A Great Day for Democracy 
by Curt Gleeson
Tuesday, February 12th was a great day for Charlottesville Democrats, Virginia voters, and American Democracy! As this fascinating and historic Presidential Primary forges ahead, it is important to take a moment to reflect on our votes and efforts. Thanks again for all of your hard work. We each went to the polls and made a choice between two candidates who are calling on the American people to come together, reject failed Bush policies, and move our country in a better direction.
Across Charlottesville, from precinct to precinct, Democrats, independents, and Republicans asked for a pink slip to cast their vote for Hillary or Barack. Todd Divers reported, “I saw the Republican table at Walker EMPTY when we still had stalwarts standing in the rain recruiting volunteers and distributing literature!”
Carole Franda had a similar experience at Carver. “We were hoping to get 700 voters which would have doubled what we normally do in a Primary and by 4:30 in the afternoon we thought we'd make it as we had 672. The freezing rain had started, but suddenly the doors opened and kept opening and we had a huge line of after-work voters. We finished the day with 810 voters--over a hundred in an hour and a half!!! The mood was astonishing. Everyone was happy and eager to vote which we haven't seen at the polls in a very long time. This time they seemed to have someone to vote for rather than against,” she said.
Harvey Tenney, who worked at Venable, sums up what is possibly the most exciting and amazing trend in this election season. He was impressed by, “the large bloc of very young voters, most of whom were supporting Obama, very enthusiastically.”
Mr. Tenney also noted that one of the best moments of the day was when Mary Ann Elwood came to vote. “Everyone cheered when (she) arrived to vote. She had planned on spending thirty minutes at the polls, which she and I have done since 1968! Unfortunately the cold weather would have made her vulnerable to further complications as she battles her illness. It was a lift for all to see her.”
Looking closer at the numbers, we have cause to celebrate. Statewide, Hillary and Barack received a combined 976,673 votes, while McCain and Huckabee got a total of 442,768. That more than a two to one margin! Mark Warner started something great when we won the governorship in 2002. Now it’s official, Virginia is blue!
In our Fifth Congressional District the two Democratic candidates received 75,059 votes, while the two main Republican candidates got only 39,815. It looks like Mr. Goode’s base is shrinking. Tom Perriello is going to add Virgil to the growing list of outgoing Republican incumbents!
And here in Charlottesville an astounding 34% of eligible voters came out to vote for a Democrat. That is great for a primary. And we can do better this fall. We have two great candidates in with Tom Perriello and Mark Warner. When we nominate our presidential candidate to complete the ticket it will be time to get to work! We have the support of the country behind us. It is time to get our country back on track.
See the Virginia State Board of Elections website to find out more about the primary results, including the breakdown for individual Charlottesville precincts.
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