This is an interview on 09/23/08 with National Public Radio's Day to Day program.

The last Democratic presidential candidate to win Virginia was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. But as the population of Northern Virginia grows, the political balance may be tilting in the Democrats' favor.

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ABC 7 News - Virginia Budget Deficit Poll

Some of the results of a poll released Tuesday by Christopher Newport University's Center for Public Policy:

STATE FINANCES

Which approach do you prefer for addressing the state's projected budget shortfall?
- 56 percent: cover the shortfall by reducing spending as much as needed but don't raise taxes and don't tap the Rainy Day Reserve.
- 31 percent: reduce spending on some programs but continue to fund most programs at their current level by tapping the Rainy Day Fund.
- 9 percent: cover the budget shortfall with tax increases, but don't touch the Rainy Day Fund.
- 5 percent: don't know.
If the General Assembly decides to reconcile the budget through spending cuts, what would you cut first?
- 55 percent: transportation.
- 41 percent: social services to low-income Virginians.
- 27 percent: public safety.
- 18 percent: health care.
- 16 percent: education.
- 14 percent: cut all equally. (volunteered response)
- 19 percent: none, don't cut. (volunteered response)

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