Virginia confirms its support for Obama

In the state Capitol that once harbored efforts to suppress the political rights and educational opportunities of black Americans, 13 electors yesterday confirmed Virginia’s support for the man who will be the nation’s first black president.

The Democratic electors listened to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine trace milestones in Virginia’s march toward racial equality before casting votes for Barack Obama and his running mate, Joseph R. Biden Jr., in the same building where the Confederate Congress met.

“Each such election is important,“ Kaine said, “but today, in a special way, we celebrate the slow but steady maturation of the noble human project begun on Jamestown Island 401 years ago.

“We rejoice in the moral power that has bent institutions, traditions, behavior and hearts ever closer to the equality principle. And, we proclaim our pride in Virginia’s role as a leader among the states.“

The electors—11 representing congressional districts and two at-large—stood in turn and proclaimed their votes for Obama. They then repeated the process and voiced their support for Biden.

Kaine noted in his remarks that in 1836, Virginia’s electors refused to vote for Richard Mentor Johnson, Martin Van Buren’s vice president. Now, under state law, electors face legal penalties if they don’t vote for the candidates to whom they are pledged.

Each state’s Electoral College representatives met yesterday, and Congress will tally the outcome Jan. 6 at a joint session. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the White House.

Obama bested Republican nominee John McCain, an Arizona senator, on Nov. 4. He is the first Democrat to carry Virginia’s electoral votes since President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Obama will take office Jan. 20.

Christia V. Rey, a law student at the College of William and Mary who represented the 1st Congressional District yesterday, marveled at being part of that history.

“Virginia never ceases to amaze me,“ he said. “We continue to add to the conversation of becoming a more perfect union. Yes, the first slaves came here to this state, but this was the first state that elected a black governor. So we never cease to continue to rewrite history. And it always starts with Virginia.“

Richmond resident Sophie Ann Salley, an at-large elector, was glad to be among the presidential electors to vote for Obama, but she could’ve done without all the tradition.

“It was a little bureaucratic but fun,“ she said. “It’s really pro forma.“

Virginia’s proceedings were moved to the current House of Delegates chamber from the old, smaller House chamber, in anticipation of a larger-than-usual audience of invited guests. Proceedings also were shown in overflow rooms, and about 40 members of the public came to watch, said Kathryn Parker of the State Board of Elections.

For the first time, a recording of the proceedings will be offered to schools for lessons on the Electoral College. The video also will be posted to YouTube.

Officials say it’s an important process to demystify for youngsters, some of whom actually might find the proceedings bearable, if not, well, cooler.

“It was cool because it’s becoming official now that Obama is the president,“ said Elisabeth Carver, 12, of Prince William County. Carver’s grandmother, Janet Carver, was an elector for the 11th Congressional District.

“I think it’s awesome we have the first black president.“