Reply #10: turnout turnout turnout

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Virginia governor's elections are there for the taking by either side if they can boost their turnout to approach the levels they get during "federal" elections. Because Virginia elects governors in years where there is no federal election (either Pres or Congressional), turnout drops off dramatically. In 1997 fewer than 1.5 million voted in the Governor's race and it was only slightly higher in 2001. But in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential races, over between 2.7 and 3.2 million Virginians voted. When you look at particular localities, you can see that while a Dem leaning county like Arlington produced in the neighborhood of 60 thousand votes for Kerry, it only produces around 30-35 thousand for Democratic governor candidates

The votes are there. Every Virginia Democrat has to be pushing the other Virginia Democrats to get to the polls. If we improve on past performance (and the repugs don't), we win.

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