Chad has posted announcing that he is closing up Commonwealth Conservative. Chad’s insight and commentary will be greatly missed. It was Chad’s blog that got me interested in starting up this blog back in the Summer of 2005.
I wish Chad the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Go over to CC and thank Chad for all of his hard work for blogging and the Virginia blogosphere.
The Republican Party of Virginia needs a shakeup. Since Kate Obenshain-Griffin became chairman the GOP has done nothing but lose seats. We were on the verge of re-capturing the Governor’s seat last year and lost it. This year we’ve lost a U.S. Senate seat. Is Kate to blame for all this? Probably not, sure the candidates have made many mistakes.
The RPV needs great reform and a change at the top. A strategy needs to be developed to take back NOVA. The GOP ship in NOVA is sinking (or has sunk) and NOVA is turning Virginia blue. We must reverse the trend and stop the bleeding. A new leader, from NOVA, would probably do the RPV well.
The Republican Party of Virginia needs a shakeup. Since Kate Obenshain-Griffin became chairman the GOP has done nothing but lose seats. We were on the verge of re-capturing the Governor’s seat last year and lost it. This year we’ve lost a U.S. Senate seat. Is Kate to blame for all this? Probably not, sure the candidates have made many mistakes.
The RPV needs great reform and a change at the top. A strategy needs to be developed to take back NOVA. The GOP ship in NOVA is sinking (or has sunk) and NOVA is turning Virginia blue. We must reverse the trend and stop the bleeding. A new leader, from NOVA, would probably do the RPV well.
Election 2006 was indeed a thriller. The GOP definitely has lots to think about but now the burden of leading is on the Democrats. The GOP can take the offensive standpoint. The Democrats need to produce their plans and put them into action instead of saying they have plans.
The GOP needs to rally and get its ducks in a row. Hopefully in 2008 we can retain the Presidency and take back Congress.
George Allen did the right thing today by conceding and not dragging the Commonwealth through another recount. 8000+ votes is too much of a difference to make up. As we saw last year, the recount requester lost and didn’t gained votes. Allen deserves accolades for this and does preserve some of his political prestige. Hopefully Allen will return to public office again one day. However, this campaign may have made that feat very difficult for him to accomplish. I think Allen’s Presidential hopes are sadly toast and he will have an extremely hard time getting elected to another office in Virginia.
So goes another election into the history books.
Election 2006 was indeed a thriller. The GOP definitely has lots to think about but now the burden of leading is on the Democrats. The GOP can take the offensive standpoint. The Democrats need to produce their plans and put them into action instead of saying they have plans.
The GOP needs to rally and get its ducks in a row. Hopefully in 2008 we can retain the Presidency and take back Congress.
George Allen did the right thing today by conceding and not dragging the Commonwealth through another recount. 8000+ votes is too much of a difference to make up. As we saw last year, the recount requester lost and didn’t gained votes. Allen deserves accolades for this and does preserve some of his political prestige. Hopefully Allen will return to public office again one day. However, this campaign may have made that feat very difficult for him to accomplish. I think Allen’s Presidential hopes are sadly toast and he will have an extremely hard time getting elected to another office in Virginia.
So goes another election into the history books.
The AP, after talking with election officials across the Commonwealth, is calling the senate race for Jim Webb.
They also has this interesting information:
An adviser to Allen, speaking on condition of anonymity[,] . . . said that Allen was disinclined to request a recount if the final vote spread was similar to that of election night.
I have to agree. Considering how few votes Creigh was able gain during last year’s recount, I would avoid taking that step unless the margin was less than 1,000 votes in a race like this one. Sen. Allen will likely bounce back and run for public office again. Pushing a recount now will only complicate matters when that time does arrive.
Congratulations to Jim Webb and all of the Democratic volunteers that made this happen.
I cannot remember who it was that first turned me on to Mother Jones, but for the last few years I have enjoyed reading and considered it one of the better sources of progressive news.
This article, though, entitled “Operation: Take Back Virginia†is one of the most disparaging and condescending articles I have ever read.
The author, JoAnn Wypijewski, accompanied Jim Webb (and apparently George Allen too) to several of his stops in Southwest Virginia this past weekend.
