Steve Benen of TPM helps put this story in context -- 2000 was the high-water mark for the Virginia GOP. Since then, we've had two Democratic Governors in a row, a Dem Lt. Governor, and now a Democratic Senator. Matt Yglesias gives a spoonful of credit to Mark Warner and his results-oriented governing style.
When Mark Warner first ran for governor in Virginia, it was pretty clear that only a "different kind of Democrat" kind of Democrat could win in the state. But not only did Warner win, he governed in a popular manner. And while he continued to be a "different kind of Democrat," he didn't shy away from being a Democrat and playing a role in the national party. Tim Kaine and Jim Webb have very much continued in that tradition -- neither are central casting Democrats, but both have actually represented the national party on national television in State of the Union responses. And as a result, their performance in office winds up not just keeping them afloat personally, but also serves to rehabilitate the party's overall image.
Andrew Sullivan points to this trend in Virginia as an example of the importance of independents.
And our own teacherken also discusses the importance of independents, in a recommended diary over at Kos, while providing the perspective of "someone who has been a Virginia resident since October 1982."
I'm sure more blog buzz will arise as the holiday weekend fades away.
Mark Warner became governor for 2 reasons: 1. he got his name out there by challenging John Warner, and 2. he played hard for southern and rural votes.
The demographics of Virginia hare turning hard against Republicans, and now those southern and rural voters are a much less important voting block than they were even in 2001. Moreover, NOVA is standing up for its rights against the take and complain politics of reactionary republicans in the State Legislature. Even RPV Legislators admit that, the only way for Republicans to stave off a lasting Democratic takeover of Virginia politics is Gerrymandering. That?s why they caved to Tim Kaine on transportation this year, to take it off the table as a unifying challenge issue for the Dems.
If Republicans can gerrymander Congressional, House and Senate Districts well enough, they will be able to keep majorities for the next decade, but not beyond that. Virginians love their country more than they hate brown people, and our new demographics will force feed some hardcore reality to the impotent Virginia GOP.
That?s why 2007 is the most important election in Virginia since 1964, not 2008. With Virginia Demographics changing so dramatically, gerrymandering is the RPV?s last hope to hold on to power. Watch the talons come out, because there?s no place on earth more dangerous than between a Virginia Republican and his delusions of grandeur.
One last thing, Tim Kaine is currently matching Mark Warner?s astronomical popularity in Virginia. That?s only going to help in this critical and potentially historical 2007 election season.