Vol. 36, No. 1 www.arlingtondemocrats.org January 2011

’s Trodden retirement sets up Season ngs Greetin commonwealth’s attorney primary race this summer Commonwealth’s Attorney torney in private practice in Ar- Dick Trodden has announced lington with the firm of Albo & that he will not run for re-elec- Oblon who previously worked in tion next fall, concluding 18 years the commonwealth’s attorney’s from everyone in ACDC in office. office in Fairfax County. Two Democrats swiftly an- Stamos joined the com- nounced they will run to succeed monwealth’s attorney’s office Trodden, setting up a primary right out of law school. She be- bÇ axã lxtÜËá election in the summer. came deputy in 1998 and chief Trodden announced his re- deputy in 2002. Wtç? }É|Ç çÉâÜ tirement at the December 1 Stamos told The Voice, “I’m ACDC meeting. passionate about the work our of- Trodden, 64, grew up in Ar- fice does and after almost 25 yxÄÄÉã WxÅá |Ç lington and has been the county’s years as an assistant and deputy, chief prosecutor since 1993, I’m thrilled to be able to run for when he was appointed to suc- commonwealth’s attorney. I will à{x y|Üáà áÉv|tÄ ceed Helen Fahey. He won elec- continue the work of ensuring tion in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 that the voices of crime victims xäxÇà Éy à{x çxtÜA without ever facing opposition. TRODDEN are heard and that the formidable The office of about two dozen powers of a prosecutor are exer- attorneys prosecutes all criminal cases in the county. cised with integrity, fairness and professionalism. fxx wxàt|Äá tà The two Democrats who have announced plans I’m looking forward to working hard and earning to run are Theo Stamos, 53, who has served on the the support of the voters in Arlington County and staff of the commonwealth’s attorney for more than the City of Falls Church.” ÄÉãxÜ Ü|z{àA two decades, and David Deane, 38, a defense at- continued on page seven The party parties on New Year’s You don’t have to wait long for the first Demo- stromboli, or other brunchie nibblies, wine, and ci- cratic social gathering of 2011—just 12 hours. der. The annual Arlington Dems New Year celebra- The Kitchen Crew welcomes additional folks tion will be held from noon to 2 p.m. January 1 at for set up, clean up, slicing bread, and keeping the the home of County Board Member Barbara mulled cider bowl filled! Please contact Madi Favola, 2319 North 18th Street. The street is paral- Green at [email protected] if you’d lel to and a block south of Lee Highway, near the like to help out! For everything you ever Lee-Vietch intersection just up the hill from Rosslyn. The New Year’s event was started decades ago This annual event follows the organizational at the home of Joe Fisher when he was a member wanted to know about meeting of the Arlington County Board, which ev- of the County Board, and was held there for years Arlington’s four-year eryone can attend in person or watch on TV. after he left the Board and went on to the U.S. House election cycle and didn’t The New Year’s event is free for all. Follow- of Representatives. The celebration now rotates ing tradition, everyone brings bread, quick breads, among the homes of County Board members. dare ask, see Page 10. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman A chance to give back So many times over the course of the ing oil, core cooking components we have we work to shape will be able to do so on our year, we talk about the importance of caring been informed are those most often requested behalf. for those who are least able to care for them- this holiday season. With that in mind, I will close my col- selves. These are core Democratic values, But the holiday season is not the only umn with this simple request – that each and core community values, and core human val- time when we have a duty to give back. In- every one of you reading this column find a ues we should never take for granted. But deed, throughout the year, at every ACDC way to give back to your community this holi- while political action indirectly addresses meeting, we have made a point of collecting day season. Whether that is through ACDC, these challenges, it is not nearly often enough cereal and other non-perishable food for the another charity, or a simple donation of your that we get a chance to directly put our Demo- Arlington Food Assistance Center, helping in time, money or other resources, your help is cratic values into action. a small way to make sure every Arlingtonian very much needed, and I can assure you that That’s why I am particularly proud this has enough to eat. you will not regret it. No greater personal