The "Popular" Virginia Democrats

Its almost become nauseating to listen to Virginia Democrats extol about how popular Gov. Tim Kaine is.  Its said so much its really considered fact just through sheer repetition.  But I couldn't help but be fascinated with these poll numbers I saw.   Kaine has had, in the past, astronaumical approval ratings nearing the high 60s.  Yet SurveyUSA's January polls give us a different picture:

• Approve:  51%
• Disapprove: 48%
• Not Sure: 6%

While certainly not terrible, its the kind of numbers that should give Republicans hope for the future.  Kaine's insistence on being Barack Obama's head cheerleader rather than governor of Virginia seems to have taken its toll.  In addition, Kaine's reckless budget no doubt has something to do with this.  While the state senate barely passed it on a party-line vote, House Republicans passed a far better plan at a clip of 90+ delegates voting "aye."  Kaine is asleep at the wheel in Virignia, and Republicans under the combined leadership of Bolling, McDonnell, Howell, and Norment have managed to work far better now than they did in the past; I think suprising Democrats and Kaine.  I know they didn't plan to have to go through what they did in the Senate.  The House was suppose to be home of the partisan floor brawls.  Instead, the House of Delegates has come under the firm grip of the Speaker while the Senate, now Democrat-controlled, has come apart at the seems.  And leading the way is Tommy Norment, supposedly one of the old Chichester gang who was a compromise candidate.  Yet Norment has abley lead the caucus in the minority.  Meanwhile, Kaine has mugged before the cameras insisting all is well, while one by one each of his initiatives and proposals fall by the wayside without a fight.  Kaine's indifference to Virginia seems to be eroding his support.

Then we come to media darling Jim Webb.  Despite all the fawning press, its clear Webb's influence in the Senate has been minimal at best and his advocacy for Virginia is nonexistent.  Webb is a one-trick pony and its clear he is in over his head and doesn't know how to take care of his state.  These are numbers sure to put a smile on Eric Cantor's face:

Approve:  46%
Disapprove:  44%
Not Sure:  10%

Take heart, Virginia Republicans!  All is not as it seems on the surface.