Patrick Murray

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

It’s Friday the 13th — According to superstition, it’s a day of supreme unluckiness. According to one Dutch statistics keeper, it’s actually less unlucky than other days. [Wikipedia]

Reminder: Blue, Yellow Line Work — As a reminder, track work will shut down the Blue and Yellow lines between the Pentagon City and Braddock Road stations this weekend. That means the Crystal City and National Airport stations will be closed. Free shuttle bus service will be provided.

Streetcar Skepticism on Board — Arlington County Board members Libby Garvey and Walter Tejada are both expressing skepticism about the controversial Columbia Pike streetcar project. The Board is scheduled to vote on the project on Monday, July 23. [Sun Gazette]

Colombia National Day Celebration — Arlington will celebrate the 24th annual Colombia National Day on Saturday (July 14). The event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Theater (125 S. Old Glebe Road) will feature festivities like Colombian folkloric dance and musical performances. For more information, call 703-228-1850.

Murray on Moran Health Care Vote — Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray is blasting his opponent, Rep. Jim Moran (D), for voting against the latest GOP attempt to repeal President Obama’s health care law. “I’m an eternal optimist,” Murray said. “I hoped against hope that, after having had an opportunity to actually read what is in this 2,700 page bill, Moran would have put partisanship aside and voted in favor of Americans. Sadly he again chose Party over country, particularly for young Americans.”

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Murray Campaign Claims Advantage Among Independents

By ARLnow.com

The campaign of Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray is claiming an advantage among independent voters — a claim his opponent’s campaign is vigorously disputing.

Murray is facing off against incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D) in the Nov. 6 general election. The race will be a rematch of the 2010 race, in which Moran defeated Murray by a 24 point margin.

This time around, the Murray camp says they hold a convincing advantage among independent voters. In an email to supporters this week, the campaign said Murray holds an “astonishing” 26 point margin advantage against Moran among independent voters in Virginia’s Eighth District.

“The information we emailed out was based on thousands of phone calls the campaign has made to independent voters,” Murray spokesman Reece Collins told ARLnow.com. “From those who have responded to the survey, Patrick is ahead by a margin of 58 percent to 32 percent with 10 percent saying that they are undecided.”

“The results show that these swing voters are unhappy with the current Congressman and his hyper-partisan approach,” Collins continued. “Conversely, Patrick’s message of creating jobs and responsible government is clearly resonating.”

The Moran campaign, however, questioned the method by which the poll numbers were generated.

“Unless they have an actual firm willing to stand by the numbers and share methodology, they’re just making it up,” said Moran spokesman Austin Durrer. “Moran just won his primary… in a deep blue seat, one that Murray couldn’t come within 22 points of Jim in the worst year for Democrats in electoral history. In 2012, with the President and Tim Kaine at the top of the ticket, that challenge is even steeper.”

Moran defeated Democratic primary challenger Bruce Shuttleworth by a 48 point margin on Tuesday. Murray did not have a Republican primary opponent.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Good Stuff Eatery Opens Tonight — The new Good Stuff Eatery location at 2110 Crystal Drive in Crystal City will open to the general public for the first time tonight. The burger and shake restaurant will be open for dinner only today; it will start opening for lunch and dinner tomorrow. A television production crew is expected to be filming at the restaurant tonight for an upcoming episode of ‘Life After Top Chef.’

Potomac Overlook Naturalist Retiring — Martin Ogle, who is retiring next week after 27 years as chief naturalist at Potomac Overlook Regional Park, is being credited with playing a key role in a number of environmental initiatives in Arlington over the years. [Falls Church News-Press]

Moran Challenger Worries About GOP Inclusiveness — Patrick Murray, the Republican who will be trying again to unseat incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D) in November, is concerned that the GOP is straying from Ronald Reagan’s belief in a ‘Big Tent.’ Murray issued a statement following Ric Grenell’s resignation from Mitt Romney’s Republican presidential campaign. Grenell resigned as a spokesman for the campaign after social conservative groups began criticizing the campaign because Grenell is openly gay. Murray said he was “disappointed” to learn that Grenell stepped down. [Sun Gazette]

Murray Assails Moran on Insider Trading Allegations

By ARLnow.com

Rep. Jim Moran (D) is among the congresspeople who got a not-so-flattering mention in a new book called Throw Them All Out, which purports to show a pattern of insider trading among our country’s lawmakers.

According to the book, and a Newsweek article, Moran’s stockbrokers sold shares in 90 companies following a confidential briefing Moran attended at the outset of the 2008 financial crisis. The briefing, featuring Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, outlined the breadth of the impending financial doom that gripped the country.

The newly re-formed campaign of Republican Patrick Murray, who’s hoping to unseat Moran in 2012, issued a statement about the allegations late last night.

