Week’s End

WEEK'S END

The comedy surrounding the naming of Richmond's new baseball team makes something of a point. The proliferation of franchises has exhausted the availability of good names. Indeed, purists would say the art of naming teams has gone into serious decline since "Dodgers" set a mark that cannot be surpassed.

This is the season for the United Way, and, yes, circumstances are tight. Many employees have endured pay cuts; many have lost jobs. The needs addressed by United Way agencies not only have not disappeared but have grown more difficult. Every contribution is appreciated and put to good use. "For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."

When asked what voters want to talk about when they go door to door, candidates have told us, "Health care." These are candidates, we should explain, not for the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives but for positions in Virginia. The SRO turnout at

The Times-Dispatch's health care Public Square that featured Reps. Eric Cantor and Bobby Scott made the same point.

Trend-watchers pay attention to Virginia's off-year gubernatorial elections, which twice in the past three decades have had national implications. Virginia could play a starring role in next year's midterms, when the commonwealth might serve as a leading indicator of nationwide movement. If Democrat Tom Perriello survives in the 5th District, then the GOP will have almost no chance of retaking the House. A Perriello victory would suggest GOP gains would fall short of current expectations. For the GOP to capture the House, Democrat Glenn Nye probably would have to lose in the 2nd District as well.