May
5
[published in National Journal]
Democrats’ sorrows in Appalachia aren’t new. But the party’s decline in Buchanan County, Va., which is tucked into the corner where the commonwealth bumps into West Virginia and Kentucky, is a prime illustration of how Democratic fortunes in the region have fallen off a cliff since the 2008 election.
The hills in Buchanan [...]
Nov
3
Deeds Forgot the New Independents
Filed Under Virginia | Leave a Comment
[published in Politico]
When Karl Rove set out to get George W. Bush reelected in 2004, he targeted the Expedition-driving, megachurch-attending, Panera-eating, McMansion-living voters in places like Loudoun County, Va. Bush won Loudoun with 56 percent on his way to a comfortable victory statewide.
On Tuesday, Republican Bob McDonnell will also win Loudoun on the backs of [...]
Jul
29
Virginia Primary Map: Creigh Sweeps from Clarendon to Coal Country
Filed Under Democrats, Virginia | Leave a Comment
In the first Democratic primary for Virginia governor in ages, the boy from Bath County embarrassed the two guys from NoVA. Creigh Deeds won a strong 50% over Terry McAuliffe’s 26% and Brian Moran’s 24%. What’s striking is that he won ten out of 11 congressional districts, even beating Moran 43-40% in his brother’s district, [...]
Jun
17
[Published in The Politico]
If you listen to most armchair pundits, you probably expect Virginia to be a pivotal swing state this November. But the truth is that while Virginia is purpling, John McCain has advantages in the Old Dominion that few other candidates would have.
To be sure, Virginia Democrats do have reason to be optimistic: [...]