Redistricting is shaping up to be a blow for Virginia Democrats. There's still time to reverse the damage by shedding the national obsession with Trump and embracing sound policy ideas.
So you think we should bet the future on polling? Ask Hillary Clinton how that turned out.
I'm sorry but drastic times demand drastic action. If Mike Johnson and John Thune get two more years of cowering and abdication to Russell Vought (he is the one calling the shots to implement Project 2025) and putting up with the incompetence and sycophancy of the leadership of the Executive Branch there's no telling how far our democratic institutions will have fallen. The people spoke for "blue" Richmond and the legislature and governor have responded. Take any and all steps. Reminder: Look at who brought the tens of millions to the Commonwealth in advertising to defeat the referendum--Peter Thiel, the billionaire financial backer of J.D. Vance and all things far right and the founder of Palantir who is under multiple contracts to the Federal security apparatus to take away liberties and deport citizens. His advertising campaign brought up decades old statements from President Obama and had old white men in ball caps saying a "yes" vote would bring illegal immigrants to our communities to rape and pillage and government thugs to take away AR-15s. THAT is what we are up against. Drastic times.
Sadly, I’m beyond caring about alienating Republicans. For the greater good. This is temporary and if we are all willing to have a little grace, so will be the alienation.
There is no doubt this will damage the Democrat Party in Virginia for years. There are also two points missed here.
First, using today's congressional forecast against a process probably considered by Virginia Democrats since at least March 2025 is inaccurate. In 270toWin's March 2025 forecast, the Republicans were leading by 5 seats (210-205). After Trump's request to Texas, the September 2025 forecast showed Republicans leading 212-202. Virginia Democrats, if they were to attempt the same, had to act before the November 2025 election. That 212-202 forecast was most likely their biggest motivation for advancing the proposed redistricting.
Secondly, no one seem to note the story of a young black girl growing up in the Byrd machine era - Virginia's ugly segregationist history into the late 1960's. When that young black girl surmounts all obstacles to become the most powerful woman in Virginia politics, and she - in her 82nd year of personal witness - is faced with the same suppressive tactics she experienced for decades, why are we surprised by what came next?
Redistricting is bad for Democrats because ... the editor's politically active Republican friend is upset about it?
So you think we should bet the future on polling? Ask Hillary Clinton how that turned out.
I'm sorry but drastic times demand drastic action. If Mike Johnson and John Thune get two more years of cowering and abdication to Russell Vought (he is the one calling the shots to implement Project 2025) and putting up with the incompetence and sycophancy of the leadership of the Executive Branch there's no telling how far our democratic institutions will have fallen. The people spoke for "blue" Richmond and the legislature and governor have responded. Take any and all steps. Reminder: Look at who brought the tens of millions to the Commonwealth in advertising to defeat the referendum--Peter Thiel, the billionaire financial backer of J.D. Vance and all things far right and the founder of Palantir who is under multiple contracts to the Federal security apparatus to take away liberties and deport citizens. His advertising campaign brought up decades old statements from President Obama and had old white men in ball caps saying a "yes" vote would bring illegal immigrants to our communities to rape and pillage and government thugs to take away AR-15s. THAT is what we are up against. Drastic times.
Sadly, I’m beyond caring about alienating Republicans. For the greater good. This is temporary and if we are all willing to have a little grace, so will be the alienation.
There is no doubt this will damage the Democrat Party in Virginia for years. There are also two points missed here.
First, using today's congressional forecast against a process probably considered by Virginia Democrats since at least March 2025 is inaccurate. In 270toWin's March 2025 forecast, the Republicans were leading by 5 seats (210-205). After Trump's request to Texas, the September 2025 forecast showed Republicans leading 212-202. Virginia Democrats, if they were to attempt the same, had to act before the November 2025 election. That 212-202 forecast was most likely their biggest motivation for advancing the proposed redistricting.
Secondly, no one seem to note the story of a young black girl growing up in the Byrd machine era - Virginia's ugly segregationist history into the late 1960's. When that young black girl surmounts all obstacles to become the most powerful woman in Virginia politics, and she - in her 82nd year of personal witness - is faced with the same suppressive tactics she experienced for decades, why are we surprised by what came next?