OK…we’ll get into the act too. Since everyone else is reminiscing about the top ten this or that, we might as well offer up our top 10 political stories that had the greatest impact on the commonwealth over the past decade…
1. 9/11 – changed the whole dynamic of the 2001 race, if not the entire decade. While many, rightfully so, see 9/11 for the terrorist attack that it was, it also took all the air out of Mark Earley’s sails. Whatever momentum he had evaporated as Virginians just stopped paying much attention to this race. Mark Warner won by campaigning as a moderate…and then proceeded to give us the largest tax increase in Virginia history.
2. “Macaca”. Potential presidential aspirant. One of the most popular governors Virginia has had. Solid U.S. Senator. All evaporated for George Allen with one really stupid word. And, it has given us Jim Webb, which has led to health care reform.
3. Largest tax increase in Virginia history. During Mark Warner’s administration, several Republicans in the Senate, including John Chichester and Russ Potts, went along with Warner’s plan to increase taxes, despite signs that Virginia state revenues were beginning to turn around. The result was a marginally divided Republican Party on fiscal issues for the rest of the decade, causing many of the gains observed for the Democrats.
4. Death penalty ads in 2005. Completely finalized the ultimate ruin of Jerry Kilgore’s failed gubernatorial campaign. For what it’s worth, I still thought the ads were fair. Definitely not the right timing.
5. HB3202. Everyone thought it was the transportation bill to end all bills. Then Gov. Kaine got a hold of it and made it unconstitutional. It almost unraveled Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell’s campaign. However, it did awaken a slumbering conservative movement in Virginia. Transportation still remains an underfunded issue.
6. Jeff Frederick removal. Perhaps the final in a string of changes at RPV, but nothing nearly as dramatic happened before or since. It appeared that the party was going younger and more conservative with the election of Frederick at the party convention in 2008, however, a series of communication missteps, combined with major congressional losses and questionable budget spending led to Frederick’s ultimate ouster. The removal led to the election of Pat Mullins who has served as a quote machine, stabilizing force, and a chairman capable of putting Democrats on their heels.
7. “Eavesdropping”. The beginning of the years of turmoil at RPV started with one ill-advised telephone conference call that they decided to tap into. Unfortunately, it was then-Governor Warner’s call with several key Democrats.
8. 2000-01 Gilmore Budget battle. Gave us Mark Warner, which led to the largest tax increase in Virginia history. Exposed the Senate moderate Republicans for what they were – Democrats. Made it appear Republicans were unable to work together as a party to get the people’s business done. Unraveled many of the gains made by the GOP in 1999 where, for the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans had majorities in the House and Senate and control of the governor’s mansion.
9. Senate moving Democrat in 2007. Despite several “Rinos” retriring this year and their districts now being represented by more conservative Republicans (John Chichester’s seat now being represented by Richard Stuart and Russ Potts’ seat going to Jill Vogel), Democrats still managed to gain the Senate in 2007 with several key wins – including John Miller over Tricia Stall and Ralph Northam over Nick Rerras. By turning the Senate blue, some additional gridlock in how legislation is passed in Richmond exists (but not too much as a lot of legislation used to be held up by “moderate” Republicans).
10. GOP Sweep of 2009. How significant last month’s elections were have yet to play out. But it could be the beginning of the end of Republicans figuring out how to come together after a tumultuous decade of splitting apart. If this starts a decade of unity, it will be a long time before Democrats win again in Virginia. If it merely accentuates intra-party differences, ala early 2000, the resulting party fracture could lead to the ultimate failure of the GOP for good.
Addendum: Merge 3 and 8. Add the 2008 election of Barack Obama.
I was debating including this, but given the fact that three congressional seats switched to the Democratic party and it was the first time the state voted Democrat since 1964, I suppose it qualifies as a big story. However, I remain skeptical of its long term effect. All the other stories have caused far-reaching ramifications – but because of Obamania of last year, I wonder how much of 2008 will turn into a blip on the radar scope as the political pendulum swings back in 2010. If the double digit GOP victories in 2009 are any indication of how 2010 will go for the GOP’s congressional candidates – and if Obama’s poll numbers continue to plunge – and if youth and minority voters continue to stay home – then 2010, 2011, and 2012 promise to be very big years for Republican candidates.
