Vol. 38, No. 8 www.arlingtondemocrats.org August 2013 Come one, come all, to the 2013 County Fair (And help out too) Whether you come for the candidates, cotton ACDC booth, which will be set up indoors on Fri- candy, or community camaraderie, everyone loves day, August 9 through Sunday, August 11. a Fair! The 2013 Arlington County Fair is almost Please sign up to help or stop by to visit. TJ is upon us, with more than 50,000 people expected to located at 3501 S. 2nd Street, just south of Arling- descend on Thomas Jefferson Middle School from ton Blvd. Guess Wednesday, August 7, to Sunday, August 11. If you’d like to volunteer at the booth, we’d This is Arlington’s largest annual multi-day love to have you and still have slots of fill. The fol- who’s playing event featuring food, fun, displays, and racing pigs, lowing shifts are available: among many other activities. • Saturday (Greatest Need) harmonica As always, the Arlington Democratic Joint 4pm-6pm Campaign will be out in full force, representing 6pm-9pm down in Floyd Terry McAuliffe for Governor and the entire slate • Sunday of Democratic candidates up and down the 2013 1pm-3pm County? See Page 7 ballot. 5pm-7pm Expect guest appearances by candidates, cam- 7pm-8pm (Packing Up) paign stickers, flyers and yard signs galore at the continued on page ten New poll shows women Biden asks Virginia Dems not to are key for McAuliffe frighten moderate Republicans At the annual state Jefferson-Jackson dinner last their dedication and commitment in the past two See Page 3 month, Vice President Joe Biden urged Virginia Demo- presidential elections in which President Obama crats to fight for the Democratic ticket to save the state carried a state formerly considered reliable for Re- being turned over to a “tea party governor” who would publicans. scare moderate Republicans in Washington. “I would not be standing here, the president “Do you really want to trust Virginia’s fiscal would not touring South Africa today, if it was not reputation to a tea party governor? for the people in this room and the Imagine what the message will be,” people of Virginia,” he said. Biden said. “Imagine what that will “In 2008 and 2012, you helped do to all the Republicans in the Sen- to change the country, and the presi- ate and the House who are not tea dent and I will never be able to re- party. They will be so scared to pay you. You have also sent us two death, so frightened.” of the best senators, Mark Warner Biden said Dem gubernatorial and Tim Kaine,” Biden said. nominee Terry McAuliffe knows the The vice president hailed Vir- Virginia way. GOP nominee Ken ginia Democrats as a model for the “Cuccinelli knows the tea party way. nation. “You stand for fiscal disci- That’s the fundamental difference in pline and education. You stand for this race, a race that gives you a smart investments and you believe choice between a mainstream Demo- in investing in science. That’s why crat and a national tea party leader you have become one of the leading who calls himself a Republican.” hubs of technology—not just in the Biden thanked Democrats for JOE BIDEN United States, but across the world.” ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman Waking the sleeping giant In June, The Washington Post reported they are uninspired. And who can blame And young people know that we will be that Arlington had the highest percentage of them? Looking at a Congress with 10 per- the ones affected by environmental degrada- young people ages 25 to 34 in the country. cent approval ratings, ballooning deficits, tion 30, 40, or 50 years down the road. We, as Indeed, the number of residents in this age gridlock, and a shaky economy, one can un- Democrats, should be taking significant ac- range has increased nearly 10 percent in just derstand why young people are skeptical. tion to do something about climate change, the last two years. News reports indicate that It seems to many of my friends that there is not just pay it lip service. three out of every four new Arlingtonians are no point in voting because nothing ever Young people are pragmatic. The most between the ages of 18 and 34. changes on the issues that matter to them. precious asset in their lives is time, and they But here’s the problem – those younger But I, for one, think this is a fixable situ- spend that time only on activities they see as residents don’t vote with regularity, especially ation. Young people are saddled with signifi- worth it. Right now, young people often don’t in non-presidential years. In 2012, 50 percent cant student loan debt – roughly $26,000 per spend their time voting because they haven’t of voters aged 18 to 29 voted. In the 2010 person on average. We, as Democrats, should seen the payoff. midterms, this proportion was only 24 per- be taking steps to stem the meteoric rise in So it is up to us, as Democrats, to change cent. higher education costs. that perception. To focus our energies on the When young people do vote, they vote Young people are hit harder than any- issues that really matter to young voters, not for Democrats. For example, according to an one with significant increases in rent. We, as only in words, but in deeds. To make young NBC news poll in 2012, 60 percent of voters Democrats, should be talking about afford- people realize that government really can aged 18 to 29 voted for Barack Obama, while able housing as a way to give a leg up to young impact their lives for the better. And to show only 37 percent backed Mitt Romney. professionals just starting out. them that Democrats are leaders who can So the challenge for us as Democrats is Young people are keenly aware that they make that happen. clear. What do we do to wake this sleeping will be the ones bearing the costs of the bur- Young people care. Young people par- giant? geoning national debt. We, as Democrats, ticipate. Young people vote. But they only do As someone in the elusive 18 to 35 de- should be taking the bold steps needed to pre- so when they have a good reason to do so. It mographic, I can say that I think my gen- serve Social Security and address our budget is up to us to give them one. eration gets a bad rap. Far from apathetic, I deficit – issues political leaders in both par- find that my peers often don’t vote because ties have avoided to date.