Continuing his disgraceful pattern of actions, Jim Moran must be held accountable for his recently reported insider trading. It’s rich for a sitting Member of Congress to demagogue not just the American financial sector, but free market principles as a whole, while engaging in unethical trading. Our Representatives in Washington are trusted with sensitive information to better develop sound fiscal policies, not to protect one’s financial portfolio. Moran’s ability to dump shares in 90 companies immediately after a classified briefing by Ben Bernanke on possible economic downturn is unethical and immoral. Jim Moran finally must go.

America is paying the price for actions like Moran’s on a national scale. We cannot afford a political class that plays by different rules. I am running for Congress as an extension of my Oath to serve this nation; not to line my pockets in Washington while crying injustice in Northern Virginia.

Patrick Murray: Rematch With Jim Moran in 2012

By ARLnow.com

As predicted, retired Army colonel Patrick Murray is preparing for an electoral rematch with Rep. Jim Moran in 2012.

Murray has announced that he will again seek the Republican nomination in the upcoming Virginia 8th District House of Representatives race. After losing to Moran by a final vote of 61 percent to 37 percent in 2010, Murray is pulling no punches in his criticism of the ten-term Democratic congressman.

Murray sent the following email to supporters last night.

Today I’m announcing my candidacy for US Congress in the 8th Congressional District of Virginia. This decision to run for a second time took much soul-searching, thought and prayer. Campaigns are a crucible, but, just as with my military service, this is a matter of duty for me. If I thought our nation was on the right track, that we had leaders who were governing with the Constitution and our children in mind, that we were secure and prosperous, then I would happily pursue other goals.

But we are not on the right track, and I’m willing to bet that you agree with me. In fact, our nation is losing its way, largely because of bad decisions made in Washington, DC. With $15 trillion in federal debt, we are handing our kids and grandkids a bill they can’t pay, yet out-of-control spending continues unabated. The only thing being cut is Defense, which is one of the few things that, in accordance with our Constitution, we should be ensuring for. The economy is stagnant. Unemployment is soaring. Meanwhile my opponent Jim Moran, who likes to call Republicans the “Taliban,” is focused on keeping just one job: his own. And here in Northern Virginia our traffic debacle has somehow gotten worse, especially with the mammoth new Mark Center building (supported by Moran) opening for business on I-395.

Hyper-partisanship. Traffic Gridlock. Out-of-control spending. Or as I prefer to call it: “Jim Moran’s playbook.”

When I joined the Army some 26 years ago I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution – there is no statute of limitations on that oath. So I told myself that I could sit around and complain about it or I could roll up my sleeves and try to fix the problems and find a way back to who we are. And that’s what I intend to do.

Winning will not be easy. I am a decided underdog in a tough Congressional District running against a career politician who is very good at bullying, intimidation and self preservation. That’s the bad news.

On the flip side, there is much to be optimistic about. In 2010 when I ran, I started at ground zero, freshly out of the Army with no campaign experience, no name recognition and only a handful of supporters. Well, I’m very proud of what we accomplished; over 72,000 people voted for me, we raised a substantial amount of money, and we had legions of energetic volunteers out knocking doors, making phone calls, putting out signs and stuffing envelopes. Now we have that firm foundation to stand upon, and redistricting should also help our side. Combine all of that with Party backing and a dynamic, professional campaign team with national experience and a solid record of winning difficult races in tough Districts and we are light years ahead of where we were last time.

Murray Blasts Moran, Setting Up Possible Electoral Rematch

By ARLnow.com

Former Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray has sent an email to supporters blasting Rep. Jim Moran (D), the man who defeated him in last year’s mid-term election.

On Thursday, Moran started taking heat for comments that he made to a U.S. government-sponsored Arab TV network regarding Americans’ attitudes toward having an African American president. Now Murray is piling on, calling Moran’s comments “wildly inaccurate” and “un-American” in the email reprinted below (after the jump).

Murray, a retired Army colonel who Moran defeated by a 24-point margin, has been lying low since November, but he has maintained his email list and recently set up a new web site. The latest email suggests he may be relishing a rematch against Moran, who he accuses of denigrating his military service.

Reached by phone this afternoon, Murray confirmed that he’s “leaning toward running again.”

“I’ve left the campaign open for a reason,” Murray said. “I’m inclined not to give up after one run, but it’s too early to say.”

“I haven’t ruled anything out for 2012,” Murray added. “I’m committed to this area, I’m committed to the political process, and I’m committed to the Republican party.”

Murray quashed rumors that he may be interested in running for state Sen. Patsy Ticer’s seat this fall.

“It’s too soon after this last campaign, I think,” Murary said, adding that he would support the Republican candidate in the race.

Ticer is widely expected to retire this year. Three Democrats — Del. Adam Ebbin, Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey, and Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka — have all said they would seek the seat if Ticer declines to run for another term.

See Murray’s email to supporters, after the jump.

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Murray Asks for Sign Retrieval Help

By ARLnow.com

Patrick Murray, who lost his bid to unseat Rep. Jim Moran earlier this month, is asking his supporters for one last act of honor and courage: to clear remaining campaign signs from median strips.

