LAST WEEK the Republicans captured both houses of Virginia's General Assembly. This victory gives the party a historic opportunity to further its agenda. But there are disturbing signs that the major Republican agenda was just Republican victory, and that in victory, the party will be complacent, rather than advocating issues that will prepare the Commonwealth for the 21st century during the coming term.
One of the major reasons for the strong effort in this election is that this state legislature will be responsible for redrawing district lines in 2001. Election districts for both federal and state elections will be redrawn. The power to redraw districts could mean that the GOP picks up one or two seats to Virginia's congressional delegation as well as a larger majority in the state legislature. These factors caused this election to be viewed as one of the most important in Virginia's history.
It is clear that the Republican Party regarded this election as vital, considering the effort put into the victory. Gov. Gilmore embarked on a fundraising and campaigning frenzy. He raised $3.5 million for Republican candidates and stumped around the state. He also brought national Republican figures like former President George Bush and his son, presidential hopeful George W. Bush, to campaign in the state. The Republican and Democratic parties collectively spent a record $25 million on the General Assembly election. This was all done largely to win control of the redrawing of district lines. But that is not the only reason this election was so important. It is time for Virginia to confront major issues that seriously will affect the Commonwealth in the next century. Now is a particularly ripe time because the state is enjoying such prosperity.
It is this prosperity that causes few voters to think that the elections are important. The turnout was quite low because most Virginians are generally happy -- due in large part to the good economy. Polls showed that most voters were content with the direction of state government, and that they did not think it mattered much whether Republicans or Democrats were in power.
"The parties sounded so similar that voters could be forgiven if they had trouble telling Republicans and Democrats apart," The Washington Post reported. Both parties did have issues, such as gun safety and health maintenance organizations, but these seemed to take a back burner to partisanship. Gilmore was not stumping around the Commonwealth for a pressing political issue like cutting the car tax, but rather for the goal of a Republican majority.
In fact with the prosperity and happiness in the Commonwealth, many of the issues were old ones. Gilmore said his party would focus on implementing Republican proposals already on the table. The Democrats did not promise a vastly different platform either, instead appealing to voters on the basis of their 130-year-old ruling record.
But this election is much more important than just acquiring a Republican majority, and pressing old issues. We have a historic opportunity in Virginia to take advantage of our prosperity and address problems that are looming in the future. Affluent times should not give way to complacency.
There are elements in the Republican Party clearly aware of this. In a personal interview, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley (R) said, "It's a sobering evening for Republicans. Virginians have asked us to lead into the 21st century. It's important to recognize the importance of that responsibility."
We must address a number of issues. Roads must be improved to accommodate a booming economy and a spreading community. Because of lack of funding in higher education, our colleges and universities are in danger of declining in quality and in the rankings. Along with the rest of the nation, we must address health care and HMOs.
Over and over again we hear that the Republican victory is a historic feat for the GOP, and that the party has achieved a mandate for conservative principles. Instead, let's hear exactly what is to be accomplished. It should be more than just a message of "stay the course in good times."
Gilmore and the Republicans have not been absent in debates on issues, but it does appear that there is no sense of urgency. The state's prosperity gives us a window of opportunity, and no one knows how long it will last.
Undoubtedly, this election was a major victory for the Republican Party, but the GOP must do more than seek to maintain the gains of the past. It must take the lead and address the serious issues in the Commonwealth's future.
(Peter Brownfeld's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily.)
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