Norm's Analysis of Barone's Thoughts

I gotta link to this post even though it's a day old...Barone's analysis of Kilgore's campaign is hardhitting but largely accurate, and I am sympathetic to Norm's feelings on the whole campaign.

Barone states what we already should have known: "Supporting tax increases does not produce political death. If voters feel—as voters in traffic-clogged Northern Virginia and perhaps the other suburbs do—that higher taxes will produce goods that you want—fewer traffic jams—they will support you." On top of this, Kilgore took no real stance on taxes, but just tried to scare the populace. The fact is...Virginians aren't taxed too badly. Other things are more important. Why else would Mark Warner have a 74% approval rating with his primary accomplishment being the largest tax increase in Virginia history.