Vol. 36, No. 3 www.arlingtondemocrats.org March 2011 Area state senators retire Senator Ticer Senator Whipple State Sen. Patsy Ticer has announced her re- In a surprise announcement Friday, State Sena- tirement at the end of this year, setting up a primary tor Mary Margaret Whipple said she will not run battle to succeed her. for reelection in November, ending a 35-year ca- Ticer’s Senate district takes in the southern reer as an official from Arlington County—on the third of Arlington plus most of Alexandria and a bit School Board, County Board and now in the State YD of Fairfax County. It is a solidly Democratic Dis- Senate. It’s the annual trict so the winner of the August Democratic pri- Whipple, 70, told the Senate Friday that she mary is a prohibitive favorite to win this fall. In had decided a year of milestones, which included Date Auction 2008, the district, one of 40 in the state, gave the her 50th wedding anniversary and her 35th year in fifth highest percentage to President Obama. public service, should be capped by her exit from March 23. Check Ticer, 76, was the first (and so far only) woman elective office. it out on page 6— mayor of Alexandria from 1991, when she suc- “I won’t pretend this is an easy decision, but I ceeded Mayor Jim Moran, to 1996, when she won am confident it’s the right one,” she said. “The Sen- and come to bid! election to the State Senate. ate is known, for the most part, for the respect and “I have been in public life a long time,” she civility that reigns here. And it has been happily a told the Senate in her retirement announcement on place where good ideas are well received, no mat- the floor. “And I hope I haven’t embarrassed any- ter who proposes them.” one too badly. I want to stop now before I do.” The announcement by Whipple came one week Ticer is the chair of the Senate Committee on after the other senator from Arlington, Patsy Ticer, Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. said she was also retiring. She has been most active on environmental and Their departures leave the Senate with only six children’s issues and a vocal advocate of Chesa- women, a fact that Whipple, the first woman to lead peake Bay cleanup efforts. a party caucus, said concerned her. “I certainly en- Ticer was born in Washington, DC, and gradu- courage young women to go into politics and pub- ated from Virginia’s Sweet Briar College. She has lic service,” she said. “We need that perspective, continued on page eight continued on page eight Senator Webb turns in his boots Senator Jim Webb surprised few people when 2006 and was several points ahead of Allen in the he announced in February that he will not run for a latest polls. second term in 2012. In a sign of shifting politics, Allen was a lead- Political junkies had been noting that he had ing light for conservatives in 2006—but now he is only $445,000 in his candidate account and had being slammed in his own party for standing too raised a paltry $12,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010. far to the left. His first declared opponent is Jamie (By comparison, freshman Sen. Scott Brown (R- Radtke of the Tea Party movement. Mass.) had $7.2 million in the bank on December On the Democratic side, no one has declared 31.) as of this writing, but Dems have been organizing The retirement opens up what is expected to variously to draft former Gov. Tim Kaine, or one of be a free-for-all to succeed Webb. George Allen, three congressmen defeated last November, Tom who was beaten narrowly by Webb in 2006, an- Perriello, Glenn Nye or Rick Boucher. nounced plans to try to regain the seat just days be- Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, who lost fore Webb announced his retirement. the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2009, have FOR THE JOINT Some people speculated Webb might not be both taken themselves out of the Senate contest. See Page 9 Now! up to facing Allen again. But Webb pointed out he Webb announced his retirement on his 65th was 30 points behind Allen when he announced in continued on page nine ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman Lessons from Cairo to Madison One cannot help but be struck watching the cries of public workers in Wisconsin, but let alone encouraged and celebrated. the news today at the surge of protest sweep- nowhere has anyone suggested that the gov- By participating in the political process ing across the globe. ernor address those protests with military here, we send a message to those across the Indeed, it seems like every day, a new crackdown. globe that there is another way, and that their group of citizens is taking to the public square We are blessed in the United States to cries for participatory government can bear in a new country demanding rights and in- have the opportunity to petition our govern- fruit. come equity that have long been denied to ment for redress, to assemble in protest, and To all those who have family in the Arab them by oppressive, and often dictatorial re- to seek change without fear of military re- world now standing in harm’s way, our gimes. prisal. Indeed, as I sit here writing for a po- thoughts and prayers are with you. Your work From Egypt, to Tunisia, to Yemen, to litical party’s newsletter, I am reminded that here as we struggle to improve our own com- Bahrain, to Jordan, and now to Libya, we have our activities in ACDC urging activism and munities honors their struggle as they fight to all been captivated watching the power of free thought might not be tolerated elsewhere, liberate theirs. people working together to demand more from their governments. Just as striking has been the crackdown from many of those governments. Rather than Progressive Caucus starts engage in self-reflection or dialogue, these re- gimes have responded with violence, send- ing a message to those protesters that mainte- in General Assembly