How Blue can the Valley get?
The crowd of Democrats that filled a pavilion at the Frontier Culture Museum Saturday night represent a big step forward for a party that has been a perennial doormat in this area for decades.
When nearly 500 Democrats show up for a barbecue in Staunton, Waynesboro or Augusta County it’s news. Perhaps the times are changing.
Staunton Democratic Committee Chairman Bob Dickerman said he recalled marching in the July 4th Staunton parade in Gypsy Hill Park as one of three Democrats. This year, Dickerman was one of 60.
An increased turnout is not likely to mean immediate victories for Democrats. Republicans still have the upper hand in elected offices at the state and local level. And As Sen. Creigh Deeds noted, there are voters who cast their ballots for Republicans here dating back to the days of Herbert Hoover. Old habits die hard.
But a key question, is how many moderate Republicans and independent voters in Augusta County will cross over and vote for Barack Obama in November? Probably not enough to overcome the natural strength of John McCain, but perhaps enough to put a dent in a Republican stronghold of Augusta County.
Levar Stoney, the executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party, said that party is not conceding any locality in this fall’s election, including Augusta County. Virginia is very much up for grabs at this point, and Obama’s campaign will work it hard and use whatever firepower U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner and Gov. Tim Kaine can offer.
I can hardly wait to see the returns the morning after the November elections.
