Greenwire: Virginia’s Appalachia region, once a Democratic stronghold, is a prime battleground in this year’s congressional elections as voters reject key parts of the Democratic agenda.
Area residents are fearful of a government takeover of health care, terrified that proposed emission limits would cripple their coal industry and angry that Congress has spent billions in stimulus funds while their local economy continues to decline.
After beginning to turn away from Democrats over the past few decades, the region’s voters shunned President Obama in 2008 in a seismic shift that Republicans hope to capitalize on in November.
Four of the region’s remaining Democratic lawmakers already have announced their retirements. Even Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), a 14-term incumbent, is in danger. He has switched into campaign mode months earlier than usual and before Republicans have even put forth a challenger.
Boucher’s record of supporting the coal industry and his efforts to modernize the local economy make him the Democrats’ best chance to hold a seat they can’t afford to lose. His race will test whether voters’ anti-Washington anger outweighs their support for popular long-term incumbents.
Boucher will try to focus the race on what he has accomplished for his district in his years in Congress. Republicans will try to nationalize the race and cast him as just another Democratic vote for a liberal agenda (Amy Gardner, Washington Post, Feb. 18). – TL