Keeping up with all the candidates, incumbents, inter-party disputes, and mud slinging contests can be difficult, but here at AltDaily, we make it easy for you.

Feast your eyes on the top five stories from Virginia’s blogosphere and get up to date with what’s happening in the alternate universe we call politics.

1. Bob McDonnell Refuses to Subsidize Radio Station, Jumps at Chance to Subsidize Movie Company

But it's a Spielberg movie!

From Bearing Drift, Virginia’s premiere GOP blog, we have an article criticizing McDonnell for providing a $4.6 million taxpayer subsidy to Steven Spielberg for his new film “Lincoln.” According to blogger Norm Leahy;

“Spielberg will receive $1 million from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and an additional $2.5 million from the Virginia Motion Picture Tax Credit program. But because catering trucks and security don’t come cheap, the state is also tossing in $1.1 million worth of in-kind contributions… Just don’t expect to get a thank you note, invitation to the premiere, or even a discounted movie ticket in exchange for your generosity.”

So while McDonnell thinks, “government should not be subsidizing one particular group of stations,” he clearly thinks we should be subsidizing one particular movie company.

2. Four Potential Candidates Line Up To Challenge Republican Scott Rigell

Even though this is from Roll Call, I found it via Vivian Paige’s Blog, so big hat tip to her on this one. As home to the SEAL Team involved in the raid on Bin Laden’s compound, the 2nd Congressional District also happens to be a major battle ground and bellwether district. Obama won here in 2008, but McDonnell and Rigell won by huge margins in 2009 and 2010. According to another Bearing Drift Blogger and infamous political consultant Brian Kirwin;

Congressman Scott Rigell

“What I would suspect is in 2012 you’ve got Obama back on the ticket, all Democrats have to do is run a respectable candidate and Rigell is history. It’s very military, not hard-core Republican. Before 2000, this district was owned by Democrats.”

So who are these respectable candidates? The article says there are four possible contenders, but only names three; former Congressman Glenn Nye, current and soon to be former Delegate Paula Miller, and businessman Paul Hirschbiel.

Most local Democratic activists can’t stand Nye because of his votes against Obama’s signature pieces of legislation and Delegate Miller, according to one operative, doesn’t have the fire in the belly needed to run for Congress. That leaves Paul Hirschbiel and mystery candidate number four. All I know about Mr. Hirschbiel is that he, according to multiple sources, makes Scott Rigell look like a pauper. Will we have a millionaire vs. millionaire battle royale next November? Only time will tell.

3. Is Obama Getting Bad Election Advice?

This one if from Blue Virginia, a popular Democratic blog with writers from across the state. Contributor Teddy Goodson was on a conference call recently with Obama Advisor Jim Messina and a whole host of Virginia Democrats. He was expecting a serious discussion about how Democrats could close the enthusiasm gap, but was dismayed to find it was exactly the opposite.

Messina.

You see, too often in politics conversations like these turn into nothing more than candidate love fests. Everyone talks about how great so-and-so is and how we are going to take back or retain whatever seat is in play, but no one ever gets into specifics or touches on the realities of the situation.

The truth of the matter, as Mr. Goodson so aptly points out, is that Democrats have a huge problem pulling together the constituencies that delivered Obama his historic win in previously dark red Virginia. Deeds got whipped by McDonnell in 2009 and Democrats lost three Congressional seats in 2010. If they don’t wake up and smell the coffee, odds are they will be headed for another loss in 2012, but of course that all depends on one big factor here in Virginia; George Allen. This leads us to our next blog…

4. George Allen Being Tracked By Alan Piracha

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch Blog we have this story about George Allen’s new tracker Alan. Those who haven’t been living under a rock for the past six years should know something about George Allen and trackers, mainly this gaffe heard around the world, otherwise known as “Macaca.” It’s not often that a new word gets coined into our political lexicon, but Allen did just that when he insulted SR Sidarth back at a campaign event in 2006. After talking about how he was going to run a positive campaign, he had this to say:

Former Senator George Allen

“This fellow here, over here with the yellow shirt, macaca, or whatever his name is. He’s with my opponent. He’s following us around everywhere. And it’s just great. … Let’s give a welcome to macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.”

For those unfamiliar with the political art of tracking, it is quite literally when a paid campaign staffer follows another candidate around with a video camera everywhere he goes in hope of catching some gaffe that can then be turned into fodder for TV commercials or news releases. Footage is also used to study the candidate’s talking points, message strategy, who his staff his, how big the crowds are, and a whole host of other things.

During the recent 2nd Congressional District race here in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Republican Scott Rigell was tracked by DPVA David Cary who did a heck of a job catching Rigell saying some pretty interesting things. His YouTube channel is still up and you can check it out right here.

5. Old People Die, Gay Marriage Becomes More Popular (Than Tim Kaine or George Allen)

From the web genius who brought you Richmond Sunlight, we have this hilarious, yet spot on analysis from Waldo Jaquith on why gay marriage is becoming more popular in Virginia. According to a new poll by the Washington Post;

“Forty-seven percent of Virginians say gay couples should be allowed to legally wed, and 43 percent are opposed, according to the poll. Fifty-five percent of Virginians say gay couples should be able to legally adopt children.”

Those results are a big step up from years past and here is Waldo’s explanation of why;

“Most young folks think that gay marriage should be legal. Most old folks think it should be illegal. As those old folks become dead folks, and more young folks come along, there’s every reason to think that these numbers will keep right on rising.”

So there you have it. As old people die, gay marriage will become ever more popular and accepted. Makes perfect sense to me as it seems to be a pretty common theme throughout human history. Young people are always more accepting of change while old folks cling to era’s past.

And Speaking of era’s past, Ben “Not Larry Sabato” Tribbet took note of the fact that gay marriage polled one point higher than both George Allen and Tim Kaine, who happen to be in a statistical dead head. How’s that for a shock poll?