GERRY CONNOLLY FOR CONGRESS

For Immediate Release

August 13, 2010

Keith Fimian Turns His Back on Seniors

Fimian refuses to protect Social Security on 75^th Anniversary

Fairfax, VA-- Tomorrow, August 14, marks the 75^th anniversary of Social Security becoming law, and Keith Fimian and his Tea Party allies want to celebrate by burying Social Security. Time after time, Fimian has refused to protect Social Security benefits for thousands of Northern Virginia seniors.

Today Gerry Connolly’s campaign launched an automated call reminding thousands of Northern Virginia seniors about Keith Fimian’s refusal to defend their Social Security benefits against his Tea Party allies and their privatization plans.  Fimian and his right-wing allies want to privatize Social Security, risking the retirement security of millions of seniors and rewarding his friends on Wall St.  

"Social Security is a sacred compact between generations and Keith Fimian's refusal to stand up for Northern Virginia seniors is troubling," said James Walkinshaw, Connolly's campaign manager.  "In this challenging economy seniors need retirement security more than ever and Fimian's radical views represent a real threat to that security."

Fimian is a financial supporter of the Club for Growth, which advocates privatizing social security. Recently he was endorsed by FreedomWorks, the organization bolstering the Tea Party across the country, whose platform is to privatize Social Security benefits.  Just this week, Dick Armey, the Chairman of FreedomWorks published an op-ed advocating the privatization of Social Security. 

Fimian has also received financial support from Representative Paul Ryan, author of House Republicans' plan to dismantle Social Security.  Fimian remains silent as his benefactors continue to attack the retirement benefits on which Northern Virginia seniors rely. 

Finally, during a campaign forum sponsored by the AARP in 2008, Fimian allowed his true colors to show.  In response to a question about his proposals to protect Social Security, Fimian said that some seniors "don't need" the benefits they receive, an apparent reference to reducing benefits for higher-income seniors, many of whom reside in Northern Virginia.  

"The evidence here is overwhelming," said Walkinshaw.  "Northern Virginia seniors just can't trust Keith Fimian when it comes to protecting Social Security."

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Background:

New York Times: Fimian “in Favor of a Possible Privatization of Social Security” 

In June 2010, the New York Times reported that Fimian’s conservative positions – such as tacit support for Social Security privatization - helped align him with Tea party activists during the Republican Primary but could hurt his chances in the General.

From the Times:

Tea Party activists have shaken up some of the Republican leadership’s plans to win back the House. High on the target list was the Democrat Gerald Connolly, representing a Northern Virginia seat long held by the moderate Republican Tom Davis before he retired.

Although the party was pushing a Davis-type candidate, Pat Herrity, he was upset in the primary by Keith Fimian, who campaigned on staunch opposition to abortion and stem-cell research and in favor of a possible privatization of Social Security. With Mr. Fimian, whom Mr. Connolly clobbered last time, Republicans are less sanguine about winning this seat now. [New York Times, 6/13/10]

Supported by GOP Budget Chief who wants to Privatize Social Security, Cut Medicare Benefits

In 2008, Fimian received a $1,000 contribution from Prosperity PAC, the political committee for Rep. Paul Ryan who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Budget Committee. [opensecrets.org, accessed 7/30/10]

In 2010, the Washington Post reported that Ryan’s alternative budget plan, “would wipe out deficits in part by privatizing Social Security and replacing traditional Medicare benefits with an insurance voucher for people age 55 and older.” [Washington Post, 2/02/10]

Keith Fimian refused to protect Social Security from privatization and told a Tea Party audience that Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget proposal, which would privatize Social Security, was a “powerful intellectual argument.” [ Potomac News, 5/20/10] 

Fimian Tells AARP Audience Many Seniors "Don't Need" Their Benefits

In a 2008 debate sponsored by AARP Fimian stated that seniors do not need Social Security benefits. [AARP sponsored debate at George Mason, 9/26/10]

"These benefits are collected by people that don’t need them. I wouldn’t suggest means testing on social security. But in terms of the benefits of Medicare and Medicaid, there are seniors collecting these benefits that don’t need them –they’re financially secure but because they’re available, they’re taking advantage of it"

Aligned with Extremist Pro-Privatization Groups

The pro-privatization group FreedomWorks has endorsed Fimian. [FreedomWorks website]

Dick Armey, Chairman of FreedomWorks, published an op-ed advocating the dismantling of Social Security. [USA Today, August 11, 2010]

In 2005, Fimian contributed financially to the Club for Growth, an organization whose goal is to privatize Social Security. [Club for Growth website]