South of the James

Congratulations to Jon Henke on his new gig with the Senate Republicans. Jon’s a good guy, virtually a neighbor (for a little while more), and he’s an elite blogger. Democrats would be wise to watch his moves as he helps Sen. McConnell navigate the closely-divided Senate.  At any rate, to the extent that Jon’s blogging will decrease, Virginia’s loss is will be Beltway Republicans’ gain.

The Carytown NYE was fun and funny. It was a large outdoor festival in the misty confines of the River City’s finest shopping district. I feel bad for the folks who went to Can-Can looking for a nice, sophisticated, francophile way of ringing in the new year. What they got was a raucous, free-champagne, American version instead. It was off “le crochet“(I took Spanish…sorry).  Big kudos to my man Albert for the coffee and bread hook-up as one of Richmond’s best-designed restaurants played host to the most unusual NYE I’ve ever had.

With the recent “Bash Waldo” fiesta that ensued after Mr. Jaquith yanked a blog from his aggregator, I’m beginning to rethink my earlier comments regarding the nonpartisan Media Bloggers Association (which is full of Pajamas Media, thus it can’t be a liberal ploy to attack Republicans, folks). This situation - regardless of the motives involved - demonstrates why 2007 may bring days of reckoning to the blogosphere in terms of teasing out the quality among the quantity. After striking it rich in the brave new world of 2006 politics, blogland may be reaping a bit of what it has sown, particularly as the MSM and political establishment (right and left) signal that they have wised up to the goings-on and reach of our community. The golden age is over, folks. It’s time to think outside the text box…

At any rate, though it’s not yet a full day old, 2007 promises to be a very interesting year…