tomorrow

November 4th, 2008 was one of the most exhilarating days ever. Yet now, one year later, I am bracing myself for a disappointing Election Day.

The creepy Republican candidate Bob McDonnell of my home state Virginia has a double digit lead in the polls against affable Democrat Creigh Deeds.

Michael Bloomberg has spent millions and millions of dollars of his own money (a record) on a third term. Democrat Bill Thompson is certainly capable for the job but didn't have a prayer against Bloomberg's juggernaut spending. The best cases of why a progressive shouldn't vote for Bloomberg have been expressed by Gawker and Gay City News.

2009 has so far illuminated the obnoxiousness of Republicans. They are an agitated breed. We' suffered through the demeaning line of questioning in the Sotomayor hearings, Joe Wilson's infamous moment, rowdy town halls and filibuster threats of health care.

Here's hoping Democrats will stay strong and influential.

don't carry me back to ole virginny

If you haven't watched your dvred episode of Sunday night's Mad Men, stop reading, but those who have ... remember who got fired this week?

Joe. My. God. posted a clip from a debate between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. McDonnell flat-out says he would overturn Mark Warner's order banning discrimination against hiring on the basis of sexual orientation.

I am outraged that McDonnell would want to revert his state back to the Mad Men era. There has been a lot of griping about Obama's slow movement to change LGBT issues. Yet there is a lot happening at local levels that could have devastating consequences for the community. I hope my home state will turn out for Deeds, but so far, McDonnell, flush with money and an admittedly effective moderate makeover, is in the lead.