Yesterday, the Daily Press strongly endorsed John Miller over Tricia Stall in Virginia's 1st State Senate district. According to the Daily Press, "[Miller] will operate from the center, and get results, where his opponent, Tricia Stall, thrives only on the fringe." That's certainly true; in this case, "Stall finds adherents, intensely committed, but scant in number," for her far-out view that there is -- as the Daily Press puts it -- "a conspiracy on the part of public schools to create a nation of sheep for the easy domination of government." How can a nutty, fringe candidate like Tricia Stall possibly win election? Obviously, she shouldn't, especially when there's a superb alternative available (John Mililer, in this case).
Unfortunately, as the Daily Press warns, crazies like Tricia Stall CAN win if only "the fringe voters are to turn out" while "the moderate and conservative middle, the solution-seekers" stay home. This isn't only the case in the 1st Senate district, but all over the state. If the voters who turn out in 15 days are mostly the "fringe" -- people who care monomaniacally about a single issue and are motivated to vote on that issue -- while normal people stay home, we will get a General Assembly filled with Tricia Stalls, Ken Cuccinellis, Nick Rerrases, Bob Marshalls, and Faisal Gills. If, in contrast, "the moderate and conservative middle, the solution-seekers" vote on November 6, we will get a General Assembly that works with Governor Kaine to get things done for Virginia, that seeks solutions rather than wedge issues to divide people.
On November 6, the choice is up to all of us. We can stay home, and let the "fringe" win. Or, we can exercise our precious right to vote and also do ourselves a big favor in the process. Remember, the impact of one vote -- or one dollar given -- on the state and local level is far, FAR greater than at the national level. In addition, I would argue, the impact the Virginia General Assembly (not to mention your local school board, county board, etc.) will have on your immediate, day-to-day life is far, FAR greater than the White House pick for 2008. Think about it; who's going to affect your daily commute, or your kids' education, or your quality of life more immediately, President ClintonObamaEdwardsGiulianiRomneyMcCain or State Senator PetersenMillerNorthamCuccinelliStall? Right, that's what I thought. Don't leave that choice to the "fringe."