holiday season that ACDC has directed much In the summer, we worked with the Al- reward can be found than giving back to those of its energies to community service – put- exandria Democratic Committee to clean up who are not able to provide for themselves. ting our time, money and efforts into caring Four Mile Run, a stream that links our two Happy holidays to you and your fami- for those in the Arlington community who communities. And last winter, we worked to lies, and thanks for all that you do to make need it most. collect clothes and other necessities to ensure our Arlington community a better place. In just the last month, we have worked those who cannot afford warm clothing are with the Fairfax County Democrats to adopt able to have a buffer against the cold. a platoon in Afghanistan, providing food, We do these projects not for public credit clothes, and sundry items we are told are or for political gain, but rather because they Democratic Values in Action needed by our troops in the field. We have are the right thing to do. If we are not willing also worked with the Arlington Food Assis- to contribute ourselves to community service, tance Center to collect sugar, flour and cook- it is unrealistic to expect that the government Clothing and food collections continue At the January ACDC meeting, we will be collecting gently used and clean winter Jerry Botland coats for men and women, new work gloves for men, new coats for children and new Computer Consulting gloves and hats for boys and girls. As always, we will continue to collect Troubleshoot and resolve computer and cereal and canned goods for the Arlington computer related problems. Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. Bring these articles to the monthly meet- Transfer old files, address book and emails ing and drop them off just inside the door. from an old computer to a new one. Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected]

Published monthly by the Arlington County Democratic Committee 2009 North 14th Street, Suite #612, Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] Deputy Editor: Vacant Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC unless expressly approved by an appropriate Committee Resolution Copyright ©2010, ACDC, All Rights Reserved ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 3

Next Monthly Meeting Brian Moran All Dems Invited wins state Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 7:00 p.m. NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson chairmanship Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street Democrats have elected Brian Moran as the new chairman of the Demo- It’s time to start writing “2011” on all your checks cratic Party of Virginia (DPVA). Moran, 51, (checks???). ACDC will be in the New Year mode as well, succeeds Richard Cranwell who served as looking at “What’s ahead in 2011.” The County Board will state chair for five years. Both Moran and just have installed its new chair and the General Assem- Cranwell are former members of the House bly will start up in Richmond January 12. So, we will hear of Delegates. from our Richmond delegation, our County Board and our Moran defeated Peter Rousselot, former School Board about what to look for in 2011. chair of ACDC, in a vote taken by secret bal- lot at the December 4 meeting of the state party’s Central Committee in Newport News. More than 200 committee members attended. There was no debate before the vote, and the totals were not announced afterward. Rousselot moved to make the election of Moran by acclamation after being told he Bumper Sticker had not won. Rousselot said he had no regrets about of the Month running, and pledged to support Moran. “Brian deserves a chance. He won. There are no hard feelings on my part,” Rousselot said. Moran emphasized party unity going for- ward. He said he had gotten support from all across the state. “The divisions don’t exist,” he said. “We are unified.” One party issue Moran will have to im- mediately face is how to tackle the legisla- tive races next fall when all 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 40 in the Senate will be on the ballot in new districts drawn from the 2010 Census results. Some in the party have argued to pass PC HELP up solid Republican districts and concentrate Want help with setting up, networking, upgrading, on competitive districts. Others have insisted fixing, or just using your new or old PC? that the party run everywhere. Moran has promised to recruit candidates for every one of the 140 legislative seats. Affordable, personalized assistance. Evenings and weekends. Your home or office.

