I'm really tired, but I participated a little while ago in a conference call on the election results with Delegates Brian Moran and Ward Armstrong. Here are a few notes.*Brian Moran said he's feeling very good today, that we won a "subatantial number of seats."
*Moran added that he's happy with the location of these seats, that two in the Virginia Beach area is a "very significant victory." Moran also feels very good about taking 3 open seats all held previously by Republicans.
*Ultimately, Moran believes, the Democratic message resonated with voters. Now, it's time to "roll up our sleeves" and work with Republicans to get things done for Virginia.
*Ward Armstrong said that this election showed a great deal of energy on the Democratic side, more than we'd seen in a long time. We picked up the most seats since 1975.
*People are tired of partisan bickering. We look forward to working with House Republicans on transportation, education, immigration, etc.
*The campaigns were tense, "vigorous," but that's what Democracy is all about. Now, it's time to work together for the good of Virginia.
*We saw gains in NOVA and Hampton Roads, plus close races in Southside and SWVA. The demographics are changing across Virginia, but we're still being victimized by redistricting.
*Moran talked about the Democratic agenda on education, health care, early childhood development, transportation, energy and the environment.
*Committee makeups should be 10 Democrats, 12 Republicans.
*Virginians expect governance from the middle. Our 21st Democratic Senator was the results of Republican infighting and the defeat of a moderate Republican.
*Armstrong was asked why we didn't pick up more seats. He responded that people know their House incumbents better than their Senate incubments, so it's hard to unseat them. Also, we were "decimated" by redistricting. Eric Ferguson, for instance, is in a 41% Democratic performing district.
*Moran added that we were playing "all away games." Still, he called it a "great day" for House and Senate Democrats.
*Armstrong said that nobody realistically thought we would take back the House, so more money and attention flowed into Senate races. On the other hand, since 2003, Democrats have picked up 7 seats in the House, 4 seats in the Senate.
*On transportation, Armstrong said that the General Assembly wouldn't start from scratch, but would "build on what was done last year." The abuser fees need a "major overhaul."