Email message many of us received this week from Del. Brian Moran (House Democratic Caucus Chairman):
Friends,What a great day to be a Democrat! What a great day to be a Virginian!
Last night was amazing. Having traveled 25,000 miles this summer and fall, I've felt the energy all across the Commonwealth and I've seen the crowds from Roanoke to Virginia Beach and across Northern Virginia. Last night - in record turnout all across Virginia and across this country - we gave Democrats a mandate for change. It's a mandate to change the direction of our nation, to return us to a place of respect in the world, and for good management here at home.
Let me congratulate Jim Webb on his amazing victory last night. I've been proud to campaign with him and for him all across Virginia for the last 6 months because I know that Jim Webb will lead our nation in the right direction. I know that he will ensure our Senate isn't a rubber stamp for the failed policies of this administration. I know he brings the courage and convictions to ensure a wind of change sweeps across Washington. Last night showed that Virginians want responsible governance in the mold of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine not only here in Virginia, but also in Washington's halls of power. Jim Webb has won this race and I'm confident that, regardless of a recount, he will remain the winner and be sworn in as the next Senator from Virginia. Way to go Jim!What a great victory for our whole country last night as well. Democratic control has returned to the US Congress and the people's House will be firmly back in the people's hands. From corruption in Washington to failed policies in Iraq, from our failures on the gulf coast to the fiscal recklessness in Washington, it stops now. Our new Democratic Congress will change that direction and I'm proud to be part of the team. A new day has dawned.
I'm also very proud that Virginia voters have re-elected two great members of congress - Rick Boucher and Bobby Scott. Both of them have been tireless public servants, always putting the interests of their constituents first. Few people do as much for Virginia as those two Congressmen and I'm proud that they'll continue to serve.
On a more personal note, there is no one I'm more proud of last night than my brother, Jim Moran, who also won re-election. Jim has been a consistent voice in opposition to the war in Iraq and in support of his constituents in the 8th congressional district. The district overwhelmingly re-elected him last night and I know he'll continue his invaluable service.
Democrats, Independents, and many Republicans were part of our victory last night. It's a victory for our Commonwealth and our country. Most importantly, it's a victory for our future and ournext generation - my daughter McClain and my son Brian. We will be better off tomorrow because of the change in direction we fought for last night.
In the coming days there will be punditry and prognostications on what this means for Virginia and the nation, but today we should all be confident and proud that we've changed the direction and we continue to move forward.
Your Friend,
Brian Moran
Thanks for being there for Webb and your brother, Brian. You've been a real champ.
We're lucky we've got such a strong bench in Virginia. I think we can all expect great things from our Mr. Moran.