Yes, Virginia. There is an opposition ticket.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

I am sad that my state will be taken over by bible-thumping mutants today. (I hope at least wannabe war-criminal Barbara Comstock loses, but who knows? Not much reliable poling of delegate races.)

That pugs will romp in the Old Dominion is not a negative reaction to Obama. It is merely an absence of a positive reaction to Obama sufficient to overcome the resurgent white-pride in a fairly reactionary state.

The enthusiasm gap is incredible. Every knuckle-dragger who laid low in 2006-2008 out of embarrassment is now rampant. The pug slate has yard signs the size of a car and they are everywhere, even in NoVa neighborhoods that went 70% for Obama.

The hilariously huge signs are not candidate signs so much as they are a nasty message to the neighbors. "We are still here, you commie rats."

Yes, the republican party is despised and lacks any coherent message beyond straight-up hatred of America. But despite that pugs will do well today and will probably do well in 2010 simply because they are the opposition.

In Virginia the electorate is disappointed and Democrats are quiescent.

It is fine say the Virginia electorate is stupid to expect so much so fast, but they are the same electorate that gave us Warner and Webb and Obama.

Lesson: When we win an election that doesn't mean the people got smart. When things suck people often vote for the other side, no matter how unwise the judgment and no matter how absurd the option.

PS: Deeds really is awful but I hope none of the folks who are quick to cite Deeds' weakness as letting Obama off the political hook in Virginia were the same people screaming about the awfulness of Terry McCauliffe during the primary. Terry would have at least run a professional race of some sort!

[saracat]

1. But hey, some DUers are describing such elections as not "meaningful". I know they are meaningful

to all who live in such states. ALL elections should be meaningful.And democrats cannot afford to be complacent and believe everyone thinks as they do.They do not and elections happen more than just every four years. I am so sorry about VA. A lot of hard work went into turing it blue and it seems the lazy among us squandered it.

[Mz Pip]

2. It's all about GOTV

Off year elections don't get much attention or turnout. When all those enthusiatic people came out to vote for Obama in places like Virginia, North Carolina and Florida they didn't seem to realize that this was not a one shot affair. You cannot go back to being unengaged.

The world is run by people who show up. A healthy Democracy requires constant participation and attention. If the democrats don't show up it's their own damn fault if elections don't go their way.

[VMI Dem]

3. Oh c'mon, we sure showed that Terry McAuliffe didn't we?

We nominated the loser that couldn't beat McDonnell riding the governors coattails 4 years ago.

[FSogol]

4. Screw you. Deeds has a good record of work in VA. McAuliffe didn't.

The problem here is that Kaine had no coat tails and is tapped out trying to run the party and deal with State responsibilities. Howard Dean should have remained in the seat until Jan 2010. Then Kaine would have had more time for this election.

[VMI Dem]

5. Yeah, the people have chosen the real Republican over the fake one.

Deeds is a right wing piece of shit. And now he's a two time loser to McDonnell.

[FSogol]

6. Deeds is a moderate just like Warner, Robb, Kaine, Webb, etc.

Look around Virginia sometime. Not a lot of liberal politicians here.

[VMI Dem]

7. Deeds is a moderate now?

You saw the inept campaign. Now, you'll see the results.

[FSogol]

8. Whatever. Spend your time with you ideological purity tests and see where

that gets you or the party.

[VMI Dem]

9. Yeah, views on civil rights is a completely unreasonable "purity test"...unlike

how long a guy has been living in Virginia.

Heh.

[FSogol]

10. Yeah? Deeds said he was wrong on that vote and would vote differently

in the future. What will McDonnell and Cucinelli do for you?

[VMI Dem]

11. Same as Deeds, the faux Republican would have done.

Like I said, with a choice between a real (R) and a fake one, the real one will always win.

[S_E_Fudd]

12. Couldn't have said it better myself...was hard to get enthused about voting today...

I made it but my heart wasn't in it frankly...

It has been apparent for months Dems (particularly Deeds) dropped the ball here...

The only saving grace is "The Cooch" will no longer be my State Senator!!