Jim Webb: "The country is watching Virginia"

By: Lowell
Published On: 10/30/2007 6:24:54 AM

Jim Webb said yesterday that 'the country is watching Virginia' to see what happens in next week's state legislative races."  He's right.  As readers of this blog know, the stakes in next Tuesday's elections here in Virginia are high, with control of the entire General Assembly up for grabs.  For more on what's at stake next Tuesday, see here and here.  In short, the elections next Tuesday matter because:

*Governor Kaine needs allies, not adversaries, to keep "Moving Virginia Forward."

*In 2011, Virginia will go through the next round of Congressional redistricting, and it's important that Democrats have a say in that (by the way, I support NON-PARTISAN redistricting, but having said that, I certainly don't want Republicans being the ONLY ones drawing the lines in 2011)

*Virginia has moved from "solid red" to "purple," and this our chance to keep moving the state in the "blue" direction politically.  Why does that matter?  Well, if you care about the Chesapeake Bay, a woman's right to choose, transportation gridlock, health care, education, stem cell research...it makes a big difference whether you've got Mark Warner/Tim Kaine Democrats in charge or George Allen/Jim Gilmore Republicans.

*We've got some great Democratic candidates - Chap Petersen, Ralph Northam, Michael Breiner -- taking on Republicans, far-right-wing and otherwise.

*Virginia can be a swing state in 2008, one that both parties' candidates have to fight for -- or not.  Next Tuesday's elections will help determine whether Virginia is ignored next year or paid attention to.

*The nation is watching Virginia for how the immigration issue plays out.  Will we go with Tim Kaine and other Democrats, who want to deal with the problems of illegal immigration and illegal employers responsibly?  Or, do we want to go with the Corey Stewarts and Bill Howells, big mouths who spew lots of hot-air rhetoric and "demagoguery," as Tim Kaine has said, but in the end, do nothing about the problem except to make people fearful? 

Given these stakes, I certainly hope that Virginians will turn out in large numbers to vote next Tuesday.  I also hope that they will vote for the "Forward, Together" approach of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Jim Webb, not the "Divided We Fall" approach of Bill Howell and Corey Stewart and Jim Gilmore and...

Comments



Thought on Post Nova Endorsements (PM - 10/30/2007 8:54:19 AM)
One thing the Post editorial page has been correct about -- the transportation mess in Northern Virginia and the obstructionism of the Republican majority in Richmond.  I recall at least several such editorials railing about this.  It is puzzling to me that the Post didn't conclude that if one's chief concern is the highway mess then one ought to vote a straight Democratic ticket.  Quite simply, with GOP majorities in both houses, there is no way to forge a budget alliance that benefits Nova roads.

Why is the Post editorial board so "progressive" on this issue?  They probably have to drive in the same traffic everyone else does.  Now, maybe if they had kids serving in the military their views on Iraq would be different.



Smoother and Smoother (Gordie - 10/30/2007 9:59:08 AM)
Jim is sounding better and better every day. Every part of his brain is functioning with America's ideal of what we stand for. He is sounding better and better on the floor of the senate and in interviews.
It really tickles me that Chris cannot get him to play his style of Hardball.


Webb in Roanoke (vinton4sam2008 - 10/30/2007 4:44:26 PM)
I was at the event with Senator Webb yesterday in Roanoke. Mike Breiner is an exceptianal candidate. I believe that our race will be very close. Ralph Smith is on the defensive and I think that will cost him the election. But we will have to wait and see. I thought the event was a huge success. Lets get out and elect our democrats and turn this state around!

Also after the 07 race, I believe a candidate to watch for is going to be Sam Rasoul who is running for Congress in the 6th against Bob Goodlatte.