To the Editor:

Congressman Frank Wolf is supporting the creation of yet another study group to buy time and examine a critical problem rather than actually solving the problem. This time, the crisis is the economy and the proposed study group is the SAFE Commission.

And Mr. Wolf is right on schedule. In 2006, he called for the creation of the Iraq Study Group. However, rather than supporting the commission’s findings, Wolf voted to support President Bush who ignored each of the Iraq Study Group's findings. Consequently, we are now watching the renewed meltdown in Iraq just as the Study Group predicted, and Wolf is moving on to his next academic exercise.

If passed, the SAFE Commission Act would assemble a panel of financial experts, congressmen and senators who would travel around the country for a year and ask ordinary citizens for their recommendations on fixing the economy. Then, 90 days following their field trip, the committee would present a consolidated recommendation to Congress. Based on his track record, it is likely that Wolf would then ignore the panel's findings — as he did with the Iraq Study Group.

Many people in the 10th district may say Wolf’s proposal is "too little too late." As of August, 2007, the foreclosure rate in Fairfax County has increased 500 to 800 percent since 2006. The D.C. Metro area, which includes Mr. Wolf's district, is now ranked 41st in the top 50 foreclosure markets in the U.S. We are on the brink of what many would consider one of the worst housing crises in U.S. history. Our nation’s credit sector is reeling.

And Congressman Wolf, who sits on the HUD sub-committee, has done nothing at all to address these urgent issues for his constituents. He has not sponsored, co-sponsored, or helped draft a single measure now being considered in Congress to address the housing crisis. To many residents, Wolf seems out of touch and out of his depth — again. Just as in the past, Wolf wants to form a commission to talk about draining the swamp while the rest of us are up to our necks in alligators.

I have proposed a specific, detailed plan to address the housing crisis that I will sponsor when elected to Congress. Please visit my Web site at www.MikeTurnerforCongress.com to read about it.

Mike Turner
Waterford

Visit the Vienna/Oakton Newspaper to see the published letter.

To the Editor:

Mike Turner, Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 10th District, has a health care plan. Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have their own health care plans. But self-described health care "expert" Judy Feder, also a candidate for Congress in the 10th District, has no plan. Feder has been given the opportunity at several public forums over the past three weeks to outline her health care plan. But she has no plan to outline. Nevertheless, Feder still is attempting to flex her health care credentials.

Quoted in the April 2 edition of the Vienna and Oakton Connection ["10th Congressional Race Fields Double Primary"], Feder said, "Everybody can have and needs to have affordable health care. I have spent most of my career fighting for health care. It is my passion and my primary area of expertise." (This article also appears in this week’s McLean and Great Falls Connection)

There are only two logical reasons why Feder would refrain from telling voters in the 10th District specifics of what she would do to resolve America’s health care crisis. Either Feder believes her ideas on health care would hurt her chances politically, or Feder has no plan at all.

If Judy Feder is unable or unwilling to take a stand in the one area where she insists she is an expert, how can 10th District voters (Republicans, Independents, and Democrats) count on her to come up with solutions for the war in Iraq, the housing/economic crisis, transportation gridlock, or any of the other critical national and local issues that don’t fall under her "primary area of expertise."

Feder's opponent in the June 10 Democratic Primary is Mike Turner, a retired Air Force Colonel with 35 years of public service and problem-solving experience on the national and international levels. Col. Turner has a plan to provide affordable, universal health care that is described at length on his Web site: www.miketurnerforcongress.com

When will someone ask why Professor Judy Feder can’t or won’t do the same?

Alan Letzt
Campaign Manager
Mike Turner for Congress

Visit the Vienna/Oakton Newspaper to see the published letter.

McLean Connection
April 2, 2008

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) will face Ashburn resident Vern McKinley in a Republican primary June 10. Democratic voters will also be able to choose between retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Turner and former candidate Judy Feder in a primary for the Democratic Party’s nomination on the same day.

...

Turner, a Democrat, decided to run for Congress because he has concerns about Wolf’s performance.

