Moran losing primary opponents

[mndemocrat_29]

Jim Moran (D-VA) has lost the majority of his primary opponents. Here's the article from www.politics1.com:

MORAN'S FOES KEEP VANISHING. Months ago, Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) looked as if he would have big problems winning renomination next year for his seat. Several Democrats announced their candidacy against Moran after ethics questions about his finances were raised and after Moran made comments implying that those who wanted to the US to go to war with Iraq were mainly Jews. Moran apologized -- saying he hadn't mean to say that and that the remarks were inaccurate -- but he was still forced to surrender his position in the House Democratic leadership. A group of Democratic Congressmen -- including former DCCC Chair Martin Frost -- also signed a letter saying they could no longer support Moran for re-election. Since then -- for a variety of reasons -- Moran's announced opponents have exited the race. Former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne and Arlington County Councilman Jay Fissette announced candidacies, but quickly exited. Jewish community activist Jeremy Bash talked of running for months, but never jumped in. On Thursday, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Hanley -- who was viewed from the outset as Moran's main challenger -- dropped out after having already raised $262,000 for the race. After months of campaigning, Hanley said she simply didn't have the desire to give the "total commitment of time" required for the all-out run needed to win. With her departure, Moran's only remaining primary opponent is attorney Andy Rosenberg, a former aide to US Senator Ted Kennedy. Moran -- who one day ago would have been rated as "vulnerable" -- just moved into the "incumbent favored" column. Several GOP candidates are also in the race, but the district is heavily Democratic.

[w4rma]

1. Rep. Moran apologized and his apology rings true to me:

…
“By no means did I intend or believe that members of the Jewish community are united in their support for a possible war with Iraq,” Moran said in a Friday letter to the Jewish Community Council of the Washington area that was made public this morning. “And I certainly never meant, nor do I believe, to imply that the Jewish community is responsible for or should be blamed for this war.”

Moran said he was trying to make a larger point about the views of different religious communities on a possible war. He said he answered the way he did because his questioner identified herself as Jewish, “and I regret doing that. ... I wholeheartedly apologize to anyone whom I unintentionally offended with my insensitive comments.”
…
“I know in my heart that I am anything but anti-Semitic,” Moran said, adding that his daughter, Mary Elise, is marrying a Jewish man and converting to Judaism, with her 9-year-old son. “One wishes I could learn to hold my tongue and to express myself in a much larger context so I would be able to communicate what I really want to say ... Nobody could berate me more than I do when I see my words in print compared to what I intended to say.”
…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7832-2003Mar10.html

[demnan]

2. Moran is seen as a flawed Congressman

but one who does work hard for his constiutients. I think that Virginia Democrats should concentrate on running against Republicans (like the likely unopposed Tom Davis in the neighboring Congressional district) rather than against a long-time incumbent Democrat who is likely to get reelected in this liberal district, dispite his loose lips.

It also should be mentioned that no Democrat runs for the office of Senator anymore in this State. That's a wide open field. Why don't some of these runners take that one up?

[mndemocrat_29]

3. I wish Byrne would run for some office

I'd rather she not challenge Moran and go after Davis in the Eleventh. It's probably the closest district in the state.

[David__77]

4. I guess you have to be black to be targeted by certain forces.

And by "certain forces," I do NOT mean Jewish people; I mean a certain right-wing faction called neo-conservatives that lately has attacked outstanding representatives like McKinney.