RICHMOND
Democrat Barack Obama toppled Virginia’s 40-year tradition of voting Republican in presidential elections Tuesday on his way to a resounding national victory for the White House.
Obama’s strong performance, coupled with Democrat Mark Warner’s runaway victory for the U.S. Senate, completes Virginia’s evolution from a dependable GOP haven to a deeply competitive swing state.
The unprecedented attention that Virginia received from the presidential candidates this fall will become standard in the future, a number of political scientists and campaign advisers predicted.
“It’s a different state today, and I think going forward, every Democrat running for president of the United States is going to have to compete here,” said Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee who is eyeing a run for governor next year. “It is a purple state.”
Obama, who visited the state 11 times in the summer and fall, was rewarded with about 50.6 percent of the vote. Republican John McCain, who visited Virginia four times, got about 48.4 percent. More than 3 million Virginians went to the polls.
Obama duplicated an election blueprint for Democrats in recent years, racking up a huge vote in populous Northern Virginia and winning a smaller, but solid, majority in Hampton Roads. McCain carried all other regions of the state.
Almost three in five Virginia voters cited the economy as the major issue in this election, according to an exit poll conducted for major network and cable television stations. Of those people, 56 percent supported Obama.
McCain, in contrast, was strongly favored by the 9 percent of voters who said fighting terrorism was their main issue.
Obama clearly benefited from Virginia’s dissatisfaction with President Bush. Nearly three out of four voters said they disapproved of the president’s performance, and of them, 70 percent cast ballots for Obama.
McCain won 58 percent of the white vote, according to the exit poll, while Obama received 92 percent of the African American vote.
Obama seized a majority of the vote in every age group except senior citizens. He won a majority among those who attended college and among those who did not.
Obama established early ties in Virginia by campaigning for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in 2005. Kaine repaid the favor in early 2007 by becoming one of the first politicians outside Obama’s home state of Illinois to endorse his presidential bid.
Kaine was named a national co-chairman of Obama’s campaign and was strongly considered as a possible vice presidential candidate.
He told a cheering crowd Tuesday night that the state at times had embraced and at times fled from the idea espoused in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.”
“But tonight we have taken a mighty, mighty step,” Kaine said.
In the past, candidates largely ignored Virginia, knowing it was certain to vote Republican. This year, however, it was thrust into the core of the presidential race, considered throughout the fall as one of the few battleground states that could determine the national outcome.
Hampton Roads, after backing George Bush in the past two presidential races, emerged as Virginia’s key swing region this fall and received several visits from each candidate.
Obama and Warner’s victories confirm that once -conservative Virginia has shifted to a swing state, according to Mark Rozell, a George Mason University political scientist.
“We’re no longer red; we’re purple and shades of blue,” he said.
Warner’s win, coupled with Jim Webb’s victory over George Allen two years ago, gives Virginia two Democrats in the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1972. Democrats have won the past two gubernatorial elections.
The shift has been driven by huge growth in Northern Virginia, the state’s most populous region. Once unpredictable in state elections, the region has become a haven for highly educated professionals who have no ties to the state’s political traditions and who are voting increasingly Democratic.
“The lesson for Republicans is that they can’t run hard right campaigns and expect to win,” said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist.
“This isn’t ol’ Virginny anymore.”
Pilot writers Dale Eisman and Julian Walker contributed to this report.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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breal4real
"breal4real on Wed, 11/05/2008 at 8:55 pm.
So what was stopping the unity before Obama was elected?"
I'm not sure I understand your question. The lack of unity in this country takes on many directions.
Gertz??
So what was stopping the unity before Obama was elected?
confused
I'm a white woman, Mother and Grandmother. I beleive the day has come when every American parent can tell their child "you too can be president", and mean it. I was raised by a racist Father, and I swore MY children would never be influenced by what I grew up with. I know what hatefilled comments can do and how badly they can hurt. Within my own family I have ended the cycle of hate. That is a powerful feeling!
What we witnessed last night, and actually all day with all the long lines, touched me more than I have the words to express. My only regret.... I went to bed 15 minutes too early to feel the full force and celegration of President elect Barack Obama. I use to live in Chicago, and had I still, I know I would have been at Grant Park and the Loop.
Yes, there is a new day, a new beginning, and a chance for change and unity this country so desperately needs.
