There was a big political earthquake in Virginia last Tuesday, and shock waves were felt as far away as Nevada, another purple state that was trending blue before Tuesday. The question is whether Nevada Democrats understand the message that Virginia voters sent to the rest of the nation.
Virginia's message is that America's voters, especially independent and non-partisan voters like me, aren't buying what President Biden and his fellow "progressives" are selling. Virginia voters rejected the president's far left socialist agenda by electing Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin, a political newcomer, as their new governor. He defeated former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, an establishment Democrat backed by Biden and former President Obama, even though Biden beat ex-President Trump by 10 percentage points in Virginia last year.
The Wall Street Journal said "voters rejected progressive politicians and the anti-police movement from coast to coast (and) registered their unhappiness with (Biden's) 'woke' agenda …" Amen! "The Hill" political columnist Reid Wilson called Virginia's election "the revenge of the swing voter," which it was, writ large.
Wilson was writing about independent voters who are tired of stupid and often embarrassing political gamesmanship on both sides of the political aisle. An upset victory by a conservative Republican who focused on the economy, education and crime has huge implications for next year's midterm elections in Nevada, and beyond.
Extremist candidates in both parties should remember that here in Nevada, independent and nonpartisan voters account for nearly 40 percent of the electorate. This is a warning to "defund the police" and Critical Race Theory advocates on the left who want to teach our children and grandchildren that America is a racist nation founded on slavery, and to right-wing gubernatorial candidates Fightin' Joey Gilbert and unhinged Michele Fiore, who actually believe that Trump won last year's presidential election "by a landslide." Please, can we all sober up before we go to the polls next year?
Regarding the dangerous "defund the police" movement, I'm pleased to report that Minneapolis voters on Tuesday rejected an idiotic ballot measure to replace police officers with social workers in a new Public Safety Department. Most Minneapolis voters know that defunding the police results in more crime. Duh!
In Nevada, where Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo is running for governor, I'm sure that our two most powerful Democrats, Gov. Steve Sisolak and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, understand Virginia's message to the nation. Both of them should be very careful about tying themselves to Biden's left-wing agenda, especially on issues like defunding or "reinventing" the police, and local control of public schools. Meanwhile, we need to keep an eye on our local school board as it searches for a new leader to replace retiring Superintendent Richard Stokes, who has promised that Critical Race Theory won't be taught in Carson's public schools as long as he's in charge.
Two Wall Street Journal columnists said the GOP should become "the Parents' Party." Good idea.
Although Biden ran as a moderate Democrat who would bring us together, he has driven us apart by buying into the socialist agenda of radicals like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes, who aren't really Democrats. As his approval ratings plummet to Trumpian levels, around 40 percent, Biden drags fellow Democrats down with him the way Trump hurts moderate Republicans. Youngkin didn't repudiate Trump, but he didn't campaign with him either. Nevada Republicans should take note.
My opinion, for what it's worth, is that Republicans should avoid Trump as they attempt to regain control of Congress next year.
Retired diplomat Guy W. Farmer is the Appeal's senior political columnist.
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