Sunday, November 16, 2008

A Nov. 6 front-page article asserted that "Virginia Democrats have completed a major takeover of politics." The numbers don't really support that. According to unofficial results from the Virginia Board of Elections, the state had 5,034,660 registered voters in 2008; 3,724,200 cast ballots. The board reported turnout at 74 percent, compared with predictions of 80 percent or higher.

Of the registered voters, 39 percent voted Democratic and 34 percent voted Republican (Virginia does not register voters by party). Democrats narrowly won Virginia because they did better on turnout, not because party preferences shifted.

It's worth noting that former governor Mark R. Warner won a Senate seat on conservative and bipartisan issues that he tapped when he ran for governor. He also traded on the name recognition and legacy of retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R) and rarely mentioned that he was a Democrat. Mr. Warner's easy victory is evidence that Virginia remains a conservative state and that the lack of enthusiasm for the Republican ticket headed by John McCain was the biggest factor in the election.

JOHN E. FLETCHER

Berryville

The writer is a member of the Clarke County Republican Party.