We here in the good old Commonwealth of Virginia have been dabbling with left of center pols for a while. Being a bright red state, but not against a little competition, we have elected our second Democrat Governor. A tried and true anti death penalty advocate.

Now outgoing Governor Warner has set the stage for incoming Governor Kaine to be able to reverse his election campaign promise of leaving the death penalty alone. They are investigating the most likely error in judgement in Virginia’s death penalty history and trying DNA testing to set the stage for a suspension of the death penalty:

Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner has ordered DNA testing that could prove the guilt or innocence of a man executed in 1992, marking the first time a governor has asked for genetic testing of someone put to death.

The analysis, which began last month, comes in the case of Roger K. Coleman, a convicted killer whose proclamations of innocence — including on the night of his execution — raised concern nationwide over whether the wrong man died in the electric chair.

Warner’s decision marks a dramatic turnaround in Virginia, where officials and judges have routinely refused to reexamine evidence in criminal cases after a defendant’s conviction and have been steadfast in their denials of post-execution requests. Results of the Coleman tests, which are being conducted by scientists in a Toronto laboratory, could be announced before Warner (D) leaves office next week.

We in Virginia are about to learn a hard lesson about politicians: they rarely mean what they say and always can find an excuse to go back on their word.

Now I personally would like to know what the truth is in this case. And if the wrong man was executed we have a lot of explaining to do – to his family and loved ones – and must ensure this doesn’t happen. But it will not stop at making amends for a grievous error and fixing a process that needs to be nearly 100% accurate (an no process is, we still live in reality where perfection is a myth).

If we did execute the wrong man, watch for Kaine to suspend the death penalty indefinitely. And watch for the Beltway snipers to be at the head of the line demanding their death sentences be rescinded.

Elections do count. A Republican would have addressed the issue without eliminating the death penalty. These fanatical anti-death penalty democrats will do what it takes to stop the practice.