Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Virginia Elects Democratic Governor, Repudiates Bush
Virginia voters elected Democrat Tim Kaine as governor, and sent Bush and the Republicans a clear message.
The Republican candidate had, until the day before the election, successfully avoided any contact with Bush. Bush has frequently visited Virginia to give speeches to carefully screened military audiences trying to shore up support for his war in Iraq. Normally a candidate for office would pestering the White House for a photo op. But this candidate was smart enough to distance himself.
After stories began appearing in print and on TV that the campaign didn't want Bush, the White House asserted itself and staged a campaign event on Monday. They even went so far, as the Washington Post reported, as to declare that the vote would be a referendum on how voters feel about Bush's performance. Bad move on their part. Virginia voters told them!
Virginia is still a very conservative state with lots of Republicans, particularly in Central and Southern Virginia. But even the die-hard right wingers are losing faith with Bush.
The Republican candidate had, until the day before the election, successfully avoided any contact with Bush. Bush has frequently visited Virginia to give speeches to carefully screened military audiences trying to shore up support for his war in Iraq. Normally a candidate for office would pestering the White House for a photo op. But this candidate was smart enough to distance himself.
After stories began appearing in print and on TV that the campaign didn't want Bush, the White House asserted itself and staged a campaign event on Monday. They even went so far, as the Washington Post reported, as to declare that the vote would be a referendum on how voters feel about Bush's performance. Bad move on their part. Virginia voters told them!
Virginia is still a very conservative state with lots of Republicans, particularly in Central and Southern Virginia. But even the die-hard right wingers are losing faith with Bush.
