The ports may be backed up, but a Virginia businessman, Glenn Youngkin, delivered an early holiday gift – one of hope and good cheer – to the vast majority of the American people who see the nation heading on the wrong track. In defeating Clinton-crony Terry McAuliffe in the commonwealth of Virginia’s gubernatorial race on Tuesday evening, Youngkin brought smiles of relief and joy to the faces of many Americans.
Contrasted with the elation of millions of Americans, is the corporate media’s sad parade of stunned pundits. The only time CNN is watchable is when the Democrats are defeated in an election, because one can delight in the dismayed, dour, and doleful faces of the leftist commentators. It’s kind of fun to watch Gloria Borger and Van Jones, their grim countenances failing to conceal their displeasure, struggling to find words to describe, (to use a phrase of Terry McAuliffe’s cohort, Hillary) “what happened.”
And much of the time on CNN’s night of defeat, was dedicated to its obsession with one man, Donald J. Trump, as the pundits opined that it was so important for Youngkin’s path to victory to distance himself from the former president. But, here’s a wake up call, CNN. There’s a reason Joe Biden’s poll numbers have plummeted, along with your ratings. Not only is the Biden-Harris administration an utter incompetent failure on just about every aspect of governance, but so is your sycophantic attempt to prop up the administration’s socialist policies. The American people see the truth through the charade and so, it is not surprising that Virginians rejected the chaotic and dismal course of life under Democrat rule on Tuesday evening and elected Youngkin as Governor, Winsome Sears as Lieutenant Governor, and Jason Miyares as Attorney General.
There is no doubt that the American public’s opinion of President Joe Biden’s leadership, as reflected in his abysmal poll numbers, had some bearing on the outcome of the Virginia elections. But while much has been written about Biden’s stark drop in approval rating, not so much coverage has discussed another important facet of his declining numbers: his dishonesty. A Quinnipiac University poll released early last month found that a staggering 57% of Independents consider Biden to be dishonest. See, poll.qu.edu.
And who can blame folks for having that perception of Joe Biden? For example, in December of 2020, Biden said that he would not demand that the COVID-19 vaccine be mandatory. However, despite having said that, Biden has since dramatically changed course.
While the media widely reports that polling shows that vaccine mandates are supported by 60% of Americans, the media largely ignores that the notion of firing people for not being vaccinated is largely disfavored by the American people. While the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index in late October reflected that sixty percent of employed Americans support vaccination requirements in the workplace, it also showed that a mere 14% support firing employees who break an employer rule by defying a vaccine requirement or failing to undergo regular COVID testing. The Axios/Ipsos survey reflects that 25% believe nothing should happen to such employees, 17% are unsure what should happen to such employees, 20% believe they should be required to work from home or an alternate location, and 23% believe they should be placed on unpaid leave. See Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index, ipsos.com.
Virginia has a significant number of residents who are either federal employees or federal contractors, presumably some of whom have been coerced into taking the vaccine for fear of losing their jobs. Since the notion that an individual should be fired for declining to take the vaccine is so strongly disfavored among the American public, what, if any, impact did Biden’s executive ultimatum for federal employees and contractors have on the gubernatorial election in Virginia?
While that question may remain unanswered, Youngkin’s victory is important on a lot of fronts. One, is that it may serve as a bellwether to the 2022 congressional elections. Secondly, it may fortify Senator Sinema’s and Senator Manchin’s resolve to remain prudently skeptical of the socialist spending-spree proposal. And, third, it brings smiles to the faces of millions of Americans. Thank you, Virginia, for restoring hope in the future of the republic.