Worst Political Decade Ever?

The decade of 2000…what can I say? In personal terms, I began the decade with graduating from high school and heading off to college. Midway through the decade (2004 to be exact), I graduated college and headed off to New York with hopes that I would complete graduate school and live the city life. Of course, as we knew fate kicked its golden heels in my plans for good reason, and I decided to first head back to Maryland, then set my sights on a policy related career that led me to Virginia. The decade was filled with successes and hard lessons for me.

Looking back politically, the crew at Reason.tv has a great video highlighting the decade as the “Worst Political Decade Ever.” I would have to concur with their analysis slightly from the national standpoint.

However, let’s look at things from the state level. Since I am a relatively new Virginian (been in Virginia for three years), I can only provide a synopsis from 2006-2009. Being from Maryland originally, the best part of the 2000s was the election of Bob Ehrlich and Michael Steele to Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively.

2006 was an interesting year for a political newbie to discover. It began with George Allen in the lead for U.S. Senate and ended with Macaca, then Jim Webb as our Senator. 2007 was exciting, as we worked hard to elect State Senators and Delegates, in addition to county office holders. Needless to say, it was exhausting, but the hard work paid off for the GOP in the House of Delegates and certain county offices (depending on what county you lived in).

2008 was a blah year in my eyes. Of course, HB 3202 enraged me due to its unconstitutional nature. Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) challenged it in the Virginia Supreme Court, where it was overturned. No more $1000 speeding ticket. From the Federal level, you read on my blog quite a few times, I was not (and still am not) a John McCain fan. After being burned out from 2007, I was not so enthusiastic as I was in years past. Barack Obama won, Gerry Connolly won, and the Democrats took Congress back…only to lead to falling polls.

That’s where 2009 came in. The honeymoon phase faded quickly and both Obama’s polls (along with Congress’ polls) dropped. Public satisfaction with the new administration was at an all-time low and is expected to continue the decline. The tea party movement grew rapidly with people being enraged at the excessive government spending and waste (thanks to Stimulus and Omnibus) and Obama’s health care plan. Rallies were held all across America, including several large ones in Washington, D.C. (including the 4-15 Washington Tea Party and the 9-12 rally). People flooded townhall meetings held by their elected officials (Congressmen and Senators) to demand accountability and responsibility at the federal government level.

2009 was also a referendum on Obama and the Democratic party with Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli being elected to all three statewide offices in Virginia, and with Chris Christie and Kim Guadagno being elected as Governor and Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey. It was a great year for Republicans in the General Assembly races as well.

Overall, I am glad to see the end of the 2000s and am eager to welcome decade 2010-2019. Who knows what the new decade will bring both politically and personally?