Supporters rally but Kilgore falls short

As the polls closed Tuesday the mood in the Greater Richmond Convention Center could best be described as “full-on optimism” by Steve Skeens, a member of American Bikers Advocating Training and Education.

Skeens, who worked for gubernatorial hopeful Jerry Kilgore when he ran for attorney general four years ago, and other members of his organization spent the evening passing out stickers at the entrance to Kilgore’s “victory party.”

“We supported him when he was attorney general and now we’re supporting him running for governor,” he said.

Regardless of the outcome, executive director of the Virginia Family Foundation, Victoria Cobb said she felt confident her non-partisan group could work with both candidates and stressed the importance of finding honest leaders.

“We are looking for people who are saying it like it is. I think that can make or break a candidate because of obvious value issues,” she said.

The former attorney general’s values and religion were a major boost to his cause said John Reid, communications director for Sen. George Allen.

“Republican candidates have always faired very well with self-identified Christian voters, and it is an element of debate for the Republican Party,” he said.

Kilgore’s supporters started prayer groups, mingled and watched the news for the latest poll updates, but again they looked on while another Democrat took the governorship of the Old Dominion.

“The national media will spin a Tim Kaine win as some kind of imputation of Bush, or an imputation of Republican principles,” said John Hager, assistant secretary of education with the Bush administration. “But I don’t think that’s true because local elections are always based on local factors.”

Though he didn’t think the result of the gubernatorial election would hold much sway over the 2008 presidential election, Hager said 2006’s mid-term congressional election would probably feel the greatest effect.

“Democrats will try to seize on a victory as being something that helps their cause next year,” he said.

Touch-screen voting allowed this year’s election to be called in just over two hours after the polls closed at 7 p.m., which was inconceivable for Kilgore “victory party” goers like Josie Linen, a volunteer working with Americans for Fair Taxation.

“I can’t believe it, but all I can say is that the night’s not over,” she said.

For Republican Bill Bolling the night wasn’t over as applause erupted when Sen. George Allen announced Bolling’s victory to the party.

The race for attorney general as of this writing is still undecided due to recount, but attendee Rob Brooke said if he were a betting man he would count on Bob Mcdonnell to take the campaign.

Reid summed up the evening by saying, “Whatever party wins tonight it helps in the long term for them, but when it comes right down to it every candidate has to stand up for themselves.”