When you’re locked in a tight race to keep your seat in a Senate district that contains a number of rural, conservative communities and:
1. Your desire to raise [1] the gas tax is well-publicized–while gas prices remain above $3.00 per gallon,
2. You’re the only [2] legislator in southwestern Virginia to be endorsed [3] by NARAL,
3. “Progressive” blogger Not Larry Sabato calls you “one of the best” [4] members of the Senate Democratic caucus,
4. But you’re campaigning as a pragmatic, pro-growth centrist,
then it’s probably not the best idea to attend an “appreciation reception” in your honor…in Alexandria. Nonetheless, that’s exactly what Sen. John Edwards plans to do on Sunday afternoon.
Some southwestern Virginians don’t exactly hold NOVA in high regard; I suspect they would be even less enamored if they saw the host committee list and the special guest–which reads like a Who’s Who of northern Virginia liberals, including, among others, Sens. Dick Saslaw and Janet “Because I Said So” Howell [5], Dels. Adam Ebbin and Scott Surovell, DPVA Chair Brian Moran and “Special Guest” U.S. Rep. Jim Moran. (If Sen. Edwards’ constituents–in the New River Valley portion of the 21st Senate District–didn’t like Rep. Rick Boucher last fall, I know they would like Rep. Moran even less [6].)
It’s certainly not uncommon for politicians from either party to attend fundraisers hosted by friends and supporters outside of their district, but when your centrist, election-year image is already being questioned, hanging out with legislators no one would mistake for centrists in one of Virginia’s bluest cities probably isn’t the best idea.