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When Barack Obama said "Change is coming," did anyone think he was actually talking about Suffolk?
If Suffolk were the only red-blooded Republican community backing the Democratic president-elect on Tuesday, it might be dismissed as a fluke. But Obama carried a remarkable list of cities and counties considered, as recently as Monday, to be as Republican as Ronald Reagan's cowboy boots. Including Chesapeake.
Northern Virginia's suburbs on steroids - Loudoun, Prince William and Manassas - all voted for Obama. In suburban Richmond, Henrico County tilted Democratic after backing George W. Bush twice. Small cities deep in the conservative Shenandoah Valley - Harrisonburg, Winchester and Staunton - voted for the Democrat.
Democratic incursions led right to the front doors of some of Virginia's most conservative Republican leaders. Obama carried the House of Delegate districts held by Speaker Bill Howell, GOP chairman Jeff Frederick, budget negotiater Phil Hamilton and anti-abortion crusader Bob Marshall.
Today, Virginia seems less Southern and less conservative, but Obama won this state through an extraordinary set of circumstances that can't be ignored.
Many voters were motivated by displeasure with the Bush White House. Obama also ran an astounding campaign in the commonwealth that refused to concede any region to Republicans. He not only visited 11 times, often in Hampton Roads, he moved in, opening offices in nearly 50 cities, counties and towns. He reached out to minority voters and new immigrants. He preached pragmatism on the economy, war, health care and taxes.
Whether Virginia is experiencing an enduring change depends on whether Democrats or Republicans are the faster learners. Obama took the middle ground in Virginia, and he found it to be far more expansive than anyone thought.
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Virginia getting less conservative
President-elected Barack Obama won the conservative republican state Virginia, something that has not been done since 1964. People have to understand that Virginia is changing. The demographics are changing so therefore the old conservative views are dying off. Change is good, and Barack Obama did a good job with getting that message out, especially in Virginia.
Same Case for Virginia
You are quite right to point out the votes for Obama in districts now supporting right wing delegates. For example, clearly it has been Speaker of the House Bill Howell and his coaliton of right wing delegates who have blocked funding for transportation improvements, a function of government so essential to commerce, that he must be feeling some pressure from the voters who had put him in office in the past. Voters of both parties seem to have overlooked extremes on both sides and voted for middle of the road, pragmatic solutions to issues of foreign policy, economics, and social issues. The result of this election makes one think that if the republicans continue to block a transportation solution in Virginia, their remaining time in office will be mercifully short. Let's hope so.
The citizens perspective
Since the Pilot has taken the liberty to ask and publish the thoughts of business leaders and politians about the effects that electing Mr. Obama to office will have, I thought I would offer a citizens' perspective.
Based on his web sites "plan" for America, I predict the worse economic failure since Jimmy Carter, record unemployment, rising tax rates, high interest rates, double-digit inflation, and a military downsized to a lever smaller than that of the Clinton administration. Since this is my perspective, I cannot contribute to charity, no more buying stocks and property, investing in my retirement, etc. I am moving to a cash position on all investments to preserve what I do have. I am locking all spending, saving every penny I can for what will be a struggle for my family and I. I suggest the same for all.
I do "hope" I am wrong. If it does happen, I believe enough in America to overcome the damage done. If it does not, this voter will change his perspective. Right now, I can only base future peformance on past results. I predict continued gridlock in Washington, and continued frustration on the behalf of the citizens. "Change" and "yes we can" are merely campai
Don't fool yourself
Virginia went from slightly right of center to slightly left of center for this election. With newspapers like the VP vigorously supporting the left, a slight shift occurred for this election. I'd expect a shift slightly right for the governors race. But you wont read that here, as the VP is always positive about any candidate with a D behind their name and always critical with anyone with an R behind their name. Bias is alive and thriving at the VP.