Those sneaky off-year elections in the Old Dominion are apon us once again, and it's probably a good thing that we don't have to compete with national elections. (Let us not forget that Virginia is a red state, no matter what Arlington may say about it).
Anyway, Democrats have been united behind current Lt. Gov Tim Kaine, who is running on the solid I-know-you-want-to-reelect-Mark-Warner-but-you-can't-so-as-his-number-two-I'm-the-next-best-thing campaign. He's trailing slightly in the polls, but not in any way that couldn't be easily overcome in the run up to the election, especially if Mr. Potts from Winchester effectively splits business conscious NoVa Republicans and Falwell aligned Lynchburg Republicans and Fitch can draw at least a little blood in the primary.
But for Lt. Gov, it is another story...
There, we are facing a four-way primary without any fantastic candidates. This is problematic because the Lt. Gov race is in many ways a primary for the next Gubernatorial race due to our lovely no second terms policy. After Kaine, the Democratic field starts to run a little thin. Secondly, it is important to have a good number two on the ticket to give Kaine that extra push.
Leslie Byrne has the best name recognition, but I don't think we are doing anyone any favors by going with someone who has worked for Howard Dean. (Before you complain about this, remember this is Virginia, where first comes god, then hunting, then remembering Robert E. Lee). Secondly, I am unenthusiastic about Byrne because she smacks of the one who constantly loses in Virginia elections....kinda like a Shrum of VA politics. Basically, I agree with her most of the time, which is a bad sign for getting elected in this state.
Baskersville is probably the class of the group, though she has zero name recognition and, even worse, is from Richmond, as is Kaine, so it would not help expand his base at all, especially in Northern Virginia where high turnout is key to victory. Northern Virginians are suspicious of anyone not from Northern Virginia, because they suspect that they will empty the Fairfax County coffers to pay for roads down in Danville. This is a correct suspicion, but Warner was able to get around it by being from Northern Virginia. Baskersville really needs to play up minority turn-out. I don't see it happening, though, which means the best shot is probably Petersen.
Petersen is also from Northern Virginia (as is Byrne), and might have a problem splitting the vote with her. He is probably the most electable, but is very young and white and male. I have yet to be convinced that he will really help Kaine all that much, which is of course my main concern in all of this. Plus, I think he might lack some gravitas for the statehouse, and if he won he would be expected to make a go for it almost immediately after his term as Lt. Gov. began.
Puckett is a non-issue. He's isolated in Southwest Virginia, has no name recognition, and is just too damn conservative for my tastes, and I consider myself pragmatic enough to put up with a lot.
So that's my take. As earlier stated, Tim Kaine is the most important thing right now. We should do everything we can to help him get elected, or face roll-backs of all the progress Mark Warner has made.