nance of power is more important than progress. A new “Progresisve Caucus” has been Adam Ebbin, David Englin and Patrick It is at times like these that I often re- organized by four members of the General As- Hope of Arlington and Sen. Donald flect on how different we have it here in the sembly, three of whom represent Arlington. McEachin of Richmond. United States. Certainly we are inspired by The founding co-chairs include Dels. About 20 members from the House of Delegates and the Senate have signed on. The announcement came a day after a big victory by social conservatives in the state Senate, which voted to subject abortion clin- Jerry Botland ics to a higher level of state regulation. The lawmakers said they stand for high- Computer Consulting quality public education, universal access to health care, measures to combat global warm- Troubleshoot and resolve computer and ing, and protections against anti-gay discrimi- computer related problems. nation in public employment. Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. They said they will work to elect more Transfer old files, address book and emails progressives in this fall’s election, when all from an old computer to a new one. 140 Assembly seats will be on the ballot. The caucus—open to Republicans but Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] including only Democrats so far—will press an agenda that includes “economic justice” to rebalance Virginia’s priorities between rich and poor, said Englin. “Society ought to be judged not by how it treats the people at the top—it should be judged by how it treats the people at the bottom,” Englin said. Published monthly by the Hope said, “Progressive values are Vir- Arlington County Democratic Committee ginia values. Families across the Common- 2009 North 14th Street, Suite #612, Arlington, VA 22201 wealth want their legislature to focus on is- Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 sues that matter to them.” http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org Ebbin said, “While Virginia can be slow Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] to change, we have to keep pace with the times Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] when it comes to issues like stem cell research, Deputy Editor: Vacant global warming and society’s attitudes to- Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC wards gays and lesbians. As progressives, it unless expressly approved by an appropriate Committee Resolution is important that we stand together as we work Copyright ©2010, ACDC, All Rights Reserved to move Virginia forward.” ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 3 Primaries are Next Monthly Meeting All Dems Invited moved to Aug. Special Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 7:00 p.m. location--just 23 this year this month THIS MONTH ONLY— We meet at LYON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER In Virginia’s decennial game of ballot jump rope, the usual June primary will be re- 414 North Fillmore St., corner of Pershing Drive placed by an August primary this year. (where the Chili Cookoff is held—but indoors) The state generally holds primary elec- tions on the second Tuesday in June. But hold- This month, ACDC will tackle the thorny issue of race in poli- ing primaries this year on June 14 is not pos- tics. What has been done to engage underrepresented com- sible because the state must draw new dis- tricts for the State Senate, House of Delegates munities in our Arlington Democratic community? Where are and U.S. House of Representatives based on the pitfalls? And how can we do better? All this and more. the Census data that only became available in February. It might be possible to do that by June, but candidates wouldn’t have much campaign time! The General Assembly has finalized the 2011 candidate nomination process calendar. Bumper Sticker The salient dates are: • The primary date will be Tuesday, Au- gust 23. of the Month • Candidates must file their paperwork and pay fees between July 5 and July 15. • Caucuses or any other methods of nomi- nation must take place between July 22 and August 23. The schedule applies to all offices (U.S. House, County Board, Constitutional Offic- ers and General Assembly seats) except School Board. This schedule was adopted to give the State Board of Elections and local registrars adequate time to print, mail, and receive ab- sentee and military ballots. ACDC’s Melissa Bondi and Peter PC HELP Owen have followed the legislation and are Want help with setting up, networking, upgrading, available to answer any questions potential fixing, or just using your new or old PC? candidates might have. Whipple has ‘stories to tell’ Affordable, personalized assistance. Evenings and weekends. Your home or office. at First Saturday Breakfast State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple will help celebrate the one-year anniversary Ron Hicks DBA Systems That Work of the Arlington Democrats First Saturday Email: [email protected] Breakfast. Dems will meet as usual at the Bus Boys and Poets in Shirlington between 8:30 and Website: www.systems-that-work.org 10 a.m., Saturday, March 5. H/O: 703-528-1009 Cell: 571-217-9949 Senator Whipple “has stories to tell,” so bring a friend or neighbor along for the fun. Remember also to please bring cash. Arlington Chamber of Commerce ACDC gets one bill and it is so easy if every- one just chips in cash instead of working a bunch of credit cards. ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 4 Warner warns against budget Donkey Ears cutting mania Listening to the doings Senator Mark Warner has warned the of Arlington’s Dems country against efforts to get the federal bud- get under control with draconian cuts this year. as overheard by Reacting to President Obama’s budget Dan Steen and Mädi Green submission, Warner said: “The President’s budget shows a willingness to cut spending Happy 80th! Our unreplaced and irreplaceable former headquarters chair, Lucy on programs he cares about. It also demon- th strates there is only so much that can be Denney, has been feted at an 80 birthday party, organized by Peg Hogan and achieved in a one-year budget when the prob- other co-conspirators at the Portobello restaurant in Cherrydale. The luncheon lem is a significant, long-term structural im- included a written quiz testing attendees’ knowledge of significant historical balance in our country’s budget.” events in Lucy’s birth year of 1931. Among the speakers, Susan Lechner Warner said, “This problem cannot be recalled how Lucy demonstrated her skills at recruiting volunteers at the first solved simply by focusing on cuts to non-de- County Board campaign “book and art sale” by lining up husband Jerry and fense discretionary spending, which is only toddlers Charley and Jane to hang all the marketable objects d’art on the walls. 12 percent of the budget. Increased revenues Lucy was allowed a brief rebuttal in which she said she had received more from and economic growth by themselves will not those gathered at the lunch than she had given them over the years, to which all get us there, either. That’s why we must have vocally demurred. The clan gathering ended with a rendition of the famed a grown-up discussion about spending cuts, campaign tune, “Rah, Rah, Rah Lucy.” For years, Lucy managed ACDC tax reform, and necessary changes to entitle- headquarters as a full-time but unpaid staffer. The birthday gathering including ment programs, including Social Security and about 40 of the denizens of HQ, skilled chefs of the Kitchen Crew and assorted Medicare. other loyal Dem volunteers. “This is the only way we will put our New Youngest Democrat: We checked and you still can’t cast a ballot this fall at nation back on a responsible fiscal path that nine months, but Alan Howze, one of our 2011 Joint Campaign co-chairs, and allows us to be competitive as we move for- wife Pam just brought a new Youngest Democrat into the world. Born January ward.” 28, Katherine Marie Howze weighed in at 7 pounds 10 ounces and stretched out to 19 3/4 inches. Mom and dad are both doing fine, but dad points out that with their third child the parents can now be outvoted in the home elections. ACDC still just bridesmaid Passages: Bette Clements, once the paid staffer of the local Democratic congres- Always a bridesmaid and never a bride. sional district committee, died January 14 as a result of a series of strokes. She That is ACDC when it comes to the annual was 86. Bette was born in Boston and came to Arlington at age 19 in 1943 to contest for best county-city organization in work on the war effort like so many young women her age. She met Elwood the state. It seems that every year, ACDC is Clements the day he returned from Navy service in the Pacific and they wed in among the nominees—but it hasn’t taken 1946. They had four children in the first four years of marriage. “It was a home the cup in years. This year, we came phenomenon of the times,” she said. “We majored in children.” Her husband, close—but it was Alexandria that walked off known as Clem, was county sheriff from 1947 to 1951 and then again from with the prize. If truth be told, one state party 1963 until retirement in 1979. He died at age 82 in 1994. Bette went from official said a few years ago, Arlington could coping with diapers to organizing kindergartens at a time when local schools did legitimately retire the prize. But we continue not offer them. She managed girls’ softball teams. And in the challenging civil to do our part to encourage other county-city rights era, she and Clem worked to integrate the county’s Little League teams. organizations across the state to aspire to In the 1950s, she was the one and only paid staffer for the 10th District Demo- greatness. cratic Committee, when Arlington was in that congressional district. She was campaign manager for Del. Mary Marshall and worked as legislative assistant to Marshall, State Sen. Ed Holland and Del. Jack Melnick. She was active for Democratic Values in Action decades in the Arlington Historical Society, serving as president for a time. Take a break for an award: The state party issues its Tom Whipple Party Service Award each year to someone who works as hard as, well, Tom Whipple. This Democratic Values in Action (DVA), the year it goes to ACDC Secretary Charley Conrad, recognizing what Arlington non-campaign arm of ACDC, is continuing and the rest of Northern Virginia have long known: Charley is a boots-on-the- to collect cereal for the Arlington Food As- ground volunteer who works tirelessly getting all Democrats elected. In fact, sistance Center (AFAC). In March, DVA will Charley was working so hard he missed the surprise announcement at the also collect gently used bath towels and wash- February State Central Committee meeting in Richmond. ACDC Chair Mike cloths for the men’s homeless shelter. Bring Lieberman, who had not been made aware of the award, stepped up to ac- them to the March meeting. knowledge the award on Charley’s behalf. ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 5 Obamacare started as John Adams Care By Rick Ungar Forbes Magazine, January 17, 2011 The ink was barely dry on the Health Care The Washington Post commented on this Forbes article and interviewed Act when the first of many lawsuits to block specialists on its arguments. For that article, go to: http:// the mandated health insurance provisions of v o i c e s . w a s h i n g t o n p o s t . c o m / p l u m - l i n e / 2 0 1 1 / 0 1 / the law was filed in a Florida District Court. founding_fathers_favored_gover.html The pleadings, in part, read: “The Con- stitution nowhere authorizes the United States Want to know more about the Marine Hospitals. For a history, go to: http:/ to mandate, either directly or under threat of /www.common-place.org/vol-09/no-01/rao/. You’ll learn that the colony of penalty, that all citizens and legal residents Virginia itself had one starting in 1710. The concept long pre-dated the law have qualifying health care coverage.” of 1798. It turns out, the Founding Fathers would beg to disagree. For the full text of the 1798 Marine Hospital law—laws being mercifully In July of 1798, Congress passed and short back then—go to: http://www.scribd.com/doc/29099806/Act-for- President John Adams signed “An Act for the the-Relief-of-Sick-DisabledSeamen-July-1798 Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and man- dated that privately employed sailors be re- quired to purchase health care insurance. undertaking in those days. Sailors were con- The law did a number of fascinating Keep in mind that the 5th Congress did stantly hurting themselves, picking up weird things. not really need to struggle over the intentions tropical diseases, etc. First, it created the Marine Hospital Ser- of the drafters of the Constitutions in creat- The troublesome reductions in man- vice, a series of hospitals built and operated ing this Act as many of its members were the power caused by back strains, twisted ankles by the federal government to treat injured and drafters of the Constitution. and strange diseases often left a ship’s cap- ailing privately employed sailors. This gov- And when the Bill came to the desk of tain without enough sailors to get underway ernment provided healthcare service was to President John Adams for signature, I think – a problem both bad for business and a strain be paid for by a mandatory tax on the mari- it’s safe to assume that the man in that chair on the nation’s economy. time sailors (a little more than 1% of a sailor’s had a pretty good grasp on what the framers But those were the days when members wages), the same to be withheld from a had in mind. of Congress still used their collective heads sailor’s pay and turned over to the govern- Here’s how it happened. to solve problems – not create them. ment by the ship’s owner. The payment of this During the early years of our union, the Realizing that a healthy maritime tax for health care was not optional. If a sailor nation’s leaders realized that foreign trade workforce was essential to the ability of our wanted to work, he had to pay up. would be essential to the young country’s private merchant ships to engage in foreign This is pretty much how it works today ability to create a viable economy. To make it trade, Congress and the President resolved to in the European nations that conduct social- work, they relied on the nation’s private mer- do something about it. Enter “An Act for ized medical programs for its citizens – al- chant ships – and the sailors that made them The Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” I though 1% of wages doesn’t quite cut it any go – to be the instruments of this trade. encourage you to read the law as, in those longer. The problem was that a merchant days, legislation was short, to the point and The law was not only the first time the mariner’s job was a difficult and dangerous fairly easy to understand. United States created a socialized medical program (The Marine Hospital Service) but was also the first to mandate that privately Marine Hospital, Chelsea, Mass., 1834 employed citizens be legally required to make payments to pay for health care services. Upon passage of the law, ships were no longer per- mitted to sail in and out of our ports if the health care tax had not been collected by the ship owners and paid over to the government – thus the creation of the first payroll tax in our nation’s history. When a sick or injured sailor needed medical assistance, the government would confirm that his payments had been collected and turned over by his employer and would then give the sailor a voucher entitling him to admission to the hospital where he would be continued on next page ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 6 Gov’t medical care is old as John Adams continued from previous page was passed, it is worth noting that Thomas – just as it would have been impractical for a Jefferson was the President of the Senate dur- man seeking employment as a merchant sailor treated for whatever ailed him. ing the 5th Congress while Jonathan Dayton, in 1798 to turn down a job on a ship because While a few of the healthcare facilities the youngest man to sign the United States he would be required by law to purchase health accepting the government voucher were pri- Constitution, was the Speaker of the House. care coverage. vately operated, the majority of the treatment While I’m sure a number of readers are scratch- What’s more, a constitutional challenge was given out at the federal maritime hospi- ing their heads in the effort to find the distinc- to the legality of mandated health care cannot tals that were built and operated by the gov- tion between the circumstances of 1798 and exist based on the number of people who are ernment in the nation’s largest ports. today, I think you’ll find it difficult. required to purchase the coverage – it must As the nation grew and expanded, the Yes, the law at that time required only necessarily be based on whether any Ameri- system was also expanded to cover sailors merchant sailors to purchase health care cov- can can be so required. working the private vessels sailing the Mis- erage. Thus, one could argue that nobody was Clearly, the nation’s founders serving in sissippi and Ohio rivers. forcing anyone to become a merchant sailor the 5th Congress, and there were many of The program eventually became the Pub- and, therefore, they were not required to pur- them, believed that mandated health insurance lic Health Service, a government operated chase health care coverage unless they chose coverage was permitted within the limits