Election Results

CNN always has the best break down of election results.

To see final numbers check out this link:


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/03/election-results-virginia-governor/

Reflection

The day after election day is a moment to look back and reflect upon why voters voted the way they did and how the campaigns were run. The reflection allows us to absorb the race and soak up the lessons that need to be learned. Although the election is over, Jody's determination to improve Virginia has only strengthened. Here are a few words from her concession speech:

"Let me say one thing: Our work does not stop here. We face too many challenges, and we simply can't pack up and go home," Wagner said. "We must keep our focus on the next generation, because like every parent here tonight, I want Virginia to be a state that my children and their families will call home."

Bill Bolling defeats Jody Wagner and is re-elected Lieutenant Governor

Here is the Washington Post story about the Lieutenant Governor's race:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/03/AR2009110303937.html?hpid=todays-paper

The Result?

One thing is for sure tonight-- Jody Wagner did not lose.

Virginia lost.

Exit Polls?

Time for you to get involved with our blog!

Add a comment when you hear Exit Poll results!

CNN has now had 4 teasers in the past hour about exit polls, but they have yet to deliver them.

What have you heard?? 

What's going on in Virginia?? 

Those of us stuck in the District are dying to know!

VOTE, VIRGINIA, VOTE!!

Find your local poll location, then get out there and VOTE!!

Use this google map application to find a poll near you! Copy and paste the url below!

http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/voter-info/voter-info.xml&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk-gm

Wagner Basics

It may be election day, but Jody Wagner's theme of responsible and effective governing has not changed. She's still the best candidate to deal with Virginia's complicated budget, and to help administer the state. Here's one of her earliest campaign ads, just to remind you that Jody Wagner's commitment to fair and balanced governing.

No Show Campaign Video

Jody Wagner has the right idea on how to get a voter's attention.

Her new campaign video (http://www.jodyforva.com/tv) highlights Lt. Governor Bill Bolling's high number of absences, and does so in a funny manner. A single camera focuses on an empty office chair, and several prominent Republicans "call in" to remonstrate the incumbent for not being there.

The video is brilliant for several reasons.

1) It's simple. Some candidates like to throw as much as possible at the voter in hopes that something will stick. In a full-frontal assault, a poorly-run campaign will try to overwhelm the opponent by pushing as many arguments at once. But this rarely works. The viewer might forget all of the barbs, and without a concise message, the ad will lose its power. In an age of quick-attention spans and lots of entertainment to watch, the good candidate knows that any attack must be short, sweet, and succinct.

2) It's easy to understand. When trying to tar your opponent, it's generally a bad idea to use murky and complicated assaults. Remember the details of Obama's real-estate deal with Tony Rezko, which McCain tried to use against him? Neither does anyone else. The best attacks can be summed up in one or two sentences, and are universal. Not everyone can explain Bolling's record in office. But every Virginian knows what it means to not show up to work.

3) It's funny. Parodying Republicans like Dick Cheney, Mark Sanford, and Bob Mcdonnell, this video manages to draw a laugh. And that's a good thing. So many people switch off their brains when they see boring footage of a candidate talking into a camera. LAME. Using humor, on the other hand, always brings people back for more. And a candidate that can crack a smile is much more likable. The perfect example is Bill Richardson's hilarious presidential campaign commercials from 2008, which showed the governor in awkward job interviews (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjOuL5qwNIc).

The point? Jody Wagner's campaign commercials will attract good coverage, and should spread like wildfire across the internet. Will they move voters to the polls? Only time can tell.

Supporting a Public Option

Reports have emerged that Jody Wagner is for the public option. When asked by the popular blog Notlarrysabato.com she responded by saying that she would fight to make sure that Virginia will not opt out of any public option passed by Congress.

There has been some talk in Congress about allowing states to "opt out" of any public option, giving governors a tremendous amount of influence when it comes to federal health care policy. In a recent debate, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds was ambiguous about supporting the public option, and even implied that he would ensure that the Old Dominion would not have universal healthcare within its borders.

But in a gutsy move, Jody Wagner will fight for the option. While that may cost her some votes, its nice to see a Virginia candidate sticking with her principles

To see the direct quote, look here: http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2009/10/jody-wagner-will-fight-any-attempts-to-optout.html

Jody, the Post, and Jobs

As most of you probably know by now, Jody Wagner was endorsed by the Washington Post. The widely-read newspaper (which has plenty of followers in voter-heavy Northern Virginia), already put their stamp on gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds and attorney general candidate Steve Shannon.

