Guaranteed Healthcare

She's not your average, politically connected candidate, and she has unconventional, bold ideas for the people of her district and for the nation.  Among the issues most critical to Andrea Miller is that of single payer healthcare reform.  She minces no words, pulls no punches and wastes no time letting folks know she's all about the best way to make sure all Americans have healthcare -- through single payer legislation like HR676.

Andrea is the mother of two grown children, and she understands that being a responsible parent means being a responsible citizen as she listens to families in the district talk about everything from economic hardships to energy concerns and beyond.

Though Virgina's 4th Congressional District is currently represented by a conservative Republican, Andrea says, "This race is winnable. From people I've met walking door-to-door to the folks I met at county fairs, people are ready for change."

But along with some momentum from the Obama campaign's efforts to register young voters, Andrea is working hard to reach all the areas of a district that takes two-and-a-half hours to drive end-to-end and is filled with voters as diverse as any district in the nation.

Andrea was horrified that Congress would fight against better health care for children in the budget struggle over SCHIP program, and she knows her opponent has no desire to improve the healthcare access issues so many uninsured and under-insured Virginians face.

Along with strong support for HR676, single payer reform, Andrea believes that creating a more green economy is key to developing the long-term economic health of her district. 

"To win this race, I need a better Democratic voter performance," Andrea notes.  She said only 18 percent of the registered Democrats in her district turned out to vote the last time around, and she sees that statistic as one of the most hopeful in terms of her chances to take the race.

J. Randy Forbes, Andrea's opponent, pays little attention to the demographics of his district if he sells short Andrea's ability to influence and win over voters who were simply disinterested in previous elections.

Barack Obama's candidacy has energized young voters of all ethnic groups, the Democratic base and African-American voters as well.  And Andrea's district is one of the most heavily African-American districts to be represented by a Republican in Congress.  Andrea expects that these fired up voters will also play an important role in her race, and  Forbes has had few strong Democratic opponents during his time in office, as Dems have ceded the territory.

Forbes' link to some questionable contributors could be a major issue: he has received money from Tom DeLay, Duke Cunningham, and tribes represented by Jack Abramoff.  Forbes also is bankrolled by a rogue’s gallery of Washington insiders http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=2006&cid=N00013799 

Some of the district's demographics are as follows:

http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/VA-04?t=anon

Total population: 643,477 (49.2% male, 50.8% female)
62.9% white, 33.3% black, 1.3% Asian, 1.3% mixed race, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino (of any race)
Median household income: $45,249 (US avg. $41,994)
Per capita income: $20,085 (US avg. $21,587)
Families below poverty level: 13,295, 7.6% (US avg. 9.2%)
Individuals below poverty level: 58,708, 9.5% (US avg. 12.4%)

Please get involved with Andrea's campaign.  http://andreamiller.us/

Contribute through: http://www.actblue.com/page/andreamillerwins