On Sunday, the Times-Dispatch published an op-ed by Brian discussing November’s elections, and looking forward to building on the Democratic record of success in Virginia.

Election Day is but a beginning. True leadership is not about winning elections, but about providing the government Virginians deserve. And these elections were a clear and ringing affirmation of the commonsense approach that Virginia Democrats have provided.

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We did it! Over the past few months we’ve been traveling across the Commonwealth asking you to get your friends out to elect more great Democrats in Virginia, and yesterday you responded in force.

In 2001, you elected Mark Warner as Governor. In 2005, you brought Tim Kaine to Richmond to continue Warner’s work. In 2006, you sent Jim Webb to the Senate. And yesterday you elected a whole slate of great Democrats.

We won 4 seats in the House of Delegates, and took control of the Senate of Virginia. In the House, this is the largest gains since 1975, and we saw gains in the traditionally Republican areas of Virginia Beach and Prince William County. It was a tremendous night where we changed the House of Delegates and put Democrats on the path to take control in the next few years.

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Yesterday, Brian joined Gov. Kaine and former Gov. Mark Warner for some huge pre-election rallys in Fairfax. The Washington Post was there, and has a video available on their site.

Today, an all-star cast of Virginia Democrats rallied voters in Prince William and Fairfax counties and was headed to Fredericksburg and Norfolk later in the day to do the same.

On the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, former governor Mark R. Warner, Sen. James Webb and dozens of state and local candidates crowded an outdoor stage to cheer on hundreds of volunteers and faithful Democrats.

“One party is about optimism and hope, and one party is about, ‘Who are we afraid of?’ ” said Kaine, to cheers.

State Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said a vote for Democrats is a vote for a more responsible transportation solution than the package of local taxes approved in February by the Republican-led General Assembly.

Moran took particular aim at the controversial new fees for Virginia motorists, who are being assessed penalties of $750 to $3,000 for serious traffic offenses. He said a vote for Democrats is also a vote for stem cell research and for an increase in the minimum wage.

Added Warner, who is running for the Senate next year: “So far, what we’ve had from the other side is, ‘No.’ “

And check out these great photos on Raising Kaine.

This morning, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran was a guest of Mark Plotkin on WTOP’s “The Politics Program” to discuss Tuesday’s elections. He was joined by Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Hager.

Of note, Republican Party Chairman Hager made the first public announcement of Virginia Republicans opposition to the SCHIP program that would provide healthcare for 18,000 low income children.

Click here to listen to the full discussion.

Yesterday afternoon, Brian joined Lowell and everyone at Raising Kaine for a great conversation about the upcoming elections, and the Democrats’ plans for common sense legislation that will improve the lives and economic opportunity of all Virginians.

Brian answered questions about a number of policy proposals, including campaign finance, abusive driver fees, and early childhood education.

The good news in Virginia is our full disclosure laws that allows every Virginia voter to examine campaign contributions by going to www.vpap.org. Sunlight is the best disinfecttant.

One small positive steps we made a few years back was legislation to expand tax credits for those that make small political donations. The bill has been used successfully to level the playing field and I’d encourage anyone who can to send a $50 contribution to the candidate of your choice.

Last year, I also sponsored legislation cracking down on out of state groups that funnel money through Virginia – using Virginia as a Cayman islands of campaign finance.

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