Democrats would be unwise to read Virginia as a bellwether for the rest of the country. The growth of the federal government has caused Northern Virginia to become more and more populated by government employees and government contractors, and with that, more pro-big-government voters. A county-by-county breakdown of the Webb/Allen and marriage amendment votes shows that the Commonwealth is becoming increasingly divided between Red and Blue, the Blue being situated primarily around the two government centers, Washington and Richmond. Loudon, the former agricultural and Virginia's fastest growing county, broke 49/50 on Allen/Webb, and 55 yes/45 no on the marriage amendment. Those percentages would likely have been more conservative ten years ago. Prince William County (home of the Manassas battlefield) is becoming more Blue, and broke 48/50 on Allen/Webb, and 62 yes/38 no on the marriage amendment. The suburbs west of Arlington are pushing further out as Washington government grows. Ask any communter who rides in on Route 66 from the west, and ask the former Washington suburb residents who are moving further out to escape.

So to say that Virginia's becoming more Blue is correct. But that is attributable primarily to the growth of the federal government, i.e., Washington, a trend that is distinctly based in Northern Virginia, not the rest of the state and not in other states.

As a proud liberal/nationalist/libertarian Yankee, born and raised in the Empire State, I have a confession. The three years in the late 80's to early 90's that I called Virginia home, were in many ways, the best years of my life. I lived in the suburbs of Richmond and worked and socialized at the fringes of Virginia's upcoming business and political elite. Collectively, they reflected a vibrant cross-section of America.

The prejudice and hate that I saw as the real legacy of the Confederacy were still conspicuous at times. I encountered people that did not hesitate to express their hostility to "Yankees". Even polite, non-political, affluent and well-educated ones. But much more commonly, I encountered smart, generous and kind people who were excited about the growing social, economic and political justice that characterized Virginia at that point in time. I was in Richmond for Douglas Wilder's inauguration party, celebrating his election as the first African-American governor in the old Confederacy. To me, that was the defining moment, made unforgettable for me personally by an encounter, a handshake, a couple seconds of shadow-boxing and a few warm words exchanged with the Champ, Muhammad Ali.

Like the rest of the country, Virginia is evolving. The importance of the Civil War and the bitterness that are part of the heritage of some of the antebellum families come as a shock to non-Virginian's. The casualties and devastation were disproportionately (but perhaps deservedly) visited upon the Old Dominion. In the heartland of the Confederacy, there is more damage still to be repaired.

Still, as evidenced by George Allen's recent experience, Virginia seems to be progressing very nicely, thank you.

If you think this election was about Democrats over Republicans, think again. This is a clear signal to politicians that we are tired of being taxed, lied to and cheated out of our freedoms and our money. We voted out the incumbents. Pure and simple. We will do it again if the Demcrats can't provide us with less interference and a vastly reduced gov't.

and only in opposition to the fact that republicans fought the civil war and freed the slaves. after the 1960s the southern dems had no ideological connection with the national dems. Only the instituional one: they wanted to stay in office as long as they could. So there has never been a progressive southern democratic party with any clout.

Even though it sucks to have lost on the marriage amendment, it rocks to be a progressive activist citizen of Northern Virginia, suddenly the national spotlight is on Nova and we RULE. :)

I volunteered for the Commonwealth Coalition against the marriage amendment at an electoral precinct on the Fairfax-Loudoun County line. This area has just flipped from Republican to Democrat. The Democratic volunteer at that precinct told me when he moved in there, his family was the only Democratic house on the street. Soon they got two Democratic neighbors, and now their whole block is Democratic. I got many smiles and positive responses there on Election Day. Everyone who spoke to me about the marriage amendment agreed with our campaign to defeat it. Gives me hope for Virginia.

--J.Hy

Dear Sir,

As I look to the Government now and see that people as Jim are now going to be their for

me, I am indeed Happy in the veiw of the World which I can again see to be very much

in tune with the Heart of America.

the proof of all this is going to be what they do and what the Nation can see as

the direction of the Change that will come. We the People can not Stand, with People

running the Country who are of the intentionality, that they are the Objects of affection

which we can look up to as some kind of figure who is, an example to us of what we

should be but are not. If any thing can be more Plain, to me, and I am hope-ing to

the Natio as a whole, it should be that this, ' We are the one's who are to BE look

on as the Example of that which is the Good, The just, The loving, The Citizens(good & bad)

that are the People of the Nation.

Sir, We, Are, the Object of the Affection of the Repersentatives. the understanding

of which places the Top people of government as the Servants, of the People. they are

not King's, or Queen's as the case may be.

Thank you for the few word to express, What is in the Heart of I think, most of the

NATION.

Yours Truly,

Michael Trager

Although I'm happy about it, I don't think it's fair to credit the state of Virginia for tipping the balance of the Senate just because they were the last ones to report their election results. One could just as easily say, for example, that the Senate majority hinges on the cynical politics of Joe Lieberman.

If you run as an Independant, then govern as an Independant. The nerve of that guy running against the wishes of the majority of Connecticut Democrats, stealing votes away from their chosen candidate, and then waltzing back to Washington to announce he'd like to retain his place in the seniority pecking order for committee appointments is absolutely galling. In my estimation, the Senate hinges on someone who is completely unhinged. Someone who's self-interest clearly outweighs the interest of the party he now says he'd like to represent.

If you don't believe me, then try this: test Joe's allegience to the Democratic party by denying him high-ranking committee appointments. Then we'll see if Joe stands for principle, or if Joe just stands for Joe.