Congressman Rick Boucher Holds Town Hall Meeting for Democracy Prevails

                        
                                                                                                                       ^{Photograph courtesy of Larry Middleton
                                                                                      Henry Tieleman greets Congressman Boucher}
Ninth District Representative Rick Boucher addressed an assembly of over 60 guests at a Democracy Prevails (DP) sponsored breakfast meeting in Blacksburg Monday morning. The congressman, running for reelection against Republican State Representative Morgan Griffith of Salem, participated in the townhall event for DP members from Montgomery, Floyd, and Pulaski Counties and Radford City. Mr. Boucher was welcomed warmly by many who may not agree with him on every issue, but know him as an extremely hard worker who has championed his constituents' needs and fostered economic development in the mountainous Ninth District that extends from Roanoke County to the southwestern tip of the state.

  
                                                                                                                      ^{Picture courtesy of Larry Middleton
                   Joe and Jennette Sheffey are greeted by Marcia Morris and Fran Tieleman}
After a brief discussion of the political landscape in Southwest Virginia, candidate Boucher told the audience how much he needed their support as well as their votes. He stressed to the group that the congressional race is the only one on the ballot this year, placing a premium on turnout, and he reminded the attendees of his progressive credentials including pro-choice votes, pro-labor support even in a mainly non-union region, and his 90% environmental friendly voting record. He went on to explain two of his recent votes that have been somewhat controversial with some of his constituents - cap and trade and the health care reform votes. On the cap and trade bill to control greenhouse gases, Boucher stated that he had helped structure the bill with compromise provisions so that it would pass the House, yet preserve jobs in the coalfields and keep electric rates reasonable. Concerning his "no" vote on health care reform legislation, he stated that he was in total agreement with the benefits of such legislation, but he had concerns about how it was funded. The Ninth District is more elderly that most, he said, and the funding of this bill involves cuts in medicare, which need to be fixed. The congressman said that his stand on the issue is this: Health care reform is definitely necessary, and we should keep the great benefits that such legislation extends to citizens, but revise the funding mechanism.

                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                   ^{Picture courtesy of Larry Middleton
                                                                                                                                                          In line  for breakfast}
Questions ranged widely beginning with one about his stand on "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" to which he replied that he thought the report coming forward from the Department of Defense should be allowed to work its way through the proper channels, but added that he thought the report from DOD would be positive in terms of changing the policy. Another hot button issue he was queried about was mountain top removal for coal extraction. He said that he had advised coal operators that responsible changes must occur so that the water supplies are protected, but admitted that he did not think it should be prohibited. He answered questions about the deficit commission and its possible effect on Social Security, about the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, and about when he thought there would be a comprehensive energy plan. He advised the group that they could find out more about issues and his positions by visiting his website at http://www.boucher.house.gov/.

Congressman Boucher appears to have accomplished his goal of energizing Democrats to work for him in a race that will be hard fought with Republicans and outside groups working and spending freely to try to unseat the incumbent. Participants took bumper stickers and yard signs and were volunteering to help with the campaign, determined to send Rick Boucher back to Congress with another of his huge majority wins.

                                       
                             ^{Audience awaits beginning of discussion                                        Congressman Boucher Addresses Attendees}