any primary as a registered voter is one of the benefits of living in Virginia, and Rosenberg took advantage of it by voting in the 2000 Republican primary, hoping to keep Bush out of office, just as some Republicans will vote on Tuesday in the Democratic primary, in hopes of knocking Jim Moran out of office.

Don't believe Moran's campaign when they try to tell you he's a Republican. Rosenberg worked for Edward Kennedy. Do you really think they'd let a Republican do that?

U.S.A. Today Jumps On Board

Even U.S.A. Today is offering up a nice little summary of why Jim Moran should not be re-elected. From usatoday.com on June 6, 2004:

In 1999 Moran accepted a $25,000 loan from a friend and pharmaceutical lobbyist, and later co-sponsored a bill to extend the patent on the allergy drug Claritin, which would have benefited the lobbyist's client, Schering-Plough. The House Ethics Committee investigated and exonerated Moran.

In 1998, Moran received a nearly $450,000 home refinancing loan from MBNA Corp., even though he was behind in payments on $30,000 in credit card debt to MBNA. Shortly after closing the loan, he signed on as a sponsor of bankruptcy reform legislation that stood to benefit the company.

Moran said he received no special treatment, and said the 10.5% interest rate charged by MBNA was far from favorable.

In a 1995 dispute, Moran shoved Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., off the House floor and through the chamber's doors.

"He's notoriously made headlines for all the wrong reasons," Rosenberg said. "He likes to say it's because he speaks his mind. But he has a temper that seems to know no bounds, and he has made statements that are inappropriate and dangerous."

Moran's Mouth

Jim Moran was accused last week of making an anti-Semitic remark, which he denies.

Whether Moran made the comment or not, Andy Rosenberg may have summed things up best in an interview on WTOP, as reported in The Washington Post (June 5, 2004): "It's a question of a 25-year career that is most remembered by a seemingly never-ending string of self-inflicted controversies," Rosenberg, an Alexandria lawyer, said in the radio debate. He added in an interview afterward: "If you have a history of making statements that are bigoted or inappropriate, then accusations like this stick."

For those unfamiliar with Moran's past, last year he made the following statement about the Jewish community and the Iraq war: "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this. The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going, and I think they should."

It is this ongoing inappropriate behavior and insensitive remarks like this one, which should particularly not be made by a community leader, that make Jim Moran unfit for public office.

Washington Post Says Moran "Not Fit For The Office"

From The Washington Post editorial page, June 5, 2004:
"Voters must choose between Mr. Moran, who has proven that he is not fit for the office, and Mr. Rosenberg, who has not proven that he is."

That makes it fairly simple. Moran has already proven that he in unfit to serve. Rosenberg is a young, energetic candidate who deserves a shot. Rosenberg may not have held office before, but neither had Senator John Edwards or Virginia Governor Mark Warner when they were elected. Rosenberg may shine as they have, if given a chance.

And here's what one voter said, in a Wasington Post article that will be released tomorrow: "Moran has been around for a long time. Once that happens, people become complacent. A new person will have more energy and work harder for the district."

How Badly Do People Want Moran Out?

The 8th District in Northern Virginia has long been a Democratic stronghold. But, even Democrats are getting fed up with Moran's embarrassing behavior, poor decisions and comments that are inappropriate for a member of Congress to make. Here's what one Northern Virginia voter had to say...

From The Reston Connection, June 3, 2004:
"I'll vote for anybody except Moran. If Moran wins [on June 8] I'll vote Republican," he said even though "I hate the Republicans."

Vote Rosenberg on Tuesday, June 8 and restore integrity in the 8th District.

It's time to start fresh. Andy Rosenberg can represent the 8th District just as well on the issues, without all the embarassing behavior.

A Nice Summary Of Some Of Moran's Inappropriate Behavior Over The Years

From The Washington Post, April 15, 2004:

"Challenging Moran should be the easiest job in America. After all, this is the congressman who -- you'll need a deep breath to make it to the end of this sentence -- grabbed an 8-year-old boy in a parking lot because Moran thought the kid had threatened him; borrowed $25,000 from a drug company lobbyist five days before agreeing to co-sponsor a bill that would help that lobbyist's client; took a $447,000 loan from a credit company four days before signing on to legislation that the company was pushing; got into a shoving match on the House floor with one colleague; threatened to punch another congressman in the nose; and just last year told an audience that there'd be no war against Iraq without the support of the Jewish community."