What's interesting though, is the phrasing of the endorsement. For instance, they say that, "JODY WAGNER, Virginia's former secretary of finance, is the sort of Democrat that helped cement the Old Dominion's status as among the cleanest, best managed and most business-friendly states in the country.".

Notice the last phrase. By emphasizing the business-friendly atmosphere of Virginia, the Washington Post puts an emphasis on job creation. Clearly, the editors know that the economy is the most important issue in the minds of voters. By quickly addressing it, the newspaper helps to ensure that this election will be about pocketbooks.

Can Jody Win Her Hometown?

If there is any sign of a candidate's viability, it's in carrying their hometown. Al Gore famously lost Tennessee in 2000, and John Edwards couldn't turn North Carolina blue in 2004. Keeping this in mind, all eyes are on the candidate for lieutenant governor Jody Wanger.

Jody Wagner, of course, hails from Virginia Beach. Her name is emblazoned across the famous popcorn business that she and her husband started. And her local popularity should serve her well in holding good margins in the voter-rich Virginia Beach area.

But Jody has one problem. The Republican gubernatorial candidate, Bob McDonnell, also comes from Virginia Beach. And the popular candidate is sure to turn out voters in the region.

The area is kind of a mixed-bag. Plenty of military families and the presence of several evangelical universities always guaranteed votes for the GOP. But newly-arrived residents from the North have dyed the area purple. Virginia Beach, if anything, has always been a tough nut to crack. According to CQ Politics, George W. Bush bested John Kerry there by a whopping 16 points. But in 2008, Democrat Glenn Nye beat Republican Thelma Drake 52-47%, and Obama won the district by 2 points. Nothing is assured.

So both hometown favorites Jody Wagner and Bob McDonnell are bound to turn out voters and make this region a nail-biter. Or maybe Virginia Beach will elect a mixed ticket. Who knows how the tide will flow?

Jody the Problem Solver

This video highlights Jody Wagner's abilities to solve problems. Again, the theme of the campaign-that Bill Bolling is not doing his job-is highlighted in this video. The commercial mentions Bolling's absences at several meetings, a major sticking point from the Wagner campaign.

Game Day for Wagner

Here Jody Wagner stands with supporters. The election is only a day away, so don't forget to vote and elect a women to statewide office in Virginia!!

Jody vs. Big Insurance

In the post I published a while ago (http://studentsforjodywagner.blogspot.com/2009/11/jody-problem-solver.html), we saw a commercial for Jody Wagner, in which she highlights her ability to do her job well. In "Problem Solver" Wagner also points to how she will be a strong independent voice for Virginians, while incumbent Bill Bolling has already thrown his lot in with the big insurance companies.

This point is interesting, because it comes with a great amount of risk. Healthcare reform, while decently popular, is still controversial in Virginia. And any allusion to the healthcare debate now taking place in Congress could greatly anger both conservatives and right-leaning independent voters, both of whom are important voting blocs in the Old Dominion. It also might start a tit-for-tat with the Bolling Campaign about who whether Wagner supports a public option. So Jody must be careful to motivate progressives against someone in the pocket of the insurance agency while not encouraging conservatives or certain independents to come out and vote againsther.

Is the Washington Post Looking for Independents?

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009

Recently, the Washington Post endorsed Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor. Much of the column focused on job-creation and attacked her opponent, current lieutenant governor BIll Bolling. But check out this little paragraph:

"Unlike the usual run of officeholders in Richmond, she is more pragmatist and problem-solver than partisan political warrior. As the only one of the six statewide candidates to have had hands-on experience with the state's budget, she would be uniquely well placed to serve as a resource for whichever candidate is elected governor."

Innocent right? The phrasing is deceptively simple, yet designed to attract the crucial independent-voters bloc.

Three reasons why this statement is effective. The first is the rejection of partisanship, an obvious but important issue for independent voters.

The second is the mention of the budget. State office-holders are not like congressmen and senators. Folks that are sent to state capitals are much more elected for basic administrative functions (budgets, taxes, roads), while representatives are more often than not chosen based on partisan appeal and flashy issues (war, healthcare, abortion). Such a mention of "a hand's-on experience with the state's budget" focuses on Wagner's administrative abilities, and not on her party label.

Finally, the allusion to how well Jody would work with any governor is important. The Post does not tie Wagner to the listless Creigh Deeds. It instead promises that she can work across the aisle in a bipartisan manner (a magic word for independents) to deliver effective reform.

