RK is closing down. That would be sad news indeed.

Everyone who comes on here to demand Lowell keeps writing 4-5 posts a day, should announce how much money they are pledging for him to do so.  

Lowell gave up a GS-15 job (125K a year +) to come do this full time in 2006.  Do people expect him to do this forever going forward for free?  

Honestly, do people think they are entitled to get this info for free everyday?  Who wants to make it worth the energy, effort and being the subject of personal attacks that Lowell gives us every day?

in 200 he gave up his government job to work for Webb.  You imply that he gave it up to blog full time here.  T'ain't so.

That said, Lowell (and Eric) have every right to consider different paths for their lives.  And this does not have to be the only place this kind of discussion can occur.

And he gave up his job well before that.

Right Lowell?

both Lowell and Josh worked in a paid capacity for the Webb campaign starting after the primary.  Believe it was in either July or August.

Having said that teacherken's reasoning could still be true -- e.g. Lowell left his job to advocate for Webb's candidacy on a volunteer basis.  The job opportunity came later.

I guess Lowell will have to resolve this one.

and went to work for Webb in July 2006.

...especially now.

Good things come to pass, because even better opportunities have come along.  You've definitely paid your dues.

It would be a real loss though if RK disappeared altogether from the Virginia blogosphere -- especially with the 2009 Virginia races just a bit over the horizon.  

he is going to work up on the hill or for the Obama administration..

We will just have to wait and see..

If so, congrats.  I hope you let others carry on if you must leave.

If I can somehow get an appointed position in the DOL I'll stop posting on blogs also ;-)  But, I doubt that's going to occur.

Lowell is capable of speaking for himself, of course.  But, I can say that he resigned his job before he knew he would have a job with  Webb for Senate.  It would be most accurate to say that Lowell gave up his job to volunteer for Webb.

It is a bit difficult to separate the blog from work done on behalf of Webb at that time.  Lowell, Josh and I started the Webb campaign publicly right around New Years day.  RK was an important means of conveying information.  A lot of time was put into this effort.  Obviously, the blog community grew as a result of playing a central role in two important elections.  It is sort of difficult to say whether Lowell's role was more important before the primary or after it.  I think it was a gutsy move to resign when he did.

I think it is time for something new.  I think it is time for Virginia activists to focus on environmental and energy issues, perhaps even more than specific candidates.  We could probably benefit from a face lift of some sort.

One thing that I like about Terry McAuliffe is that he talks about big ideas.  He talks about shaking up Richmond.  I am still undecided about who to support in the primary, but I do think we must make environmental issues central to the campaign.

November 4, 2008 was a big day in Virginia.  Next year, we need to get our somewhat retro state government caught up to where the Virginia electorate now stands.  We need to demand similar action on the environment at the state level as we expect to see from Washington in the coming months.

It is not that energy and the environment are unimportant, but given the economy, the top three issues for 2009, in order of importance, will be:

1. Jobs
2. Jobs
3. Jobs

Of course, those three issues are not necessarily distinct from the environment and energy -- in fact, they can be and should be closely related -- but the focus will have to be on, well, you know.

P.S. I would add education to energy and the environment also.

involving the economy, the environment, and national security. That's why Barack Obama and others are placing such a high priority in this area...you can't solve one without the other(s).

involving the economy, the environment, and national security. That's why Barack Obama and others are placing such a high priority in this area...you can't solve one without the other(s).

But I think as the economy goes from bad to worse, the argument needs to be focused on a smart energy and environmental policy as a means of creating sustainable jobs.

But they are absolutely connected, as you say.

Lowell and Aznew are both right and saying similar things.  I think it's a matter of emphasis.  Right now, unemployment is expected to soar up to 8 percent.  With the economy shedding that many jobs, the nation will be preoccupied with that.  But energy and new green technology are at the core of the solution to create the new jobs and keep the country competitive in a global economy.  And that is how it should be sold to the public. You can't have one without the other.  

If you believe in science and the marketplace of ideas, then in time the left's infatuation with green quick energy fixes will work.  If you have another agenda, then you need to "sell" it.  

Liberal Dems now have absolute control of government.  If they don't adopt the leftist green energy agenda, then we know we were "sold" a bill of goods.  My money says they realize that there are important changes that can promote economic change, domestic security and job creation, and result in lower carbon emissions.   But to do those things in the near term requires something that is anathema to lefties -- more US natural gas production (onshore and off) and more nuclear.  

Solar, wind and the like can make some improvements around the margin.  And the quickest route to better carbon emissions is a complete, utter tanking of the global economy.  But that's not sustainable and not in the best interests of the people, I hope we would all agree.