Why do Dems bother?

Assembly majority poised to appoint a judge who hates us

Will Democrats in the General Assembly find a way to piss away their majority?

Historically, yes. Then they’ll begin looking for a woman to blame it on. (See Filler-Corn, Eileen.)

Ranking Democrats are currently defending being on the verge of appointing Todd Gilbert to a judgeship. The former Republican speaker of the House of Delegates is a Trump administration reject, fired before he could be confirmed as a U.S. Attorney. He casually stomped on any Democratic initiative in sight when he was in power.

But judgeships are one of the last bastions of Good Old Boy patronage in Virginia. Nominations are made by the local members of the assembly and approved as a group by the full body. Norfolk Dems pick a judge, Valley Pubs pick a judge, and they all go out for drinks in the Shockoe Slip and talk about how hard they work for their party’s values.

Then the Pubs go out and accuse us of being baby killers, and look for new places to allow people to carry guns. The Dems meanwhile go out and send us emails and texts asking for money, because they have to stop the Pubs from something and, by the way, vote for the redistricting thing.

Pissing away a winning streak starts at the top. Ralph’s yearbook picture is an example. Terry’s decision to run against Trump instead of Youngkin. Assembly members being more interested in keeping their seats than in doing anything bolder than making a speech. Casually appointing a judge who opposes everything the party stands for.

So, will they piss away the majority?

If they’re going to appoint Todd Gilbert as a judge, maybe they won’t need to.