This election, like many others in Virginia, will be decided byswing-voters and independents. And if the Wagner campaigntakes a hint from the Washington Post, it will focus itsenergies on having across-the-board support

Election Day: Jody Wagner vs. Bill Bolling

It is decision time. Election Day has arrived and the polls opened a few hours ago. If you haven’t made it to the polls already I hope you will take a second to seriously review the two candidates and consider who is right for the position of Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The responsibilities of Lt. Governor include presiding over the state Senate, attending board and commission meetings, and taking the place of the Governor in the case of death, resignation, etc. This is an important position and deserves a person who is a competent pragmatist to help cut through the inefficiencies of government to get things done.
But honestly, what kid has a deeply rooted childhood dream to grow up and be a Lieutenant Governor? None that I know. The fact of the matter is that this position is a stepping stone for bigger and better things. It is a building block for those ambitious enough to run for governor or federal office. So what are incumbent Bill Bolling’s dreams? Oh… wait he’s running for reelection? Why is Bill Bolling running for this position again? I would argue he was pushed aside by the more charismatic and charming Bob McDonnell. But Bill says he just didn’t think he had the time or the money to take away from his business or his family. This could be true. Bill does have a business that is based in Maryland (maybe that explains why he showed up for only 6% of his meetings). Also he is probably very busy at home raising his family… oh wait, except his oldest son is full grown and employed, and his youngest child is a senior in college. It doesn't seem like Bill is that busy. But if he personally said he couldn’t handle the job of Governor, why would we vote him into the office responsible for replacing the Governor in the case of an emergency??
Jody Wagner has no excuses for not taking on more challenging tasks and working hard to repair Virginia’s struggling economy. Jody was a tough corporate lawyer, runs her own small business, and has worked in the administration dealing with complicated fiscal policy. Not only does her expertise in law, business, and finance show she is more than competent, but the way she runs her family is proof as well. Jody managed to raise four kids while also being a working Mom. One of her sons is a Rhodes scholar and another is in medical school. There is no task too tough or too time-consuming for Jody Wagner. She is ambitious and is not going to make up excuses for why she can’t attend meetings or run for higher office. When casting your ballot today, think about who is going to give 110% to this job and vote for Jody Wagner, Lt. Governor.

Fun Clip for the Day

Just wanted to share some footage from a rally in Falls Church. 

Jody's Campaign is Poppin'!

Excuse my pun. That was terrible.

But really, how great is this?!

Jody Wagner and her husband own a fantastic small business in Virginia Beach. They make this incredible, delicious gourmet popcorn. From old favorites like Kettle Corn and Cheddar, to some fun, new creations like Chunky Choco Toffee Drizzle and Ragin Cajun (which sounds delicious, unless of course it's flavored like James Carville...), Jody's company has the market covered on this American snack past-time.

As part of her campaign, Jody has been handing out samples of her wonderful popcorn with small stickers of campaign literature on each side.

For those of you who missed out on this mouth-watering snack, I can't help fill your stomach, but I can certainly help fill your head! Below are the quotes that are featured on the popcorn handouts.

"Jody Wagner played a key role in many of our most important accomplishments in my four years as Governor." (Mark Warner)

"...she has an unmatched grasp of the state's finances and would be a major asset to whoever becomes the governor." (Washington Post, 05/31/09)

"...[Jody's] sharp legal mind and financial acumen make her particularly overqualified for the job she seeks..." (Virginian-Pilot, 06/11/09)

If this isn't filling enough for you, visit:

www.jodyforva.com OR www.jodyspopcorn.com

Making the Push

In case you live under a rock, I'd like to review the recent bursts of activity and outreach by the Wagner campaign from the past few days. Although they cut it quite close, the camp really made the push this past week to get in touch with voters and get Jody's name out there.

Friday was a busy day for Mrs. Wagner; from a stellar interview on 88.5 FM, WAMU (an NPR-affiliate station in Washington D.C.) to a rally in Falls Church that was so well attended it actually had to be moved outside to accommodate everyone! The rally was attended by the entire democratic ticket-- Deeds, Shannon, the delegates, and many of Virginia's favorite democrats like Senator Jim Webb came along to show support and hype up voters and volunteers alike.

This weekend included Wagner's participation in a Halloween parade in Leesburg, where she handed out hundreds of samples of her delicious Jody's Gourmet Popcorn  from her small business in Virginia Beach. 

Today was an exhausting day for the Wagner camp, as they travelled throughout all of Virginia, attending rallies and stopping by each coordinated campaign office to thank volunteers for their dedication to the campaign. Fortunately, Jody was joined by her husband, Dr. Allen Wagner and one of their four children, Lizzie (20).