I am sure Ms. Wypijewski is generally good at what she does, however, it appears she really blew it on this article. Not only did she get several of the facts incorrect, but one can only assume that she was more interested in taking cracks at our beautiful area – Southwest Virginia – and its citizenry than writing about Jim Webb’s excellent chance to “take back Virginia.â€
For example, here is how she described the enthusiastic crowd that gathered in Clintwood to see Virginia’s next U.S. Senator.
Webb ended the weekend at another potluck, this one in the mining town of Clintwood. The fare at the table, baked beans and cheese sandwiches, cucumbers in oil and vinegar and egg salad sandwiches, told something about how the people of Dickenson County are faring. This is hard coal country, and the low stools at the Clintwood elementary school cafeteria were filled, a crowd of about 200, the men in worn jackets and baseball caps with foamy fronts and webbed plastic sides. There were coal widows with diamonds but more women with bad teeth and dull hair.
Certainly she would realize how offensive statements like that are to folks in Clintwood. I guess it is possible she thinks that the lowly-citizens of Dickenson County are too illiterate to read Mother Jones.
I personally invite Ms. Wypijewski to visit Clintwood and Southwest Virginia again. She will be pleased to know that most of the ladies who live here do not have “bad teeth and dull hair.†It appears to me she has painted a very poor picture of the fiercely-independent residents of this great region.
The results will be up here for Virginia.
I visited most of the precincts in Dickenson County today. We had a good turnout and most people said it was a strong Democratic turnout. Webb should win Dickenson by record margins.
Here are my personal predictions for tomorrow. Anybody else care to offer their predictions?
U.S. Senate
Allen: 53%
Webb 44%
Other: 3%
U.S. House (9th District)
Boucher: 56%
Carrico: 43%
Other: 1%
I think Carrico will keep Boucher below the 60% mark.
The marriage amendment will turn out an unusually higher amount of voters this time I think. This will go well for Republicans.
Earlier this week, the sheriff, Frank Cassell, of Henry County, Virginia and several deputies were indicted in Federal court for all kinds of criminal corruption. Here is the story from the Roanoke Times.
Every person is innocent until proven guilty. However, in this case the cards are definitely against the sheriff. He remains the present sheriff of Henry County despite all this.
Is there any way under Virginia law to “impeach” a Constitutional Officer in the event of something like this happening? I’ve not heard of any and can’t find any in my research.
Earlier this week, the sheriff, Frank Cassell, of Henry County, Virginia and several deputies were indicted in Federal court for all kinds of criminal corruption. Here is the story from the Roanoke Times.
Every person is innocent until proven guilty. However, in this case the cards are definitely against the sheriff. He remains the present sheriff of Henry County despite all this.
Is there any way under Virginia law to “impeach” a Constitutional Officer in the event of something like this happening? I’ve not heard of any and can’t find any in my research.
Election Day is almost upon us. I plan to be out campaigning and helping out on the Saltville side of Smyth County. There is nothing like the fun and excitement of Election Day. Meeting all kinds of people that you know and just chatting with people are some of the nice things about being around the polls.
I still think that George Allen will be prevalent in the Senate race. Granted, it is going to be very close I think. I hope it isn’t so close as to require another recount. I don’t think we need to go through another one of those.
Who has been in charge in the Allen campaign? I can’t believe some of the things that have went down on their watch thus far in this campaign. Allen has went from a commanding lead in the polls to a razor thin margin now. This is totally ridiculous. Sure, the tactics of the Webb people have been deplorable. Allen’s reputation as a serious Presidential candidate in 2008 may now be in shambles due to some of these happenings. I hope he can revive his momentum in the Presidential arena.
In short, we’ll see what happens Tuesday.
Election Day is almost upon us. I plan to be out campaigning and helping out on the Saltville side of Smyth County. There is nothing like the fun and excitement of Election Day. Meeting all kinds of people that you know and just chatting with people are some of the nice things about being around the polls.
I still think that George Allen will be prevalent in the Senate race. Granted, it is going to be very close I think. I hope it isn’t so close as to require another recount. I don’t think we need to go through another one of those.