Ron Hicks DBA Systems That Work Email: [email protected]

Website: www.systems-that-work.org H/O: 703-528-1009 Cell: 571-217-9949

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Brian Moran ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 4 Zimmerman Donkey Ears leaves Metro Listening to the doings Board after of Arlington’s Dems as overheard by 13 years Dan Steen and Mädi Green In a surprise announcement, Chris Zimmerman, Metro’s longest-serving board member, has resigned that post and will be Standing tall: Tim Ferguson, at 12 the older son of Clerk of the Court Paul replaced by Mary Hynes. Ferguson and Karen Keyes, is in the 7th grade at HB Woodlawn and is a starter Zimmerman said he was leaving because with the Arlington Assault boys basketball team. His team went 5-0 to win the he is becoming chairman of the Arlington Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament at Hoops Magic, a center in Chantilly with seven County Board January 1 and wanted to focus basketball courts. Remember, this is how got started. on that work. “After 13 years, I thought it was Recognized: Tom and Judy Connally were among this year’s recipients of the fair to say it’s somebody else’s turn.” James B. Hunter III Human Rights Award, presented by the county’s Human Zimmerman announced his departure Rights Commission. Dr. Tom was honored for his years of work at the Arling- during a Metro Board meeting December 16 to the surprise of others on the 14-member ton Free Clinic, of which he was named volunteer medical director in 2004. He board as well as transit advocates who con- also served on the board of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics. Judy is sider him a champion of riders’ interests. best known for her service on the School Board and as a member of House of Zimmerman’s departure comes as three Delegates. But she later chaired the Arlington Community Services Board and groups have been studying Metro, looking served on a panel looking at better ways to serve those with mental health and specifically at the board and how it governs developmental disabilities. the agency. Joslyn moves up: Tiffany Joslyn, who was Sally Baird’s campaign manager in “There’s a lot going on,” Zimmerman last year’s run for the School Board, has just been named the new president of told The Washington Examiner when asked the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club. Tiffany was vice about the effect of those recommendations. president of the Partisans when President Terry Mansberger resigned to take “In some ways there’s more going on about another post and the Partisans’ Board unanimously elevated Tiffany. Metro outside of Metro.” Inconspicuous in Kabul: As we reported a few months ago, Mike Signer, son of Stewart Schwartz, director of the Coali- Volunteer-for-Everything Marj Signer, went off to Afghanistan in the fall to tion for Smarter Growth, said it was a shame help oversee the parliamentary elections there, trying to keep everything on the to lose Zimmerman’s voice. “He lives and up-and-up as he has done in many Virginia elections as a party legal eye. breathes transit and transit-oriented develop- Signer, who ran in last year’s primary for lieutenant governor, reports he was ment,” Schwartz said. “He has a virtual Ph.D. escorted everywhere by armed guards and started off the visit attending a in bicycle and transit planning.” briefing on what to do if kidnaped! He decided to grow a beard to fit in, Dennis Jaffe of the Sierra Club said although at Mike’s height inconspicuousness was a challenge. He’s back now Zimmerman led the charge to secure more with a passel of experiences and reflects: “The Arlington Way never meant so funding instead of cutting service amid the much to me!” Metro budget crunch of 2010. “Despite the Blast from the past: We’ve all been reading the new stories about how U.S. fact that there is wide public dismay with District Judge Henry E. Hudson ruled parts of President Obama’s health care Metro and Zimmerman is the longest-serv- program to be unconstitutional. Hudson got his start in Arlington being elected ing member of the board, he actually happens commonwealth’s attorney here in 1980 as a Republican and serving until 1986 to be the most committed advocate for riders when President Reagan named him U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of on the board,” Jaffe said. Virginia. W elevated him to the judgeship. Hynes said, “Arlington and the region have been fortunate to have Chris’s leader- Wanna buy a bridge in Brooklyn? Former Senator George Allen is certainly ship in transportation for many years. I am leading one-and-all to conclude he will run in 2012 to try to oust Senator Jim gratified in my colleagues’ confidence that I Webb from the seat Webb ousted Allen from in 2006. (You still with us?) can continue Arlington’s tradition of strong Allen issued a pre-Christmas press release criticizing Webb for voting differ- service on the Metro board. I promise to bring ently from fellow Senator twice in December and thereby careful, thorough consideration to all the is- “canceling out Senator Warner’s vote.” Are we to believe that if Allen is sues associated with this challenge—always elected, he will vote more often with Warner? Is that what he thinks he’s keeping in mind transit’s critical role in both saying? In the two years since Webb and Warner have served together in the riders’ quality of life and the sustainability of Senate, they have voted together 727 times or 87 percent of the time. Beat that our region.” George. