Bitterly Disappointed in Virginia

[DemsUnited]

I voted for Obama in the primaries mostly because he has a much better chance of winning Virginia than Clinton. Plus, the added turnout he would generate would easily win us a second excellent Democratic Senator and another 3+ Congressional seats (conservative guess). As a local activist, I was really looking forward to coloring Virginia blue on November 3rd.

On the other hand, my mother-in-law voted for Hillary because she says this is the last opportunity to see a woman president in her lifetime.

We both agreed (after effectively canceling each other's vote) that at the end of the day, the Democratic Party would be the big winner because we had two amazing, wonderful candidates each of whom we could support wholeheartedly.

But we are disappointed.

I am disappointed that Barack Obama is beginning to play dirty, negative politics. I hope he draws back and stays true to his principles.

I am disappointed with Hillary Clinton. The last 10 days have made my mother-in-law and I wonder if she really will do anything to win the nomination, even to the point of risking the general election. And that begs the question, who does she really care about? Herself and her ambitions, or the future of the country and the world.

I'm disappointed that Hillary doesn't much care for Virginia. It sounds as if she's telling my state that we're not an important, traditional swing state like Pennsylvania or Ohio so we should be content with a pat on the head and the pretense of a primary vote.

Mostly I am disappointed because we are not winning right now, we're losing. Every day we spend bashing each other diminishes the moral authority of the Democrats and reinforces the stereotype that we're a herd of bickering weenie-cats.

Every day we bash each other is a free pass for John McCain. Without the spotlight, McCain holds his temper and avoids accounting for his sins.

I had dreamed that 2008 would be the year when a strong, united and motivated Democratic electorate would sweep the trifecta -- the White House, a significant majority in the Senate, an even larger majority in the House.

We cannot ruin that opportunity or this country may never get back on track. So I may be disappointed, but that will not stop me from fighting every day to make sure we win that trifecta *regardless* of who's name is on the ticket.

I urge everyone else to do the same.

[Zynx]

1. We'd win that Senate seeat if Lucifer were our candidate for pres.

[Skidmore]

2. When I am disappointed, I remember what both Obama and Edwards

said about what happens when the status quo is threatened and then I work harder. The status quo has gotten us nowhere.

[LostinVA]

3. I'm bitterly disappointed in Webb and his recent votes

I campaigned for him (and against the horrible ant-gay initiative). I was proud that, before I left VA for NJ, I was able to get Allen the hellout of VA politics.

I think within the next ten years, VA will become a swing state, mainly because of the growth of NOVA, the Charlottesville area, and parts of the east. I think that will tip the scale.

[Bucky]

5. Webb is who he is.

The struggle for equality always requires the long view. Ten years ago marriage equality didn't even exist as an issue. Ten years from now it will be an inevitability. I'm sorry for people caught in the middle of this historic generational shift. Ten years from now, when my daughter is old enough to marry, I hope she'll have the same full rights that I as a straight man had. I know patience isn't a very good consolation, but I know in the long run we'll win this fight.

[DemsUnited]

6. Sorry about Webb disappointment

but hope you still believe that he's a darn sight better than Allen. Thanks for working to boot that man's butt out the door.

I, too, was horrified that the criminal Marshall-Newman Amendment was ratified.

But I think that Virginia is already close to becoming a swing state. Dems won the State Senate las November(with a tiny 21-19 majority) and there are a significant number of Congressional seats in NoVA and the rest of the state that could swing Dem this November.

Barring a macaca moment, Mark Warner will indeed be our second Democratic Senator even *if* our presidential nominee is Satan (heh).

We're beginning to work on electing another Democratic Governor in 2009 when Tim Kaine's term is up as well as taking more seats away from Repubs in the State Senate & House of Delegates.

So all in all, an encouraging time for Dems in Virginia.

[Bucky]

4. I'm kicking. I'm recommending. But I hope to God you're wrong.

Every day we bash each other is a free pass for John McCain. Without the spotlight, McCain holds his temper and avoids accounting for his sins.

There's no doubt the nomination is a very valuable prize this year. That explains the passion that both camps feel. I admire Sen Clinton's energy and commitment--but I fear you're right that her judgment is getting a little clouded by her proximity to the goal post.

I mostly hope that Obama is able to show, when he inevitably starts slugging back at the below the belt punches, that he's able to show he can mix it up with the big kids. Americans wanna see that their president can kick ass. I'm sorry that it comes to this, but as with Michigan, Florida, and the superdelegates, we don't get to just make up the rules we like. We have to play by the rules that exist.