Sheila Johnson

Sheila Johnson Co-Chairing McDonnell's Inauguration

Eric Kleefeld | November 17, 2009, 4:37PM

Sheila Johnson, BET Co-Founder

A special name pops up on the list of co-chairs for Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's (R-VA) inauguration: Sheila Johnson, a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television -- who is best known for having made fun of Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds for stuttering.

The McDonnell campaign had initially declined to condemn Johnson's joke or distance themselves from it, after it had come to light. Johnson herself issued an apology shortly afterward. Her status in the campaign did not seem to be damaged, as she later continued to hold McDonnell events and even starred in a campaign ad.

Also on the list is Susan Allen, a former first lady of the state, and wife of former Governor and former Senator George Allen.

Ed Gillespie

Ed Gillespie Joins McDonnell Transition Team In VA

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 13, 2009, 5:25PM

Fmr. White House Advisor Ed Gillespie

Former George W. Bush adviser Ed Gillespie has found a new Republican executive to guide behind the scenes -- Virginia's Governor-elect, Bob McDonnell.

Gillespie was McDonnell's campaign chair during the campaign, which ended in a McDonnell landslide on Nov. 3. He's now signed on to the McDonnell transition team as a "Senior Advisor."

Others on the list announced today by McDonnell's transition team include former GOP Representatives Tom Davis and Thelma Drake. Both left Virginia's congressional delegation in 2008. Current House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's wife, Diana, is also on the list. She is a former investment banker at Goldman Sachs and the founder of Virginia's independently-run College Savings Plan.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | November 6, 2009, 2:18PM

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: RNC chairman Michael Steele, DNC chairman Tim Kaine

• CBS, Face The Nation: Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), Republican political consultant Ed Rollins, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA).

• Fox News Sunday: Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA).

VA-GOV

Deeds Thanks Supporters, Says 'Next Chapter Has Yet To Be Written'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 10:23PM

VA-Gov. candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

In his victory speech tonight, Gov-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA) thanked his rival Creigh Deeds (D) and promised to work for all Virginians.

He also said he'd keep working with Deeds, who will remain in the state senate.

Deeds just sent supporters a thank-you note and said he will keep fighting "for the working families of Virginia."

Full note after the jump.

Read more »

VA-GOV

All Politics Is Local For McDonnell Tonight

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 10:08PM

As national GOP leaders continue to suggest his victory his a boon for Republicans across the country, governor-elect Bob McDonnell kept it local in his Virginia victory speech tonight.

"To my fellow Virginians I say I am very humbled and honored," McDonnell told a cheering crowd at his victory rally in Richmond tonight. "I am ready to go to work to serve you and help lead Virginia for the next four years."

He made no mention of the national Republican resurgence GOP leaders say McDonnell's landslide victory over Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds brings with it.

"For those of you who are here who supported me I say 'thank you,'" McDonnell said. "For those of you who did not support me I say, 'give me a chance to earn your trust.'"

Read more »

VA-GOV

Pawlenty On Virginia: Voters Embraced McDonnell's 'Conservative Message'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 8:46PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued a statement on Bob McDonnell's (R-VA) win in Virginia tonight:

"I want to send my congratulations to Bob, Maureen and their family. Bob ran a positive campaign based on the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and low taxes. Virginians embraced his conservative message, rejecting more taxes, card-check and spending that would hurt economic growth and job creation. I'm especially proud of the RGA's historic role in supporting Bob's effort, and look forward to working with the Governor-Elect next year."

VA-GOV

Steele: GOP Sweep In Virginia 'Blow' To Obama

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 8:14PM

Candidate For Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

RNC Chairman Mike Steele is happy about Bob McDonnell's win in Virginia, and sends over a statement regarding the expected sweep from the GOP ticket.

Steele takes a whack at Obama:

Read more »

VA-GOV

Virginia: McDonnell Wins After Lackluster Turnout

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:59PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

The AP and MSNBC have called the Virginia gubernatorial race for Republican Bob McDonnell.

The unsurprising win keeps the Virginia tradition going - the party that controls the White House has lost the election for governor since 1977.

Though it came later than expected, it's bad news for Virginia Democrats, who are likely to lose House seats tonight and potentially the downticket races as well. The Democrats have held the governor's mansion since 2002 and have made gains in recent years.

President Obama was the first Democrat to win the state's presidential vote since 1964, and Virginia's electoral votes put him over the top to capture the presidency.

Creigh Deeds (D) had banked his entire strategy in the last few weeks on turning out Obama voters.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Virginia Early Results: McDonnell Leading

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:31PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

Half an hour after polls closed and with less than 5 percent of precincts reporting in Virginia, gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell (R) is leading Creigh Deeds (D).

It's a better-than-expected result at this early hour, since Deeds had been trailing by double digits and many thought the race would be called in McDonnell's favor by this point.

The early exit polls suggest low turnout, a polarized electorate with Democrats favoring Deeds, Republicans backing McDonnell and McDonnell winning more of the indpendent voters.

Hotline OnCall has collected exit poll results.

VA-GOV

Voters Say 'Thanks But No Thanks' To VA-Gov

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 5:55PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

Though it's been the talk of national pundits for weeks, the Virginia gubernatorial contest has not caught the attention of voters.

From the AP:

Turnout in the race between Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell was light to moderate across the state.

VA-GOV

Virginia Democrats Say There Is Strong Turnout But Reports From Field Suggest Otherwise

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 1:44PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

We've been hearing all day about low turnout in Virginia, with no lines and fewer ballots turned in at this point in the day than one year ago when there was record participation.

But gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, who is banking everything on turnout, is telling people otherwise.

