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And the pendulum swings

If Donald Trumps presidency and the success of the House Freedom Caucus resulted from the backlash unleashed by a certain type of conservative voter, who had long felt marginalized and ignored, then we are alreadyin just a few short monthswitnessing a strong counter-backlash.

Unlike the swing of a pendulum, which in normal circumstances will gradually lose momentum in response to the forces of friction, the political pendulum is still gaining speed and force.

Witness the rapid rocketing of Albemarle County native Tom Perriello to the top of a poll in the Virginia gubernatorial race.

Democrat Perriellos recent success comes not just in response to last years Republican victories but also is a reaction to, and rebuke against, fellow Democrats whom the progressive wing of the party view as too moderate.

Just as moderate Republicans have been tumbled from power over the past few years, now moderateor, at least, traditionalDemocrats are being challenged by a robust politically liberal movement. Republicans are being pushed further right; Democrats are being pulled further left.

The Democrats heir-apparent for Virginia governor has been Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who has patiently bided his time in the No. 2 slot awaiting his chance at the nomination.

For both parties, gubernatorial candidates often step up to the nomination after serving as lieutenant governor or attorney general. Thats not always true, of course; current Gov. Terry McAuliffe was an exception. But service in one of the other two statewide positions is usually seen by party leaders as a prep step to the gubernatorial nomination.

Then out of left field came Tom Perriello.

Defeated by a Republican challenger in 2011 after one term in the House of Representatives, Mr. Perriello turned toward other forms of serviceincluding as a U.S. special envoy to parts of Africa, appointed by President Obama.

He announced his candidacy in early January, an apparent reaction to Hillary Clintons loss in the presidential election. Immediately after that loss, some critics began speculating that Ms. Clinton was too traditional, too mainstream, too tied to party insiders (and too flawed in other ways) to have had a chance of wowing and wooing voters. They argued that firebrand Bernie Sanders from the left wing of the party would have had a better chance.

Now Mr. Sanders has endorsed Tom Perriello and even has campaigned with him.

The progressive strategy is paying off. With the nomination only a couple of months away, a new poll puts Mr. Perriello ahead of Dr. Northam.

By todays standards of progressivism, Mr. Perriellos record as representative was more that of a moderate. But he clearly now identifies with the progressive wing of his party.

By the way, the governors race isnt the only place where a surge of progressivism may be swamping more midstream politicians.

In Charlottesville, several liberal movements have taken hold in recent years, from Occupy Charlottesville to the recently formed Equity and Progress in Charlottesville. A number of new candidates have filed to run for City Council, some of whom cite progressive social issues in their platforms.

By itself, the creation of EPiC, whose website stresses that Status quo is not good enough, signals that many city residents are unhappy with traditional Charlottesville politics.

Both statewide and locally, well see in the next election how far the swinging pendulum might take us. Based on the messages from the current backlash, it just might be a wild ride.

The (Charlottesville) Daily Progress

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EDITORIAL: Progressives seek a stamp on politics - The Daily Progress