VA May Spurn GOP in '08

[MountainLaurel]

Virginia, usually a reliably Republican state in presidential elections, may become a key battleground in the 2008 election as broadly negative views among independents of President Bush and the war in Iraq have altered the presidential race.

Mirroring the national mood, Virginians' approval of Bush and support for U.S. policies in Iraq have eroded as the war has dragged on. Bush is the worst of the past nine presidents, say Virginia's independent voters, who helped him win in 2004 but now say they are more likely to prefer that a Democrat rather than a Republican be the next president.

The revised portrait of the Virginia political landscape emerges from a poll conducted by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University.

The poll paid particular attention to independents, about 30 percent of Virginia's adult population. Results offer fresh evidence of a trend in Virginia politics -- that independents have played a critical role in electing Democrats in two consecutive governor's races and in last year's U.S. Senate race.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/06/AR2007070601975.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. I would like to see any bush polls for each state

[Stinky The Clown]

A Blue Virginia has been my dream for many years. It will, I believe, mark the first of a massive

series of shifts in Southern US politics ...... and thereby, in national politics.

Virginia led the shift from D to R in the South and it is ready now to lead the shift the other way.

[ruggerson]

2. Which is why I've said over and over

that whomever is our nominee, Clinton, Obama or Edwards, should pick Mark Warner as Veep.

If the top of the ticket is a Senator, the bottom has to be a governor. And who better than an extraordinarily popular ex-gov from a swing state which will help in other border states as well.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Yes, isn't it grand?

Last Presidential election in 2004, Bush only won our state by 55 to 45 percentage points.

Makes me have hope for my Sweet Virginia. :-)

[Eurobabe]

4. Virginia is the new Ohio

So many disgusted Independents and Republicans in VA. I think we can do it in 2008!! Not since 1964, I think, has VA gone Blue.

[MountainLaurel]

6. Does that mean

It's going to be ground zero for the caging lists in '08?

[ShortnFiery]

7. I hope not - but in my little part of the world, I'll be sure to volunteer at my local precinct ...

to help keep the actual voting fair. No, I don't get the impression of true cronyism within our clutch of opponent republicans. :shrug:

[depakid]

5. Independents playing a bigger role doesn't necessarily bode well for Dems

Particularly if there's a strong 3rd party candidate... or if they simply stay home.