Horan's successful practices had to do with the cases he prosecuted himself, while the other 95% of the office was falling apart. The Fairfax prosecutor's office is 10 years behind where they should be, and Morrogh has avoided every chance to show that he has a plan to get the office up to speed. He doesn't, and the crux of his campaign is that he is going to try to fulfull Horan's shoes. That means his expectation is that the office is going to be worse next year, regardless of how hard he tries. I'm not impressed.

Patrick McDade on the other hand has been the hardest working candidate of the season, and his plans and ideas have inspired people across the county. Victims whose cases have been bungled have come forward with the hope that someone is trying make sure someone cleans up the mess in this office. Democrats and Republicans both have come out to endorse McDade, because his plans make sense to everyone who hears them. Even Morrogh has started acting on some of Patrick's suggestions, hiring more staff and taking another look at cases which the prosecutors previously dismissed, but a civil trial showed there was cause to prosecute (the Cornejo case is just one example).

For me the choice is clear. I want a better future for Fairfax County, and I want a candidate who is looking for ways to make that future better. Patrick McDade is my choice for Commonwealth Attorney.

I think there's a direct correlation between the felony prosecution rate and the length of time the current administration has been in office. Relationships are built with people who work closely together hence the success rate of plea bargaining. To add insult to injury the victim is not a part of the plea bargain only to find out the deal has been cut upon going to court thinking justice will be served. The victim is a victim again. This is wrong. It leads to a mistrust of our judicial system and a sense of helplessness which can lead to a why bother mindset. Deputy Attorney General Mimms said it best. "It's time for generational change."

I've had the pleasure of working with a very special group of people on this campaign and I'm proud of the honor and integrity that have been displayed throught the entire 6 months. Patrick will make an outstanding Commonwealth Attorney and will bring it back to where it belongs. For the people.

The Commonwealth's Attorney's office is one of the most important office's held in local government. Mr. Morrogh has convinced me that he is going to follow the footsteps of Mr. Horan. However, if you look closely at Mr. Horan's direction for the past forty years he has trained the majority of the criminal lawyers through his short term training program and has a developed a network between the CA's office and the criminal defense lawyers that is not doing the citizens the justice they expect. The average citizen is not allowed to "plea bargain" in Fairfax Co. without a defense attorney. Why not? Other jurisdictions let you represenst yourself in a plea bargaining. I have heard lawyers say during conversation that they don't want the system to change in Fairfax because it would upset they way they practice. They say they don't like to come to Arlington because the prosecutors don't cut them the deals. It may interfere with the amount of money they make for the amount of work they have to do. Is this the system Mr. Horan created? Yes it is and it is disgraceful. Mr. Morrogh has been in this system and has been a disciple of this game plan for over twenty years. The present system was created for attorneys not the general public. Mr. McDade has uncovered this mess and has presented a plan that I have desired for over thirty years. God bless Patrick Mc Dade, you have got my vote and everyone in my family. McDade is right, it is time for a change! Mr. Horan I know you meant well but your roadmap has been taking us in the wrong direction.

I certainly favor Patrick McDade's "fresh perspective" over Ray Morrogh's following in the footsteps of his retired predecessor.

Don't get me wrong: Robert Horan was a prosecutor I looked up to when I was a kid back in law school all those many, many years ago. He wasn't perfect, though, none of us are, and in recent years, I think the Fairfax office slipped a bit in its performance. It is time for a new approach and new leadership.

But McDade has worked hard for our votes. He has pointed out real problems with how the Fairfax office is operating now, as well as proposing solutions that sound perfectly reasonable to me and to a lot of other people. He's listened to the concerns of everyone who wants to talk to him and he's talked to everyone who wants to listen to him. He's one heck of a debater and there is no question in my mind that he out-debated his opponent in poise, organization, and substance.

Also, very important to me: McDade has sought to run on no one's reputation but his own reputation. He is not following anyone's lead. He is not promising to continue another man's policies. He is not promising me the "same old, same old." He is running as his own man.

Finally, McDade has promised a Commonwealth Attorney's Office that believes it is answerable to the public and that will meet with interested citizens groups that have something to say about how justice is carried out in Fairfax, like the NAACP. McDade can mend some fences that sorely need mending.