Nancy Pelosi Headlines Major Fundraiser for Fairfax Democrats

Nearly 500 Democrats, gathered Sunday night at the  Tysons Corner Hilton for their major fundraiser, promised to keep Virginia blue and heard from U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The guests* ranged from Democratic congressmen Jim Moran, (8th) and Gerry Connolly (11th) to state legislators, county supervisors, school board members, 2012 candidates, staffers from the Obama campaign  and anonymous Democratic party workers who are the party's front line troops.

This was the county Democrats' first annual Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt dinner. Special guest: Anna Eleanor Fierst, great granddaughter of Franklin and Eleanor. She is vice president for administration of the Woman's National Democratic Club.

"Democrats are restoring economic stability for all families," said Cesar del Aguila, newly elected chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee as he kicked off the dinner.

McLean residents Margi Vanderhye, who is chair of the  county Democrats Women's Action Committee and Jeff Barnett, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress against U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th), co-chaired the dinner.

Pelosi who mainly made the case for the reelection of President Barack Obama and Democrats taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives, briefly touched on a Fairfax issue --- the current impasse in building phase 2 of the Silver Line subway to Dulles Airport.

 “We know this is a job creator,” Pelosi said. "It improves the economy of the region and improves the quality of the life of people in this area. Just ask anyone who has been stuck in traffic on the Dulles Toll Road."

 “Some would turn this into a fight on labor unions” but we know it’s about jobs, she said to applause.

Of Republicans she said, “They simply do not believe in the public role. They want to eliminate the role of government.”

"Since they don’t believe in the public role," there is little on which Republicans and Democrats can agree on."

 “We are committed to reducing the deficit but it’s also important to note that nothing brings more money to the treasury than educating the American people. That’s one area where we don’t want to cut.”

She also said Republicans was trying to suppress the vote. “The Republicans are suffocating the campaign with secret campaign contributions. They are suppressing the vote,” she said.

 “They are poisoning the debate and that is to their advantage because people have thrown up their hands and saying a pox on both your houses.”

 Democrats want disclosure of such spending she said.

 “In order for us to reignite the American Dream we have to win," she said. "Virginia holds the key to electing Vice President Biden and President Barack Obama."

* Guests included: Virginia State Senators:Janet Howell, (32nd) who represents part of McLean, David Marsden (37th), Chap Petersen (34th), Toddy Puller (36th).

Virginia House of Delegates: Mark Keam (35th) who represents a sliver of McLean,  David Bulova (37th), Kay Kory, (38th)  Jim Scott, (53rd), Charniele Herring (46th).

Fairfax Supervisors: John Foust, Dranesville, Cathy Hudgins, Hunter Mill, Gerry Hyland, Mount Vernon, Jeff McKay, Lee. Kate Handley, former chair of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors.

Fairfax School Board: Jane Strauss, Dranesville, Kathy Smith, Sully, Dan Storck, Mount Vernon District;Ilryong Moon, Ted Velkoff and Ryan McElveen, At Large.

Other Guests: Mayor of Richmond Dwight C. Jones.