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 5 Here are the AYD officers for 2011 On Wednesday, December 8, the Arling- Professional Services. Before coming to Vir- Recruiting and Membership for Falls Church ton Young Dems elected their leadership team ginia, Shawn was the treasurer of the Greater Volunteer Fire Department, and the treasurer for the new year. Take a minute to meet them. New Haven YDs. In 2009, he created a Ca- of her homeowner’s association. She has a reer Networking group for Generation Obama degree in Health Services Administration and President – Jamie Lockhart of Washington, DC, and in 2010 served as the holds certifications in Program Management, Jamie hails from Midlothian, VA, and at- acting director of PoliticsUnder30. In addi- Personal/Athletic training, and Emergency tended James Madison University where she tion to the position of secretary, Shawn will Medical Services. Kim currently works pro- obtained a B.A. in political science. She has also serve as the interim chair of AYD’s Ca- fessionally in the development and execu- been a member of the Virginia YDs since high reers and Networking group. tion of health care standards, policy and in- school and got her start in politics by intern- formation exchanges. ing for Tim Kaine’s gubernatorial campaign Treasurer – Emily Blout in 2005. During the day, Jamie serves as a Emily is currently a graduate student at the Finance Chair – Shaun Edwards Legislative Assistant for Rep. Diana DeGette National Defense University. She was previ- Shaun served as the AYD African American (D-CO). Jamie is a graduate of the Sorensen ously spokesperson for Congressman Jim Caucus Chair and as publicity director in Institute’s College Leaders Program and a Moran. In 2009, Emily served on the Reso- 2009. She is originally from Roanoke, VA, current WeLEAD participant. lutions Committee for the Eighth Congres- and is a 2008 graduate of Washington and Lee sional District convention. During the 2008 University with a B.A.C. in Political Science. Vice President – Stephanie Dix Clifford presidential election, she co-founded Foreign Stephanie is a native of Janesville, WI, and Policy Professionals for Obama (FPPfO), an Retention Chair – Trent Armitage has lived in Arlington eight years. She is an independent grassroots organization created Trent is originally from Bristol, CT, and Associate and Director of Special Events at to support the national security credentials of moved to Virginia in 2005 to attend the Podesta Group. Prior to her tenure at the Barack Obama. Emily graduated from Union Longwood University where he majored in firm, Stephanie was the Chief of Staff for John College in Schenectady, New York, with a public history and political science. He McLaughlin at Oliver Productions, where she double major in English and political science. worked as an archaeologist for Poplar Forest helped coordinate all aspects of McLaughlin’s and interned for the Museum of the Confed- public affairs television programs. Democratic Party Rep. – Kim Klinger eracy. Trent began in politics as a GOTV co- Kim moved to Arlington in 2001. She is a ordinator for Al Weed/. He currently Secretary – Shawn Logue graduate of Leadership Arlington, a member works as a legislative assistant for Delegate Shawn is a Connecticut native who moved to of the Alexandria-Arlington School Readiness Mark Sickles (D-Franconia) He also currently Northern Virginia in 2009. He currently works Council, an Arlington Kiwanian, a volunteer serves as the Membership Director for VAYD. as an administrative professional for Jamison EMT/Firefighter, the Assistant Director of Political Director – Andrea Carlile Andrea is a native of Chatham, Illinois. She moved to Arlington in the summer of 2009 after completing her Masters in Communica- tion Studies from South Dakota State Univer- sity. Currently, Andrea works as communica- tions specialist for a government contractor.

Outreach Director – Angela Guzman Angela grew up in the Northern Virginia sub- urb of Herndon. She first moved to Arlington upon completing her undergraduate degree from American University in 1999. In her “day job” capacities, Angela has been serv- ing with the Democratic Congressional Cam- paign Committee (DCCC) as the Deputy Di- rector of Direct Marketing since 2007. An- gela completed her Masters in Political Com- munications from Johns Hopkins University with her thesis research in 2008 presidential campaigns and participatory online content.

