The most recent election bring a healthy dose of hope to the long-suffering residents of the 42nd District. Several writers have commented that the 42nd House of Delegates District voted 57% for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Well, it's actually better than that. First, that only considers the presidential vote, but not other candidates.
So what was Del. Dave Albo's reaction? "'No 60 votes!' Del. David B. Albo [R - Abuser Fees] said. 'Then you know you're reaching for a low reason to party.'" Emotional Day Ends In Jubilation for Some, Stoicism for Others, Washington Post (Nov. 5, 2008). You can say that again.
But why not more? Strange we haven't had more spin or denial from Del. Dave Albo yet. We were hoping to hear some great quotes about how the 42nd District's voters want abuser fees, favor smoking in restaurants, don't expect to be bound by silly things like Constitutions, how PTA polling place cookie sales are still a critical issue for 42nd District voters, worry about the menace posted by boxcutter possession or fireplace smoke, why all of these new Fairfax County Democratic voters are on food stamps, or how government regulation of public utilities is "communist." [EDITOR'S NOTE - THIS IS NOT A JOKE. THESE ARE ALL POSITIONS DELEGATE ALBO HAS TAKEN AND WORKED ON]
C'mon Delegate! Keep fiddling while Rome burns. We expect nothing less.
Just saying - there are a lot of districts out there where the legislator does not match the rest of the voting patterns. Take Virginia's congressional delegation - Democrats hold the 5th district where Obama lost but not the 10th where Obama dominated.
Indeed, however, the 42nd (like Tom Rust's seat too) is ripe for the picking, and I have personal friends there who are looking forward to voting for Mr. Werkheiser instead of DBA.
I suspect Republican HoD members from Fairfax will be nearly extinct this time next year. Cuccinelli will have to develop a platform other than 'I'm pro-life and want lower taxes' in 2011.