Prominent McDonnell Donor Mocks Deeds's Speech

At a rally for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell recently, one of the Republican's most prominent backers apparently mocked the slight stutter of his opponent, Creigh Deeds.

"We need someone who can really communicate and Bob McDonnell can communicate," said Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of BET. "The other people that I talk to and especially his o-o-o-o-opponent ... he could not articulate what needed to be done.

"So communication is hugely important," she said.

According to Not Larry Sabato, Johnson made the comment at a rally for McDonnell, but McDonnell didn't address it in his remarks.

McDonnell's campaign confirms that it was a McDonnell event, but couldn't immediately provide details on the time and place. We'll update you when we know more.

The Deeds campaign could not immediately be reached for comment.

Johnson, a well-known Democratic donor in the past, surprised Virginia politicos earlier this year by endorsing McDonnell.

Late update: Deeds spokesman Jared Leopold sends us a statement:

This is a cheap shot and a new low for this race. Virginians deserve better than personal attacks like this. Creigh Deeds isn't the smoothest speaker in the race, but when he speaks he is authentic and means what he says. That's what people will respond to, not divisive personal attacks.