Former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder has an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal about Barack Obama and what Tuesday's Democratic primary signifies for Virginia. Here's Wilder:
Democrats now have an opportunity to carry Virginia. The progress that Mr. Obama promises is not aimed at any particular group of Americans. It's a new freedom for all Americans, a freedom to dream again and to believe that we are not stuck in the past.This election isn't about pitting the 1960s against the 1980s, or the Clinton years against the Bush years. It's about opening up the doors to a new generation of leadership, because so many people are tired of the partisan bickering and the status quo cynicism.
Democrats are paying attention to Virginia this year. Tonight both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama will attend our Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. In view of Super Tuesday's closely divided outcome, interest is shifting to the Potomac.
Yes, interest has certainly shifted to Virginia the past few years. Politically, this has become an extremely interesting state, in many ways a microcosm of the diversity that is America. And Barack Obama embodies that diversity, but in a way that unites us and doesn't divide us. Here's Wilder again:
...Mr. Obama is a forceful voice on the American scene who will be our agent for meaningful change -- a voice committed to carry our nation to greater heights and to heal the divisions within our country. Unlike any other candidate, he inspires so many people of every description to step up and say: Yes, we can.
Yes, Virginia most certainly can -- lead the nation, that is. And on Tuesday, that's exactly what we're going to do by voting for Barack Obama.