Jerry Botland Virginia slips to Computer Consulting fifth place in Troubleshoot and resolve computer and computer related problems. business climate Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. Under GOP management of the state, Transfer old files, address book and emails Virginia has slipped among the nation’s top states in which to locate a business. from an old computer to a new one. The state ranked No. 5 in CNBC’s sev- Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] enth annual listing of America’s Top States for Business, the financial news cable network said last month. It held the No. 3 spot last year. And Virginia ranked No. 1 three times Published monthly by the in the past seven years — taking the top spot Arlington County Democratic Committee in 2007 and 2009 under Gov. Tim Kaine and 2050 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200, Arlington VA 22201 (enter at rear) in 2011, the first full year under Gov. Bob P.O. Box 7132, Arlington VA 22207 McDonnell before the slippage began to third Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 and now fifth place. http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org Virginia’s fall this year was largely Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] driven by the cost of doing business, where it Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] fell to 38th. Deputy Editor: Eric Wiener — (703) 524-6899 (h), [email protected] CNBC said, “The category carries more Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC weight than ever because states are increas- unless expressly approved by an appropriate committee resolution ingly marketing themselves to businesses Copyright ©2013, ACDC, All Rights Reserved based on this factor.” ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 3 Poll shows Next Monthly Meeting women are All Dems Invited Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 7:00 p.m. key for NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson McAuliffe Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street The latest Quinnipiac Poll shows Terry McAuliffe continuing to lead the gubernato- Surprise! We are back at our normal place and rial race by a small margin—helped along by our normal time. This month’s program will be a fo- a huge gender gap. rum on affordable housing—addressing the needs The poll also shows that hardly anyone knows much about any of the candidates for and challenges, the tools to deal with them and the attorney general and lieutenant governor, so progress to date. Our panel is comprised of: Mary there is lot of need for campaigns to get in Rouleau, executive director of the Alliance for Hous- touch with voters. And the poll shows a bare majority of ing Solutions; Paul Browne, a member of the Arling- voters now support gay marriage—something ton Housing Commission from the Wesley Housing state voters rejected in 2006. Development; and Nina Janopaul, executive director The latest poll, taken July 11-15, shows McAuliffe leading Ken Cuccinelli 43 percent of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. to 39 percent, which is no significant change from the poll’s 43-38 breakout in May—but a reversal of the 38-40 lead Cuccinelli had in March. The shocker of the poll was how little Peter Brown, assistant director of the support of 48 percent of Virginia women while anyone knew about the candidates for attor- Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said, Cuccinelli wins only 32 percent. Men lean to ney general and lieutenant governor. Asked “Unknown doesn’t come close to describing Cuccinelli by eight points, 38-46. if they had a favorable or unfavorable opin- just how anonymous the candidates for lieu- Part of every campaign is an effort to ion or haven’t yet heard enough about them, tenant governor and attorney general are to characterize an opponent as too extreme, es- the vast majority said they hadn’t heard the citizenry that will elect two of them in pecially in Virginia where there is a decided enough to form any opinion. The figures three and a half months.” preference for centrists. The poll shows that ranged from 90 percent for Democratic lieu- In looking at the components of 26 percent of Virginians call McAuliffe “too tenant governor candidate Ralph Northam to McAuliffe’s support, the number that stands liberal” to be governor while 33 percent call a “low” of 81 percent for his GOP opponent out is his strong support from women. There Cuccinelli “too conservative” to lead the state. E. W. Jackson. is a 16-point gap with McAuliffe drawing the The poll also queried voters on their views on same-sex marriage. In 2006, a ref- erendum approved a state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage by 57 percent to 43 percent margin. The new poll showed Virginians now approve of same-sex Bumper Sticker marriage 50-43. Democrats approve by a 68-26 margin of the Month while Republicans disapprove by identical percentages. Women approve, while men do not. Whites approve, while blacks do not. Those under 45 ap- prove, while those over do not. C a t h o l i c s and those of no faith ap- prove, while Protestants do not. ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 4 Cooch wants registration Donkey Ears Listening to the doings done by party of Arlington’s Dems GOP gubernatorial nominee Ken Cuccinelli, who opposed a primary to choose as overheard by the Republican candidate for governor this Dan Steen and Mädi Green year, says that as governor he would push for registration by party in the state so that voters would no longer be able to cross party lines to vote in the other party’s primary. The Boss in Cork: Long time jack-of-all-trades Kevin Appel spent last month About half the states, including Virginia, checking out the old sod in Ireland, plus some new brew along the way and even do not have registration by party. Activists in took in The Boss in Cork where 100,000 lads and lassies jammed a football pitch both major parties generally prefer to have (translation: soccer field) to watch the guy from New Jersey perform. Appel also registration by party because that a) identi- took in the Cliffs of Moher and assures us he was not blown over the side. fies voters effortlessly and b) prohibits mem- bers of one party from trying to influence the Jackpot 1: Ryan and Gabe Snow have just welcomed their second daughter, outcome in the other party’s primary. Vivian Claire Snow, born July 26 and weighing in at 8 lbs, 10 oz., just a tad Cuccinelli said he thinks Virginia short of what’s needed to sign up for Gabe’s unnamed ACDC softball team. should change its system to make voters of- Jackpot 2: Brian and Shannon Straw have hit the big time. They’ve just paid off ficially choose a party or declare themselves their car. independent, so that parties could ensure that Concert by the bay: We would like to sing the praises of Public Relations Chair only their own members vote in their prima- Jason Rylander who has a superb professional singing voice. He recently ries. performed in San Francisco with the American Bach Soloists Academy. But he was Cuccinelli backed the idea when he was delayed a day getting there because his flight to San Fran was canceled by the in the State Senate, too. “I’ve encouraged that Asiana Airlines crash. It was his first trip to the city by the bay since he was there in the past and I’ll encourage it in the future,” for his day job. He argued (and lost) a case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. he said. The subject arose after a voter at a cam- Early start for 2016:: Ready for Hillary is a super PAC formed in February to paign event asked Cuccinelli why Virginia Re- encourage a Clinton candidacy in 2016 and to grease the skids for another run. It publicans did not have a primary this year to was set up by two Arlington Dems, Allida Black, a GWU professor, and Adam pick statewide nominees. Cuccinelli didn’t Parkhomenko, who ran in the 2009 primary for 47th District delegate. Both answer the question. Allida and Adam were super active in Hillary’s 2008 campaign. Politico says Republicans had originally planned to their operation is “most professional” with 60,000 Twitter followers and more hold a primary, but Cuccinelli allies on the than 43,000 Facebook fans in just the first few weeks of their operations. state GOP Central Committee switched to a DREAMing: Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe endorsed the DREAM Act convention, which tends to favor more con- for citizenship for the kids of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the servative candidates. Cuccinelli’s rival for the United States at a tender age—and said he would like to sign a Virginian Dream gubernatorial nomination, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, dropped out of the contest soon there- Act with Del. Alfonso Lopez (who turned 43 Sunday, July 28) at his side. after. Where it all began: The Washington Post carried a long story a few weeks ago all “I think you’d probably see more com- about Tom Whipple, long time printing ace for ACDC and spouse of former mitment to primaries by the Republican Party State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. It told the story of how Whipple started versus conventions ... if we had party regis- the “Whipple Report,” a daily compilation of news about Virginia culled from tration,” Cuccinelli said. dailies all over the state. He began it in 1996 to help neighbor Bill Dolan in his He explained that rather oddly, saying, race for attorney general, but it soon grew into indispensable morning reading for “Incumbents in Richmond have blocked party journalists and politicians all over the state. The Whipple Report is now VaNews, registration because incumbents tend to want produced daily for free by the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). anybody to be able to show up, because they Passages: Chris Duffy, who set new records almost every week for knocking on want to have protection from their party regu- doors and placing calls for Obama in Arlington last year, died suddenly in New lars. And they get that from people who aren’t members of their party.” York last month at the age of 28. He was Neighborhood Team Leader in Park Lane Footnote: In May, the GOP State Cen- Precinct and over a three-month period, there was only one week in which Team tral Committee voted to call a convention Duffy failed to top the numbers of doors knocked and homes called for Obama. His next year to pick a senatorial candidate to energy and dedication inspired dozens of others to forget when they were weary and face incumbent Democrat Mark Warner in carry on. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University Park Elementary the fall. School, 4315 Underwood Street, University Park, MD 20783 ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 5

