I’ve a fairly low opinion of the Washington Post editorial board (years of aiding and abetting the Bush Administration will do that), but apparently even they can get it right, from time to time:
THE U.S. SENATE race in Virginia pits a novice politician, Democrat James Webb , against a much more experienced one, incumbent Republican George Allen, who spent much of the early fall obliterating his reputation for amiable charm and political deftness. As Mr. Allen has partially admitted, his wounds in the close race have been mostly self-inflicted and have left a sour taste in the mouths of many Virginians. Still, there is an even better reason to vote against Mr. Allen: Quite simply, he is a mediocre senator whose six years of undistinguished service do not justify rehiring.
[ . . . ]
Virginians deserve better and more enlightened representation. Mr. Webb offers that hope.