I have not written on the busy political season in the Old Dominion in awhile, which is a shame because much has been happening now that the traditional Labor Day start to high campaign season has passed. Those of you for whom Virginia politics is front and center on the radar screen already know about the debate yesterday, but nobody else does because, surprise, suprise, Kilgore hid the debate in the middle of a workday on Channel 8. Seriously, how many people here watch Channel 8 on a regular basis???? Be honest....
But for those of you who were watching, you might have one large question: what's this about widening route 66 inside the Beltway?
Full disclosure: I live in Arlington right next to 66, and thus am highly affected by anything they choose to do to that strip of highway.
My first question regarding this oft-mentioned Kilgore proposal is: are the new lanes going to be HOV or not? Because as it stands now, with only HOV lanes, the traffic isn't too horrid except at that time of day when all traffic is so horrid in this area that widening lanes really isn't the proper solution, public transportation is. My second question is: where are we talking about? Because to widen it where I live I can't see happening with siginificant altering to Lee Highway as well, and destruction of the trail that runs beside it. The traffic slow spot on 66 is around the East Falls Church metro station. Are they going to improve the parking situation/exit ramps there?
Third: how is this getting paid for? Because apparently Warner's tax reform was a bad thing, despite the fact that it saved our bond rating, lowered taxes for most citizens, brought up our embarassingly low cigarette tax, and was hardly felt by citizens while significantly improving state finances. But, that aside, seriously, if toll lanes are in the works, they will have me to go through. Toll lanes are a cop-out version of local tax increases for the portion of the public that, through necessity, has to take that road.
Fourth: If widening 66 is not a Warner-Kaine priority, what is that construction on 66 currently that appears to be widening 66 westbound? Kaine mentioned this in the debate, but I felt it worth reiterating.
Fifth: I will link to this earlier statement by the Vienna Town Council explaining why widening 66 is not the best course of action.
Quoting:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of Vienna, Virginia, while endorsing the concept of improved transportation for Northern Virginia, respectfully urges that the next logical step to improving the movement of people in the 1-66 corridor is the extension of Metrorail to Centreville, rather than further widening.
I could go on in this manner, but it's safe to say that I oppose widening 66. Metro is the solution, but it's not such an easy solution, as anyone who has to ride the Orange line to work can tell you. Another bridge, somewhere up in Sterling, would also be an excellent idea. From the Fairfax County Parkway, perhaps? (Although, to be fair, the parkway would need to be expanded, especially when it get to the Occoquan section, and this would disrupt local neighborhoods, but we really do need some sorta Maryland cross out in the exurbs. It's absurd that we don't have one.
It is also fair to say that Kaine kicked ass in the debate. He shone, as we all knew he would. He even shone against Potts following the debate against Kilgore. (Kilgore is terrified of Potts being in the same room as him). The Washington Post agrees with me. As does The Richmond Times Dispatch. The Roanoke Times is a bit more muted, but says essentially the same thing.
The question is, how to get the word out? I agree with Sabato, in that if more people got wind of Kilgore's terrible performance, it very well might change the outcome of this debate. However, I also think that articles stating Kilgore's 4 point poll lead shows some great strength of his are misleading, especially considering that the poll means Kaine has cut his deficit in half (he was trailing around 8 points earlier). It also is an easily surmountable number. 4 points? Before labor day? And you're already writing off this election?
It peeves me because for a Democrat to be leading this early out in Virginia is similar in my mind to Paul Hackett leading in Ohio. But Kaine has outshined Kilgore at almost every opportunity, and has an impressive rapid response team that has been there every step of the way. They've run a smart and well thought-out campaign, and people should take some note.
Also, there's elephant in the room, or rather, the donkey in the room....[enter Warner presidential speculation here]. Warner is not running for Senate, which will not only keep him focused on Kaine's campaign and building the Virginia Democratic bench, but will keep Allen benched, too. Allen is a dangerous campaigner on Kilgore's behalf, but it looks a little absurd for him to go around campaigning when Warner's not running, yes? Or am I the only one who thought his 'listening' tour was ridiculous.
Anyway, these are my impressions as the campaign really kicks off. Both war chests are rather large. Potts support appears to be dwindling. This is a good thing because I've always felt that Potts support takes from our moderate Republican support more than Kilgore's base, although if he can pluck a few Winchester Republicans away from Kilgore (who is popular in that corridor), then bless him.
The debate will be replayed at 2 pm on Sunday. Tivo it, if possible. Tell your friends. Specifically, tell your friends in University towns, which is a great was to get information out statewide as students inform their friends, who tell their parents and friends, etc.
Cheers!