THE COVERT LETTER/Brian Moran, Virginia’s Best Choice

I’m guilty of holding the theory that only native born sons, or daughters, of the Old Dominion should be allowed to be Governors.  This is probably a bit narrow in this day and age.  It’s been a difficult learning process because I hold the theory that the Story of Virginia I learned in Mrs. Woods Third Grade is still the best.

It was a cold and dreary October day 62 years ago when Mrs. Woods took her little wards on our first field trip.  We rode a bus provided by Citizens Rapid Transit (CRT) General Motors (GM) bus.  We didn’t have  yellow school buses in those days.  Let me explain, us cute little kids were perfect angels on the jitney from Newport News, Va., except maybe for Freddy Hayman, Etta Baker and Harlin Hanby, if  memory is correct.  My Aunt Tena was a chaperone that day.  I sort of figure she will agree to my recollection.

We toured the Old Church most of the morning, not the least bit disturbed that the historic church’s roof had caved in.  We had fun stomping around as the rain poured in on the floor.  Despite the elements, Mrs. Woods gave us the true story of Virginia as the first colony, even mentioning the First Thanksgiving.  I believe it to his very day.  The United States as we know it began in that settlement.  It took two decades for the restoration of the old church and Jamestown Island.

Let me continue this little history lesson a few more lines.  Jamestown is located in James City County, Va., and was formed in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. It also was the capital of the Virginia Colony for 83 years, from 1616 until 1698.  I can boast a bit because  Bruce C. Goodson, chairman of the James City Board of Supervisors, is a young cousin of mine and has led the county to prosperty.

Now, as I’ve written above, it’s always seemed true to me of course that only native borns could ascend to the governorship of Virginia, continuing the tradition of Patrick Henry, Harry Byrd, Thomas E. Stanley, Mills Godwin and John Dalton.

Now, over the past decade, I’ve gotten to know Brian J. Moran of Alexandria.  He’s what some oldtimers might describe as a “come here.”  I’d never do that.  Brian moved to the Commonwealth from Massachusetts.  I don’t hold that against him and I’ve changed my narrow thinking.  I did it without consulting smart people like Dr. Larry J. Sabato of the University of Virginia, the wisest political  analyst in the country, even ahead of the honorable Fred Grandy, former congressman from Iowa and Hollywood star, now the ace political pundit of WMAL Radio, Washington.  Moran is outstanding and a credit.

Brian Moran has established himself with honorary status as a native son of Virginia.  He was an outstanding member of the Virginia House of Delegates for 12 years in he tradition of the late State Senator Hunter B. Andrews of Hampton.

I believe Brian, who has doggedly criss-crossed the Old Dominion faithfully and continually for years has proved worthy of being governor.  He’ll be a peoples’ governor.

Without portfolio, I can declare Brian Moran a true Virginian and worthy to be our leader.  He should win Tuesday’s June 9 Democratic primary.  I’m voting for him.  I hope all real Virginians will do the same.  On his inauguration day as our 71st Governor, I’ll be giving him a copy of the real Story of Virginia.  He already knows it well.  

He’s a distingished gentleman and I endorse him without equivocation.

E-mail the writer at hmcovert@thecovertletter.com