Virginia Post-Election Roundup
Below is a selection of news and links from around the web reacting to the Virginia elections:
Democrats gained control of State Senate, winning four seats in yesterday's election. Outside the Beltway reported that Republican candidates had been concerned that President Bush's "unpopularity" could put a "drag" on the party's chances.
Virginia Business Magazine reports that the Democratic takeover in the state Senate could have "long-lasting effects on state politics." Virginia party chairman Richard Cranwell told the magazine, "Voters are sick and tired of obstructionism and rigid ideology. They want leaders who will work with Governor Kaine to cut through political gridlock and deliver results."
Gov. Tim Kaine told reporters that yesterday's election was "a great night" for Democrats, according to Richmond.com. "We made history tonight by taking back the state Senate," said Kaine.
Senate Majority Leader Walter Stosch (R) told The Roanoke Times that Republicans will continue contributing to Virginia politics, saying, "Election results were clearly not what those of us on the Republican side of the aisle desired. Still, we will persevere with renewed dedication in making positive contributions to the governing of the commonwealth."
Last night's election ended a decade of Republican rule in the state Senate. Steve Benin wrote in The Carpetbagger Report, "It looks like we might need to stop calling Virginia a 'purple' state and start considering it a shade of blue."
Incumbent Marion Roark thanked Roanoke County residents for 12 years of service on the County School Board after losing yesterday's election by 29 votes to David Wymer, reported Ourvalley.org. "I have enjoyed working with the schools and the students. I am particularly proud of how much we have advanced," said Roark.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported that Democratic control of the state Senate and over the 2011 redistricting process could "make it easier for them to retain their majority over the next 10 years."
Northern Virginia victories were "crucial" to Democrats' control of the state Senate. Stephen Famsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told The Examiner that "the Republican party had problems putting a moderate message out in Northern Virginia" and that President Bush's unpopularity is "poisonous" for candidates.
John Hager, Chairman of the Virginia GOP, said that he anticipated net Republican losses because of dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, according to the Virginia-Pilot Times.
Former Gov. Mark Warner (D) told the crowd at a post-election gathering at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner that Democrats are "on a roll," the Washington Times reported. "Six years ago, the press and the pundits said the state wasn't going to be competitive anymore. We showed them differently," said Warner.
State Republican Chairman John Hager said Hampton Roads loses are a result of demographic changes in the region, according to the Dailypress.com. "Those are independent voters down there, a lot of military people and unpredictable people. That whole corridor is undergoing some demographic change and perhaps becoming more Democratic," said Hanger, who is the chairman of the Republican Party.
In a letter to the editor of Leesburg Today, a Loudoun County resident urged newly elected officials to be "honest and humble."
From The Washington Post:
The Post's Tim Craig discussed the results of the Virginia Elections in a live chat earlier today.
The Post's Amy Gardner wrote that Virginia voters choose candidates based on party affiliation, not anger.
- Compiled by Jamisha Purdy
By Liz Heron |
November 7, 2007; 4:16 PM ET
| Category:
Election 2007
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Posted by: Jeff Donley | November 7, 2007 4:36 PM
Maybe not much is going on in Colonial Beach?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 7, 2007 5:03 PM
The Democrats, choosing "progressive" over "liberal" have become socialist, and the Republicans, choosing GOD over GOP, have become theocrats. Those of us who vote issues instead of parties had to take these generalizations and the negative campaigns, and try to make an informed choice. I didn't see a single positive ad in all the electioneering that went on this year. I voted "None of the Above" in several races for that very reason. "Vote the Ba****ds Out" wasn't a choice.
If in fact Virginia voters are voting along party lines, we've lost as a society. ("The health of society thus depends quite as much on the independence of the individuals composing it as on their close political cohesion." - Einstein)
Posted by: tba | November 7, 2007 6:17 PM
Gee,
When I look at Anita, Sandhya, Amy, Tim and Bill, I wonder which one is the Republican?
Does the Washington Post hire Republicans? Or is a closed union shop?
Posted by: David | November 7, 2007 6:34 PM
It's the Virginian Pilot, not the Virginian Pilot Times.
Posted by: Vivian J. Paige | November 7, 2007 6:59 PM
Bashing non-Christians, gays, people who recognize that you actually have to PAY for roads and schools, and immigrants (of any status, but "illegals" for public consumption, wink wink), are the current GOPs only issues.
David--nice. Sideways snarky racism. Hey, guess what? Ramesh Ponnuru is a bigtime GOP hack, and he's got his own gig here, unfortunately.
You must not read the op-ed page, or anything by Fred Hiatt, it's "editor." Guess you must not realize that some of its columnists include Krauthammer, George Will, or Michael Gerson. If odious group think is what you're looking for, you've got plenty to choose from (occasionally excepting Will).
Or you can always read the Reverend MoonBat Times.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 8, 2007 9:29 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I moved from Vienna, after 46 years, to Colonial Beach (same state, not end of earth), still have Washington Post at my door every morning, as do many others in CB, Westmoreland and King George counties.
We are only 2 miles from Charles Co.MD (accross the Potomac) but we NEVER rate a mention in the paper. Why?