Virginia AG Race: Hey, Stop the Celebrating!

On Nov. 9, 2002, the University of Kentucky's football players took a big bucket of Gatorade and dumped it on Coach Guy Morris (above) when the Wildcats scored a field goal with 11 seconds left to take a lead 30-27 on Nick Saban's LSU Tigers. (Here's the video.) One kickoff and two plays later, LSU scored a touchdown on a long hail Mary pass with a couple of ticks left and won the game back, 33-30.

There is a good lesson in that. As Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over 'til it's over" (Richard Wagner had a fat lady singing) and the attorney general's race in Virginia isn't done, boys and girls, so stop sticking forks in it (OK, through with the metaphors).

We still have the recount to go through and I don't give a tinker's dam what history says about recounts (that they rarely result in more than a 10-15-vote difference). Ken Cuccinelli is still in the AG's office and that could result in enough mischief for a couple of hundred votes in a recount. That'd be enough to pour a tankerload of Gatorade on the entire celebration (can't help, metaphorically speaking).

Be vigilant, but don't celebrate until the head vote honcho in Virginia says, following the inevitable recount, "Mr. Herring, you may now take a seat in your new office." Then you can dump the Gatorade on him.

Former state Senator Brandon Bell of Botetourt County had this observation on his Facebook page about what the future holds:

"I have seen a bit of facebook chatter concerning excitement that with the election or Northam to Lt. Gov. that the Democrats will now control the Virginia Senate. As Lee Corso would say "not so fast". Currently Northram's Senate seat is vacated and a special election will be held in time for the new member to be seated to the start of session.

"Assuming a Democrat holds that seat, attention turns to the AG race. Both candidates being State Senators the historically close race won't likely be decided until mid December following a recount and court challenges. Therefore, it is highly unlikely the replacement for the winner won't be available to be seated on the first day of session. This is the day which all organization matters are dealt with.

"Therefore should Herring prevail in the AG race the democrats will be down 20-19. Conversely should Obenshain win the democrats will be UP 20-19. Ironic, a win in the AG race might just cost the majority in the Senate."

(Video still: ESPN.)