Murray estimated that the campaign has collected about 95 percent of signs. That would mean that 5 percent of the campaign’s signs — about 550 signs out of a total of 11,000 — are still scattered about the Eighth District.

In an email, Murray asked supporters to help with the retrieval effort before the Tuesday deadline for removing campaign signs.

Most of our local jurisdictions require signs to be removed within two weeks after the election. With that deadline looming on Tuesday, we need some help. If as you move about the district during the next day or two and see a sign still in place, I ask that if you have the time that you stop and pick it up for us.

If you see a sign or two and are not in a position to pick it up, or if you have some you need to get to us please send an email to [email protected], and note the location so we can attempt to have another volunteer recover it as soon as possible.

Murray Campaigns on the Eve of Tuesday’s Election

By ARLnow.com

It was a whirlwind trip around the 8th District today for Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray.

With the help of a campaign bus, a core group of staffers and a collection of volunteers, Murray greeted voters in ten different locations around the district, part of his week-long “Road to Victory Tour.”

Murray’s first stop in Arlington was a guest appearance on G. Gordon Liddy’s radio show, which broadcasts from Rosslyn. The two men bantered about Murray’s military service and opponent Jim Moran’s comment that military service does not constitute “public service.”

“I don’t know who this Moran fellow thinks he is, but wow, that really takes the cake,” Liddy said, after rattling off the ranks three children and one grandchild who have served or are serving in the military.

After the Liddy interview, it was off to Clarendon. Starbucks was first on the agenda, for a much-needed caffeine infusion.

(The public appearances had started at 6:30 a.m. at the Huntington Metro station, and weren’t scheduled to end until 7:00 p.m., at the King Street Metro station. “I’ve stopped looking at the schedule because it just keeps going,” Murray said wearily.)

As Murray was getting ready to leave Starbucks, an aide told him he had to make a series of important phone calls. He pleaded for some time to walk around first.

Murray was remarkably unintimidated by the deep blue surroundings: a Whole Foods, a yoga apparel store, an indie rock club. Flashing a big smile, he approached the few people who were walking around Clarendon at 12:15 on a Monday afternoon. The grin was greeted with politeness at worst, and an enthusiastic pledge to vote at best.

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Moran and Murray Supporters Trade Accusations

By ARLnow.com

Did a Patrick Murray campaign volunteer get up in the face Rep. Jim Moran at the Huntington Metro station early this morning, as a Democratic source tells us?

Or did Moran and his son go “ballistic” and direct a “profane tirade” at the volunteer, as the Murray for Congress blog says?

Or, perhaps, both?

With precious few hours left until the polls open tomorrow morning, a shadow of political ugliness has enveloped the 8th District.

Murray first made the accusation against Moran on the Chris Plante radio show on 630 WMAL this morning. Since then, the campaign says a supporter has offered a $1,000 reward “to anyone who can provide video of the incident by 5:00 p.m. tonight.”

Meanwhile, the Moran campaign is firing back.

“For someone that claims to be running on the theme of ‘honor and courage’ this a new low,” a campaign spokesperson said. “These childish acts of desperation are symptomatic of a campaign headed for defeat.”

Murray Skips Debate, Slams Moran on Chinese TV

By ARLnow.com

Republican Patrick Murray skipped the last scheduled candidate debate in Arlington last night, leaving Democratic incumbent Rep. Jim Moran and Independent Green candidate Ron Fisher to have more of a “discussion” in front of nearly 100 residents.

But earlier this week Murray found the time for a 12-minute interview with New Tang Dynasty Television, which is affiliated with Falun Gong, the Chinese religious movement.

During the interview, Murray blasted Moran’s outspoken support of earmarks, calling the ten-term congressman “irresponsible” and “an anachronism from the past.”

“The earmarks benefit [Moran] more than anyone else,” Murray said. “The way he works earmarks, it’s called ‘pay to play.’ The defense industries and the IT industries, they feel forced to participate in it. They give him campaign donations in return.”

In response to an inquiry from ARLnow.com, the Moran campaign broke its usual silence and fired back.

“Patrick Murray has no clue about the needs of the 8th District because he only moved here 18 months ago,” the campaign said. “If he had more knowledge of Northern Virginia, he’d be aware of the importance of earmarks for building Dulles Rail, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Springfield Mixing Bowl and countless other projects that create jobs and benefit our region’s quality of life.”

“Mr. Murray’s attacks on the Federal Government, such as calling for the elimination of the Department of Education, are way out of touch and will fall on deaf ears,” the campaign added. “Northern Virginians know how integral the Federal Government is to our economy, which includes thousands of contracting jobs, consulting positions and related service industry jobs.”

In other parts of the surprisingly topical NTD TV interview — it may have been the most issue-oriented interview of the entire campaign — Murray tried to strike a more moderate tone.

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