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E34: How Virginia's Two-Party System Became a Model for America
What if America's founders were right all along about divided government? As our nation approaches its 250th birthday amid unprecedented polarization, Virginia might hold the blueprint for making democracy work again.
Frank Atkinson, attorney, author, and veteran of both the Reagan administration and Virginia politics, takes us on a fascinating journey through the Commonwealth's political evolution. With remarkable clarity, he reveals how Virginia—the cradle of American democracy—has become a laboratory for successful divided government in modern times.
Drawing from his forthcoming book and decades of firsthand experience, Atkinson argues that Virginia's competitive two-party system has produced better outcomes than one-party dominance. Since 2000, no state has experienced more divided government than Virginia, creating a political environment where collaboration isn't just desired—it's required.
The conversation explores transformational figures who shaped Virginia's political landscape: Mills Godwin, who served as governor as both Democrat and Republican; the populist firebrand Henry Howell; and George Allen, whose policy-driven governorship succeeded despite facing a Democrat-controlled legislature. Through these stories, Atkinson illuminates how Virginia managed to implement major reforms through bipartisan cooperation.
Perhaps most remarkably, even after court-ordered redistricting created entirely new legislative districts in 2023, Virginia's elections resulted in extraordinarily narrow margins—51-49 in the House and 21-19 in the Senate. This persistent competitiveness defies the national trend toward partisan entrenchment.
Atkinson doesn't paint an idealized picture. He acknowledges the challenges of redistricting, geographic sorting of voters along partisan lines, and the nationalization of state politics. Yet he maintains that Virginia's experience offers hope that divided government can foster the compromise and problem-solving that seems increasingly elusive at the national level.
As we struggle to overcome deadlock and dysfunction in Washington, this conversation offers a compelling vision for how our democratic system—when functioning as the founders intended—can still deliver results even amid fierce partisan competition. Listen and discover why Virginia's political model might just be what America needs in its next quarter millennium.
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By Brian Campbell and Carthan CurrinWhat if America's founders were right all along about divided government? As our nation approaches its 250th birthday amid unprecedented polarization, Virginia might hold the blueprint for making democracy work again.
Frank Atkinson, attorney, author, and veteran of both the Reagan administration and Virginia politics, takes us on a fascinating journey through the Commonwealth's political evolution. With remarkable clarity, he reveals how Virginia—the cradle of American democracy—has become a laboratory for successful divided government in modern times.
Drawing from his forthcoming book and decades of firsthand experience, Atkinson argues that Virginia's competitive two-party system has produced better outcomes than one-party dominance. Since 2000, no state has experienced more divided government than Virginia, creating a political environment where collaboration isn't just desired—it's required.
The conversation explores transformational figures who shaped Virginia's political landscape: Mills Godwin, who served as governor as both Democrat and Republican; the populist firebrand Henry Howell; and George Allen, whose policy-driven governorship succeeded despite facing a Democrat-controlled legislature. Through these stories, Atkinson illuminates how Virginia managed to implement major reforms through bipartisan cooperation.
Perhaps most remarkably, even after court-ordered redistricting created entirely new legislative districts in 2023, Virginia's elections resulted in extraordinarily narrow margins—51-49 in the House and 21-19 in the Senate. This persistent competitiveness defies the national trend toward partisan entrenchment.
Atkinson doesn't paint an idealized picture. He acknowledges the challenges of redistricting, geographic sorting of voters along partisan lines, and the nationalization of state politics. Yet he maintains that Virginia's experience offers hope that divided government can foster the compromise and problem-solving that seems increasingly elusive at the national level.
As we struggle to overcome deadlock and dysfunction in Washington, this conversation offers a compelling vision for how our democratic system—when functioning as the founders intended—can still deliver results even amid fierce partisan competition. Listen and discover why Virginia's political model might just be what America needs in its next quarter millennium.
Support the show