A Caucus for the Commonwealth
Imagine a group of Democratic and Republican legislators who meet regularly in Richmond, putting aside partisanship in order to act in the best interest of their constituents and all Virginians.
Theoretically, that group already exists. It's called the General Assembly. But the reality is that too many legislators promise voters they'll work together to solve problems, then go to Richmond and beat the living daylights out of each other.
Newcomers are often dismayed by the tone when they arrive at the Capitol, but most assume they can't change the system and instead assimilate into the snarling masses.
A new quartet seems determined not to follow that path.
Four first-term state senators - two Republicans and two Democrats - have formed the Commonwealth Caucus, chartered as a way to cut through ideology and find solutions.
Sens. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk; John Miller, D-Newport News; Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland; and Jill Vogel, R-Winchester, bring new eyes and much-needed pluck to old problems.
Sure, they are few in number, but they hope other colleagues will join them. The only requirement is that members pledge to put Virginia ahead of politics.
The group's priorities reflect the issues where bipartisan cooperation is most needed. Members say they'll work to create a nonpartisan process for drawing legislative districts, support the best-qualified judges rather than those favored by party officials, and fight for programs preserving the Chesapeake Bay and other natural resources.
Can four legislators make a difference? The obstacles are considerable. It will be difficult to attract members in the House of Delegates, where politics is a blood sport compared to the Senate.
But there are good reasons to try. Democrats control 21 of 40 seats in the Senate. Republicans hold 53 of 100 House seats, with two independents who often support the GOP.
The close margins and competing majorities are too often an excuse for failure, but Northam, Miller, Stuart and Vogel see instead an opportunity for collaboration. There's no question which perspective better serves the commonwealth.
Published in the Daily Press on January 15, 2009
The Virginian-Pilot