In Virginia, Republicans approach their safe state House seats strategically.  They nominate and elect young conservatives who build relationships, gain experience, and establish a record and a war chest for subsequent runs for higher office. Republicans use their safe seats in the legislature as platforms - for moving the state rightward, to establish legitimacy, over time, for ideas that take some selling, and to generate money, organization, and support for less-safe legislators.

Democrats approach our safe seats, well...less strategically.  We reward loyalty and nominate and elect people who've waited their turn.  We nominate and elect people who convince us best that they can "work with the Republicans" - whatever that means in a state House that tilts Republican by a margin of almost 2 to 1.  

There are at least two safe Democratic VA House seats that are open this year - the 57th District (Charlottesville), the seat from which strong progressive leader Mitch Van Yahres is stepping down, and the 45th, the seat from which long time progressive Marian Van Landingham is stepping down.

MUCH MORE after the jump...