With just two more days of early voting, and with the special election in just 4 1/2 days, see below for video and highlights from tonight’s Yes for Virginia Live rally, featuring Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Sen. Mark Warner, former AG Eric Holder, VA Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, VA Speaker Don Scott, Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA03), Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA07), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08), Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11), Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA10), and many others.
- Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04): Rep. Walkinshaw says this is a huge day for Virginians and Americans next Tuesday; the opportunity is to level the playing field, then elect a Congress to stand up to Trump and rein in the chaos and recklessness. Rep. McClellan says the stakes are literally life and death, with huge cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care act subsidies with the Big Ugly Bill, etc. That’s why we need Democrats back in control.
- VA Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and VA Speaker Don Scott: On the dirty tricks by white nationalists in this election, Sen. Lucas says that a lie left standing becomes truth in the minds of some people, so that’s what MAGA Republicans are doing. What we’re doing in Virginia is fighting back. Speaker Scott says it’s a privilege to be in this fight in this moment; says right wingers have propagated images of Jim Crow to try to trick Black people; even put MLK Jr. on their fliers to try to trick Black voters, but Black voters don’t fall for their tricks. It’s crucial that we stand up in the cradle of the Confederacy, do justice to our ancestors – by voting YES. Sen. Lucas – “every lie…must be met with truth.” Speaker Scott says we don’t have to guess what Trump wants to do, he did it on 1/6/21!
- CA Gov. Gavin Newsom talks about the ruthlessness of the right and what Donald Trump is pursuing. So this an imperative and people can’t get exhausted, but need to keep fighting against this 24/7 “smash-and-grab” by the Trump administration. Need to deliver a decisive blow to Trump’s agenda next Tuesday. There are no rules or limits with Trump and MAGA; we have to fight back accordingly. “This is madness” with Trump, an “open sewer of corruption” – and it’s “all on the line” for him in these elections (he wants to rig it but we can’t let him); the Trump presidency ends as we know if we do our jobs this November.
- Leader Hakeem Jeffries says this is about ensuring a fair national map, and that this will impact policy for years if not generations to come. This has national and international ramifications; this could cut Trump’s presidency in half. Republicans aren’t functioning as a separate and coequal branch of government to rein in a lawless administration, but instead are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel. Democrats WILL be a check and balance on this out-of-control administration. To get there, we need a fair national map and a free-and-fair election.
- Sen. Mark Warner says we have an administration that’s “gone totally rogue” and “Americans are paying the price.” In 2022, Donald Trump stole three seats in NC, without much attention, and could have made Hakeem Jeffries the Speaker (plus avoided the Big Ugly Bill passing). Democrats have always supported nonpartisan redistricting, but not when Republicans cheat – we’re changing the rules because Republicans cheated. Says he’s given up on Republicans until they come back to sanity and a legitimate Republican Party, pretty much, and that for now we just need to focus on “kick[ing] their ass.”
- Eric Holder rips the racist, dishonest, deeply cynical campaign being run by the NO people – Republicans’ highest priority is serving the interests of Donald Trump. We have a chance to retake the US House – they don’t think they can win a fair fight, so now it’s time for Virginians to fight back (a “temporary measure for an extraordinary moment”; what happens in Virginia will change the course of the country).
- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA10) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA03): Rep. Subramanyam says when Congress attacks democracy, everyday people feel it first and the worst; “we need to put the people first.” Rep. Scott said Democrats need to be in the majority to have a subpoena power and get questions answered; also, African American are losing a lot under Republicans. Rep. Subramanyam says Democrats need to fight back and not act like these are normal times, because they ARE NOT – we will not roll over when they break the rules. Rep. Scott says we’re leveling the playing field, pushing back hard against Republicans – and we’re going to win this election because people know what’s at stake can can’t let Republicans keep stealing seats. Rep. Subramanyam says that Republicans have betrayed all their principles, and even many Republicans don’t like it. Rep. Scott says we can’t allow Republicans add to their totals by stealing seats, without being able to catch up to them. Rep. Subramanyam says everything’s on the line in next Tuesday’s vote; this could, effectively, determine control of the U.S. House this November – YES means a check on Donald Trump. Rep. Scott says it shows how weak the opposition is that they have to resort to lies, and that most people are’t confused, they’re offended and can’t wait to vote.
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger says this all began with Trump saying he was “entitled” to extra seats in Congress. So Virginia is responding. Now, everyone needs to vote YES. None of us want to have to be in this place, but the fact is we have a president trying to grab power. Says she’s expecting huge numbers of voters on Election Day. The “NO” campaign has dishonestly used her face and President Obama’s face in their ads. If voters approve these maps, they’ll be in place until after the next Census, after which we’ll return to the bipartisan commission. Despite all the efforts to trick voters, make sure voters know the truth and vote YES.
- Politics Girl says this is about stopping a Donald Trump power grab, that he’s not “entitled” to anything. This is a way to level the playing field for a limited time. There’s lots of misinformation out there, unfortunately, funded by Peter Thiel. It’s time to take our power back. Thanks Virginia for being brave and doing what we’re doing. Trump is behaving like someone who never intends to leave office.
- Bryan Tyler Cohen kicks it off, says we need to keep momentum going and remind everyone to vote YES tomorrow, Saturday or Tuesday. Go to IWillVote.com/va to find your polling place.
