Good Afternoon!Raising Kaine reader Dr. David Hardin has some great maps comparing the Kaine victory margins statewide to his run for Lt. Governor in 2001, and to Kerry's and Warner's recent election results. They're dead on and worth a look.
Also dead on and worth a look, the Bristol Herald Courier's Andrea Hopkins argues that Jerry Kilgore's true crime was failing to watch out for moderates and independents.
In other true crime news:
Richmond is watching the trial of police officer Michael J. Couture, charged with the murder of a 21 year-old man at the scene of a routine traffic stop. While the prosecution gave its the last words this morning when it rested its case, the defense will have the last word when they call Couture to the stand. Tragically, the victim's last pleading word was "Don't". Then, he was fatally shot.
Charlottesville is watching what may be its first RICO (organized crime) trial. Looks like these guys were the "Capones of Crack". Who knew crack was big business in Charlottesville?
Northern Virginia is watching the unfolding saga of cell-phone bank robber Candice R. Martinez. She was apprehended yesterday in Centreville. This story should keep people chatting for a while. (groan)
In the Senate:
Senator John Warner was in the news today, as the Senate demanded accountability from President Bush over his handling of the war in Iraq.
With their constituents increasingly unhappy with the U.S. mission in Iraq, Democrats and now Republicans are demanding that the administration show that it has a strategy to turn the conflict over to the Iraqis and eventually bring U.S. troops home.
It's about time. Five months ago Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold called for a timetable for a responsible exit from Iraq. Feingold will almost certainly run for President in 2008, and as the only Senator to oppose both the Iraq war and the USA Patriot act he has the potential of riding a Progressive Patriot's message all the way to the White House. Anyone who thinks that having a responsible exit strategy for Iraq means "cut and run", should read what the AP has to say about Mr. Feingold.
Meanwhile, Senator Warner joined with Maryland Democrats Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski to demand accountability from the White House over its handling of the Chesapeak Bay cleanup. Apparently, the Bay is still sick, getting sicker, and the White House is under funding the cleanup. Who needs to fund fresh water and natural resources, when you can fund tax cuts for the super-rich? Hey, it makes sense to Mr. Bush.
On a lighter note, while Virginia still has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, we did notably increase their number by one last Tuesday. As a public service to Mr. Kilgore, we offer the following. Idealist.org has hundreds of Virginia job openings for job seekers. I actually think these would be of more interest to Progressives looking to do some good in the world. Still, Mr. Kilgore could take this moment to review his options. This could be the transformative moment of your life, Jerry! Think about it!
While Jerry Kilgore considers his next career move, it looks like Tim Kaine will have a bit more flexibility in his coming position as Governor. That's due to a report today that the Virginia state budget will show a $1.1 Billion surplus, largely due last year's tax reform and to federal spending in Northern Virginia. Kaine will need that money if he's going to adequately address the Transportation and Education needs of the commonwealth, continue to cut government waste, and keep a decent rainy day fund. I think we're in good hands.
And Finally, Dick Cheney is now so wildly unpopular, that he's currently being out-polled by such things as Alien Invasions and Cheating on Your Wife. If you believe Dick Cheney should be in office, you're likely to believe any damned crazy thing.
Happy Hump Day!