Election 2006

According to the most recent Mason Dixon poll published in today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch, both the Webb-Allen Senate race and the proposed amendment to restrict marriages in Virginia (Ballot Issue # 1) are virtual ties. On one hand, this is good news because it shows both Webb and the Vote-No-on-#1 campaigns as moving up from previous Mason Dixon polls. On the other hand, a tie isn’t a majority and only a majority wins. It means there is a lot of work to be done in the next 24 hours to pull either or both of these off.

If you have not already done so, go to the Webb website and find out how and where to volunteer. DO IT NOW!

On Monday, Jim Webb will be doing get-out-the-vote rallies in Roanoke at 8:30 a.m., Norfolk at 11:30, Richmond at 2:00, and Alexandria at 5:15 p.m. For details, check out the schedule here. Try to attend the rally in your region.

(As a heads-up for Richmonders, supposedly the Allen campaign will have a “special guest” flying into Richmond late Monday afternoon. Speculation is it may be President Bush. I have received two emails about it already. There may very well be other “special guest” visits around the state.)

As for the Vote No campaign, go to the Commonwealth Coalition website and find out how and where to volunteer. DO IT NOW! This is an incredibly awful thing to be adding to the Virginia Constitution. Whether or not we can agree on the merits of same sex marriage, there can be not disagreement the sweeping language of this proposed amendment goes beyond a simple ban on gay marriages. The proponents say this amendment is to guarantee courts will not be intervening in questions regarding the definition of marriage yet the very language of the second and third sentences of the proposed amendment is an invitation to judicial review. It’s too much even for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. To be to the right of the Richmond Times-Dispatch is to be over the edge.

On the various Congressional races around the state, remember this election is not about the choice between candidates on the ballot but a referendum on the one party (Republican) rule of our national government. If the direction of our country gives you goose bumps all over then vote for the Republican candidate. However, if you think this country can do better, and more importantly, if you think this country has gotten way off course, then you need to vote for the Democratic candidate in your district regardless if you have any particular problems with this candidate or not. This election is not about individual candidates – it is approval or disapproval of the one party rule of Washington. Period.

Finally, on Ballot Issue # 3, see Vivian Page for her recommendation to vote NO. Ballot Issue # 2 is a mere housekeeping measure pertaining to the incorporations of churches to bring the Virginia Constitution in line with recent court rulings.