In short, Virginia’s statewide election was a national election. The only problem, frustrated Republicans say, the GOP didn’t get that.
Always look on the bright side of life. That’s the sunny side up advice of the indomitable Mr. Frisbee as he’s being crucified in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
We’re getting the same stoic message from brave-faced Republicans after Tuesday’s referendum loss in Virginia, expected to give Democrats a bonus four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Even in defeat, this is a powerful message,” Brian Cannon, co-chairman of the group No Gerrymandering Virginia, declared after commonwealth voters said “yes” to an “Orwellian” ballot question that clears the way for the Dems’ Frankenstein gerrymander.
“Despite being outspent by well over $60 million and facing biased ballot language, over a million Virginians stood up against a partisan power grab.”
Yes, you’re all winners! Except, you’re not.
Such pep talks come as small consolation following a 3 percentage point loss to a radical party that will do what Republicans won’t: anything to win.
A narrow defeat or a blowout — the result is the same. Moral victories don’t cut it. Democrats won the right to change the Virginia constitution to rig the commonwealth’s congressional maps and turn their 6-5 advantage into a 10-1 domination of the Old Dominion’s House delegation. In so doing, the Democratic Party will have a much easier path to taking back control of the House and making life miserable for the MAGA movement and most Americans.
In short, Virginia’s statewide election was a national election. The only problem, frustrated Republicans say, the GOP didn’t get that.
“This is a clear-cut case in my mind of not enough interest at the national level on this race,” said Matthew Hurtt, chairman of the Arlington County Republican Party, told The Federalist in a phone interview.
That idea is on a lot of minds as the smoke clears on the electoral battle for “fair maps,” even as court challenges continue.
‘Never Stop Fighting’
While the national party has boasted in recent days about record fundraising hauls, Republican soldiers on Virginia’s political battleground tell The Federalist that not much of that money flowed into their effort to stop the Democrats’ unholy power grab. Republicans hold a huge advantage over Democrats when it comes to cash on hand.