Lyndon Johnson would be proud of me – if the bills I’m working on are enacted into law.

We’re in the counting stage.

Counting to 71, a majority of the House of Delegates.

“If your constituents know that you work hard and reach a decision on a difficult issue after much thought,” I told a first-term delegate, “they’ll cut you some slack if you cast a vote they disagree with.”

“But try not to make a habit of it,” I added.

The best poll is the one on Election Day. We think that the results of a referendum (in a member’s legislative district) are a good indication of how those constituents will react to his or her vote on a similar issue this session.

If so, it may not be such a tough vote. (see above.)

An amendment can make a good bill better, provided that change brings with it additional votes for the legislation.

We haven’t offered any yet on a certain bill.

We’re waiting for the bill hearing, where we can gauge my colleagues’ reaction.