The Resurgence of Old Virginia
on February 12th, 2013 at 2:44 PMFriends – Please enjoy this guest post by Eve Pearce. – Not Jim Moran.
The Resurgence of Old Virginia
The liberal leaning press would have us believe that deep divisions are growing amongst Republicans in North Virginia, but this could not be further from the truth.
In the wake of President Obama’s reelection there has been much to discuss, deliberate and decide upon. Not least, the questions over Obama’s controversial health care reforms. It is no secret that the GOP has not been the policy’s biggest supporter but there is no truth in the suggestion that they are afraid of change. It is simply that they are after the right changes for Virginians, not the wrong ones and Virginia’s significance can no longer be underestimated.
Virginia to the fore
In the last two elections, voting in Virginia has foreshadowed almost perfectly the popular vote on a national scale: namely the Democrats succeeding … but by an ever decreasing margin. Obama’s victory is not an indication that Virginia is in the grips of the Democrats. In fact, since then all other electoral events in the state have gone in the Republican’s favour – To the extent that 8 of the 11 available congressional districts are now under the guidance of Republican politics. These statistics are encouraging but they leave a pressing question hanging in the air: if Virginia is pro-Republican, how come the Democrats and Obama held the state?
The answer is easy. The electoral system currently in place is an unfair one, riddled with flaws and open to manipulation by certain parties. And Virginia is a prime example of this.
A fairer election for all
At present, appointed electors are distributed unevenly across the state meaning that the vote in certain areas outweighs the vote in others. Virginia’s 2008 transition from red to blue can be directly attributed to this. Certain parts of the state have become home to groups of people sympathetic to the Democrats and it is these areas of dense and diverse population that have secured Obama’s minor majority.
Virginia Republicans have the solution, but the continued bias of certain areas of the press has unfairly painted the proposals as an exercise in 21st Century segregation. The plans suggest nothing of the sort and in fact the hope is that by redistributing the disparate electoral votes a fairer and more level playing field will be created for future voters.
Critics view this as an underhand attempt to steal Democratic votes and to use redistricting as an unfair weapon utilized solely to reinstate the Republican status of Virginia, but this is a naïve manipulation of the facts. Under the present restrictions it is the increasingly built-up and over-populated areas that outvote the more remote areas of the state, resulting in the wants of a key demographic having no way of infiltrating the eventual outcome. Again, critics will argue that this takes away the democratic voice of a number of minorities who reside in the more urban sections of Virginia but this is an unfair criticism. And besides, at the moment it is another group of Americans who are being marginalized.
Taking a stand
Detractors will argue that this, along with his opposing stance against Obama’s radical health reforms, is another example of Governor Bob McDonnell’s unwillingness to help those most in need in Virginia. Obama’s second term victory means that there is no avoidance of his health plan. Republicans accept fully that it will have to be implemented, they would simply rather it was controlled and realised in their own way.
As for Governor McDonnell? He should be praised not derided as his continuing resistance to health care reform truly proves his worth as a man of unshakeable morals and principles. He, along with other Republican representatives in Virginia, has worked tirelessly to improve the lot of the poor and unemployed. Unemployment benefit has been extended, sound financial advice has been provided to those seeking to address their financial woes and there is a determination to see all Virginians in paid employment. Therefore, the last thing Bob McDonnell’s opinion is indicative of is a refusal to assist Virginians suffering in the continuing economic downturn happening under the Democrats’ supervision.
So don’t believe everything you read about North Virginians instigating armed rebellions and marching on Washington. Instead, consider that the Republicans in the state are in the ascendance and the Democrats are simply running scared.
“At present, appointed electors are distributed unevenly across the state meaning that the vote in certain areas outweighs the vote in others. Virginia’s 2008 transition from red to blue can be directly attributed to this.”
I don’t understand this one iota. Virginia distributes its electoral votes based on the statewide vote. Obama won the statewide vote. One vote for President counts the same from every part of the state. We lost, but what’s unfair about Obama getting more votes from more people?
Is this about primary elections or state governance or something?
So, basically, the other side got can outvote us, so we need to change the rules so that doesn’t happen. No, that isn’t like Jim Crow at alll.
Seriously, how can anyone defend a proposed system where despite getting 3.9 percentage points more votes than his opponent, Obama would have won only 3 of the 13 Virginia electoral votes?