Englin says he's in the loop now with McDonnell team

Remember the tale of poor Del. David Englin, appointed without his knowledge to serve as an adviser to Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's transition? Englin was concerned that perhaps he and other Democrats were getting added to big advisory committees purely as some bipartisan window dressing.

So this one turns out to be a case of all's well that ends well. Englin said this week that after his concerns became public on this blog, Blue Virginia and elsewhere, he got a call from the transition team--and an invite to lunch this week with McDonnell policy director Eric Finkbeiner.

"They reached out to me, very actively seeking my ideas and input," Englin said. "I've been a critic of the incoming administration, and I'm not someone they have any good reason to reach out to, other than that they genuinely seem to want to reach out. I've been frankly very impressed."