The Cooch Corner—Keeping watch on our AG, & the rest of the Extreme Team Fact Check: Cooch wrong on McAuliffe Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken PolitiFactVirginia decided to check that veiled some of his policies in greater depth Cuccinelli says Dem Terry McAuliffe has out last month. It said that a policy must have that his opponent. Even so, Cuccinelli has left failed to introduce any policies he would pur- a goal and a process to get there. And it added many major questions unanswered. sue as governor. Zero! Nada! Nothing! a requirement that the proposal should be in “For example, Cuccinelli has called for cut- PolitiFactVirginia, a fact-checking service of writing. ting the 6 percent corporate income tax rate to 4 the Richmond Times-Dispatch, says that is “Scouring McAuliffe’s website, we came percent over four years and reducing the 5.75 “False.” across several proposals that clearly met all individual income tax rate to 5 percent over the A central effort of the Cuccinelli cam- of these tests and were released prior to same span. The cost of the cuts would be $1.4 paign has been to paint McAuliffe as a man Cuccinelli’s June attacks,” PolitiFactVirginia billion a year, which Cuccinelli says he would lacking in substance, whose only role in poli- said. It cited four: pay for by eliminating tax exemptions and loop- tics has been fund-raising, thus making him • An executive order banning gifts over holes — but he won’t say which ones.” ill-equipped to govern. $100 to the governor’s family and barring all As to Cuccinelli’s repeated claim that “I’m the only candidate for governor gifts to the governor’s household from lob- McAuliffe hasn’t “rolled out any policies,” who’s rolled out any policies so far,” byists and others who do business with the PolitiFactVirginia concludes: “Cuccinelli’s Cuccinelli said June 11. He made a similar state. McAuliffe said he would also ask the statement is an obvious stretch and we rate it claim during a June 7 radio interview on General Assembly to pass the same rules for False.” WMAL in Washington. McAuliffe’s cam- itself, the lieutenant governor and attorney paign is “being very negative and they haven’t general, in addition to requiring that gifts of rolled out any policies,” he said. more than $500 to dependent family mem- bers be publicly reported. Jackson says • Creating a bipartisan commission to in- vestigate ethics complaints against state poli- he’s not the Meet GOP’s ticians or discrepancies in their disclosure re- ports and refer violations to the proper disci- extreme one ‘moderate’ plinary body. McAuliffe says the panel would have a “small professional staff” and would E. W. Jackson says he’s not the extreme be funded through lobbyist registration fees. candidate running for lieutenant governor this candidate • Giving localities the option of reducing year. Jackson says that title should be given It is an irony of the 2013 statewide cam- or eliminating the business and professional to Dem nominee Ralph Northam. paign that Sen. Mark Obenshain, the GOP licensing tax, the machinery and tool tax and In a fundraising email sent to supporters nominee for attorney general, has emerged as the merchant’s capital tax. McAuliffe would shortly after he was nominated, Jackson said, the moderate on the Republican ticket. appoint a commission to help localities come “The Democrats are doing everything in their Obenshain’s record in the State Senate up with revenue-neutral ways to end or cut power, with the help of the liberal media, to has been anything but. He: the levies. characterize patriotism, belief in our Consti- • Was the chief sponsor and most vocal • Appointing a commission to recommend tution and commitment to free market prin- advocate pushing legislation that requires reforms to Standards of Learning tests given ciples as ‘extreme.’ voters to produce a photo ID at the polls. to public school students. McAuliffe says the “This is not extreme.... The liberal • Supported mandatory ultrasounds on multiple-choice tests are a flawed measure of Democrat Lt. Governor candidate, Ralph women seeking abortions. teaching and learning and the state should also Northam, supports lowering the health and • Voted against Gov. Bob McDonnell’s use essay and short-answer questions. safety standards of abortion clinics, which will comprehensive transportation plan that passed Josh Schwerin, a spokesman for put women’s health in danger. That is ex- earlier this year. McAuliffe, told PolitiFactVirginia the Demo- treme,” the message said. • Supported the new regulations for abor- crat has put out “lots of policies” and referred In a recent interview, Jackson was asked tion clinics that will likely force most to close to a 13-page document on the campaign’s if he shares the president’s view that he could because they are now required to meet hospi- website entitled “Putting Jobs First.” In gen- have been Trayvon Martin. Jackson declined tal construction standards, such as wide cor- eral, PolitiFactVirginia said, “We found the to address the question, but said that he didn’t ridors. document to be more of a platform laying out like the way the president “racialized” the Mark Herring, state senator from McAuliffe’s broad goals than a policy paper murder case. Loudoun County and the Dem nominee for detailing how he would accomplish them. For On the stump, Jackson has largely cam- attorney general, said, “For [Obenshain], com- example, McAuliffe repeatedly calls for paigned on a message of restoring liberty and promise is just not a word that’s in his vo- greater investment in mass transit and public freedom to Virginia, but has outlined few spe- cabulary—even on the nuts-and-bolts gover- and higher education, but does not put price cifics on what he would do if elected. nance like transportation. We’ve been work- tags on his proposals or say how the state According to the latest campaign finance ing on transportation for years.... We can’t would pay for them. disclosure totals, Jackson has raised about have somebody who’s not willing to make “Cuccinelli, in contrast, has not issued a $248,000. Northam has raised more than $1.5 some reasonable compromises like that.” platform as broad as McAuliffe’s, but has un- million. ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 6 AYDs off to Texas to elect Registration form saga comes to end Atima national YD prez A judge has dismissed all remaining charges against a Republican operative ac- In a few short weeks, 17 Arlington Young munity, and would let her bring our local val- cused of throwing away Virginia voter regis- Democrats are heading to San Antonio for the ues to the national level. Help us elect Atima, tration forms. Young Democrats of America National Con- help us send deserving delegates to San An- Colin Small, 23, of Phoenixville, Pa., vention to represent Virginia as delegates and tonio and help us elevate Arlington to the na- was charged last October with four misde- help elect AYD’s own Atima Omara-Alwala tional level! meanor counts of destroying voter registra- as president of the national organization. tion forms, eight related felony counts of dis- This convention is a great opportunity closing Social Security numbers and misde- for current and future generations of political meanor obstruction of justice. leaders, community organizers and policy Rockingham County General District wonks, filled with informative training ses- Court Judge Marvin Hillsman dismissed the sions, networking opportunities and unique felony charges in April and has now dismissed meet-and-greet experiences. the remaining voter registration form charges. AYD has raised significant amounts of Prosecutors dropped the obstruction charge money to help fund this trip, to ensure that all in July as well. paid members of the organization who wish Small was accused of tossing eight com- to go as a delegate can do so in a cost-effec- pleted voter registration forms into a trash bin tive manner. behind a Harrisonburg store Oct 15, 2012, But, AYD could use a little more help to which was the last day to register for the Nov. get all the way to Texas. Any amount of 6, presidential election. The store’s manager money can go a long way to helping achieve told police he saw a man dump a trash bag this goal. If you wish to help out in this im- into the store’s private bin. The manager re- portant endeavor, please donate securely trieved the bag, found the voter registration online at http://secure.actblue.com/contribute/ forms and called police. page/aydtoyda or contact the delegate com- The forms were rushed to the mittee at [email protected]. Rockingham County registrar’s office, just Electing Atima as president of YDA ATIMA OMARA-ALWALA before the 5 p.m. deadline to register to vote. would be a remarkable and outstanding ac- Small was arrested three days later. complishment for the entire Arlington com- . . . bound for San Antonio Three of the potential voters were al- ready registered. One was denied because of a felony conviction, and the other four were processed by the registrar, Nikki Sheridan of the state Board of Elections has said. Police have said Small was working for All three statewide Dem Pinpoint, an independent contractor that the Republican Party of Virginia had hired to con- duct voter registration drives. candidates back gift limit Small has not said why he disposed of the forms, but there has been speculation he The three Democratic nominees for dren still residing in the household – should trashed them because he had failed to file them statewide office in Virginia are calling for a be banned, with the exception of intra-family expeditiously with the registrar as required ban on any gifts exceeding $100 given to gifts.” after the forms were dated. Virginia’s governor and his family. Additionally, McAuliffe proposes “all Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candi- registered lobbyists, principals who have re- date for governor, initiated the push in April. tained registered lobbyists, or all those hav- This week, state Sen. Ralph Northam, the ing business before the Commonwealth or in- Dems’ lieutenant governor candidate, and volvement in active procurement will be state Sen. Mark Herring, who’s vying for the banned from making any gifts to the Gover- attorney general post, joined the call. nor, the Governor’s spouse, and any children Colin McAuliffe said, as governor, he would still residing in the household.” Small implement the following through executive “As governor, I would work with both order: “All gifts valued above $100, singly parties in the legislature to implement a legis- or in aggregate over the course of one calen- lative gift ban that would provide additional dar year from one source – made to the gov- specificity, define terms and plan implementa- ernor, the governor’s spouse, and any chil- tion,” McAuliffe said in a prepared statement. Center)

ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 7 Tim Kaine and his wailing harmonica join in a jam down in Floyd County Sen. Tim Kaine is best known for his quiet manner and all-inclusive approach to politics. But when he gets into rural Vir- ginia—deeply-red Virginia—he often draws on something else. His harmonica. And that’s just what Kaine did recently while visiting Floyd County, which prides it- self on its music and mountains. Its lies al- most down on the Carolina border atop the Blue Ridge Plateau and has all of 15,000 people. Kaine lost in Floyd County last year. He couldn’t break 40 percent in the county’s six precincts. Kaine was back in Floyd in July. The senator was just watching and listening to the band in the Floyd Country Store when, at a nod from banjo player Alan Graf, he quietly sat down, pulled out his harmonica and took up the melody line to the song “New River Train.” Listening carefully, then unobtrusively joining in with the music—it’s not too much FLOYD JAM — Sen. Tim Kaine (above center) took a seat behind different from what he does in Washington, a fiddler and listened long last month in the back of the country he told The Roanoke Times a few minutes be- fore sitting in to play. store in Floyd. Later, at a nod from the banjo player, Tim pulled a Although he doesn’t read music and chair up, fetched his harmonica out of a pocket and (below right) hadn’t heard many of the Sunday jam’s songs joined in the Sunday jam. before, he said what works best is to listen for a bit, try to follow the melody for one go- through, “and then I just do what seems to fit.” When Christina Zawerucha, who just moved to Southwest Virginia from New York, asked if the musicians knew one of her favor- ites, “Adieu False Heart,” and they said they didn’t, she sang a few verses for them. Kaine, head cocked, listened closely. And when Mike Pendleton, who plays the fiddle for the Lone Ivy String Band, the group that anchors the jam, nodded, Kaine softly played the tune; one by one, guitars, violins and banjos joined in with him. When Kaine told the musicians the songs he knew best were gospel ones, they had him sing “The Lord is My Light and My Salva- tion” in memory of a longtime Sunday after- noon jam fan who recently passed away. After the last verse, which invites all to “Wait on the Lord and be of courage,” half of the audience joined softly in the refrain: “Whom shall I fear.” “I had a pretty good choir back there,” Kaine said. ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 8 Passings: Civil rights activist Michael Winter Michael Winter, a long-time ACDC ac- school, Winter went to the Berkeley Center Program, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of tivist, disability advocate and employee of the for Independent Living in California, seek- 1964 and environmental justice issues. U.S. Department of Transportation, passed ing a “radical” locale. He stayed on as the In 2011, Winter was one of the featured away suddenly the evening of July 11. He CIL’s client service manager, a position he interviews in Eric Nuedel’s award winning was 61. held for four years until 1981. For two years, documentary, “Lives Worth Living,” which Most recently, Michael was serving on Winter then directed a CIL in Hawaii, then chronicled the rise of the disability rights the ACDC committee searching for a new returned to the Berkeley CIL as its director movement in the United States after World headquarters—with a particular emphasis on for 12 years. War II. disability access. While at the Berkeley CIL, Winter stud- In the film, Winter recalled an incident In an interview with Independence To- ied business administration at San Francisco when disability activists gathered en masse day in 2007, Winter—a fixture in disability State University and successfully campaigned in the U.S. Capitol rotunda while protest- advocacy since the 1960s—described himself for a seat on the Alameda-Contra Costa Tran- ing inaction on the Americans with Disabili- as “a father, son, civil rights activist, former sit District Board of Directors. He served there ties Act. The group was approached by a president of the National Council on Indepen- six years, four of which included chairing the young, non-disabled woman excited by the dent Living (NCIL), director of an agency in finance committee, bridging his interests in size of the crowd. Turns out she was a tour the federal bureaucracy.... and a Chicago finance and accessible transportation. guide, expecting to host a group of “handi- Bears fan.” During that time, Winter was elected capped” people on a tour through the Capi- Born in 1951 with osteogenesis president of the National CIL. He served there tol. imperfecta (known informally as “OI” or from 1991 to 1995. “I have to tell you something,” Winter “brittle bones”), Winter was a lifelong wheel- In 1994, Winter joined the U.S. Depart- wryly informed her — and viewers of the film chair user who grew up in his beloved Windy ment of Transportation. From 1994 to 1997, later. “I don’t think these people are here for City before inclusion of students with disabili- was a special assistant to the associate deputy a tour.” Humor was a hallmark of Winter’s ties was common. While most schools were secretary and director of the Office of personality. segregated according to race and class by Intermodalism. Winter was associate admin- National Council on Disability (NCD) neighborhood, according to Winter the school istrator for budget and policy with the Fed- Chairperson Jeff Rosen said, “As his star role he attended “was