Virginia Tomorrow

It’s coming.

This fall.

You won’t want to miss it.  Heck, you won’t to be able avoid it.

It’s Green Jobs vs. Drill Baby Drill.

The previews are running right now.

Newt was in town last night for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, arguing that offshore drilling could enable Virginia to be a major energy supplier on the East Coast.

Both McDonnell and Bolling are drill baby drill people.

I’m waiting for a GOP rally in October with Sarah Palin at Virginia Beach.

For their part, the Democrats are finishing up a bidding war in which all the candidates appear to be seeking the nomination of the Green Party.

Creigh Deeds wants to make Virginia a center for alternative energy research.

Terry McAuliffe has spent more time talking about chicken waste (and converting it to energy) then any candidate in the history of politics.

Brian Moran argues that neither Deeds nor McAuliffe have the courage to take the stands that he has adopted.

Moran’s opposed to the coal-fired plant in Surry. And he’s against any offshore exploration and drilling off the Virginia coastline.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

When it comes time for the general election, my sense is that there is going to be  a very clear choice on energy, regardless of who the Democratic nominee turns out to be.

While the contrast would be greatest with Moran, there will be substantial differences between McDonnell and any Democratic candidate on energy.

And the debate will introduce new questions that we’ve never really voted on in Virginia.

Will be the public, after hearing both sides, really want to drill for oil off the coast of Virginia Beach?

Would most workers rather have a green job or one on an oil rig?

Are there enough green jobs at good wages to ensure that going green just doesn’t cost everyone more money?

Do we secure our energy future by focusing primarily on renewables or by going after it all- nuclear, new coal technology, and offshore oil as well as renewables?

I presume that each side feels good about their polling data.

But since we’ve neve really made any of these issues the heart of  statewide campaign, we’re really in uncharted territory.

Adding one more element of uncertainty to a volatile and unpredictable political environment.