Who has been in charge in the Allen campaign? I can’t believe some of the things that have went down on their watch thus far in this campaign. Allen has went from a commanding lead in the polls to a razor thin margin now. This is totally ridiculous. Sure, the tactics of the Webb people have been deplorable. Allen’s reputation as a serious Presidential candidate in 2008 may now be in shambles due to some of these happenings. I hope he can revive his momentum in the Presidential arena.
In short, we’ll see what happens Tuesday.
Candidates traditionally spend the last weekend before Election Day racing across the Ninth District. This year is no different.
Click here for the full schedule of events.
Oh, and don’t forget to do something to GOTV. This race is tied, and we do not want to spend the next two weeks in Recount mode.
The Clinch Valley News suggests that Southwest Virginia should stay the course and re-elect Congressman Rick Boucher.
They cite, among other reasons, that Congressman Boucher’s leadership in building a technology infrastructure has been valuable to the Ninth District.
Rick Boucher also has shown commitment to Southwest Virginia values in a practical and productive way. Last week’s groundbreaking for the Northrop Grumman state data facilities in Russell County was an example of his work over more than a decade in helping fund and build a modern data infrastructure across much of the Ninth District.
That infrastructure has led in steps from electronic classrooms across the region’s public schools to telemedicine linking area clinics and hospitals with world-class specialists and on to high-speed broadband trunk lines and wireless Internet facilities that now are attracting businesses once thought to be unattainable in our region.
I have mentioned this before. Absent the Congressman’s committment and work to lay the groundwork, Southwest Virginia would not be able to attract employers that rely on technology.
The Clinch Valley News is correct, Southwest Virginia should “stay the course” to keep Congressman Boucher representing us.
I see Congressman Rick Boucher has posted another new television ad on his website, the third in recent weeks.
This is great stuff from the Congressman, including old pictures.
These things - and the ups and downs - are going to drive me crazy before this election is over.
The good news is, though, the polls are now showing Webb ahead. Real Clear Politics has Webb up in its RCP Average, after factoring in today’s Rasmussen poll which has Allen dropping seven points. 
The bad news is, however, that just means this race is winnable, not that Webb is it wrapped up.
Today, for example, I received two “get out the vote” calls from Republicans. They are working hard to try and protect Sen. Allen’s seat in the senate.
When Jim Webb wins next week, it will not be because the Republicans did not do everything possible to save Allen’s seat - it will be because Democrats worked even harder to elect Jim Webb.
Here is the latest television ad from Congressman Rick Boucher:
Included in this ad are a couple of Veterans from right here in Dickenson County!
Last Thursday also included a stop in Floyd for Gov. Warner and Jim Webb.
Colleen was there and has posted a wonderful account of the event and some photos. The crowd, she says, was “standing room only” in Floyd’s Country Store.
The RT’s Michael Sluss was also in attendance in Floyd and reported this great quote:
Even though Allen won 63 percent of the Floyd County vote in his 1993 gubernatorial election and his 2000 Senate campaign, Webb said he will concede none of Southwest Virginia to his rival.
Sen. Allen has probably realized by now that he cannot compete with Jim Webb in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Because of that, Sen. Allen knows he will have to be very strong in Southwest Virginia and other rural areas. This year, though, I hope he is not counting on 63% from Floyd because I feel certain that Webb-supporters like Colleen are not going to let that happen.
Sen. Allen has had six years to do something to help Southwest Virginia. Instead of working to help us, he has been busy posturing for a run at the Whitehouse in 2008. We are ready for a senator that puts us first, instead of himself.
On Thursday, October 26, 2006, Jim Webb visited Bristol and found a large crowd of supporters. I was working and unable to attend. But, two local-bloggers were in attendance and I assume reports from them are forthcoming. If not, and Webb fails to carry Bristol next week, we will know who to blame, right? 
Another local-blogger, Sarah Williams, was also working and unable to attend, but she does point us to some photos taken by Kim Willis.
It looks (from Kim’s photos) and sounds like it was a fantastic event with a large and energized crowd.
I was joking about blaming Neal and Justin, but putting all jokes aside, if we want Webb to win, then now is the time for us to start making phone calls, handing out flyers, etc.
Going to vote on Election Day is very important, but we cannot expect to win if we are unwilling to do something more than that this year. Let’s get busy and elect Jim Webb!