es- health service that exists to this day under the to pursue a career at sea. tablished by our Constitution. supervision of the Surgeon General. However, this is no different than what The moral to the story is that the politi- So much for the claim that “The Consti- we are looking at today. cal right-wing has to stop pretending they have tution nowhere authorizes the United States Each of us has the option to turn down the blessings of the Founding Fathers as their to mandate, either directly or under threat of employment that would require us to purchase excuse to oppose whatever this president has penalty….” private health insurance under the health care to offer. As for Congress’ understanding of the reform law. History makes it abundantly clear that limits of the Constitution at the time the Act Would that be practical? Of course not they do not. YDs hold 10th Date Auction—come on out and bid Valentine’s Day is past but not gone—at least not at the Arlington YDs, which will hold their annual Date Auction Wednesday, March 23. And, please note, this event is not limited to the young; all Dems are welcome and en- couraged to come out and bid. This is the tenth year for the Date Auc- tion, which has turned into both a major fund- raiser and a huge fun-raiser. Last year’s auction raised more than $8,000. The popularity of the event is indi- cated by the 300 attendees in 2010. The Date Auction will be held at the Clarendon Grill at 1101 North Highland Street in Clarendon a block south of Wilson Blvd. starting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 23. The proceeds of the auction are split be- tween Democratic projects and a charity. This year’s charitable organization is A-SPAN, the We look forward to making a direct impact www.arlingtonyoungdems.org/dateauction. Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network. with A-SPAN and also utilizing our resources Sponsorships are also available, starting A-SPAN provides life-sustaining services for in AYD to provide programs for social and at $50. The YDs are also looking for raffle Arlington’s homeless. professional development that will result in donations. “The Date Auction is our best fundraiser a progressive, forward-thinking community To receive a full sponsorship packet, con- of the year because it is a fun and social at- in Arlington for years to come.” tact AYD Finance Director Shaun Edwards at mosphere,” said Shawn Logue, AYD Secre- More information, including the still-to- [email protected] or (540) tary. “It also directly benefits the community. be-determined entry fee, will be available at 520-4492. ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 7 State J-J resembled Kaine campaign rally Some confused the annual state within weeks. Jefferson-Jackson Dinner with a campaign Rep. Gerry Connolly told the crowd: rally for Tim Kaine for Senate! “We absolutely need someone with local gov- Kaine did not announce a decision on ernment experience, someone motivated by whether to run for the U.S. Senate seat at the a strong sense of Catholic social justice, spent dinner in Richmond February 19. But nearly time as a missionary, Harvard educated, some- every speaker at the podium urged him to run, one with a track record of winning elections and shouts of “run, Tim, run,” punctuated the in the most populous part of the state in North- evening. ern Virginia, someone who has been in Wash- Former Rep. Tom Perriello also had sup- ington a few years but not too many years, porters at the dinner wearing “Perriello for and somebody who has been proud to stand Senate” stickers and circulating a “Draft with President Obama in support of health Perriello” petition. Perriello told reporters he care reform for all Americans,” a laundry list had met with Kaine and urged him to run. that many in the audience quickly realized Perriello said he would think about a run only described not just Kaine, but Connolly as well. TIM KAINE if Kaine took himself out. Then Connolly added: “But I think that some- Kaine told the crowd of about 1,400 he body should not have a moustache!” . . . not announcing was debating about running, but said, “I have Sen. Mark Warner did not attend but sent a job I absolutely love right now” as chair- a video with an endorsement of a Kaine can- Tim gets up before the end of the program man of the Democratic National Committee. didacy. “Let me just be real clear for those and excuses himself and says he’s got to run, He said he would make an announcement folks sitting at Tim’s table. If, for any reason, make sure to get that on tape.” The buzz about Kaine gave an electric- ity to the dinner even before Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley rose to the podium to strike sparks. O’Malley took note of the upcoming Senate race. “I understand the guy Senator Webb beat says he wants his old job back…. We have experience with this sort of thing in Maryland,” said O’Malley who last fall beat Bob Ehrlich, the man O’Malley booted out of the governor’s mansion four years before. “So, here’s some neighborly advice. When George Allen, John Boehner, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck tell you they want to take Virginia back,… you might ask one an- other: ‘Back to what.’ “Back through the trail of record job losses, record foreclosures, small business losses and bank system wreckage of the Bush recession? Back to shattered alliances abroad and shattered dreams at home? Back to Katrina? Back to, ‘Heck of a job, Brownie?’” O’Malley said, “As Democrats, we be- lieve in the courageous community of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s America. We believe in John Kennedy’s America, always seeking the new frontier. We believe in Bill Clinton’s fiscally responsible America, that can balance a budget and expand opportunity while also building a bridge to the 21st Cen- tury and beyond.” O’Malley commented: “The tea party- ing governors live in a different world than ours. They would have us believe that we PENGUIN — Rep. Jim Moran, seen here greeting Arlington’s Kim can somehow just cut our way to a better fu- Klingler, said he felt like a penguin all decked out in a tuxedo at the State ture—no need to invest in education, no need J-J Dinner in Richmond. to invest in infrastructure.” ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 8 Whipple retiring from Senate at year’s end continued from previous page quiet, persistent power. Her departure, Fairfax County Demo- and we need all different kinds of people to cratic Sen. Janet Howell said tearfully, “leaves make our democracy work.” a hole in my heart and a hole in the Senate.” Whipple entered politics in 1976, serv- Whipple entered the Senate when Demo- ing on the Arlington School Board from 1976 crats were in the minority and helped her party to 1980 when it was appointive. Then she take back control of the chamber in 2007. As won an elected seat on the County Board from caucus chairman, she played a major role in 1983 to 1995 before going to the State Sen- recruiting candidates. ate. Whipple was born in Watseka, Illinois, Her district includes the northern two- and reared in College Station,. Texas. She thirds of Arlington, above Columbia Pike, plus started college at Rice University and trans- Falls Church and adjoining sections of Fairfax ferred to The American University, from County. which she received her BA. She earned a She received extensive praise from col- master’s from George Washington University. leagues on the floor who lauded Whipple as a She moved to Arlington in 1964 and be- trailblazer who guided Senate Democrats with gan her public service as a volunteer in her daughters’ schools. She also taught at North- Calendar items ern Virginia Community College. She and her husband, Tom, who for years To submit items for the ACDC calendar, ran the printing operation for ACDC and the go to http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org/ state party, have two daughters and five MARY MARGARET WHIPPLE submitevent.phtml . garndchildren. . . . 35 years in office

Ticer calls it quits after 16 years in Senate continued from page one a reputation for being “ladylike” but still Alexandria had been working to set up an tough. early childhood program,” she said. “A direc- State Sen. Charles Colgan (D-Prince tor for early programs was hired, and many William) spoke of the time in the early 1990s volunteers and semi-professionals made sure when then Gov. Douglas Wilder and then- correct regulations—i.e., space, number of Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke went to teachers, etc.—were available for all centers Alexandria to nail down a deal to bring and home day care providers. Redskins Stadium to Alexandria. City resi- “When I arrived in Richmond, however, dents opposed the idea. there were many regional differences of opin- Colgan said, “Governor Wilder went ion blocking what was viewed as intrusion back to Richmond; Jack Kent Cooke went into private family rights. Through my years back to Middleburg; and the stadium went to in Richmond, it has been wonderful to watch Landover, Maryland—all because of a very the evolution of public opinion relative to the quiet, gentle person who asserted herself when real need for regulation, protection and spe- she had to.” cial care given to children not in family care.” Ticer’s Senate partner from the district Ticer said, “I also think of people with to the north, Mary Margaret Whipple, said, whom I have not necessarily shared regional “She’s an exceptional legislator. She’s been opinions, such as the far southwest. What a loyal all the way through and has done some privileged opportunity it has been to get to terrific work. Always gracious, always po- know them and their regions better by visit- lite, she’s a wonderful friend.” ing and meeting with their local people. There In her retirement speech, Ticer spoke to is always more give than take at these meet- the Senate about the challenges of finding ings, and I am grateful for all the insights I PATSY TICER common ground in a state as diverse as Vir- have gained and the graciousness of their hos- . . . was Alexandria’s mayor ginia has become. “My primary challenge in pitality.” ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 9 Webb says one term in Senate is enough continued from page one Larry Sabato, the political science pro- fessor and commentator from the University birthday. of Virginia, says Webb’s retirement did not Webb said he won that election because of surprise him. “He has been an excellent the enthusiastic support he received from a huge United States senator, but he is a terrible poli- turnout of Democratic volunteers. “I will al- tician,” Sabato said. “He doesn’t suffer fools ways be grateful for the spirit and energy that gladly. He doesn’t enjoy glad-handing. My was brought into this campaign by thousands sense of Webb is that he’s had enough of pub- of loyal and committed volunteers. Their en- lic life for a while.” thusiasm and sheer numbers were truly the dif- Webb’s most touted achievement of his ference in that election.” four years in the Senate so far was the 2008 He appeared to hint at what friends have passage of a new GI Bill of college aid for said was an unhappiness with Senate life. veterans of current wars comparable to those “After much thought and consideration, I have provided after World War II. decided to return to the private sector, where Recently, Webb has been campaigning I have spent most of my professional life.” to reform the U.S. prison system, noting the Webb’s chief career has been as an au- disproportionate number of African-Ameri- thor of works of both fiction and history. He cans behind bars and calling the system a dis- was a marine during the Vietnam War. Un- grace. He says law enforcement focuses too happy with Carter Administration policies, he heavily on low level drug crimes instead of shifted to the GOP and became assistant sec- violent criminals. retary of defense for reserve affairs and then In the 2012 elections, one-third of the secretary of the Navy under President Reagan. Senate seats or 33 will be up—but of that Dismayed by the Iraq policies of George W. number, Democrats will be defending 23 or JIM WEBB Bush, he returned to the Democratic Party. more than two-thirds. . . . beat George Allen Joint Campaign looking for a few good...