They finished up the day with a rally in the heart of Old Town Alexandria in the square on King Street. Attended by approximately 300 voters, as well as multiple major media outlets, the rally really helped boost confidence in voters that the candidates could pull off a win tomorrow.

Now in the final stretch of the campaign, it seems the Wagner folks have done all they can to make the push.

Photos and Quotes from Jody!

Jody Wagner thrilled crowds around Virginia this past weekend in the final push before election day. From a rally in Falls Church, to a parade in Leesburg, and finally this evening to a rally in Alexandria, the Wagner camp has really made the push in the final days of this election to get in touch with the voters. Here are some photos and quotes from the rally in Falls Church.

"You guys are awesome. And I cannot tell you how much it means to me and to everybody up here to see you all. You look great and as I stood up hear looking around before it was my turn to speak, I thought what an amazing year I've had. When I entered this race in mid-August I didn't know any of you. And I've gotten to know you over the past year and it's been an extreme honor and I look forward to working with you over the next four years as your lieutenant governor."

How much will Jody Wagner be tied to Creigh Deeds tomorrow?

If you follow politics in America, you'd know that the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election day. The most popular elections are when we are electing a President. Less popular elections -called "midterms" - come in between the Presidential elections and are when all the Representatives and 1/3rd of the Senators are elected. And then there are the completely off-year elections like Virginia's gubernatorial election where turnout is ridiculously low.

According to most polling, Creigh Deeds chances of winning on Election Day are low: http://www.pollster.com/polls/va/09-va-gov-ge-mvd.php?xml=http://www.pollster.com/flashcharts/content/xml/09VAGovGEMvD.xml&choices=McDonnell,Deeds&phone=&ivr=&internet=&mail=&smoothing=&from_date=&to_date=&min_pct=&max_pct=&grid=&points=1&lines=1&colors=McDonnell-BF0014,Deeds-2247AF

But how much exactly will Jody Wagner's race against Bill Bolling be tied to Creigh Deed's race against Bob McDonnell? When I canvassed in Arlington last Sunday I was doing it apart of a "coordinated campaign" for the entire Democratic ticket. The doorknockers mentioned all three Democratic candidates. I even was wearing a sticker with all three names: Deeds, Wagner, and Shannon (who is running for Attorney General). I don't think this bodes well for Jody Wagner, even though she is still a far superior candidate to Bill Bolling.

Good Luck, Jody!

Crunch Time!

Tomorrow is Election Day in Virginia. I was able to spend a few hours making phone calls to voters in Northern Virginia for the Democratic ticket last week and over the weekend. I was excited to hear enthusiasm from a lot of voters about the Democratic ticket.

The polls will be open tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will be really important for Democrats across Virginia to come out and demonstrate support for Creigh Deeds for Governor, Jody Wagner for Lieutenant Governor, Steve Shannon for Attorney General, as well as the Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates.

The campaign has contacted a lot of voters through the past weeks and months. During my hours phone banking, I spoke to a number of people who had already been contacted by the campaign. We know that the result tomorrow is going to be close, and the campaigns has done a good job communicating how important it is for everyone to come out to the polls.

Volunteers have been working hard to get in touch with voters and remind them how important it is to come out to the polls tomorrow. The statewide Democratic candidates held a final rally in Alexandria with Governor Kaine and Senator Warner at 6:00 tonight. It is now crunch time to get voters out across the state to keep Virginia blue in 2009.

Here Jody Wagner stands with supporters. The election is only a day away, so don't forget to vote and elect a women to statewide office in Virginia!!

Will Students come out to vote on November 3rd?

Here's a picture of Jody Wagner posing with college students. President Obama was able to court the support of young voters in his victory over John McCain in 2008, but was that just a special case? Turnout in mid-term elections are much lower than Presidential, and Virginia has elections that are even more out of sync with the federal election schedule. College students are bombarded with at least as many advertising messages as the general public, are frequently in class and/or intoxicated, have to deal with absentee balloting, and feel their issues aren't addressed. Given those things, it's not a surprise they don't vote in high numbers.
Now Jody Wagner has 4 kids, some of whom are voting age and would fall into the age cohort "millenial." Jody clearly exudes a "mom" type vibe. Both of these work to her advantage with young voters. There's supposedly been a big downswing of enthusiasm since last year's election, but I'm not sure that will translate into a downswing of turnout among 18-24 year old voters. Most voters in that range only use a cell phone and, no matter how many pollsters and political scientists I talk to, I'm still not persuaded they're correctly surveying that group. If there's going to be a surprise on election night, I predict it will be in student turnout. If some races get really close, they will be the group that determines the winner.