Polls: Deeds Surges Way Ahead Of McAuliffe In Tomorrow's Virginia Dem Primary
Two new polls in tomorrow's Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia confirm that state Sen. Creigh Deeds now has the big momentum, charging way ahead of the previous frontrunner, former DNC chairman (and a colorful political figure if there ever was one) Terry McAuliffe.
From Public Policy Polling (D): Deeds 40%, McAuliffe 26%, and former state Del. Brian Moran 24%, with a ±3% margin of error. Last week, the numbers had been Deeds 27%, McAuliffe 24%, Moran 22%, with a ±4.1% margin of error.
And from SurveyUSA: Deeds 42%, McAuliffe 30%, Moran 21%, with a ±4.3% margin of error. Last week, the numbers had been McAuliffe 35%, Deeds 29%, Moran 26%, with a ±4.4% margin of error.
McAuliffe has led in this race for quite a while, thanks to a superior fundraising and advertising effort. Next up in the money race was Moran...and Deeds was the third man in the race. But then Moran began to attack McAuliffe, thus sullying McAuliffe but not actually benefitting himself. Deeds was the true beneficiary -- and right on time, too, with a run of positive ads and big newspaper endorsement in the home stretch.
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For those interested in the topic, I recommend Mike Stark's essay on why you should vote for Moran in the upcoming primary. I haven't yet made up my mind who I'm voting for (Deeds or Moran), so I appreciate all arguments. Heck, it's possible (but not likely) that I could even be convinced to vote for McAuliffe.
June 8, 2009 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Guess a "Deeds, not words" pun is mandatory at this point unless someone beat me to it.
June 8, 2009 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a lot of Democrats in Va. are scratching their heads over this one. I'll vote for Moran, but I'm fully prepared to support whichever Democrat takes it. I hope others feel the same. Let's have no PUMAs, please - that way madness (and defeat) lies.
June 8, 2009 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I think a lot of Democrats in Va are uncertain and will remain so until they walk into the voting booth. I am one of them. I am leaning towards Deeds though despite the NRA endorsement he received in 2005. I detest McAuliffe due to his outrageous comments during the primary. He won't get my vote tomorrow that is for sure. But he would get it in November if it comes down to him or the extreme right-winger McDonnell (who got his law degree from Regents University, so he would set Virginia back a generation or two!). I also have serious problems with some of Moran's pandering comments on some local issues which are simply not supported by science. However, Moran, Deeds, or McAuliffe would be infinitely better than having a neocon governor destroying all the progress made in Va in recent years.
June 8, 2009 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have you guys seen Al Giordano's story?
I recommend it. Though I don't always agree with Al, he's a brilliant politcal strategist and tactician, and I always want to at least consider what he has to say.
Here's the link:
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/stop-terry-virginia-tuesday-ground-zero-democratic-party
June 8, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Al Giordano's story is a must-read (as are most of his writings). Seems that Deeds is consolidating the anti-McAuliffe vote. Most of my friends were undecided between Deeds and Moran - but the Wash. Post endorsement as well as Moran's stalled and negative campaign really helped Deeds and hurt T Mac. Would VA in November really elect a "character" like we saw on display during the primaries, esp. towards the end? The high negatives are set, and not likely to move.
June 8, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Deeds is a disaster for November though. Virginia Dems are gonna have to show up tomorrow and make the Macker the comebacker.
June 8, 2009 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Deeds is currently outpolling McAullife and Moran against McDonnell, so I'm not sure on what basis you're suggesting he'll be a disaster.
June 9, 2009 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Deeds is actually the best candidate to beat the Repubs come november. He is from Rural VA it will be hard to call him some wacky liberal.
June 8, 2009 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not sure how Deeds would be more of a disaster than either Moran or McAuliffe. Deeds seems to understand the role of economic engine played by NoVa and it's benefit for the Southwest, and he is not reluctant to explain that fact to his constituency. He voted for the increase in gasoline tax, while Moran blocked it in committee. This article from the Post, while intending to be persuasive, makes some excellent points.
Who will it be?
June 9, 2009 7:38 AM | Reply | Permalink