Community Service Director – Nicole Davies LEADERSHIP— The newly elected Arlington YD officers for 2011 lined Nicole Davies is from Rome, New York, and up after their election. Left to right, back row: Nicole Davies; Shawn moved to Virginia in 2006. She graduated from the State University of New York Logue; Jamie Lockhart; Stephanie Dix Clifford; Emily Blout. Front (SUNY) at Albany with a B.A. in political row: Angela Guzman; Andrea Carlile; Shaun Edwards; Kim Klingler. science. She has been in AYDs since 2007. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 6 Glenn Nye: Election was not a judgment By Bill Bartel within his own party. The Virginian-Pilot “I didn’t make my decisions based on Norfolk partisan leanings,” he said. “That doesn’t November 22, 2010 engender love and sympathy from everyone.” Two weeks after losing his re-election Among his accomplishments was a suc- bid, sitting among stacks of packing cartons cessful effort with other con- in his suite in the Cannon House Office Build- gressmen to delay for at least five years the ing, U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye doesn’t want any- Navy’s plans to move a Norfolk-based car- one feeling sorry for him. rier to Florida. He also proposed and saw “I can’t have anybody come anymore become law a measure that gives a special with a sad, long face,” he said, waving aside tax break to businesses that hire out-of-work an offer of condolences. “I don’t feel this elec- war veterans. tion was a judgment on the work we did or As a member of the moderate Blue Dog the campaign we ran.... Sometimes elections Democrats, he was among a minority of aren’t about the candidates running.” Democrats who opposed the new health care The 36-year-old former diplomat rose law and also voted against the federal budget from political obscurity two years ago to de- in 2009, saying it was raising the deficit too feat two-term Republican incumbent Thelma high. Drake in the 2nd Congressional District, only However, that same year, he voted for to be turned out by voters on Nov. 2. Nye said the multi billion-dollar stimulus bill, which GLENN NYE he doesn’t have a single regret about his per- he said was necessary to save the economy. formance. For now he’s focusing on his last weeks . . . what to do next Instead, he’s “thinking broadly” about of Congress. Nye is hoping the House passes what to do next. a defense authorization bill that prohibits On Wednesday, Nye gave what he ex- The first thing he mentions: “I’m still spending any money to move a Norfolk-based pects to be his last speech on the House floor considering running again.... I think there’s carrier to Florida. And he wants to vote to as he led a group of congressmen paying hom- some things that took place in this election extend the so-called Bush tax cuts for at least age to former U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett, who which indicated a strong possibility of my a year for everyone. represented the district from 1987 to 2000 and being able to win in 2012. But I don’t feel the He’s also looking forward to a Carib- died Oct. 27 in Virginia Beach. need to rush a decision.” bean vacation later this month. Pickett, a low-key moderate who special- Other options might be a return to for- Although he’ll be a congressman until ized in defense issues, had been a friend and eign service or some other form of public ser- early January, Nye and his staff have to clear mentor to Nye. vice. out of his Capitol office by Dec. 1 to give “I would like people to say about me that Nye said his loss to Republican Scott new members time to move in. Already the he went up there and continued Owen’s work,” Rigell, also a first-time candidate and a suc- photographs are coming down from the walls Nye said. “I think that would be the greatest cessful Virginia Beach car dealer, was less and file cabinets are being emptied. compliment that anybody could ever give me.” about his own record than about national dis- satisfaction with “the state of affairs of this country” during economic hard times. “There’s no doubt that in this race being a Democrat was a liability, but I’m still proud First Saturday Breakfast to be a Democrat,” he said. “I feel like I rep- resented my district the best I could.” A soft-spoken moderate who focused shifts to 2nd Sat. again much of his energy and legislative initiatives on issues facing the military, veterans and The First Saturday Breakfast of the New day Breakfasts will be on the first Saturday of small businesses, Nye often found the parti- Year will be held on the second Saturday since the month. But since the first Saturday in san rancor in Congress distasteful. He predicts