The Joint Campaign is up and running The Joint is already looking for volun- [email protected] and Lauren Hall at and the three co-chairs have met with all the teers! If someone is interested in learning how [email protected]. individual campaigns—and since there will to get involved, they can contact one of the With 13 campaigns on the fall ballot this be 13 candidates on the fall ballot, that’s a lot campaign co-chairs — Sally Baird at year, there is lots of work to be done and lots of meetings! [email protected], Alan Howze at of opportunity for interested volunteers to get involved. ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 10

The brown and tan House of Delegate districts, mostly across the south, are slow growth areas. The green districts are high growth. And the two black districts in the north are explosive growth areas. Here’s what Census shows about shifts The new Census figures that came out southern one in Loudoun and Prince William In the State Senate, a district should have in February show that Northern Virginia has counties is 138 percent over-populated. That 200,026 residents. Mary Margaret surged in the last half-century from one-sixth is Del. Bob Marshall’s district. Whipple’s district needs 4,687 more residents of the state’s population to almost one-third. Locally, the population inside the and Patsy Ticer’s district needs 5,479 more. Arlington and the inner suburbs actually Beltway grew, but not all that fast. Five of All this points to local districts collectively grew a little less than the state average in the Arlington’s six districts in the General Assem- pushing farther out toward the Beltway. last decade—10 percent in Arlington versus bly have to be made bigger because they have Congressman Jim Moran’s congres- 13 percent for the state. But Arlington grew fewer residents than the new Census man- sional district needs to grow modestly, by 3.8 while many rural counties stagnated. dates. Only Delegate Bob Brink has too percent, suggesting he will get more precincts The growth in the last decade has been many constituents. in Fairfax County, but with nothing impact- concentrated in the outer DC suburbs and in The General Assembly will come back ing Arlington.The table imprinted atop the the corridor between DC and Richmond. into session late in March to draw the maps other map of Virginia shows the change in The change in population is perhaps of the new districts for the State Senate, House the proportion of the state’s population in each most dramatically shown in the map below of Delegates and Virginia’s delegation in the of the state’s eight regions in the half-century of House of Delegate districts. After the 2000 U.S. Congress. between 1960 and 2010. Almost all the Census, each of these districts had almost Under the new Census, each House of growth is in Northern Virginia, with a little in identical populations. Now the brown and tan Delegates district should have 80,010 resi- the Piedmont region south of here. The ma- districts—mostly spanning the southern part dents. Brink’s district is currently 3,321 over- jor loss in population share has been Southside of state—have too few constituents. The populated. But David Englin’s district needs and Southwest Virginia. green districts have too many. The two black- 1,301 more residents, Patrick Hope’s district colored districts are the two monstrously over- needs 1,826 more, and Adam Ebbin’s needs populated ones. The northern district (mostly a whopping 11,373 more. Northern. Virginia Loudoun) is 41 percent too populous and the 1960 = 16% 2010 = 29% up 13 percentage points Percentages show each region’s The Valley 1960 = 12% Piedmont proportion of the state’s 2010 = 10% 1960 = 5% population now and 50 years down 2 percentage 2010 = 8% Northern Neck/Mid. Peninsula ago. The shift is points up 3 percentage points 1960 = 4% overwhelmingly to the North. Capital Region 2010 = 3% 1960 = 14% down 1 percentage point 2010 = 14% Southwest unchanged 1960 = 12% Southside Hampton Roads 2010 = 7% 1960 15% 1960 = 22% down 5 percentage points 2010 = 10% 2010 = 20% down 5 percentage points down 2 percentage points ACDC Voice, March 2011, Page 11 Sly legislators slam door on abortions By Kimball Payne ate committees this week by attaching the The conservative Family Foundation The Daily Press, Hampton Roads regulations to a bill that had already passed lauded the measure, saying that abortion clin- February 25, 2011 the Senate, then sending it back - forcing a ics would no longer be “able to hide behind a A bitterly divided Virginia Senate ap- vote by all 40 senators. veil of politically motivated secrecy.” proved a new law Thursday that would force (It was swung by the votes of two anti- The National Abortion Rights Action abortion clinics to meet the same regulatory abortion Democrats in moderately conserva- League said the law would put lawmakers and architectural requirements as outpatient tive districts—Sens. Phillip P. Puckett, D- between women and their doctors in an effort surgical centers—a long sought goal of abor- Russell, and Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince Wil- to make “it even more difficult for women to tion opponents that abortion rights advocates liam. Neither rose to speak on the bill. access abortion care.” say could close 17 of the state’s 21 outpatient (After the