Progressive Minds

Tonight has turned out to be a big night for Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, as Tim Kaine and Jon Corzine win their state's governorships, respectively.

There's been a lot of talk recently, that today's election results would be a referendum of sorts on the Bush Administration.

But I offer a different perspective.  I think what tonight's results show, is that the American public, by and large, is tired of the politics of personal destruction.

The American people want politicians who bring them hope; politicians who offer ideas and solutions that will help make life better for all Americans.

And if Doug Forrester should learn one lesson tonight, it's that putting your opponent's ex-wife in your campaign ad, doesn't help someone put food on their table, or educate their children.

While listening to local coverage of the Virginia race today, one voter commented that he didn't originally intend to vote, but decided to do so after seeing the negative ads by Republican Jerry Kilgore.

And while tonight has been a good one for Democrats, we must not lose sight of the need for true election reform.

There were reports of voting problems in at least four different precints in Virginia today.  Some voters who said they intended to cast their vote for Democrat Jim Kaine, said they had problems doing so.  Their votes were either not recorded, or took several attempts being being processed.  These voters said the touch screens that they were used, indicated that they were voting for Republican Jerry Kilgore instead.

So while tonight is a victory for the progressive agenda, we must continue to move forward with election reform.