Junkies Congregate in D.C. Suburbs

Rich people pay attention

When you think of towns for political junkies, you think Washington, D.C., right?

Not if you're U.S. News and World Report, apparently.

The District didn't make the publication's Top 10 Cities for Political Junkies list, but the D.C. area is well represented.

Bethesda, Reston and Annandale all made the list, which U.S. News touts as being more purple than red or blue. That could explain why D.C., which bathes in blue, wasn't mentioned.

The reasons towns made the list are pretty shallow. Bethesda is on it because of its proximity to the District and because its economic prosperity "attracts residents who are likely to be politically active." In other words, rich people care, apparently.

Annandale makes the list because, well, it's a large suburb in Fairfax County, and the county voted for President Barack Obama in the last election, despite being Republican in the past. And that's about all U.S. News could muster. But if you're looking for a new car to replace the one stolen by an Annandale gang, Jerry's Ford is where it's at.

As for Reston, it is called a "planned community with a neighborly spirit."

"It stands out in Northern Virginia for its green pathways, European-style town plazas for commercial districts, and a neighborhood association that provides public services."

Here here! We often have politics on our mind while we're searching for good deals at Reston Town Center. Gap, Baby Gap and Gap Kids is often the political epicenter of Northern Virginia.

Local blog Restonian summed up Reston's inclusion the best:

Sadly, the article didn't mention our history of political activism, or our entertaining local elections, or our nuanced discussion of the issues, or even our political gatherings. In your face, also-ran cities like Bethesda, Md., Syracuse, N.Y., and Brookline, Mass.!

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