GERRY CONNOLLY WANTS TO NAME GOVERNMENT CENTER AFTER TOM DAVIS

From the WaPo article titled "Supervisors Weigh Naming Government Center After Davis":

"The discussion started yesterday when Supervisor Penelope A. Gross (D-Mason), who holds the seat Davis first occupied in 1980, proposed changing the name of Annandale Center Drive in her district to Tom Davis Drive.

The measure, proposed by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, drew unanimous support from the board. But it also prompted a discussion about whether a block-and-a-half stretch of road is sufficient to honor Davis's career, during which he secured millions of dollars for highway improvements, helped transfer the former Lorton prison property in southern Fairfax to the county for recreation and school use and looked out for the interests of thousands of federal workers who call Northern Virginia home.

"With all that the congressman has done as a supervisor, as chairman of the board and in Washington, I think he is deserving of something more," Herrity said, adding that naming the Lorton property after Davis is another idea the board should consider.

"I agree," said Gerald E. Connolly (D), the current board chairman, who is running for Davis's seat and might someday see his own name in lights somewhere in Fairfax."

Comments

[Chris]

The Post also reports that a Connolly poll has him up 45-22 over Leslie Byrne. Kinda flys in the face of Byrne claiming she's ten points up. The poll was done by Celinda Lake's outfit.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Any poll showing Leslie at 22% of likely PRIMARY voters is laughable.

[Chris]

To be fare, especially after last year's election wipe-out where he got what, 60%?, any poll that has Gerry Connolly at 29% is also laughable. It seems like a hard race to poll because I think a lot of people are going back and forth between the two. One poll they might say Byrne, but you ask them two weeks later, they might go over to Connolly.

[Not Larry Sabato]

That 60% of all voters supported him in a general election (against light opposition) means nothing in a primary. Plus 1/3 of the district in Prince William has never seen his name on the ballot. If he pulled 15% down there starting out, he would be at 38/39% in Fairfax to equal out to 29% overall. So 29% is totally reasonable.

[Loudoun Insider]

This is one of the best things Connolly has ever done! He's still an ass.

That's kind of a misleading headline. When people in Fairfax say government center they mean that giant building near fairfax town center, not some local supervisor office.

[Mike P.]

6 toupees for this?! My, how the mighty have fallen.

"Macaca" got fewer than this, IIRC - certainly no more.

[polzoo]

Hi there,
You write very well. I was reading over your blog and I thought you'd be a great addition to our new online community, polzoo.com. We only launched three weeks ago, but so far our daily hits have tripled already. We are a user generated political editorial and social network, we choose amongst our own bloggers to feature on the front page. I think your voice would be a great addition. Come check us out.

[Joel Rutstein]

Yesterday, Davis voted to uphold Bush's veto of the bill that would prevent the CIA from using certain coercive interrogation methods. How about Tom Davis' Waterboarding Way?

[Not Larry Sabato]

Anon 1235- that is exactly what they are talking about doing. Read the article again.

Mike- macaca got 17 when I released the video.

[Bwana]

I like how Ms. Gross did not suggest renaming the Mason District Government Center after Davis...I can only suppose she is hoping that honor goes to her at some future date.

[TDH]

I fully support giving Tom Davis the honor of naming that block and a half street that empties into a dead end after him. Although it would be better if it was a blockhead and a half.

Will the Post's idolatry of Davis never end?

[PoliticalHackySack]

Ben, where do you get Prince William making up 1/3 of the district? Are you looking at number of voters or land mass?

[James Young]

I have conceptual problems with naming ANYTHING after a living individual, or of giving this kind of honor to someone recently deceased (it's always struck me as kind of odd that the deceased father of a law school classmate was honored with a federal holiday). To be sure, it makes people feel good, and is probably even calculated by Gerry to buy a few votes, but the fullness of time is usually necessary to judge an individual's accomplishments, and worthiness for such an honor.

[Dem Legislator in Search of Clue]

NLS Pukes:

read and be enlightened!

David Mamet: Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811,374064,374064,1.html

I stand corrected Ben. Guess I should be more careful than to make criticisms after midnight :)

I wonder how many Rs vote for Gerry in the primary.....

[John]

Ben - I am totally behind Leslie in the primary and I take issue with many things Tom Davis has done, but I think this edition of Gerry sucks is a bit over the top. People who are in public service for a long career and make numerous notable contributions to their community should be recognized for it, and I don't really think a block-and-a-half stretch of road is enough for Tom Davis' service. Now, on the other hand, an airport, a federal building, and countless other things was WAY TOO MUCH for Reagan.

[Andrew]

In response to John, you're absolutely right, and aside from the money he has made because he is in congress and the money he'll make because he was in congress we should definetly find some way to honor him for his truly selfless service......My real opinion, honor firefighters and policemen and real local heroes, While Tom Davis was not a bad man, he was certainly no hero and I don't think he should be remebered as such.

[phaedrusmack]

Tom Davis is a clown. He is a political chameleon. He blew in which ever direction the wind was blowing and will not hurt him politically. He was in the hip pocket of most developers in Fairfax especially the Lerners (slum lords).
Connolly is of the same ilk. We need particularly at this very crucial time in our country people who will move the country ahead and not support ill advised adventures overseas. We need leaders not opportunists. Naming buildings, streets, airports after marginal political hacks is pandering. I agree name these things after those who selflessly place their lives on the line.