Sunday, November 02, 2008
Editorial: Don't miss out on Tuesday's election
The presidential election will be historic, but there are also important down-ballot races.
From the RoundTable blog
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Tuesday's election will be historic. It will witness either the selection of America's first black president or first female vice president.
The election is historic for Virginia, too, marking the first time the state has been in play in a presidential election since 1964.
Turnout will undoubtedly be high. Lines will be long.
But brave them anyway, and not just to take part in the historic presidential election. There are other important races on the ballot Tuesday.
The Roanoke Times editorial board made endorsements in several of those races. Here is a brief summary:
Senate
In a race of former Virginia governors, Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore are vying to replace retiring Sen. John Warner (no relation to Mark).
The polls show Warner with a commanding lead, proving that Virginia is a moderate state. Warner is a moderate politician, known for his ability and desire to govern in a bipartisan fashion.
That will serve him, and the nation, well in the U.S. Senate. If Tuesday turns into the partisan rout it is shaping up as, Democrats will need moderates like Warner to help keep them from overreaching.
We endorse Warner without reservation.
6th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, is facing his first real challenger since 1998. Democrat Sam Rasoul has run a vigorous, principled campaign.
More idealistic than ideological, Rasoul would bring a reform-minded energy to Congress.
Still, this was a tough call for the editorial board. Goodlatte has been a good public servant who has worked well with Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher to benefit the region.
It was a close decision, but Rasoul got our endorsement because, while we respect Goodlatte, Rasoul better reflects our positions.
5th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, is also facing his stiffest challenge in some time. Democrat Tom Perriello has raised a lot of money in his race against Goode, and his focus on the role his faith plays in his desire to serve may resonate in the conservative district.
Perriello's call for a post-partisan attitude may also serve him well.
A vote for Perriello would also be a repudiation of Goode's embarrassing anti-Muslim and anti-immigration tirades that have too often shamed Virginia.
Montgomery County School Board
Montgomery County has two excellent candidates to choose from to serve out a partial term on the county school board. One of the candidates, Phyllis Albritton, was appointed to the seat when it became vacant last year. The other candidate is Amy Mauldon, past president of the Margaret Beeks PTO.
Either candidate would serve well. We believe Mauldon has slightly more concrete ideas and a more realistic approach to the school system's budgetary issues.
Liquor by the drink
Voters in two Pulaski County districts will have a chance to remove an anachronistic prohibition against serving liquor by the drink. Doing so will make that portion of the county more attractive to chain restaurants and allow responsible residents to enjoy a drink closer to home.
