It’s ubiquitous. Every year we hear that this is the most important election of our lifetimes.
And it is.
Maybe we wish it weren’t. We may wish a lot of things:
Here is the cold, hard truth:
Ronald Reagan was right: Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.
And because that is true, it is also true that each election is a vital battle in the fight for the preservation of our liberty.
For Virginians, this quadrennial campaign holds special significance. Three statewide leaders are chosen. They will set state policy for four years and influence their political party far longer.
Never in the history of my involvement have the Republican and Democratic nominees for all three offices presented such a contrast in policy, perspectives, and personal style.
This is a conservative, liberty-minded ticket. Each of the Republican nominees:
Cuccinelli and Obenshain have long-term records that demonstrate their consistency on these issues. Jackson, while no politician, has an excellent grasp of first principles and a sharp legal mind, which equip him to handle the details of the office he is seeking.
And, they can win. While some pre-election polls are designed to discourage the Republican base, the fact is that when turnout is factored in, this election is likely within the margin of error for all races, except Attorney General, where Obenshain is running quite strongly.
This campaign is only the latest match-up between government expansionists on the left and limited government, liberty-minded conservatives on the right. But rarely do we get a race where the contrast between the candidates is so clear. Virginians have a choice between competing visions for our Commonwealth. [2]
One team will have the public policy ball in Virginia for four years. Which one depends on the outcome of the election. Which direction will the ball move? What will Virginia look like if McAuliffe is carrying the ball? Oh, there will be another important election, another fight, four years from now – but how much ground will have been lost in the meantime?
It’s really up to us.