Not Larry Sabato

Glad Someone Said This

Bruce Jamerson Dead At 53

Terrible news.

There are a long line of Delegates speaking to the accomplishments of Bruce.

I'll never forget the note he sent me soon after it first became known I was the anonymous author behind this site.  It was encouraging and he said that he thought these new ways of communication that reached more Virginians and brought them into the process were a great thing.  Always a class act in every way.

Why Has The Blog Been So Quiet Recently?

This is what I've been dealing with.

Bob Goodlatte Gets Primary Challenger

America's most anti-poker Congressman may be in his final term!

Our Next Democratic Leader In The House?

With the elimination of Ward Armstrong's district likely, and his statewide ambitions already having been shown, House Democrats will finally get a new leader soon.

There are a few names being thrown around, but I've got an early favorite.

Delegate David Englin of Alexandria would be my choice to be the next Democratic House Leader.

Even if we got fair lines drawn in this redistricting, House Democrats would lose some seats in this election because of the areas growing in Virginia versus the ones that are stagnant.  The math favors Republicans for now.

Which means we need to think long term about rebuilding the party.

There are very few legislators on the Democratic side who seem to understand or care about the most important piece of policy- i.e. winning elections in order to make that policy.

Of those few legislators that care about elections, there are even fewer that understand anything about winning them.

Englin isn't perfect, there are some areas where we disagree- such as his vote for this redistricting plan last week.  But given how new some of the other caucus talent is to Richmond (freshman Patrick Hope and Scott Surovell jump to mind) there really isn't another progressive better positioned than Englin right now to take over the long term role of trying to lead Democrats out of the wilderness in the House.

We need to stop looking for the perfect leader and pick the best one we have right now.

I think that person is David Englin.  Hopefully the House Democrats will agree.

FAIL

Have verified this rumor is untrue.

Redistricting Update

VETO

Governor's Veto letter now up.

Download Letter to HOD on HB 5001

Once Again, Ken Cuccinelli Is Wrong

There are no words to describe how awful this is. 

Apparently Ken Cuccinelli would rather score political points with social conservatives than help foster kids find a loving home.

I'd call this a new low for Cooch, but I think he'd just take that as a challenge to go even lower.

Patrick Hope Is Out- I'm considering running

Delegate Patrick Hope just issued a statement announcing he will not be a candidate for the Senate.  Here's what I just released in response.  Click here to sign up to get updates and be the first to know once I make a decision.

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BEN TRIBBETT STATEMENT REGARDING PATRICK HOPE’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF NON-CANDIDACY

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TRIBBETT PRAISES HOPE; SAYS NOW THAT HOPE HAS DECIDED NOT TO RUN, TRIBBETT WILL ACTIVELY CONSIDER RUNNING HIMSELF

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Long-time Virginia Democratic leader Ben Tribbett today strongly praised his fellow Democrat, Delegate Patrick Hope (D-47), on the occasion of Hope’s announcement earlier today that Hope has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s Senate District 31.

“In his first term in office, Patrick Hope has established an outstanding record of progressive activism. I was very much looking forward to being one of Patrick’s strongest supporters if he had decided to seek the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 31^st Senate District”, Tribbett said. “I look forward to an opportunity in the future to support Hope for higher office”, Tribbett added.

“Now that Patrick Hope has decided not to seek this Senate nomination, a large number of his supporters and other Virginia Democrats have urged me to run,” Tribbett noted.  “The voters in this Senate district deserve a strong progressive voice in the Virginia Senate, and they also deserve someone who will address local community concerns in all three counties within this district. If I decide to run, I am confident I will provide them with that voice”, Tribbett concluded.

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Ben Tribbett is a long-time Virginia Democratic leader who grew up in Fairfax County. He currently resides in the Rosslyn neighborhood in Arlington. Tribbett has served as the campaign manager or chief consultant to 13 Fairfax and Loudoun county general election candidates- compiling a record of 11-0 in general elections, including 7-0 in Republican held seats that were successfully “turned blue”.  In recent years, Tribbett has focused on his technology business in Arlington and running “Not Larry Sabato”, Virginia’s most heavily visited political blog.   He is best known for having broken the “macaca” story in 2006 that led to George Allen’s defeat.

The 31^st Senate district as redrawn and sent to the Governor for approval includes three counties- Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun.  The portions of Arlington County included in the district are areas around Columbia Pike and the Ballston to Rosslyn corridor which include the highest density young voter populations in the Commonwealth.  The district then straddles the Potomac River through parts of North Arlington and into Fairfax County, where Tribbett served as President of the Fairfax Young Democrats among other roles.  The Fairfax portion of the district includes portions of McLean inside the beltway that are north of Old Dominion Road , all of McLean outside the beltway, all of Great Falls, and portions of Vienna (Colvin/Shouse precincts) and Herndon (Clearview and Sugarland precincts).  The district then continues into Loudoun County where it includes most of the district currently known as Sugarland Run, which like Arlington has large pockets of young voters included.

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Deal With It Tommy

Politifact calls out one person who has no business complaining about redistricting.