Why Republicans lost in Virginia — in three great maps
"The Fix" Blog, The Washington Post
By Stephen J. Farnsworth and Stephen P. Hanna November 12, 2013
For Virginia Republicans, this month’s gubernatorial race demonstrates that standing in place means losing ground.
A comparison of two governor’s races – the relatively close 2013 contest and the 2005 election when Democrat Tim Kaine defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore – illustrates the dangers for the GOP if the party does not respond to a rapidly changing state electorate.
Eight years ago, when the GOP’s socially conservative message had more traction, Kaine received 61.3 percent of the two-party vote in populous Fairfax County. Earlier this month, Republican Ken Cuccinelli held Democrat Terry McAuliffe to 61.6 percent of the two-party vote in the county. But that that nearly identical percentage in both years translated into nearly 13,000 more votes for the Democrats – but only 6,600 more for the GOP – in 2013.
Link to column Why Republicans Lost in Virginia — in Three Great Maps (Washington Post)
Why Republicans lost in Virginia — in three great maps
"The Fix" Blog, The Washington Post
By Stephen J. Farnsworth and Stephen P. Hanna November 12, 2013
For Virginia Republicans, this month’s gubernatorial race demonstrates that standing in place means losing ground.
A comparison of two governor’s races – the relatively close 2013 contest and the 2005 election when Democrat Tim Kaine defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore – illustrates the dangers for the GOP if the party does not respond to a rapidly changing state electorate.
Eight years ago, when the GOP’s socially conservative message had more traction, Kaine received 61.3 percent of the two-party vote in populous Fairfax County. Earlier this month, Republican Ken Cuccinelli held Democrat Terry McAuliffe to 61.6 percent of the two-party vote in the county. But that that nearly identical percentage in both years translated into nearly 13,000 more votes for the Democrats – but only 6,600 more for the GOP – in 2013.
Link to column 