Winston-Salem Journal
Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010
By Scott Sexton, columnist
It may have taken Billy Kennedy a while to decide whether he wanted to run for Congress against the entrenched Republican incumbent, Rep. Virginia Foxx, but once he was in, he was really in.
For proof of Kennedy's commitment, informed, curious and undecided voters -- all four of you -- needn't have looked any farther than the traffic-choked and rain-slickened Five Points intersection Tuesday afternoon. There, despite overbearing heat and hothouse humidity, stood the 52-year-old Democratic candidate and a small cadre of die-hard supporters waving blue-and-white Kennedy for Congress signs at passing commuters.
It was a novel and cheap -- free, actually -- way for Kennedy to try to make noise in a 5th District race that many observers have said is unwinnable for a Democrat ever since the district was drawn after the 2000 census.
"It is an uphill battle, and I'd be foolish to say it's not," Kennedy said. "But I believe there is a level of frustration with Virginia that will translate to votes. People are hurting, and we have to do something to help." ... MORE
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Truth About Foxx and Veterans
Billy Kennedy: Virginia Foxx, Better Late Than Never
Vilas, NC (August 10, 2010) -- Incumbent Virginia Foxx was in the news Monday morning ("Spouses of Vets May Get More Aid," Winston-Salem Journal) introducing a bill that will help surviving spouses of veterans get Veterans Affairs home loans.
Challenger Billy Kennedy issued the following statement:
"I applaud the incumbent's legislation and note that running for reelection has seemed to have a positive effect on her concern for veterans, because her record prior to today has been abysmal for veterans.
"In 2005, her first year in Congress, Disabled American Veterans gave her a grade of ZERO for her votes relating to veterans issues. In 2006, The Retired Enlisted Association graded her performance at 21 percent, while the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave her a grade of D.
"In 2008, Foxx voted 'no' on expanding the G.I. Bill. She has been very willing to send our troops to war, and even more willing to keep them there (she voted 'no' in 2007 on redeploying troops out of Iraq), but when it comes to offering them substantive help once they're back in civilian life, she's usually AWOL.
In September of 2008, she was one of only 58 members of Congress who voted against a continuing appropriations bill (H.R.2638) that funded veterans programs.
"In 2009, she received a '0' rating from the Military Officers Association of America for voting 'no' on the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, legislation that prevented a 21 percent reduction in physician payment rates for those military families enrolled in TRICARE, the civilian component of the military's health care system. MOAA strongly supported the bill, noting its defeat would have meant critical loss of access to health care for uniformed service members, retirees and their families.
"This is pretty classic incumbent political maneuvering right before an election. It's just too bad we can't count on Ms. Foxx to do the right thing until just a few days out from an election."
Vilas, NC (August 10, 2010) -- Incumbent Virginia Foxx was in the news Monday morning ("Spouses of Vets May Get More Aid," Winston-Salem Journal) introducing a bill that will help surviving spouses of veterans get Veterans Affairs home loans.
Challenger Billy Kennedy issued the following statement:
"I applaud the incumbent's legislation and note that running for reelection has seemed to have a positive effect on her concern for veterans, because her record prior to today has been abysmal for veterans.
"In 2005, her first year in Congress, Disabled American Veterans gave her a grade of ZERO for her votes relating to veterans issues. In 2006, The Retired Enlisted Association graded her performance at 21 percent, while the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave her a grade of D.
"In 2008, Foxx voted 'no' on expanding the G.I. Bill. She has been very willing to send our troops to war, and even more willing to keep them there (she voted 'no' in 2007 on redeploying troops out of Iraq), but when it comes to offering them substantive help once they're back in civilian life, she's usually AWOL.
In September of 2008, she was one of only 58 members of Congress who voted against a continuing appropriations bill (H.R.2638) that funded veterans programs.
"In 2009, she received a '0' rating from the Military Officers Association of America for voting 'no' on the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, legislation that prevented a 21 percent reduction in physician payment rates for those military families enrolled in TRICARE, the civilian component of the military's health care system. MOAA strongly supported the bill, noting its defeat would have meant critical loss of access to health care for uniformed service members, retirees and their families.
