Virginia’s Senate Race

The result of this race was not unforeseen. Jim Gilmore had to fight with relatively low funding and a conventional wisdom (unfair in my opinion) that said he left his opponent with a budget problem after finishing his term as Governor.

I did not approach this race with a bias against Mark Warner. In fact, I voted for him when he ran for Governor in 2001 and he ultimately did some good things(promoted Virginia Tech’s entrance into the ACC, willing to cut budgets of some sacred cows). Ultimately I was led to vote for Jim Gilmore for one reason. I could not support allowing the Democratic Party to control both of the Commonwealth’s Senate seats. Mark Warner will have to take his marching orders from Harry Reid, the Majority Leader in the Senate. I detest Reid with a passion and I regret that he now can count on Virginia’s two Senate votes for what may be some truly detestable bills that are sure to come down the pike.

The best I can hope for is that conservatives in Virginia engage Warner on issues where he is open (surely he can be persuaded on matters of commerce) and oppose him stoutly where he is wrong.