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I have read where this VA Governor's race ended with virtually the same GOP-Dem percentages as the last one did when the President's popularity was sky high after 9-11.

Virginians are almost predictable in their patterns of voting in such races. I don't agree with them but there it is...

True enough, but there are significant differences between 2001 and 2005, which should give the GOP some concern.

Warner received 984,177 votes in 2001 compared to Kaine's 1,022,478 in 2005. Kilgore outdrew Earley 909,540 to 887,234. What is interesting is what Warner and Earley did in NOVA compared to Kilgore and Kaine.

Warner won Fairfax County 146,537 to 120,799 for Earley. In 2005, Kaine won Fairfax County 163,195 to 103,009. Kaine had a 60,000 margin of victory compared to Warner's 26,000. Kilgore received 20,000 less votes than Earley. Similar results occurred in Arlington County and Alexandria. The Dems are turning out in greater numbers and the GOP vote is declining. It is no accident that Fairfax County went for a Dem (Kerry) in 2004 for the first time in over 40 years.

The bottom line is that the demographics of NOVA are rapidly changing and so are the voting patterns. My fear about Northern Virginia is that it will become the Detroit or Philadelphia of Virginia. Dem statewide candidates can amass such leads from Northern VA that it will guarantee them victory regardless of what happens elsewhere in the state. Over my past 26 years here, I have witnessed a remarkable political change, which I find disturbing. In addition to Fairfx, Loudon, and PW, add Arlington County and Alexandria. When you total them all up you almost get Kaine's margin of victory. Cities like Norfolk and Richmond are also in the mix.