The retirement of Virginia Senate President John H. Chichester, a moderate Republican, along with the retirements of another Republican moderate - Sen. Russ Potts - makes it even more essential than ever that Democrats take back control of the State Senate this year. Why? As Tim Craig writes in the Washington Post:
[Chichester's] decision to retire will likely result in a much different political landscape next year, particularly if the Republicans retain their majority in the Senate after the legislative races this fall.Chichester is the third moderate Republican in the General Assembly to announce their retirement in recent weeks. Conservative Republicans are trying to increase their numbers in the legislature and the Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to take back control of the Senate.
In other words, there are two distinct, diametrically different outcomes that could ensue from this fall's elections:
1) A continuation of Republican control in the State Senate, but with an even MORE conservative bent. Just imagine what it will mean to everything we care about without Russ Potts and John Chichester there to block the radical right-wing rubbish sent over from the House. Not a pleasant thought. Also imagine these guys in charge come Congressional redistricting in 2011. Ugh. Finally, just think about Tim Kaine's last two years as governor with a bunch of right-wing Republicans controlling the entire General Assembly. Yeah, it's a nightmare, but it's one that could well turn into reality if we don't work to stop it.
2) A Democratic takeover of the State Senate, along with significant gains in the House of Delegates. Instead of the horror show outlined above, picture a State Senate working with Governor Kaine to move Virginia "forward together." Now picture a House of Delegates that is at least open to reason, as opposed to one dominated by the Bob Marshalls and Jeff Fredericks of the world. Finally, picture the Democrats in a strong position heading into the 2008 Presidential and Congressional elections, the 2009 Gubernatorial race, and the 2011 redistricting. That's a much prettier picture than the one outlined above.
So, which picture do you prefer? If the answer is #2, then the question is this: are you willing to work hard give what you can give to make it happen? Or, would you prefer to take your chances with option #1, the right-wing takeover scenario? Personally, I don't see this as a difficult decision to make.
Bob Marshall and his friends have a very narrow vision of the world, and women's place in it. For me, roads happen to be a less critical issue -- though I certainly understand the import of this issue for others. I do not want to see thousands of women subject to the Marshall forces' whims.
And we need to defeat him also.
Sebelius pushed this split by recruiting moderate Repubs to leave their party and join her. I think it's time for Kaine to do the same. Let Republicans go farther and farther off the deep end until no one's left in their party but the nutcases.
Kaine is too far left to work effectively