but I'll give you my take.  Although many Byrne supporters have strong feelings against Connolly, they ultimately realize that a Republican is worse.  Not necessarily because that Republican is a bad person - in fact, they might like the Republican more than someone like Connolly.  But in the end, Connolly is a Democrat and he'll be voting with the Democrats on most bills.  The Republican would be voting the GOP line on most bills.  

Despite hard feelings toward Connolly by many Byrne supporters, this is a no brainer - do we want the country moving forward with Democratic values/votes or being held up with Republican values/votes?

Although this was an ugly primary all around, I am very much in favor of these primaries.  Because they do give Democrats a choice - in November the choice is between a Dem and Repub and that's really not a choice.

Not only is the party uniting behind Barack Obama, but here in Virginia we are uniting behind all of our nominees, including Gerry.

With a party united, and the political wind at our backs, this can be a wathershed election year unlike anything we've seen since FDR.

This isn't about winning elections anymore, it's about righting the ship of state that has listed under incompetent governance, cronism and an unabashed political arrogance that threatens the very constitution itself.

We will need an overwhelming mandate in every corner of the nation in order to bring the sweeping change America needs to lead the world by example throughout the 21st century.

In light of everything that's at stake, it's time to come together.  In the 11th that means getting enough votes for Obama, Warner, and Connolly to elect them all.

I think lots of people were frenzied because they really like Leslie, as do I, but felt uncomfortable with Gerry's tactics in office and his seeming coziness with special interest money.

However, and I was never one to endorse the unfair attacks on Connolly, I think there was a lot of "bark" without much "bite", in the sense that most of these people will still vote for Gerry and give him a chance to prove that he will be as progressive as he portrays himself once elected to Congress, even though they'd much rather have had Leslie.  I know for myself, it was mainly that I trust Leslie's progressive nature more than Connolly's.

I was really glad to see Leslie post that she will support Gerry and work to elect him in whatever way they decide appropriate.

Unity is huge this year.  So far, looks like we're gonna have it, and that's critical.