United Mine Workers of America

[Max Sawicky]

Henry Howell disappeared in my recollection when Charles Robb
started a succession of conservative Democratic victories for
the governorship (gubernatorium?).  He was followed by Doug
Wilder (black, no less) and some foregettable dude.  Not till
Mary Sue Terry tried to succeed them did the Repugs take back
the state house (with the exceptionally odious George Allen, now
a senator after beating Robb; at least Robb beat Ollie North).

VA is changing marginally.  Northern Va is more yuppified -- families
want public services like schools and roads.  Allen ran as less right
wing then previously.

Bush nailed Gore in WVA in guns and coal, far as I can see.
It's hard to imagine any progress on global warming or conservation
that doesn't hurt coal miners, even when properly analyzed.

mbs

No doubt, but I spent 3 years in Virginia, in lovely Charlottesville, 
and it was one of the most conservative places I've ever seen. It 
didn't seem to have much of a Southern populist streak (except maybe 
for Henry Howell, is that his name? whatever happened to him?). I 
remember some undergrads celebrating after the '76 election, when 
Virginia was (about?) the only southern state to go for Ford over 
Carter. "We *are* the most conservative state in the country," 
ejaculated one. I saw no reason to doubt him.

W Va is a pretty different ball of wax - but it went for Bush, didn't 
it? Was it just that the UMW and the coal industry didn't like Mr 
Ozone?

Doug