How did Chuck Robb lose to Allen?

[Hippo_Tron]

I wasn't very politically aware in 2000, so I don't know much about this race. I do know that Chuck Robb was an extremely popular Governor in the 80's (similar to Warner) and had been Senator for a few terms. Basically, it seems as though Chuck Robb was a popular Senator with an attractive resume. Usually if incumbents lose, it's because they have pissed off their constituency in one way or another and they have a good challenger. Allen may have been a good challenger, for a red state, but that shouldn't have translated into him unseating Robb.

[farmboxer]

1. Chuck was very popular in VA as a Gov and Senator

If I am not mistaken, I heard that the polls had Chuck ahead by 10 points and I believe Chuck also won a mock election at Virginia Tech, so it is an enigma to me. It has been a long time, but I believe I am right, no, make that correct, no way am I right!

[autorank]

2. Oy Vey

Robb became friends with Tai Collins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_Collins with whom he admitted exchanging "massages' with while they were in New York, I believe (see link to get a better understanding on this issue). This didn't go over real well with alot of folks. I could have cared less or maybe I was envious, one of the two.

Robb and Doug Wilder feuded publically. Somebody recorded somebody elses phone conversations (that's big here, the Republicans did it recently) and it looked bad for everybody.

So, Allen got in. What an embarassment.

What I can't understand is how on earth Kilgore can be ahead of Kaine at this point in the campaign.

Does anybody know if NOVA can seceed from the rest of the state?

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Does VA use Diebold or ESS electronic voting machines?

If it does, you've got your answer right there.

--p!

[rainy]

6. Yes some parts use it now and many more locations are

in the process of buying them. It is a big deal here and many are trying to fight it.

[Virginian]

8. Fairfax has Winvote now, but not in 2000.

Our machines were more mechanical back then.

I think people just voted for people named George.

I had a training class with someone from Richmond who was ambivalent about voting in 2000. I told him it was simple, don't vote for anyone with the first name of George. I got the funniest look from the man. Almost like I had told him not to pray to anyone named God and Jesus.

I think some of the churches in central and southern VA got involved in politics. They don't have to say it from the pulpit, the ministers can still influence people in personal discussions.

OK, So any of you in VA who have neighbors who aren't going to vote in November this year. Drive them to the polls and let them not vote when they get there. Yes, you can vote and not select a candidate. It is called under-voting. Take them to the polls. More than likely, if you go to the trouble to get them there, they won't under-vote, they will vote for the Dem.

Of course if they are Republicans and not voting because they are mad at Bush, leave them home. Someone from the Republicans will come out and get them.

[izzie]

4. Seems to me that girl friends came into this

The Far Right only seem to for give their own on that count.

[Lost4words]

5. It was Robbs vote that put Clearance Thomas on the SC!

I think that is reason enough, dont you?

And he was going through a sex scandel at the time, I think it might have been a former Miss Virginia. I was living in Va at the time, Robb sucked, IMHO!

[Captain Hilts]

7. Yes, the Thomas vote hurt him, but he wasn't interested in running again.

I heard that his wife wanted him to run.

Same thing with Linc Chafee. His wife wants him in the senate. He really doesn't give a damn.

[Frances]

9. I remember the ads on TV very well

because I lived in Rockville MD and we got the TV ads for DC and Virginia as well as Maryland.

The ad for Allen that stands out in my mind showed a very bad photo of Robb looking old and tired and depressed. That contrasted with a photo of Allen looking young and energetic and happy.

Warner won the race for governor because he ran a brilliant campaign and got conservatives as well as moderates and liberals to vote for him. As I recall, even the NRA did not actively campaign against him.

[Mike Daniels]

10. Robb would have lost to Oliver North if not for John Warner

supporting an independent candidate (Marshall Coleman). Robb ended up beating North by 3 points.

Robb: 46%
North: 43%
Coleman: 11%

So, if Robb could barely beat a flawed candidate like North why is is so surprising that he would lose to Allen?