1. McDonnell’s Opening Picks
Came out pretty much as expected. That’s very encouraging. With Marla Decker, Eric Finkbeiner, Martin Kent and Tucker Martin, we have individuals highly respected for their competence, character and temperament. Each and every one of these choices is a credit to the Governor-Elect. And keeping Rick Brown on as Secretary Finance through an unpsecified transition period strikes me as a smart response. He’s a consummate professional (who may have worked more 80 hour weeks than anybody in Virginia during the past decade) who will work well with Bob McDonnell during a very difficult budget period.
2. A Signature Accomplishment
of the Kaine administration. I think that the smoking ban will rank high on the “legacy” issues of the outgoing Governor. Speaker Bill Howell is equally responsible for the ban, but hasn’t been given much credit for it during the days leading up to its enactment. This may have something to do with the fact that the Speaker isn’t necessarily trumpeting his role (and touring smoke-free restaurants) because his own party was very divided on the proposal. My sense, however, is that when history records how the ban was actually enacted, Howell’s role will receive far more coverage than it did during the past week.
3. No Rubber Stamp
It’s Jim Webb that we’re talking about. While applauding some features of the President’s speech to the nation on Tuesday night, Webb observed that “what we really need, and still need, is clearly defined and attainable goals and an understandable endpoint.” This is straight talk. And strong talk as well. In essence, Webb is saying that we are escalating a major military commitment without defined and attainable goals, what most might think are the minimal requirements for such a strategy. In terms of military uissues, Webb is likely to remain one of the most thoughtful and independent voices in the Senate.
4. Salahi Dollars
An analysis of the political contributions of the Salahis and Oasis Winery indicates that they funded political figures on both sides of the aisle in Virginia. A number of the contributions were “in’kind” contributions related to events they held on behalf of statewide candidates and other office-seekers. Interestingly, reports about their bankruptcy filing apparently show that a number of the creditors who were stiffed over the years were individuals and small businesses who may have provided event services to them- caterers, florists, etc. It seems to me that political officials who received “event” contributions from the Salahis might want to consider donating a similar amount from their campaign treasuries to Virginia-based philanthropies as a sign of their empathy for those who may have been harmed by their lifestyle choices.
5. Democratic Post-Mortems
Boil it down and the Democrats had two major problems in this year’s statewide elections. Independents abandoned them in droves. And the party’s candidates did not energize the Democratic base. As Democrats try to regroup after this year’s debacle, any serious answer must respond to both problems. So far. I think we’re hearing much more about energizing the base than recapturing independents. Maybe I’m wrong, but I tend to think that a “base” strategy alone won’t keep seats for a number of endangered Democratic incumbents in the 2010 House races.
6. Game On in the 37th
The Hunt-Marsden special election for Ken Cuccinelli’s seat is now set for January 12th. Many Democrats believe that they have a good chance of picking up the seat and think that Hunt’s position on social issues provide them with a genuine opportunity. But the GOP believes that the election will hinge on turn-out and not much has changed to alter the enthusiasm gap that worked to their advantage in 2009.
7. Only a Little Over $40 Million
Bob Lewis of the AP notes that this year’s Governor’s race took in a little over $40 million dollars. Remarkably, the $40 million dollar figure signaled the impact of the recession on campaigns as it was almost $5 million less than was spent on Kaine-Kilgore in 2005. But with a national unemployment rate at 10%, I’m not sure that the media and political consultants who srround campaigns are going to receive much sympathy from the general public.
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