Gertz Point
You are absolutely right! It is a new day in America! And perhaps now, I (a white individual) will quit being blamed for every "hardship" and "mis-fortune" that happens to African Americans and People of Color. Perhaps now, we will no longer be called racist simply because we do not follow the same beliefs. Perhaps now, everyone will stand up and take responsibility for themselves. There are no more excuses! What a Change that would be!
electricalpaul has nothing better to do
You must really be a sad individual when all you have to do is sit here and complain about me and others who supported President elect Barack Obama.
Perhaps in reality you are only 12 which would explain a lot, because as a responsible adult you are seriously lacking. Good luck with yourself!
As far as any of us complaing no one has done anymore than YOU.
yesbama
Yes, McCain's speech was both eloquent and supportive - had the race gone the other way and he won, would we have received the same from Obama and his supporters? Or would the Dems once again cry "foul" and get the Supreme Court involved. McCain's speech last night is an example exactly why he should have won. I, however, as an American will support our new President as well. Time will only prove our greatest hopes, or our worst fears come true. And while Obama said (this morning) "it will take time, may not happen in the first year or possibly not the first term", the economic crisis, the energy crisis, our overseas threats etc, will not allow him the luxury of time. I hope he is ready to start out running and act - which is not something I picked up on in any of his speeches - and yes, I paid attention to them all.
Elsie-eye
The Electoral College does not vote until December 15th. Obama has won the popular vote and based on the states he won, he should also win the electoral votes - but - the Electoral Delegates are human and will vote as they see fit, not necessarily as the state would want them to.
Change
... change we got ... let us all pray that we are really ready for the changes coming ... God be with our country.
so this means gertz and the rest of you people....
will stop crying and whining about everything now. The national economy, the state economy and our personal finances will improve too...right? My personel tax liability won't go up either? My 2nd amendment right won't be affected either right? All of our problems are over...you have elected a socialist-wealth redistributor to be your president. I'm sure that his 3 years in the Senate has properly prepared him for every challenge of the at least next 4 years. Of course Biden & Dean will be guiding him along so no worries! Most expensive election in history! You people really know how to save money don't you? LOL! Now that we have the Rockerfeller Republicans out of the way maybe next go round we can nominate a Conservative Republican. Republicans don't get elected acting like moderates while liberals can get elected acting like moderate/conservatives. Good luck America and God bless us everyone!
Oh Happy Day
This is a day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be Glad in it.
I refrained from addressing all the negativity you commenters provided for over a year, because it brings out the worst in me. But I don't have to contain myself anymore. I can rejoice. Yes we can. Yes we did! The people have spoken! (wisely I might add)
Die hard republicans, replay McCains concession speech from last night. It's the best speech he ever made. He mentions how he will be faithful to his president. You all should do the same.
In other words, Don't hate. Appreciate.
58% ?
58% is a win no matter what color--duh
...and that is only white vote
Proud
The VP must be proud of all their hard work getting Obama elected. They wonder why readership is declining? One sided reporting throughout this campaign will lead to one sided readership.
Not involved?
"McCain won 58 percent of the white vote, according to the exit poll, while Obama received 92 percent of the African American vote."
Tell me again race wasn't a factor.
gertz point
Yeah, just like the dems did 8 years ago when Bush won...
Way to go Virginia!
We proved that the people of this Great Commonwealth are fed up with neoconservative imperialists, radical fundamentalists, and failed supply-siders.
I could not be prouder to be a Virginian on this great day!
The people have spoken and
The people have spoken and it's time to move on. It's time to stop the bickering, dissapointments and even hate. We have a new president and we need to set aside our bipartisan politics and come together as one country. Please remember, we all need to work together, and we ARE all in this together.
Obama has changed history, and I choose to be a part of that change. Will everything get accomplished in 4 short years? NO! But the more we pull together as a democratic country the better off we wil all be.
God bless America!
Mary
Would that be because Obama decisively won both the popular and electoral vote? : -)
Integrity 2
I think we will be a *better* example than Dems in the past.
We're going to move ahead without whining that someone cheated during the election and without getting the Supreme Court involved! Thanks, MGM
Election '08
Right on, Integry2! I'm proud of the voters who had the guts to try and change our state for the better. Now, I'll just have to wait until the morning to see how the City Council, School Board, and Mayoral races finished.
OBAMA WINS!!!
America has spoken and it is about time. Obama has won and I hope that the McCain supporters will be mature enough to move forward just as we have in the past when the candidate we voted for lost.
We have all won tonight!