For the last few days I have been searching for the fire to write another great post. I write like each is its own entity, and I don't like just throwing things together for the sake of throwing things together. I have been rattling by brain for something to talk about that I haven't already discussed. I've been reading about all these vicious and bruising fights in places like California, all this sexy stuff gets people all hot in the collar. Issues like immigration, corruption, taxes, and social issues really set states on fire. Even up north (barely for me) in Maryland, their are deep political divisions that has led to some nasty political fights and terrible racial name calling.
Part of me wats to have politics that fire us up like that. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that we are in a unique position in Virginia. For all our political blustering, arguments, and frustrations we have a pretty civil party politic. And I think it is a blessing. We talked about how "negative" our govenor's race got last year. My little brother goes to school in New York City and he was telling me about the ads he saw for the Corzine-Forrester. He was only half joking when he spoofed a NJ ad: "Doug Forrester. . . .he kills babies!" "Jon Corzine. . . .he loves terrorists!" Of course that is hyperbole, but it wasn't far from the truth. If the worst our campaigns can get is an ad about the death penalty, my friends we are blessed. Furthermore, I have family in California who tell about all the craziness out there.
There is something about Virginia. I'm a history student, and I especially love Virginia/southern history. I don't know many 25 year olds who get stoked talking about Thomas Staples Martin or Harrison H. Riddlebburger, but I do. There has always been a certain austere dignity about the Old Dominion that set it apart from its more fire-breating neighbors. Even at the height of the Byrd Machine and Massive Ressistence, there was never the violence like there was in Mississippi or Alabama or Georgia. Something about this Old Dominion, the mother of Washington, Jefferson, Henry, Monroe, Madison, Monroe, and Tyler--among others. There is a dignity about this state. We see it today and I think its something we should be proud of--Republicans, Democrats, and independents all. I think its a good thing our politics isn't divissive and vicious like California or New Jersey.
I don't know. Its been a slow couple of weeks in the news here in Virginia. I know Republicans and Democrats are passionate in this state, but overall, I think our discourse is refreshingly dignified. This is just a random thought. I wanted to write something tonight, and this has been a thought I have been sitting on for awhile. A ttimes, our politics can be very boring--but that means when the gavel bangs we still don't want to kill each other.
Again, just a thought.
That's sarcasm, right? You didn't happen to witness what went on in the 67th last fall did you?
Posted by: Rtwng Extrmst | February 22, 2006 at 02:06 PM
I once complained to a friend from Georgia about some add from the 2002 house elections that I didn't like for some reason. He just laughed and described some add from GA that featured the caricature of the opposing candidate riding a hobby horse or something like that. So I agreee, we have it pretty good here.
Posted by: Mark T. Blair | February 22, 2006 at 02:56 PM
"Dignitiy"? Must be the south park version of "Dignity"
Posted by: | February 22, 2006 at 03:32 PM
My friend from Georgia says they never have negiative ads there.
I dunno if thats true or not, but thats what I am told.
Posted by: GOPHokie | February 23, 2006 at 05:26 PM
You're right. We did massive resistance much better than Mississippi than Alabama. Man you set the bar pretty high whe we get compared to those two states during the civil rights battles of the '60s.
Let's see in 2005 - voters in Mark Sickle's district get robo calls right before election day that he's dead so he can't be voted for.
Black calls Dave Poisson, poison for the whole campaign.
Kilgore runs an ad saying Kaine wouldn't enforce the death penalty against Hitler.
An anti-tax group puts out a wanted poster with the Pictures of Republican legislators who supported Warner's budget.
What planet do you live on. Our politics are as vgorous and spiteful as anywhere else.
But I give you one point, our massive resistance was done in a classy manner. Someone please get me a mint julep.
Posted by: Horace | February 23, 2006 at 09:16 PM
Sorry, but I don't see it. And I'm usually an optimist. But the governor's race was a disgrace. Kilgore pulled a Cindy Sheehan, sending out letters to people with the loved ones of murder victims guilting you into voting Republican. The supposed party of tradition in the oldest Democratic civilization on the Earth couldn't even produce a civilized candidate.
No, Dignity is not what I see in Virginia politics.
In Virginia life, on the other hand, there is dignity aplenty. Thankfully, life does not imitate politics.
Posted by: Adam | February 23, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Yeah, i'm not saying that our elections are perfect. But you know what, I found it fascinating how after the elections, Republicans and Democrats just took and moved on. We Republicans accepted Kaine's election without same as Democrats have accepted McDonnell's recount victory. Look, campaigns are tough, no doubt. But negativity didn't work for Black or Kilgore did it? So I guess what I was talking about is more the demenour of each party. Sure it can get bad, but if those death penalty ads are the worst we can do here, we are lucky.
Posted by: Chris | February 24, 2006 at 12:50 AM
I remember a time when we had dignity...Republicans and Democrats all. I would love for us to go back to that time.
Posted by: AWCheney | February 25, 2006 at 02:51 AM