1. Wait, Baby, Wait
This seems to be the new mantra about off-shore drilling in the wake of the tragedy in the Gulf. While Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling are advocating a “Fix It and Move Forward” approach, it is hard to imagine that Virginia will be able to overcome the political obstacles to off-shore exploration in the near future. In fact, the Obama administration’s slow and off-key response to the tragedy is simply going to strengthen the hand of those who oppose drilling off the Virginia coast.
2. The Impact of the Tea Party In Virginia This November
Remains an open question. On one hand, it seems that the GOP should be able to harness the energy that is almost entirely directed at the spending priorities of Democrats in Washington. Yet it’s not certain what influence the activists will have in the 2nd and 5th district nomination contests (where establishment GOP leaders are not always in sync with tea partyers.) Nor is it clear how strongly they’ll support the eventual nominee if candidates of their choosing are not successful. Once we know the answer to these questions, it’ll be a lot easier to handicap the general election in November.
3. UVA Responds …
To the Attorney General’s subpoena. At the outset of the controversy, the University’s spokesperson noted that it intended to comply with the request for information, even while it encouraged the faculty senate and others to publicize its opposition. But the matter almost immediately went viral and national . Groups such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the American Association of University Professors denounced Cuccinelli’s inquiry and framed the issue as an assault on science and academic freedom. The nationalization of the matter on these terms made UVA’s compliance with the request a far greater threat to its reputation in the academic community than resistance. The University’s court filing last week explicitly defined the terms of its resistance, defending academic freedom as an essential component of Jeffersonian philosophy.
4. Who’s Overreach?
Republicans have been taking the Obama administration to task for “federal overreach.” In fact, Attorney General Cuccinelli is taking him to court, on climate control and health care. In the UVA case, liberals are attempting to turn the tables on the AG, arguing that his request for information is both overly broad and an example of “state overreach” into the affairs of public universities.
5. What Happens in Virginia…
Doesn’t stay in Virginia. UVA v. Cuccinelli is yet one more example of how Virginia has become an integral part of the country’s political and cultural dialogue. The Commonwealth is increasingly considered a political bellwether. Our elected officials increasingly play on a larger stage. And a significant portion of the national media live here. All the attention is a double-edged sword. The ease with which a Virginia politican can obtain national attention is only matched by the harsh glare of the spotlight that accompanies any misstep.
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