The Impact of Virginia

By Robert Novak
Real Clear Politics

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert and the House Republican campaign chairman, Rep. Tom Reynolds, were given a sobering warning last week by senior GOP political operatives. They were told that on Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Democrats were sure to win the governorship of Virginia. After that, the warning continued, the watchword within the House majority would be: Every man for himself!

Yours truly opines: If you think about it, last Tuesday's election was pretty much a status-quo election. With regard to VA, if one looks at recent history, Virginia has elected a governor that was a member of the opposite party than that of the White House (Doug Wilder (D) - Bush 41; George Allen/Jim Gilmore (R) - Clinton; Mark Warner/Tim Kaine (D) - Bush 43.) Actually, the GOP did fine down the ticket, even getting back the Lt. Governor's seat. I think people shouldn't get too excited about what happened last Tuesday.