This has been a rough year in Virginia politics, but there are still things to be thankful for as a Virginia Democrat and progressive. This Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful that...1. ...the 2009 election cycle is over. What a nightmare.
2. ...I'll never have to hear Creigh Deeds' Uncle Frank story ("Now boys, you're going to get out of this camp exactly what you put into it") ever again.
3. ...Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans will soon have the pleasure of fully owning Bush's Great Recession and its nasty impact on Virginia's economy and budget. Enjoy, guys! :)
4. ...we have Jim Webb and Mark Warner in the U.S. Senate, not George Allen and Jim Gilmore.
5. ...we've got Tom Perriello, demonstrating political courage with his votes for climate/clean energy action and health care reform, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thanks Tom, keep up the great work!
6. ...although overall this was a horrible election for Virginia Democrats, we now have several strong additions to the House of Delegates -- people like Scott Surovell, Mark Keam and Kaye Kory. I'm really looking forward to seeing these folks fight for Democratic and progressive values in Richmond!
7. ...Gerry Connolly has actually turned out to be a far better Congressman than I thought he would (voted for clean energy/climate action and health care reform with a public option, among other things).
8. ..."teabaggers" like Bradley Rees might split the conservative vote and help reelect Tom Perriello in 2010.
9. ...Terry McAuliffe is working hard to bring "clean tech" businesses and thousands of "green jobs" - including a possible hybrid car factory in Southside - to Virginia. Go Terry!
10. ...on December 1, Virginia's restaurant smoking ban takes effect. That's one significant accomplishment for Tim Kaine in a overall highly frustrating 4 years as governor of Virginia.