As Virginia goes, so goes America in Tuesday’s mid-term elections. That’s what many are saying as Virginia Republicans, who lost the congressional majority in 2008, hope to turn that around by picking up at least three congressional seats. Will a House bloodbath for Democrats take place across the Commonwealth as well as America?
Two Democratic freshmen, Glenn Nye (VA-2) and Tom Perriello (VA-5), who swept in on Obama’s 2008 coattails, are in trouble. Ironically, Perriello voted for ObamaCare while Nye voted against it; yet, in the current anti-Obama atmosphere, they are both in danger of being swept out of office. Polls have shown their Republican challengers — military veteran Scott Rigell in VA-2 and State Senator Robert Hurt in VA-5 — ahead in both races, and the two districts have been included in Time Magazine’s Top 40 nationwide races to watch.
Another Democratic freshman, Gerry Connolly (VA-11) is fighting for survival against Republican Keith Fimian and that race may go down to the wire. This is another one to watch. While the 11th District was originally thought to be secure for Connolly, increased voter dissatisfaction has indicated a tighter race and, with Fimian pushing hard, the anti-Obama sentiment could cause another Democrat to fall. The Washington Examiner suggested Jon Steward’s Saturday “Restore Sanity” rally may have hurt Connolly by distracting young Democratic volunteers from last-minute Get Out The Vote efforts.
Long-time Democratic incumbent Rick Boucher in the 9th District is in the race of his life as Republican Morgan Griffith fights hard to turn coal country red. While some political pundits are still calling the 9th District for Boucher, election day could very well see Griffith winning. He has been a non-stop campaigner with energetic volunteers and money to spend. Recently a Republican poll showed the two neck-in-neck. It was followed by last week’s Survey USA poll that, after months of consistently showing Griffith lagging behind, revealed that the Republican was in a statistical tie, pulling slightly ahead with 47% to Boucher’s 46%.
VA-08 is a long-shot. As the second most Democratic district in Virginia, it is home to Democrat Rep. Jim Moran who has been in office 20 years. Moran had a serious misstep two weeks ago claiming his Republican opponent had no public service when, in reality, retired Col. Patrick Murray served for 24 years in the U.S. Army. After his slam on a military veteran, Moran became the target of national ridicule and the Murray campaign was energized with renewed contributions and media attention. The Daily Caller reminded of why many in the 8th District would like to see Moran voted out of office. An article by Fox Business as well as an endorsement by the Washington Times, where they called Moran a congressional embarrassment, have suggested Patrick Murray could have a chance if the Republican tidal wave becomes a tsunami. Though it’s not expected to happen, a win for Murray would be headline news and indicate the bloodbath was bigger than anyone imagined.
After months and years of strategy and hard work, election 2010 is one day away. The electorate is energized. Pollsters and political pundits have made their predictions. Virginia voters are ready to go to the polls, and the eyes of the nation will be watching.
