Sen. Warner steps down, Will VA go even more Blue in 2008?

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by dullnboring

As trends show, Virginia will go "more blue" in 2008 and in the coming years, but I don't think Virginia will be a solidly blue state any time in the near future. I could see us pushed into swing state territory in 10 years time though.

Generally, voters on a state and local level are far more willing to cross party lines than they are at a national level. That's why you've had recent Republican governors of solidly blue states like Massachusetts and New York and Democratic governors of solidly red states like Mississippi and Wyoming. People tend to vote more on the candidate and the issues as opposed to focusing on the D or R beside their name, which is really the way it should be.

If John Warner runs for Senate, he is virtually guaranteed to win, as he should as he has a terrific track record with his service to the state.

I believe we will be purple- but never Blue. Just look at our track record. Virginia is one of the most historically red states in the Country. We were one of the few Southern states that didn't even vote for Kennedy (because he was Catholic) nor did we vote for Jimmy Carter.

Because of our staunch conservatism, there's no way we can turn blue.

Unless, of course we hold our breath...

[dullnboring]

Originally Posted by vasinger

I believe we will be purple- but never Blue. Just look at our track record. Virginia is one of the most historically red states in the Country. We were one of the few Southern states that didn't even vote for Kennedy (because he was Catholic) nor did we vote for Jimmy Carter.

Because of our staunch conservatism, there's no way we can turn blue.

Unless, of course we hold our breath...

Things change. California was a red state for years, voting for Nixon, Ford, Reagan and George Bush Sr. Now it is the most solid of blue.

As far as "our" staunch conservatism, the people who constitute "our" will change. Virginia's population is not a constant. That's just the nature of this country. People move in and people move out. What was once a liberal position over time becomes moderate. Red turns blue. Blue turns red. Nothing is set in stone. No one can say with certainty that Virginia will never be blue.

Northern Virginia (home to 1/3 of all voters, and the fastest-growing portion of the state) was once red. Now it's blue. Virginia's has a history of being fairly conservative and Republican, but statistically the trends have been showing a sizable drop-off in redness. The ban on gay marriage the other year passed with "only" 53% of the vote, a much smaller margin than by which similar measures have passed in traditionally more liberal states. What will happen in 2008 and the future remains to be seen, but I personally think we're going to be up for grabs in the coming years.

[htlong]

lets get term limits ....30 years as senator? too long
the senator was suposed to be elected by the states congress not a popular vote of the people, i wish the ammendment would be repealed

[roanoker 4]

How can VA stay red in a state that is becoming ever more blue? Northern Virginia is the key. If Mark Warner(democrat) runs for Senator he will easily
beat the republican challenger, probably Mr. Happy or Jim Gilmore.