the first Saturday is previously reserved for January is New Year’s Day, the first breakfast the bickering will become more severe, with bowl games and the Rose Parade. will be held Saturday, January 8. fewer members willing to compromise. The Arlington Democratic Breakfasts The March breakfast will celebrate the “I’m afraid right now we are in a time will continue in 2011. one-year anniversary of the Arlington when extremists are the decision makers in All are now being held Democratic Breakfasts. this country,” he said. “It’s the moderates who at the Shirlington Bus Remember that Bus Boys does not give get wiped out in these elections.” Boys and Poets from individual checks, so if you bring cash, it Noting that only a handful of legislators 8:30 a.m to 10 a.m. helps speed payment. Any questions, voted less often with their party leaders than Except for Janu- please contact [email protected] he did, Nye said his independence cost him ary, all the First Satur- or at ( 703) 835-6614. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 7 Two vie in primary to succeed Trodden continued from previous page years and his uncle is the current police chief and one on the School Board (Abby of Prince William County, Charlie T. Deane. Raphael’s)—a total of nine races on each The office of commonwealth’s attorney “I have lived in Arlington since I moved voter’s ballot. Since there are four delegate handles felonies in Falls Church and both felo- here to attend law school at George Mason in seats and two senatorial seats in the county, nies and misdemeanors in Arlington. 1994,” Deane told The Voice. “I am a partner the party will be working on a total of 13 cam- Deane comes from a law enforcement at Albo & Oblon and run the criminal divi- paigns, all local—assuming no major bound- family. His grandfather was sheriff of Greene sion here. I have handled a variety of crimi- ary changes from redistricting). County, his father was an FBI agent for 30 nal cases throughout the state and in the Fed- eral Courts, as well. I feel that the broad ex- perience I have gained by practicing in front of many different Courts gives me the expe- rience and perspective to effectively and ag- gressively run the Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. I love Arlington County and Falls Church and would love the opportunity to serve these commu- nities as Commonwealth Attorney.” Trodden has handled many major crimes over his years as commonwealth attorney, but he is probably fated to be best known for his sodomy prosecution of sportscaster Marv Albert, a story that lighted up the tabloids in 1997. Trodden has prosecuted assorted rapes, kidnappings and assaults as well as two triple murders. Looking forward to retirement, he said, “It’ll be nice to see the other side.” The fall ballot this year will be a large one with four constitutional officers (sheriff, treasurer, commissioner of revenue and commonwealth’s attorney), state senator and delegate plus two seats on the County Board THEO STAMOS (those of Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes) DAVID DEANE Obama reads to kids at Long Branch President Obama made an unannounced visit to Long Branch El- ementary School where he read to the second grade students just be- fore Christmas—and gave School Board Member Libby Garvey a hug. Since the December 16 visit hadn’t been publicly announced in advance, the security appeared considerably less than a year ago when Obama came to Wakefield High for a highly publicized and nationally televised visit. Libby said the children were “amazingly attentive and well-be- haved, clearly excited to see the president, and asked good questions.” The president read from his new book for children and then pulled out “The Night Before Christmas,” which delighted everyone. He also did some choral reading, having the students fill in the words at the ends of lines, much to their enjoyment. Libby said the school had been working on the visit for a week beforehand and everything went smoothly. HI! — President Obama greets second graders at Long She said, “I got another opportunity to shake his hand and got a Branch Elementary School. In the background, Arlingtonian nice hug at the end. For me, Christmas came early this year.” Pete Souza, the White House photog, snaps away. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 8 Decennial redistricting gets into gear Will we see another ‘henrymander?’ “Redistricting” is the name of the game should be “henrymander” since the practice for 2011. This article tells you how it works. (Psst: It didn’t was not invented in Massachusetts by But also keep your eyes open for a Elbridge Gerry in 1812, as generally believed. “henrymander,” the kind of move Patrick start out as Actually, Patrick Henry tried to Henry used to try to keep James Madison from a gerrymander) “henrymander” James Madison out of a Vir- winning a House seat in the very first con- ginia congressional seat in the very first con- gressional elections. gressional elections in 1789. State lawmakers won’t get their hands The two men had battled for months over on detailed population breakdowns until Feb- whether Virginia should ratify the Constitu- ruary, at the earliest. Most states have more tion. Gov. Patrick Henry was against it; James than a year before they face primaries in 2012 Madison favored ratification. In the end, under the new district boundaries they must Madison won the 1789 election 1,308 to 972. draw. But Virginia elects its entire General He went on to craft the Bill of Rights in his Assembly—40 Senate seats and 100 House first term in Congress. of Delegate seats—in November 2011 and Furious at Madison’s success in getting must hold primaries before then. Primaries Virginia to endorse the Constitution, Henry are usually held in June—but don’t bet the was able to force him to run in a district family jewels that will happen in 2011! packed with anti-Federalists. What’s more, Lawmakers won’t be able to turn to re- Henry recruited James Monroe to run against districting until after the regular General As- Madison. Monrioe later became President sembly session ends. Eventually, all 140 law- Madison’s secretary of state, so there was no makers will be called back to Richmond later lasting bad blood. in the spring to vote on new maps. The word “gerrymander” was first used The two chambers will have to reach a after Elbridge Gerry, as governor of Massa- compromise, because Democrats have the chusetts, was involved in drawing a legisla- Senate majority while Republicans dominate tive district in 1812 that was shaped— the House. There is much speculation that vaguely—like a salamander. Just to make this each house will defer to the other on their own PATRICK HENRY story even odder, Gerry went on to serve as district boundaies. But they also have to agree . . . take that, Jemmy Madison vice president under Madison in 1813 and on the boundaries for Virginia’s 11 U.S. House 1814. seats. The next time you want to show off at a The maps then go to Gov. Bob to represent. cocktail party, pronounce the word gary- McDonnell for his signature and then on to The dreaded word “gerrymander” is al- mander, becasue Elbridge’s family name was the Department of Justice, where federal law- ready being aired. But perhaps the word not pronounced “jerry,” but “gary.” yers must review the plans to make sure they don’t violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “This is going to be tricky,” George Mason University politics Professor Michael McDonald told The Daily Press of Hampton Roads. “It’s very convoluted. There are so many factors.” Virginia’s primary election is scheduled for June 14. But the betting money says the maps won’t be anywhere near ready by then. There are concerns that some potential chal- lengers won’t get involved with the General Assembly elections in 2011 because of the un- certainty about which district they would rep- resent. A wannabe could invest time prepar- ing his candidacy in one district only to find that it’s been moved two miles away from his home. Under the law, a candidate need only be a legal resident of the state to run. But tradi- tion holds that a candidate should live inside the borders of the district he or she is seeking ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 9 Speaker Howell found fudging just a bit

in The New York Times. TruthOMeter Almost a month later, on Nov. 4, 2008, The Richmond Times Dispatch the conservative Carolina Journal Online used December 4, 2010 Ghilarducci’s testimony to write, “Democrats Your tax-deferred retirement savings are in the U.S. House have been conducting hear- in danger of being seized by the federal gov- ings on proposals to confiscate worker’s per- ernment warns William Howell, speaker of sonal retirement accounts, including 401(k)s Virginia’s House of Delegates. and IRAs and convert them into accounts “There’s talk in Congress now about ba- managed by the Social Security Administra- sically confiscating your private 401(k) or tion.” Howell’s office sent us a copy of the IRA plan and rolling it into Social Security to story. strengthen Social Security,” Howell, R- The web has been replete with un- Stafford, said during a Nov. 13 interview on founded rumors of retirement account con- Freedom & Prosperity Radio, a conservative fiscation ever since. They usually cite weekly show