GOP majority in House trimmed

[Judi Lynn]

GOP majority in House trimmed
Democrats pick up one seat; another may go to independent

BY REX BOWMAN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Nov 9, 2005

Virginia voters trimmed the Republican majority in the House of Delegates yesterday, handing Democrats another seat and apparently giving another to an independent from Richmond.

With almost all precincts reporting, it appears the next House will consist of 58 Republicans, 39 Democrats and three independents. Before the election, Republicans held 60 seats in the 100-seat house, Democrats held 38, and independents held two.

Among the Republican seats lost was the 67th District, where Democratic newcomer C. Chuck Caputo of Oak Hill defeated Republican Chris Craddock of Fairfax. The two men were vying for the seat of Del. Gary A. Reese, R-Fairfax, who lost a June GOP primary to Craddock. Reese was one of 17 House Republicans who backed Gov. Mark R. Warner's $1.4 billion tax increase package.

In the 32nd District, Democrat David E. Poisson of Loudoun County defeated Republican Del. Richard H. Black, one of the state's leading abortion-rights opponents.
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http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128768039099&path=!news!politics&s=1045855935264

[Meldread]

1. I am glad we won.

However, I am somewhat disappointed AND YET encouraged at the same time by the showing of Deeds and Byrnes. Byrnes did extremely well for a woman who was obviously to the left in Virginia. Not to mention the fact that Kaine is also to the left of Warner.

I think we are seeing a shift, folks. I am disappointed that Byrnes and Deeds did not win, and I believe that they could have if we spent more time, money, and effort on their campaigns - we would have hit the "trifecta".

Still, I believe it is showing a shift in Virginia, a traditionally Red State. Virginia is being used as a bell weather by both Republicans and Democrats to test the waters for 2006. I think as a result of Kaine's victory we are going to see House and Senate Republicans begin to distance themselves from Bush.

Kilgore was defeated horribly. It was a horrible loss for the Republicans. According to what I've heard Kilgore was even smacked around in the South in districts that traditionally fall Republican they either narrowly went for Kaine or it was hair splittingly close.

This is a good thing for us liberals as it means that Virginians might be more receptive to our message as they are clearly looking for an alternative - if Kaine plays his cards right and things on the National Stage continue to either stay the same or get worse for Bush and the Republicans then I believe we can pull a major upset all across the Nation. I believe it is entirely feasible that we can take back the Senate and come dangerously close to taking back the House (if not actually doing it) in 2006.

By the time 2008 rolls around, barring any charismatic obviously moderate Republicans (Rudolph Giuliani) I would say we have the Presidency in the bag as well. (In fact I say it almost doesn't matter who we put up in 2008 at this point, they are likely to win simply because the country is looking for fresh ideas and change.)

It is my sincere hope that Bush continues to muck things up, and as a result we will see an end to Ronald Reagan Conservatism. If the Democrats are smart they will challenge the Christian Right on their abuse of claiming "God" for Republicans and cut into Republicans on moral and social issues, offering a more liberal interpretation. It could dramatically alter the United States for the better.

No matter what comes, at this very moment the Democrats are in a stronger position because of the voters of Virginia.

Also, as Virginians we should be on the look out for retaliation from the Bush White House. We know how they deal with people "like us".

[DemsUnited]

2. Not trimmed enough. We needed 1 more democratic pickup

because at 40 seats, we get an extra democrat on every committee which would make a big difference.

Getting closer, though...

[Borgnine]

3. Agreed, but it's progress.

Who would have thought five years ago that we'd elect two Democratic governors in a row, the second fairly liberal?

I'm finally confident that we're getting there, and it's making me consider staying in this beautiful state after all.