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By JOHN GOOLRICK
Rappahannock News Special Writer
Virginia Democrats will nominate a political unknown to run for lieutenant governor against a Republican nominee who has one of the state’s best known and respected political names.
Good news for Republicans, right?
Wrong, in my estimation. The Democrats, in choosing between two candidates who fought hard for the nomination for second spot on the ticket, picked the one who has the best chance of success.
No question that anyone who takes on Sen. Edwina Dalton, the GOP nominee, faces an uphill battle. But Don Beyer might be able to get closer to the top of that hill than his vanquished foe, Sen. Dick Saslaw.
I’ve heard all the arguments that Saslaw is a seasoned politician, a General Assembly veteran, a skilled debater familiar with state issues, and a fighter who never gives up.
And I’ve heard all the arguments that Beyer is someone from Northern Virginia barely known in other parts of the state and not that well known in his home region.
To the extent they go, the arguments may have some validity. But they don’t go far enough.
I f Saslaw had been selected to do battle with Eddy Dalton, his acid wit and his acerbic manner would likely have quickly gotten him in trouble. Some of the pointed comments he made against Mrs. Dalton, widow of Gov. John Dalton, during his quest for the nomination were looked on not only by Republicans and many independents as ungracious and uncalled for, but even some of his fellow Democrats winced at them.
Saslaw would have been a nominee with baggage, one who has made powerful enemies within his own party, and one who the powerful special interest groups would have given little of their money during a general election campaign.
No one could argue that Saslaw
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