the only integrated school eral Transit Administration from 1997 to in the documentary illustrated, Michael’s life [across racial and class lines] in the whole 2000. was certainly worth living. His contributions city.” From 2001 on, Winter was responsible through direct and often radical advocacy One of Winter’s earliest experiences with for the full range of federal civil rights respon- were immense. On a personal note, I will al- advocacy occurred in 1965 when he was a sibilities at the Transportation Department as ways fondly remember Michael’s eclectic high school freshman and school officials they applied to the ADA, the Rehabilitation collection of slippers that he would jauntily ruled “we couldn’t have any French fries.” Act, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise wear about town.” His brother Russell led the lunchroom pro- test. Approximately 300 students, opposed to being served “institutional food,” sang pro- test songs and staged a lunch strike that lasted about three weeks. In the end, they won and Winter detailed the whole experience as “good preparation for becoming an advocate. My identity as a disabled person ... helped launch my advocacy career.” In 1969, Winter enrolled at Southern Il- linois University in Carbondale, Ill, grew fond of philosophy and studied the work of com- munity organizer Saul Alinsky, who also hailed from Chicago and was later to inspire a young community organizer named Barack Obama. Taking a page from Alinsky’s playbook, Winter and other students with disabilities once took over the university president’s of- fice and chained a wheelchair to his desk to make their point about the need for accessible transportation. Winter’s advocacy for accessible trans- portation would be a constant for the rest of LEADER — Michael Winter (right foreground) is seen at his life. one of his favorite locations—at the head of a protest on be- In 1977, after college and a stint in grad half of disability access. ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 9 Ticket revs up Dems at Arlington J-J All three Dems on the statewide ticket very good from his pespective. “I’m excited the state. spoke Sunday at the Arlington Jefferson-Jack- about where we’re at—but, then, I’m always He also called for “dismantling” the stan- son Dinner, with the key goal of revving up excited,” McAulliffe said, ribbing himself. dards of learning (SOLs) “because they do enthusiam for getting more Arlingtonians to He emphasized the need to work on not work.” the polls in November. transportation, commenting that I-95 “is now McAuliffe said, “I don’t see education July 27 wasn’t just J-J day. It marked a parking lot.” as an expense; I see it as an investment.” the 100th day out from Election Day and un- And he argued for much more emphasis He said his goal was to make Virginia derscored how little time is left. on education, from pre-K up, noting that Vir- an open and inviting state for residents and Gubernatorial candidate Terry ginia now ranks 50th among the states in terms for businesses. But, he said, “You cannot be McAuliffe said the campaign was looking of tecaher pay compared to average wages in an open state when you refer to gays as soul- less.” He pledged to work tirelessly through all four years as governor. “As most of you know, I’m not a big sleeper. I don’t believe in it. Sing ‘Coo Coo Cooch-a-nelli’ You sleep when you’re dead.” Ken Cuccinelli gets a satirical send-up furlough state workers 15 days to help bal- For the eighth year in a row, the J-J was in a new song by a political parody artist who ance the books. held at the Westin Arlington Gateway. The likes to needle Old Dominion pols. Four years later, it was then-Gov. George room was packed to the walls with a remark- “Coo Coo Cooch-a-nelli” is sung by Allen’s (R) turn when Bankrupt produced a able turnout attesting to the interest in the 2013 pseudonymous musician Billy Bankrupt, who song about the discovery of a gun hidden in a ticket. keeps his real identity secret. typewriter used by a death row inmate ex- The dinner of baby spinach salad, pan- After the chime of a cuckoo clock, the ecuted in May 1995 seared breast of chicken and cheesecake tune begins: “Even when he’s happy, he’s The satirist had lain dormant more than topped with berries got rave reviews. never gay. He’s endorsed by the NRA. Teach- a decade before re-emerging with his take on ers and universities, taken to court for their Cuccinelli. heresies. Has no need of academic pursuit, “I am not partisan and anyone or situa- cause he always knows the truth.” tion is fair game,” he told the Norfolk Virgin- Over guitar strums and tambourine shakes, ian-Pilot in an email. “I never intend to be the song takes listeners on a retrospective of mean spirited, but I do like to poke serious Cuccinelli’s efforts to restrict abortion, oppose fun at politicians whom I think are hypocriti- gay rights, and shoo Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling from cal or wacky. The subject of the current song, this year’s GOP nomination contest. to me, is both.” Previous satirical tunes from Bankrupt You can hear the song and sing along at took on the state budget shortfall in 1991 and http://madisondems.org/2013/05/06/coo-coo- a proposal by then-Gov. Doug Wilder (D) to coo-cooch-a-nelli/

