Elections are being held in Virginia this November 6th for the General Assembly which is the state legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Delegates, both currently controlled by the Republicans.  But, there is a good chance that Democrats could gain control of the state Senate this fall.

Unfortunately, the Democratic Party of Virginia isn't running challengers in 36 out of 100 districts for delegate seats.  However, grassroots Democrats are trying to rectify that mistake by encouraging potential candidates to run for delegates so that both the House of Delegates and the Senate could have a Democratic majority in 2009.

Since the governorship is held by a Democrat, Tim Kaine, grassroots Dems are laying the groundwork to elect not only another Democratic governor, but also a Democratic lieutenant governor and attorney general in 2009, turning the state bright blue.  (If Virginia voters go for a Democratic president next year, that will turn the state a pale blue.)

Virginia Republicans don't want to see any of that happen. For years, numerous General Assembly seats have been held by Republicans who never had Democratic challengers. This year, some do.  That concerns them and their supporters who have begun their usual dirty tricks like stealing  Democratic opponents' yard signs from lawns--- private  property.  Breaking the law doesn't bother these Republicans.  They're emulating the youthful dirty tricks of their heroes like Karl Rove, Lee Atwater and Donald Segretti....honing their skills for the big show.

Virginia Republicans are especially worried about the influx of newcomers into the state, many of them Democratic voters or independents who tend to vote for the Democratic Party. This has them in full battle mode employing half truths, disinformation, etc.... their usual behavior.

Speaking to a gathering of corporate lobbyists recently, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker, Republican William J. Howell, said that new residents of Virginia aren't "necessarily friendly to the GOP," according to an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

He went on to say that these newest citizens "may not embrace the 'shared values we have in Virginia.' "  Shared values? He obviously means the shared values of Virginia Republicans.  Here is one: Republicans have a history of using states' rights as a code word for racism and bigotry.  Shared values seems to be the Virginia Republicans' new code word.

Virginia Republicans are now exploiting racial fear and animosity aimed at another target: "illegal" immigrants in their current campaign to hunt for and punish mostly Hispanics.  Last year in Virginia, they exploited ignorance and animosity by targeting GLBT Virginians and installing discrimination into Virginia's Constitution.

This mind set has even led to the passage of the illogical and unequal abuser fee law, which Mr. Howell helped pass as Speaker of the House and which he continues to support.  These expensive fees (about $1,000 or more) for even minor traffic violations are only levied against Virginia drivers, a discriminatory law. 

Fee is a Republican code word for tax, but the word, tax, doesn't pass their lips unless preceded by no, anti, or against.  Republicans wanted a method to tax drivers, but be able to claim that it wasn't a tax.  Hypocritical, yes, but typically Republican.

When you drive the patched and rutted roadways in Virginia, thank a Republican like Mr. Howell.  Replacement or effective maintenence of aging infrastructure? Republicans aren't interested.  Stuck in the usual traffic gridlock?  Thank a Republican. (In a traffic jam, members of the Virginia state legislature during session can drive along the shoulder of the road to get to Richmond---no gridlock for them!)

Until recently, Mr. Howell insisted that there was no transportation problem.  Meanwhile, there are horrendous transportation problems in his own district which he has also ignored.

Yes, Mr. Howell. Many of Virginia's so called newcomers don't like your GOP values. Newcomers want state representatives who are honest, intelligent, and believe in equality and fairness for all. Newcomers demand transparent and responsive government. And, newcomers don't like code words.

Newcomers, Virginia Democrats welcome you!