As relevant as we want to be

Davon Gray
Published: August 17, 2008

No doubt about it; Virginia is the place to be in November. Four years ago, John Kerry’s presidential campaign tried to convince Virginians the state was in play for Democrats. In the end he was wrong
but one thing that was revealed in that election and is still true now; Virginia is going to be a state to watch in the future for national politics, starting now.

But I have one question: Will that attention benefit Virginians? 

There is one complaint that always seems to surfaces when someone is running for president, especially during primary season: “We only see you when you need our votes.” 

I remember several times hearing voters complain about the false sense of attention during the Iowa Caucuses back in January. Presidential hopefuls flock to places like Des Moines, Iowa to give their
positions on Ethanol and supporting America’s family farmers only to have those Iowa bread and butter issues thrown in the scrap heap of temporary importance. Though, that might be different this time
because Iowa might also be one of those swing states.

Nevertheless, Virginians have a chance to be wooed and romanced like Iowans are during their caucus season. However, the extra attention only means something if we get the candidates and the media
to focus on our issues. 

Now when I say our issues, I am not referring to Democrat or Republican slant or spin on issues. I’m talking about issues exclusive to our area or at least areas of the country like ours. 

For instance, what about mass transit?

Both presidential candidates are talking about energy and environmental policy but let’s be honest, what exactly does that mean?  Yes, wind, solar and nuclear energy will help, but what about the bigger
problems that swap the more theoretical approaches with more practical ones.

Don’t get me wrong, energy and the environment are important here in Northern Virginia and in the Tidewater area but “policy speak” needs to boil down to issues like mass transit — meaning funding for
rail, bus and ferry— which could have a direct effect on cleaning up the environment, saving energy and helping people commute. We all know that solutions like fewer people and congestion on the roads,
fewer emissions in the air and smoother transportation systems are energy smart and environmentally sound. So why aren’t we hearing this in the campaigns? 

To this point I have not heard anyone even mention transportation issues at the presidential level.  Arguably, transportation is the most important domestic issue because it has the potential to touch the
most citizens. That’s true for Virginians and other metropolitan areas around the country.

Transportation isn’t the only thing relevant here in Virginia. Issues like immigration reform and unethical lending practices are extremely relevant and certainly need to be discussed at the national level.

Whatever the candidates discuss, Virginia being in play is not as important as Virginians being heard.  For the first time in my lifetime, Virginia will have all the attention it can hope for. 

For voters, that means we need to make the candidates accountable to answering the questions that are relevant to our community.

If candidates want our vote, they need to come and visit with more than just a slogan or quick lines. Likewise, we as voters need to ask and demand more from the candidates as they swarm into Virginia.

This campaign season needs to mean as much to us, as voters, as it does to the candidates trying to get elected.

Davon Gray works in Washington, D.C., and resides in Woodbridge. Contact him at .