Anti-Trump sentiment takes center stage at Connolly fundraiser
 |
| Rep. Connolly greets the crowd at his 23rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete. |
The resistance to the Trump presidency was the overwhelming theme at Rep. Gerry Connolly’s annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser March 17 in Fairfax.
Even the formerly mild-manner Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who’s running for governor in the June 13 Democratic primary, called Trump a “narcissistic maniac” in a fiery speech to the crowd.
 |
| Justin Fairfax (center) with Silvia Patton of the Korean-American Women’s Association of USA and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chair Sharon Bulova. |
Northam handily won the straw poll at the event with 78 percent of the vote, compared to 22 percent for former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, who entered the race relatively late in the game and bills himself as more progressive.
Among the three candidates on the ballot for lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax came out way ahead, with 78 percent of the vote, compared to 16 percent for Susan Platt and 6 percent for Gene Rossi.
Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and Annandale resident, called Trump “the worst president” in the history of the United States. The one positive outcome, he said, is “the rebirth of activism and patriotism” among the resistance.
Lauding the women’s march the day after the inauguration and the protests against Trump’s travel ban at Dulles airport, Fairfax said, “everyone is going to get a shot at the American Dream. . . . We will see a rising up unlike anything we have ever seen.”
Susan Platt, a political organizer, told the crowd that, if elected, she would work for a $15 minimum wage, women’s reproductive health, and saving the oyster industry in the Chesapeake Bay, and would “make sure no one loses healthcare.”
Rossi called himself a “passionate protector of the people.” As a federal prosecutor, he said he “fought for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.” If elected, Rossi vowed to fight for healthcare, criminal justice reform, and restoration of voting rights.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who also spoke at Connolly’s event, is running for re-election in the primary unopposed.
Republican candidates for governor running in the June 13 GOP primary include former Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chair Corey Stewart, and state Sen. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach.
State Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (Winchester), State Sen. Bryce Reeves (Fredericksburg), and state Del. Glenn Davis (Virginia Beach) are running for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary.
16 responses to “Anti-Trump sentiment takes center stage at Connolly fundraiser”
Leave a reply
"Fairfax…called Trump “the worst president” in the history of the United States." It's evident he's too young to remember Jimmy Carter.
Trump has been in office just 2 months and Fairfax says he's "the worst president" in history. By what measurement?
I'd say by any measure you can think of.
I had some hope that Trump would rise to the occasion because some of his ideas to make America Great Again had promise. Instead he has sunk to new lows: Obama was wire tapping the Trump Tower! Really, not even the Republicans agree with this nonsense, and now his administration is blaming the Brits. He is such an ego maniac he cannot see the forest through the trees and spoiling every chance of implementing some of the initiatives that he promoted, such as re-buildig our infrastructure.
He may not be the worst president yet but he is certainly mapping out that destiny. If he doesn't wise up, Trump himself will fulfill his greatest fear of being a loser that could manifest in the success of "Dump Trump."
I'm a legal immigrant, and I've been in Annandale for 35 years. I came here as a toddler. I fully support Trump. I'm glad there are a few of us left in the neighborhood!
We measure people by their character. Totally agree, It might be too early to Call Trump worst president. But definitely he will not be getting the best "person" award. He is smart but unintelligent. For me, the nail om the coffin was his message on the Access Hollywood bus where showed how entitled he is and how little respect he has for women. For others is just every word out of his mouth.
Yup, that's how we measure people, character. And we've had plenty of time to learn about his character.
His remarks were terrible. They were disgusting. And he admitted as much and apologized.
Both he and Bill Clinton have had similar circumstances with their treatment of women. One doubled down on the bad behavior and is rewarded over and over by his followers. The other is the President.
Clinton was a sitting president who was impeached by the House of Reps. for perjury and obstruction of justice…hardly a reward. The other was a candidate running for office who was later elected by his supporters even after hearing the "terrible and disgusting" remarks. Selective memory much!?!?
Great job Platt – You will fight for Women's Reproductive health so you will not fight for the child to live but the mother to kill the child. You should be proud. My guess you want no restrictions at all on abortion including partial birth. I am tired of people this is okay. I saw my son at 6 weeks and he had a heart beat, little feet, little hands, a head, a body and no one can ever tell me that is not a child that the mother who made the choice is responsible for their life.
I applaud the politicians who participated at Rep. Gerry Connolly’s annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser March 17 in Fairfax. They will have my support. They can clearly see the problems our nation is faced with. People who know about government and our system understand the magnitude of the ineptitude, graft, mismanagement and incompetence that clearly is taking place.
Meanwhile…
The village bunkins will always marvel and applaud “the Great Groper” who is the ringmaster in Putins blunder Circus. The apathetic and the ignorant now think they have to be consistent about their choice in the election. They will try to shout down reason. Their vote was based on notions not reason. Notions are easily manipulated as we have seen over and over. Vague and shallow notions mixed in with a little xenophobia and fear go along way for some people.
Although I'm a life long Democrat, I believe it goes without saying that the GOP as been steadily setting our national priorities since at least the Reagan administration and probably as far back as Nixon. One reason is that the GOP's leadership has consistently been able to convince voters to vote against their economic interests by focusing on divisive social wedge issues. So, while Democrats like Rep. Connolly may be putting on a brave face, it's clear that the party's catastrophic downfall since 2008 has been the product of the internal squabbling and poor communication with voters that's been plaguing it throughout the post-WW2 era. The GOP is still a relatively disciplined party and that should help it accommodate whatever difficulties President Trump is currently creating. In contrast, the Democrats remain as divided as ever. Since this is unlikely to change, it's time for Democrats to begin searching for a new political vehicle through which to salvage their agenda. Whether this occurs through a Tea Party style movement or a new party is immaterial. What relevant is that the Democrats have failed to reform their leadership and, as a result, are no longer a viable political option except in pockets of the nation.
A $15 minimum wage? Seriously? I guess if you don't mind putting many small businesses out of business that is a good idea. If you make running a business more expensive you will descrease the number of sustainable businesses in the targeted jurisdiction and encourage businesses to leave for other areas where the environment is more economically friendly. Platt may be a political organizer but obviously has no understanding of business or economics.
The euphemism "women's reproductive health" is so disingenuous and offensive. Pregnancy is not a disease and abortion is not healthcare. If you are pro-abortion just say so. If you are in favor of life don't dress it up. Say you are pro-life.
You are offended by what exactly? Women's reproductive health is a term broadly used by the medical community to refer to…ya know…the health of reproductive systems in women.
I'm a woman, I'm not offended…….
I'm an immigrant, I support Trump!