"This is pretty classic incumbent political maneuvering right before an election. It's just too bad we can't count on Ms. Foxx to do the right thing until just a few days out from an election."
--------
Notes
Interest group ratings Project Vote Smart 2005
Interest group ratings, Project Vote Smart,Project Vote Smart 2007 H.R.2956 Redeployment from Iraq Act, bill passed the House on 07/12/2007, 223 - 201, with Foxx voting in the minority
H.R.2638, vote to concur with Senate amendments and further amend a bill that continued funding at mostly the same levels as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (HR 2764) and appropriated an additional $668.3 billion to several departments including the Veterans Affairs Department.
Interest group rating, Project Vote Smart 2009
Interest group ratings Project Vote Smart 2005
Interest group ratings, Project Vote Smart,Project Vote Smart 2007 H.R.2956 Redeployment from Iraq Act, bill passed the House on 07/12/2007, 223 - 201, with Foxx voting in the minority
H.R.2638, vote to concur with Senate amendments and further amend a bill that continued funding at mostly the same levels as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (HR 2764) and appropriated an additional $668.3 billion to several departments including the Veterans Affairs Department.
Interest group rating, Project Vote Smart 2009
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Help us send Billy to Washington
Join our Day of Action, Saturday August 7
The Billy Kennedy for Congress campaign has been working diligently to ensure a big victory against incumbent Virginia Foxx in November. This year's historically low turnout means one very important thing -- EVERY SINGLE VOTE COUNTS.
We have an outstanding field program based in 5 regions across the district, implementing our state of the art field plan. We have been talking to 5th District voters and asking them about the issues every day, but August 7th is a special day across the district.
On August 7th, the BK4C campaign, in conjunction with Organizing for America and the North Carolina Democratic Party, will be hosting a "Day of Action."
Volunteers across the state will be coming together to do their part in electing Billy Kennedy. Will you commit to volunteering for one of our many events across the district?
We plan to reach 1,200 voters in one day and let them know why Billy Kennedy will work hard for them once elected to Congress and to remind them just how important their vote is this November. Won't you be a part of this historic campaign for working people's principles?
Click on a county below to RSVP for an an event in your area:
Ashe County
Second Floor Office Space above Ana Maria's Gift Shop
16 North Jefferson Avenue
West Jefferson, NC 28694
9am - 1pm
Alleghany County
Miles Realty
565 South Main Street
Sparta, NC 28675
1pm - 4pm
Alexander County
Alexander Democratic HQ
204 SW 1st Street
Taylorsville, NC 28681
9am - 6pm
Davie County
Davie County Public Library
371 North Main Street
Mocksville, NC 27028
12pm - 4pm
Forsyth County
Forsyth Democratic HQ
1128 Burke Street
Winston Salem, NC 27101
9am - 6pm
Iredell County
Iredell Democratic HQ
233 East Front Street
Statesville, NC 28677
9am - 6pm
Stokes County
Walnut Cove Public Library
106 West Fifth Street
Walnut Cove, NC 27052
9am - 1 pm
Surry County
Ric Marshall for NC Senate Headquarters (Mount Airy, NC)
228 Franklin Street
Mount Airy, NC 27030
9am - 1pm
Watauga County
Watauga County Democratic Party Headquarters
770 West King Street
Boone, NC 28607
9am - 7pm
Wilkes County
N Wilkesboro Police Department
719 Main Street
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
9am - 2pm
Yadkin County
WN Ireland Insurance Agency
113 East Main Street
Yadkinville, NC 27055
10am - 1pm
In addition to this historic day of action, Billy Kennedy is committed to helping improve job possibilities for 5th district constituents. To this end, the Kennedy for Congress campaign is seeking volunteers who have the skills and/or backgrounds to help 5th district job seekers with resume writing, cover letters, job applications, and development of basic interview skills. Specifically, we are looking for volunteers who can commit to two consecutive days of one-on-one interaction with job seekers later this month.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please respond here.
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