Transportation Fix, Take 2: The Cast and Plot Change

With little incentive for either side to give in, someone with statewide influence might be needed to broker a deal, as McDonnell and Davis tried last year.

But who else is there to try that if Kaine, who has shown he has little sway with the General Assembly, fails to bring the two sides together?

The two other statewide leaders, Attorney General McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), are gearing up for the 2009 governor's race.

Sen. John W. Warner (R), the one statewide politician respected by both Democrats and Republicans, is retiring. Webb has shown little inclination to get involved in big Richmond-centric issues.

If a solution for transportation is not agreed upon by midsummer, it just might have to be sorted out by the voters in the governor's race.

In that election, Northern Virginia voters who want a transportation fix might once again be pitted against the rest of Virginia.

Given the results of the past several statewide elections, gamblers might want to put their money on the traffic-weary Northern Virginians.

But they probably shouldn't bet much.

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