broadcast in much of Virginia. Ghilarducci’s testimony. Howell made the statement to bolster his Another rumor — although Howell pet cause: Passage of a U.S. constitutional doesn’t mention it — puts Vice President Joe amendment that would give states the collec- Biden behind the seizure effort. The source is tive right to repeal any law or regulation ap- said to be a report Biden released in February proved by the U.S. Congress. Under the pro- on the state of the middle class. We read the posed amendment, which Howell will ask the section on retirement security and found pro- Virginia General Assembly to endorse this HOWELL posals to encourage savings, but nothing that winter, a federal act would be nullified if two- . . . pants on fire remotely suggested confiscation of retirement thirds of the states passed resolutions demand- assets. ing so. Howell, despite his radio comments, said Howell brought up the confiscation of 2008 hearing by the House Committee on the public shouldn’t lose sleep worrying about IRAs and 401(k)s, then added: “Well, if Con- Education and Labor probing the recession’s the seizure of retirement plans. He said the gress were ever to pass a law like that, I would impact on retirement security. The values of November 2 elections, which put Republicans think two-thirds of the states would rear up 401(k)s and IRAs were plummeting. The back in control of the House of Representa- and say, `I want to repeal that law,’ and this panel discussed whether the federal govern- tives, have eased his mind. (amendment) would give them the right to do ment should promote alternative plans that “I know its not going to happen now that that.” would shield retirement savings from eco- the Republicans have the House,” he said. When we asked Howell for the basis of nomic turmoil. “But I use it as the kind of thing that could his confiscation claim, he said, “That idea has One of the speakers was Teresa happen in Congress if its powers are un- been floating around from Democrats for Ghilarducci, an economics professor at the checked.” years.” New School for Social Research, a New York Howell’s radio comments, sounding the That was news to the AARP, a powerful City think tank. She urged creation of a new confiscation alert, came 11 days after the elec- lobby for Americans for seniors that watches savings plan that she called a Guaranteed tion. legislation affecting retirement accounts and Retirement Account. It would require work- So let’s review: Social Security. ers to save 5 percent of their annual pay. The Howell says there’s “talk in Congress “Haven’t heard anything like that at all,” accounts, unlike IRAs and 401Ks, would not about basically confiscating your private said Ginger McDaniel, communications di- be controlled by workers but instead depos- 401(k) or IRA,” which suggests there is seri- rector of AARP Virginia, when read Howell’s ited with the federal government, which ous consideration of such a proposal. He cites confiscation comment. “I’m sure we would would kick in $600 a year in the form of a tax two-year-old testimony by a think-tank econo- know if anything like that was being consid- credit. Upon a worker’s retirement, the gov- mist that makes no mention of seizing tax- ered.” ernment would guarantee an annual return deferred saving plans. It was also a surprise to Roberton Will- three percent above inflation. We can’t find a single story in a national iams, an economist and senior fellow at the Ghilarducci also proposed that Congress newspaper that warns of confiscation. AARP, Tax Policy Center in Washington who spe- “allow” workers to convert their IRAs and the nation’s largest lobby for seniors with a cializes in pensions and retirement accounts. 401Ks into a Guaranteed Retirement Account, reported 40 million members, says it “hasn’t “I’ve heard absolutely nothing about according to a video of the hearing. There was heard anything about it at all.” The web sites that,” he said. “If that was a serious sugges- no talk about coercion or government seizure reporting government seizure efforts cite tion, it would be all over the place in this of existing accounts. A story on the hearing statements and reports that, in fact, make no town.” in the next day’s Washington Post made no such suggestion. Howell’s office later sent us a variety of reference to a confiscation plan and waited And it gets even more ridiculous when sources to back his claim. until the 12th paragraph to make its only men- Howell, himself, says he knows it’s not go- They all seem to stem from an Oct 7, tion of Ghilarducci. There was no coverage ing to happen. We rate his claim Pants on Fire. ACDC Voice, January 2011, Page 10

(retiring)