Wolf seemed to function in "reaction mode," instead of being proactive about problems, said the challenging candidate...

"I feel very strongly Wolf needs to be beaten and if there ever was a year to beat him, it would be this year," said Turner.

Winchester Star
April 3, 2008

Democrats Mike Turner and Judy Feder, as well as Republican Vern McKinley, are all seeking to replace Republican Frank R. Wolf in the U.S. House of Representatives.

...

Turner, however, says that Feder is not the best Democrat to challenge Wolf.

"I consider myself a social progressive and a fiscal conservative," he said in a statement released by his campaign. "My strengths are my abilities to envision success, communicate that vision in a compelling way, and then engineer the processes and programs necessary to make that vision a reality.

"And I believe my career military background and the personal values it represents will resonate well with the more conservative areas of the district."

Read the entire article.

Purcellville, VA —Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, is the first and only candidate in Virginia's 10th District race to endorse "A responsible plan to end the war in Iraq" -- a new plan that has garnered the support of 40 other Congressional candidates, four Senate candidates, two retired generals, and two former Assistant Secretaries of Defense. The plan and list of endorsees is available on: http://www.responsibleplan.com/endorsees.

A former top aide to General Norman Schwarzkopf in Operation Desert Storm, Turner pointed out the flaws in President George W. Bush's approach to Iraq as early as March 11, 2003 (National Public Radio) -- before the bombing began.

A recent panel discussion between Mike Turner and a spokesperson for his primary opponent has garnered coverage on CNBC.com and Forbes.com.

CNBC.com

March 26, 2008

At a panel discussion in Purcellville, VA on March 20th, Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner, a candidate for U.S. Congress in Virginia's 10th District, squared off against a spokesperson for Professor Judy Feder, his opponent in the June 10th Democratic primary. The winner will oppose incumbent Frank Wolf in what is expected to be a hotly-contested general election. Turner presented specific ideas for ending the war in Iraq, resolving the economic and housing crises, and improving regional transportation; he then announced his support for single-payer national health insurance.

Forbes.com

March 26, 2008

Turner asserted, "It is time to stop studying health care and time to take action for the benefit of the American people." According to the National Library of Medicine, a "Single-Payer System" is an approach to health care financing with only one source of money for paying health care providers. The potential advantages include administrative simplicity for patients and providers, and resulting significant savings in overhead costs.

Forbes.com coverage.

Judy Feder, Turner's Primary Opponent, still working on a position on health care

PURCELLVILLE, VA—At a panel discussion organized by the Blue Ridge district of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee on March 20th, Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner, a candidate for the U.S. Congressional seat in Virginia’s 10th District, squared off against a spokesperson for his opponent in the June 10th primary, Professor Judy Feder. When questioned about important issues, Turner talked about ending the war in Iraq, fixing the economy, and transportation, then he announced his support for Single Payer national health insurance. Subsequently, the Feder spokesperson revealed that Feder was still "working on a healthcare proposal" and would be "rolling it out later."

Former Chair of Loudoun County Democratic Committee says Turner can defeat Frank Wolf in November

PURCELLVILLE, VA—Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner, who is a candidate for the U.S. Congressional seat in Virginia’s 10th District, has received the endorsement of Thom Beres, the former Chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee (LCDC), and a veteran of the Gulf War.

Mr. Beres stated, “From my experience, Mike has the best chance of winning in November. He has demonstrated the leadership, background, and skills needed to beat Frank Wolf and bring needed change to the district and country.

Winchester Star
March 3, 2008

With 28 years of military experience, Mike Turner probably is an atypical Democratic candidate for Congress.

Since retiring from the Air Force in 1997, Turner has worked in senior national fundraising positions for the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement Inc., and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

He said those experiences also caused him to consider running for Congress and challenging Wolf.

In the military, Turner served under Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Gen. Wesley Clark.

He said those experiences gave him more of a sense of politics, working with those leaders as they advised presidents and tried to guide foreign policy.

"I am appalled by the Bush administration’s foreign policy," Turner said. "Frank Wolf voted for this unconscionable war."