Democracy for Virginia

Real Town Halls, Not Staged Photo-Ops, in the 9th Congressional District

As millions of Americans prepare to contact their US representatives in defense of Social Security, we in Virginia’s 9th Congressional District found our task remarkably easy. In opening remarks for his constituent town hall Saturday morning, U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) cut to the chase concerning privatization: 

I can state my views very simply: I'm against it, he said.

The crowd of 100, including 10 local Democracy for Virginia members, gave him rousing applause. The Fightin’ 9th, which Boucher noted has the 9th most Social Security recipients and the 7th highest percentage of elderly citizens of any congressional district in the nation, isn’t swallowing Bush privatization snake oil.

One lone supporter of privatization turned out to be part of an out-of-town front group, revealed Richmond Times Dispatch staff writer, Rex Bowman, in an article on Sunday.

Promoting the Bush privatization scheme, the groups’ members fan out to hundreds of public meetings.  Bowman writes:

Outside the meeting room, Lewis described himself as a Bush supporter who belongs to a group whose members have attended hundreds of public meetings to support the administration's Social Security plan. He said he appreciated the openness of Boucher's town-hall gathering, despite the comments of the man who sat in front of him.

"Democracy is a wonderful thing, and I appreciate him offering me an opportunity to state my opinion," Lewis said.

The visitor worked the press and the Congressional staffer with ease, which tipped off the DFA contingent he was a pro. And the sharply dressed man with his Fix Social Security Now button contrasted sharply with locals wearing jeans and sneakers. But perhaps most telling was this lone supporter’s reason for wanting privatization: He wanted to inherit his Dad’s Social Security.

 

A Constituent's Perspective: Meet Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA-9)

Kathryn Welch of Blacksburg was a grassroots leader of the Dean campaign in Montgomery County and has volunteered to be a regular author of content for Democracy for Virginia as a representative from Southwest Virginia.

Virginia claims only 3 Democrats in the House of Representatives. So, how does a Democrat win time and again (70% of the vote in 2000 and 61% in 1998) in the largely rural, Republican-leaning southwest portion of the state? Unless you watched the Clinton impeachment hearings, where Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) worked tirelessly to avert a GOP coup d’etat, you might not have heard of him. You might not know that Rick is a staunch defender of the Constitution (e.g., he voted against the civil-liberties- eroding Patriot Act), of women’s reproductive health, and of affirmative action. You might not know he’s been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration’s mishandling of US foreign policy, particularly the Middle East Peace process and the Iraq quagmire. And, you might not know of his strong advocacy for education, and health care or his good stewardship of our nation’s fiscal and environmental resources. But the Republicans know about Rick and they’ve targeted him for defeat.

In 2002, even quicker than you can say “carpet-bagger,” Jay Katzen moved into our area (from four hours away) to establish “residency,” and then, when he lost, moved back to NOVA just as quickly. This time, the GOP bets on a NASCAR-connected opponent, Kevin Triplett, who hasn’t lived in Virginia for years, but moved back as fast as a speeding bullet (I mean race car).

Just this Monday, Dick Cheney jetted into Roanoke to raise money for Triplett. Vice-Buck Passer Cheney stayed at the fundraiser a whopping 20 minutes, but was there long enough to blame the economy here in the 9th on Rick Boucher! It should be noted that Cheney never actually even set foot in the 9th Congressional District. But we have a message for Bush, Cheney and the rest of the GOP: Not so fast!

Ninth Congressional District (VA-9): The Basics

The Ninth Congressional District in Virginia, tucked into Virginia's southwestern corner, is the home of one of Virginia's three Democratic Congressmen, Rick Boucher.

VA-9 is geographically one of the largest congressional disricts in the eastern U.S., encompassing more than twenty counties.

Rep. Boucher is a co-chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus. He is an eleven term incumbent and won handily in 2002 with 66% of the vote against Jay Katzen, who you may know as Tim Kaine's unsuccessful Republican opponent for Lieutenant Governor in 2001.

In 2004, Congressman Boucher faces a potentially much stronger opponent, NASCAR executive Kevin Triplett. The National Republican Congressional Committee has targeted this seat for Republican takeover, and Dick Cheney is expected to raise money for Triplett in a trip to Southwest Virginia later this month. Triplett's got a sophisticated Web presence and his NASCAR background has the potential to have very strong appeal. (On his online volunteer signup form, he asks respondents to name a favorite NASCAR driver. If you donate $10 to his campaign, you become eligble for a monthly drawing of NASCAR autographed items. "Crew Chiefs" and "Team Owners" can win race-used car tires.

At this point, Boucher has more money in the bank, but Triplett is raising money at a fast pace and can expect a large influx of out-of-state money from Republican leaders nationwide who view this as Virginia's one vulnerable Democratic seat.

In our primary in February, voter turnout in VA-9 was the lowest of all of Virginia's Congressional Districts, at 6.78%. In contrast, the two other districts with Democratic Congressmen, VA-3 (Bobby Scott) and VA-8 (Jim Moran) had the highest turnouts in the state at 11.92% and 15.96% respectively.

This comparatively low voter turnout in the Democratic primary may be an initial hint of trouble for Boucher's re-election. Kerry's results were also lowest in VA-9 at 46.2% while Edwards did best in this district, carrying 38% of the vote.

Dean earned 1002 votes, 3.9% of the total in VA-9. Interestingly, Dean ran really well in Montgomery County, earning 8.5% of the vote there, higher than his state average of 7%. Kucinich also did extraordinarily well, earning 7% himself. If you're from the Montgomery County area, to what do you credit such comparatively high results? Is there a secret bastion of progressivism down there? How can we learn from your success?

Most importantly, what can we do to make sure that we hold on to this Democratic seat?