Tag: Gordon C. Morse
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Wrecked Rectors & Busted Boards
by Gordon C. Morse Here’s what John G. Rocovich, former rector of Virginia Tech, wrote to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger last Thursday: “Virginia Tech deserves better than to be made a political football. I have given too much of my life to this institution to stand by silently while its independence is threatened — regardless…
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Gordon K. Davies, RIP
by Gordon C. Morse I learned earlier today of the death of Gordon K. Davies, the former head of the State Council for Higher Education. He was ousted from that post almost 30 years ago, and Virginia was the less for it. Occasionally, the commonwealth attracts brilliance to its service, and Gordon was brilliant enough…
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Spanberger in Full
Now we’re getting somewhere. by Gordon C. Morse Turns out Virginia may have a governor, after all. You always wonder how long it will take before they get mad. Being inundated with poorly thought-through legislation — much of it portentous and progressive (abundantly so) — may have tested, with telling effect, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s patience.…
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April 21: District Madness
by Gordon C. Morse The “Yes” and “No” signs on the April 21 referendum to amend Virginia’s Constitution are getting mixed up with the “Yes” and “No” signs on the data centers. It’s all very confusing. And not. The answer on overhauling Virginia’s congressional districts is “No.” Just go in there and vote “No” and…
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April 21: Not Really What Virginia Needs Now
by Gordon C. Morse Want a political version of blunt force trauma? Then welcome to Virginia’s April 21 referendum on congressional redistricting. Look at the map and behold the winners. No one has to be fair about “fairness.” It’s “temporary,” they keep saying. Temporary — as in, it won’t last long. You could say as…
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VMI & the Task Force
by Gordon C. Morse Virginia Military Institute, defined in the broadest sense of its extended community, may wish to reconsider its collective commitment to being correct and thoughtful. Meaning, under the circumstances, consider this to be a threat assessment. VMI’s loyalists should not confuse a proposed legislative “study”—a proposed task force, in this instance—for being…
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The Abigail Era Begins
by Gordon C. Morse Next week, Virginia will open the 2026 regular session of the Virginia General Assembly, with the Democratic Party ruling both House and Senate, then proceed to inaugurate a new governor, Abigail Spanberger. How will it go? Ah, yes, there’s the question. You can guess, but you don’t really know and that…
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Governance Breakdown in Virginia Higher Ed
by Gordon C. Morse Here’s the thing to sort out about Virginia’s colleges and universities: These schools achieved widespread acclaim on the basis of a rather specific, long-standing governing arrangement. Today most everyone looks upon Virginia higher education with pride and satisfaction. It works for us; it has for a long time. So why have…
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It Was Singular
Not plural by Gordon C. Morse Jay Jones prevailed. Manic text messages and a lead foot notwithstanding, Jones will be the next Virginia attorney general — and, you know, that’s democracy. Abigail Spanberger is now the Governor-elect. Virginia Sen. Ghazala Hashmi will be lieutenant governor. They racked up big margins, and it was impressive. The…
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Tuesday’s Election…
And the discoveries that follow by Gordon C. Morse With state elections bearing down on them, Democratic Party leaders of the General Assembly brought everyone to Richmond last week, all in the cause of a constitutional amendment to allow, in mid-decade, a reconfiguration of Virginia’s congressional districts. Virginia Senate elections lie two years off, but…
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Dysfunction Junction
Virginia’s statewide contests near an end. by Gordon C. Morse So, here we are. The morning steals upon the night. The election approaches. Two weeks to go. About this debate last week. It raised a number of questions and not just about the two candidates for attorney general. Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate, said he…
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Viva Abigail!
The revolt to normal by Gordon C. Morse It all comes down to leadership, we’re forever told. In that regard, two national newspapers recently took measure of Abigail Spanberger, the clear front-runner in the race to become Virginia’s next governor. “Welcome to the year of the national security mom,” The New York Times announced. Spanberger’s…
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Virginia’s Upper Body
Finding inspiration in all the wrong places by Gordon C. Morse Virginia Senate Democrats – the leadership, primarily – have taken a wrecking crew mentality to higher education and exposed themselves to condemnation for doing the very things they passionately denounce others for doing. In this instance, on Thursday afternoon, the majority Democrats serving on…
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The Governor’s Race
Polls, common sense, Eskimo Pie, $$$, tonsils by Gordon C. Morse Just like that, Virginia Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate for governor, has seen a significant improvement in her race with former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat. This news came via Roanoke College, whose polling folks calculated a few months ago that Earle-Sears trailed…
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A New President for The University
And oh so many to manage and lead. by Gordon C. Morse The University of Virginia, it announced on Monday, has an interim president. His name is Paul G. Mahoney and he’s been around for a while – living and working within the body of the beast – and that’s promising. He has friends; he…