There's a very interesting article by Patrick Ottenhoff in the new National Journal issued today. According to Ottenhoff, Fairfax County has been driving Virginia "blue," and Wake County in North Carolina might be doing the same to that state. Ottehnoff writes:
In the 1990s, at the height of its tech frenzy, Fairfax was still considered a Republican-leaning county, but hints of its changing politics were emerging. And now Wake seems to be in much the same phase -- politically as well as economically -- that Fairfax was in 10 to 15 years ago. Like Fairfax, Wake will almost certainly play an increasingly important statewide role as its population continues growing faster than that of the state as a whole. And, 10 to 15 years from now, its voters could tip North Carolina into the Democrats' column in presidential elections.
On Fairfax, Ottenhoff also notes that George Allen carried the county in 1993, but that in 2006, it was Fairfax County, "which [Allen] lost by 66,723 votes, that threw him into the losing column."
The common denominator between Fairfax and Wake Counties? According to Ottenhoff, "both communities struck gold in the form of government funding and a burgeoning technology sector," and the new high-tech "creative class" workers transformed the counties. Gay bashing? Immigrant bashing? Anyone bashing? Those don't work with these people. Instead, issues like education, transportation, and other "quality of life" issues rank high, with "pragmatic" a key word to describe the tech workers' politics.
Ottenhoff concludes by asking "Could Fairfax's clout turn Virginia into a blue state for the 2008 or 2012 presidential election?" And, if so, "both national parties might want to keep in mind that Wake is following much the same route as Fairfax and running just 10 to 15 years behind."
Very interesting.
Although it's a bit off topic, I think Jerry Meek, the Chair of the NC Democratic Party, deserves a lot of credit for really making the State Party very dynamic and maybe in making NC blue. The latest State Party newsletter from him describes the following:
The North Carolina Democratic Party is hitting the road on Friday, August 10th through Sunday, August 12th in eastern North Carolina.Along the route, volunteers from across the state will work with local activists, registering voters, canvassing, performing community service projects, meeting with candidates and elected officials, and listening to the ideas and concerns of eastern North Carolinians.
But the real kicker is that Meek is meeting with local chairs as he traverses eastern NC -- in his words "to get a sense of what the state Party can do to assist local communities as they plan for the 2008 elections."
Here's their schedule for any one who happens to be in the area (maybe coming home from the Outer Banks):
Friday 2-4 p.m.: Voter registration and canvassing in Lumberton
Friday 6-8 p.m.: Canvassing in Sampson
Saturday 9 a.m. to noon: Assembling care packages for the troops in Greenville in conjunction with Give 2 the Troops, a non-profit organization.
Saturday 2-4 p.m.: Voter registration drive in Windsor
Saturday 5-7 p.m.: Canvassing in Conway
Saturday night: Ahoskie.
Sunday morning: Church service at Melton Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Winfall
Sunday afternoon: Community service project at the Wesley Hospitality House and possibly at a Habitat Home in Elizabeth City.
The NC State Party needs a congratulations. Hopefully we can be there someday soon.
Is he still around?
Is he still around?