So instead, here is a sampling of selections that Lowell or I wrote that we feel represents the little corner of the blogosphere that was RK. Apologies to many other great writers and diaries that have appeared on RK through the years - many deserved to be on this page but, as noted above, we simply didn't have the time to go through everyone's posts. And even within our own posts, some of these diaries are not the "best" representation of an event.
Enjoy, and feel free to post your favorites.
James Webb: "Fighting Dem" vs. George Allen in 2006?
Jim Who? Long before most people (except those who are avid readers, military buffs, or loooong time political junkies) ever heard of (now) Senator Jim Webb, and even before the Draft Webb movement started, Lowell had noticed a potential candidate who would become (former) Senator Allen's worst nightmare.
1.5 Cents per Gallon
While the jokers in Richmond continued to prove they don't belong in positions of leadership, Lowell points out a very simple and painless step that could (in theory) be taken to help fund efforts to address Virginia's ongoing transportation problems. In light of the recent $2 fall in gasoline prices this is even more appropriate - who would have noticed a penny increase in taxes after a $2 drop? For that matter, no one would have noticed a 20 cent increase after the $2 drop. But don't hold your breath for a solution this year either.
More On Abusive Fees
$1000+ speeding tickets? The only thing that shocked me about this entire debacle was that more elected officials who supported this stupidity weren't thrown out of office the following November. Well, I was also shocked by Governor Kaine's actions (see below).
Razing Kaine
We had defended Governor Kaine during much of the Transportation debacle and the ensuing Abusive Fees flap, saying that that he was forced into a bad position by the flat-earth Republicans in the Legislature. Kaine standing arm-in-arm with those same Republicans in support of the Abusive Fees was just too much.
10 Reasons Why the Mainstream Media Sucks
A consistent topic for much of RK's run - discussions of the quality of the MSM coverage and reporting on any and all issues.
Bob McDonnell, Underage Drinking, and a Red Herring
Unfortunately the original diary was lost (long story), so this follow up will have to do. In a nutshell, the story itself wasn't that interesting, but it resulted in a fierce debate over the private vs public nature of secondary political players. Tough call.
Godwin's Law, Adolph Hitler, and Jerry Kilgore
The title says it all. This was the beginning of the end for Jerry as he and his team started flailing desperately. Cmon Jerry. We at RK are not happy with Governor Kaine regarding a number of issues, but no one here thinks he should even be mentioned in the same breath as one of worst dictators in human history.
Smyth Gets Hands Dirty
RK gets really local - down into the weeds of a district race in Fairfax County. Charlie Hall came close to pulling off a big upset here but ultimately ran out of time with his very small campaign and the establishment won. Unfortunately the Smyth campaign decided to embrace dirty campaign tactics - following the tried and true strategy of altering the truth in order to get elected.
What's Kilgore Quacking About Now?
Duck. Duck. Duck. Kilgore's goose was cooked after he got a reputation for trying to duck out of debates with Kaine. It was all about Jerry the Duck after that.
Peggy Fox's Jewish Question, Wes Clark, and George Allen's Anger "Issues"
Allen's alter ego, Felix Macacawitz, enters the fray.
Ken Cuccinelli Talks to an Elephant: "Right Ron?"
We won some and we lost some over the past four years. That's to be expected in the game of politics. But overall we have been part of a trend that saw great advances for the Democrats in Virginia and great loses for the Republicans. However, there is one very notable standout: Ken Cuccinelli (R - Flat Earth). The Cooch managed to remain true to his ultra extreme right wing views while continuing to win in an increasingly blue Northern Virginia. And he managed to win despite the fact that he talks to a toy elephant named after a dead President.
Put this one on the 2009 to-do list: finish cleaning house and make sure the Cooch is no longer in office. We don't care if he wishes to continue speaking with the elephant though.
Primary Day Winners and Losers
Top 10 Virginia Winners and Losers: 2007
A couple of from the "winners and losers" wrap ups - one from very early on and one much later. This sort of post voting assessment was always a favorite at RK.
Albo's "Good Government - Pay to Play"
Good old Dave Albo. There's something very wrong with electing an delegate who goes to Richmond and writes tough drinking and driving laws, then comes home to defend drunk drivers against his own laws, and then takes money from the Alcohol and Beverage industry in order to get reelected. I suspect 2009 will be the last year he is wearing out a seat in Richmond - he had almost 12% write-in against him in the last election - so if the Democrats run an actual candidate against him (rumors that Greg Werkheiser will run again) there is a good chance Dave will be unseated. And don't forget he was (maybe still is) a huge supporter of the Abusive Fees.
What Dick Wad(hams) Does
The appropriately named political consultant seems to have lost his winning ways after teaming with winners such as George Allen. Poor guy.
H.O.T. Enough?
Another highly questionable move in the transportation arena, this time our local and state officials are selling out what should be public roads to the lowest bidder. But don't worry, to make this more appealing to the tax payers of Virginia we are going to help fund the private venture (I believe to the tune of approximately $500 million) and the Commonwealth agreed to pay back the private company for loses if too many people start carpooling. Brilliant! But don't worry, the private "Lexis Lanes" will be given back to the Commonwealth in about 80 years.
The "Hunter" Becomes the Hunted
Before Siddarth and (former) Senator Allen teamed up show the world why trackers are important, Allen's team had their very own tracker following Jim around... BEFORE HE WON THE PRIMARY! Hunter is a true classic. What this post is missing is Hunter's previous claim to fame - something about sex acts in a public park if a recall correctly.
The Real "Macaca" Story
Ah, Macaca. 'Nuff said.
Metro To Wiehle
There have been many posts on this flip flopping saga. The on again, off again, over, under project looks to be on again. Who knows. All we know is that stage one will NOT be going to the airport, which is one of the primary goals of the project!
The Unequal Rights Amendment
Homophobes run roughshod over the Virginia Constitution. So much for equality.
A Few Overall Thoughts on My Trip with Mark Warner
Reports, Photos: Obama-Biden rally at the University of Mary Washington
Trip to SWVA
A few stories where we got to cover events/places/people that we probably would never had done if we never started RK.