vote, a number of Democratic During debate, Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, clinics. senators privately blamed their own caucus R-Winchester, said that despite sometimes Democrats hold a 22 -18 edge in the Sen- for allowing the bill to pass out of commit- bitter rhetoric about the intentions of support- ate, but two Democrats oppose abortion and tee. “We were outsmarted,” said one senator. ers, the proposal increases the safety of voted for the bill. The 20-20 tie sent the deci- “The pro-choice groups were outsmarted, too. women. sion to Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who This should never have come to this.” “There is no guarantee for women that voted in favor of the bill. (Senate Bill 924, sponsored by Sen. Ryan it is safe” at clinics, Vogel said. “This is a se- Senate Democrats blasted the proposal T. McDougle, R-Hanover, originally dealt rious women’s health issue.” during debate, recalling the days when abor- with the need for emergency plans for secu- Sen. Richard “Dick” Saslaw, D-Fairfax, tion was outlawed and desperate women were rity and infectious-disease issues at hospitals blasted that argument, noting that lawmakers forced to use “coat hangers” or venture into and nursing facilities. But it applied to a sec- aren’t attempting to regulate Lasik eye sur- “back alleys” to find someone to terminate a tion of the Virginia code where any legisla- gery, colonoscopies or plastic surgeries at pregnancy. tion governing the regulation of abortion clin- similar facilities. He angrily noting that the Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria-Ar- ics would have to be entered, which protected bill only regulates offices that perform five lington, said the new rules would effectively the clinic amendments proposed on the House or more abortions a month, meaning that the close off access to abortion rights, especially floor by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell, from four other abortions are simply deemed safe. in rural and poor areas. Ticer recalled meet- being stripped from the bill for not being rel- “If anybody in this room thinks this de- ing with nurses at local hospitals who told evant. bate is about women’s health, get a life,” horror stories about panicked, young women (Howell said Senate Bill 924 was clearly Saslaw said. “I don’t have the word ‘stupid’ who died after getting illegal abortions. “a plant” designed to make it through the Sen- written on my forehead.” “They had used coat hangers, they had ate so it could go to the House and be amended James City County Republican Sen. gone to back alleys because they were afraid,” by the Republican majority.) Thomas K. “Tommy” Norment responded, Ticer said. She said family members fearing Gov. Bob McDonnell has said he sup- calling the vote “heart wrenching.” embarrassment “threatened to throw young ports the legislation and after he signs the law “I have reflected on this issue at great girls down the steps.” the Virginia Board of Health has 280 days to length. I have thought about it a great deal Senate Republicans said that the rules are implement the rules. and I have a life,” Norment said. “In spite of within Virginia’s constitutional authority and The issue has long simmered in the passionate rhetoric...it has come down to are needed to ensure that abortions are safe. Virginia’s General Assembly, but took on new a health issue for me.” Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, said life this year when Republican Attorney Gen- Senate passage Thursday of legislation the proposal is “clearly constitutional.” eral Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion in Au- that subjects abortion clinics to the same ar- “This is about protecting women’s gust saying that the Virginia Board of Health chitectural and regulatory requirements as health, and you can look at me like that if you has the power to bypass the Legislature and outpatient surgical centers is the most recent want,” Obenshain said, addressing skepticism enact the new rules immediately. major victory for abortion opponents in Vir- from fellow senators. “It’s about applying the Anti-abortion advocates pressured ginia. Other landmark abortion restrictions: same standards.” McDonnell to push the new rules through the •1997: passage of a law requiring notifi- Virginia’s abortion debate has long stag- Board of Health, even circulating petitions cation of parents or legal guardians of girls nated in Richmond. The Republican-con- backing the stricter rules and holding a rally in younger than 18 who seek abortions. trolled House of Delegates frequently passes Richmond earlier this year. McDonnell has said •2001: passage of a law that requires restrictive abortion legislation, from disclo- he supports tighter restrictions, but noted that abortion providers to explain to women de- sure requirements to regulating first-trimes- the board is appointed so he could not simply tails about the procedure and wait at least a ter abortion clinics. use executive order to put the rules in place. day before performing it. The bill was spon- Those efforts have consistently fallen flat Cuccinelli released a supportive state- sored by Republican Del. Bob McDonnell, in committee in the Democrat-controlled Sen- ment late Thursday. now Virginia’s governor. ate because of the fears that forcing outpa- “Obviously I am pro-life,” he said. •2003: passage of a law that requires girls tient clinics to meet hospital-level rules would “While I regret the occurrence of abortions, I younger than 18 to obtain consent from par- eliminate access to abortions in large swaths do want women in all circumstances treated ents or guardians to have an abortion. It al- of the state. with the dignity and respect that every hu- lows girls to obtain court permission in cases But House lawmakers bypassed the Sen- man being deserves.” of parental abuse or neglect.