Brink to talk at 2nd Saturday Breakfast The speaker at the August Second Sat- urday Breakfast will be Del. Bob Brink, who is facing re-election this fall in a campaign that now lacks an opponent. The Second Saturday falls on August 10, the weekend of the County Fair. The site is the usual Busboys & Poets in Shirlington. Bring your appetite and your questions for Brink. Feeding time begins as usual at 8:30 a.m. ACDC Voice, August 2013, Page 10 GOP in Arlington takes a It’s time for the pass on this year’s election County Fair & The November ballot has slimmed November 5, 2013 General Election the Dem booth down a bit with the opponent Del. Bob Brink Governor continued from page one had been facing withdrawing from the race. Terry R. McAuliffe (D) Everything in Arlington is really fo- Ken T. Cuccinelli II (R) To sign up, or if you have any ques- cused on the three statewide races for gov- Robert C. Sarvis (L) tions, please contact Conor Marshall at ernor, lieutenant governor and attorney gen- Lieutenant Governor [email protected]. eral. Ralph S. Northam (D) See you at the Fair! There are also four state delegate races E.W. Jackson (R) on the ballot along with one County Board Attorney General The (Discounted) Price of Gold and one School Board seat. All six of those Mark R. Herring (D) Expect an invitation in the mail this races see incumbent Democrats running for Mark D. Obenshain (R) month to purchase your own piece of Arling- re-election. The GOP is not running even a House of Delegates, 45th District ton Gold. The Gold Card is an annual tradi- single challenger. K. Rob Krupicka (D), incumbent tion granting VIP admission to a trifecta of Two of those incumbents face no chal- Jeffrey J. Engle (I) Joint Campaign fundraising events at a great lenger at all, while the other four each face a House of Delegates, 47th District discount. challenger but from four different persua- Patrick A. Hope (D), incumbent The Joint Campaign raises funds and sions. There is one Libertarian, one Green, Laura R. Delhomme (L) works on behalf of all Democratic candidates one Independent Green and one Independent House of Delegates, 48th District for state and local office. The proceeds from challenging, so there will not be a unified Robert H. Brink (D), incumbent the Gold Card support all of our Democratic opposition slate. House of Delegates, 49th District candidates on the ballot – maximizing the im- The three statewide races, on the other Alfonso H. Lopez (D), incumbent pact and efficiency of each volunteer hour hand, are all Dem-Rep faceoffs, with only Terrence W. Modglin (IG) worked and every dollar spent. four percentage points separating the two County Board This year’s events are: major candidates for governor and all the G. N. “Jay” Fisette Jr. (D) incumbent • Chili Cook-Off – Monday, September 2 candidates for the other posts so little known Audrey R. Clement (G) (Labor Day) — Test your chili-making skills yet in the state that the races have to be rated School Board against the 2012 reigning champions, which tossups—and the importance of the cam- James S. Lander, incumbent were Sheriff Beth Arthur’s “Jailhouse Chili,” D=Democrat, R=Republican, G=Green, paigns cannot be overstated. selected by the panel as the best of the 14 chili L=Libertarian, IG=Independent Green, The listing at the right shows the No- entries, and the “popular vote” winner, Com- I=Independent. Under state law, party affiliation does missioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy’s vember ballot. It may also include a county not appear on the ballot for County Board or School referendum question on whether a redevel- Board. School Board candidates are unaffiliated but “Taxes Chili with a Caribbean Twist.” opment and housing authority should be ac- may be endorsed by political parties, and James As always, the Chili Cook-Off will be tivated in Arlington. Lander has been endorsed by Arlington Democrats. held 4-6 p.m. at Lyon Park. To volunteer to help, contact event organizer, Kim Klinger at [email protected] or Joint Cam- paign Co-Chair Mary Hynes at [email protected] Cereal in short supply • Rooftop Golden Gala—Early October. Our swinging cocktail party event with lots 350 of swell eats, courtesy of the ACDC Kitchen There is a serious drought on the as best ways we help the Arlington Crew. Locale and details coming soon. cereal front. With the year more than Food Assistance Center (AFAC). It • Music on the Pike – Late October – Join half complete, the Democratic Values In is nutritious, inexpensive and easy to us for a night of fun and music on the Pike as Action (DVA) cereal drive is barely 20 store safely. we gear up for the final days of the campaign. percent of the way to its annual goal. Speaking of the Chili Cook-Off, Interested in sponsoring Gold Card So far this year, 71 boxes of cereal DVA would like to try its hand at an events? Contact Mary Hynes at have been collected toward the goal of entry this year. But it needs a recipe [email protected] for details. 350 by December 31. and a chef! Like to volunteer? Con- You can drop boxes off at any tact Kim Klingler at ACDC event—the monthly meeting, the 71 [email protected]. 2nd debate in September Second Saturday Breakfast and the YD’s Meanwhile, DVA has just passed A second gubernatorial debate has been monthly confab. Or bring it to the Chili 200 likes on Facebook. Log in and set, this one in Northern Virginia. Sponsored Cook-Off on Labor Day. help the likes grow, You can also find by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, it will Cereal is one of the easiest as well DVA on Twitter @DemValues. be held in McLean Sept. 25.