Deeds Campaign Manager Joe Abbey tells reporters in an email:

"We are seeing encouraging numbers in key parts of the state. Northern and Central Virginia in particular look strong. The Charlottesville area, which includes areas represented by Creigh Deeds in the state Senate is particularly strong and 10 percent of voters in key Democratic precincts had already voted by 10 AM. Meanwhile, voters in the populous and Democratic precincts of Alexandria and Arlington have been voting at rates well above the average in other parts of the Commonwealth."

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Camp: Last Minute Robertson Donations Show McDonnell's 'True Agenda'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 12:58PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

Creigh Deeds' campaign flags a Washington Post story showing his rival Bob McDonnell (R-VA) took in $40,000 from Pat Robertson, his son and daughter-in-law at the last minute.

The story shows the campaign took in $25,000 from Robertson, who McDonnell has said he has only spoken to a few times this year.

Deeds (D-VA) has made an issue of McDonnell's ties to the religious right and suggested in a statement that the Republican is trying to hide an "out-of-the-mainstream social agenda."

Spokesman Jared Leopold emailed reporters:

"Bob McDonnell's true agenda has been revealed. Pat Robertson's chosen candidate has come back home. If Virginians want a governor beholden to Pat Robertson, Bob McDonnell is their man. But if they want a jobs governor, the choice is clearly Creigh Deeds."

Jim Moran

Jim Moran: If GOP Were Running In Afghanistan, They Would Be On The 'Taliban Ticket'

Eric Kleefeld | November 3, 2009, 11:58AM

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) made a tough accusation against the Republicans at a Sunday get-out-the-vote rally in Virginia -- openly accusing them of being like the Taliban.

"I mean, if the Republicans were running in Afghanistan, they'd be running on the Taliban ticket as far as I can see," Moran declared.

The campaign of Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell, who has been attacked by the Democrats for his staunch social conservatism -- and a hard-right college thesis written in his 30s -- called Moran's comments "negative" and "vicious."

After that initial remark, Moran doesn't appear to be keeping this up. My TPM colleague Christina Bellantoni was at last night's rally, and tells me that Moran did not say anything like that last night. So he definitely toned it down after Sunday.

VA-GOV

GOPers Already Moving On To 'McDonnell 2012' Storyline

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 10:01AM

Va-Gov Candidate Bob McDonnell

The polls haven't closed on the Virginia gubernatorial race, but already Republicans think they have a future star in their nominee, Bob McDonnell. Columnist Jill Lawrence writes that some in the GOP see McDonnell landing on a national ticket in four or eight years.

From Politics Daily:

John Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College and a former Republican aide on Capitol Hill, went further in an e-mail to me -- calling McDonnell "as plausible as anyone else" for president or vice president in 2012.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Tells Voters To Ignore Polls Showing Him Losing In Landslide

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 9:20AM

State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) asks voters to back him at his final rally in Alexandria, Virginia Nov. 2, 2009

State Sen. Creigh Deeds closed his final rally in the Virginia governor's race on a hopeful note, telling a few hundred supporters gathered in Alexandria last night the only poll that matters is taken today between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

But in a less-than-inspirational aside, Deeds (D-VA) also said he was encouraged by the results in his local Bath County high school mock election.

"That's a precursor to this election -- we're on our way baby," Deeds said, to laughter.

Deeds backers told the crowd they know Deeds is behind by double digits but they "are hearing something different" in the calls they make to get-out-the-vote.

It was also Obamatime, as each speaker urged voters to "remember how it felt" when Barack Obama held his final rally in Manassas, Virginia the night before capturing the state and the presidency.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Polls Continue To Show McDonnell's Surge

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 2, 2009, 12:36PM

VA-Gov. candidate Robert McDonnell (R)

The good news for Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell just keeps getting better. A pair of new polls out today show McDonnell's already large lead over Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds has grown even larger as the hours tick down to tomorrow's vote.

The latest numbers from Public Policy Polling (D) show McDonnell leading by 14. SurveyUSA's newest numbers show McDonnell's lead at 18 points.

Read more »

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin GOTV Robocalls Hit VA

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 2, 2009, 9:22AM

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin is urging Virginia voters to turn out tomorrow and "vote for Sarah's principles" "vote to share our principles" in a new robocall that began rolling out across the state this weekend. The calls are paid for by a group run by former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed, and do not mention the name of any candidate, including GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell.

More from the call script, first reported this morning by CNN's Peter Hamby:

"The eyes of America will be on Virginia and make no mistake about it, every vote counts. So don't take anything for granted, vote your values on Tuesday, and urge your friends and family to vote, too."

Read more »

VA-GOV

Undecideds Choosing McDonnell In Final Days

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 1, 2009, 11:43AM

Va-Gov Candidate Bob McDonnell

With two days to go in the state's gubernatorial race, Virginia voters are coming home to GOP nominee Bob McDonnell. That's according to numbers from an important new poll published in state newspapers today.

McDonnell has led Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds since June, a lead that has extended to double digits in recent days. But polls also showed many were still undecided in the race, giving Democrats hope for a Deeds upset Tuesday. The new numbers show those undecided voters have made up their minds -- and they've decided to vote for McDonnell.

McDonnell's lead has grown with the new support. He now dominates Deeds in the Mason-Dixon Poll, 53-41.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Haley Barbour To Stump For Bob McDonnell Sat

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 30, 2009, 5:14PM

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) and gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

On the final weekend of the Virginia gubernatorial contest, GOP nominee Bob McDonnell is turning to one of the Republican party's biggest names to help him rally the vote. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) will join McDonnell at a rally in vote-rich Northern Virginia.

A former RNC chair, Barbour led the party when the GOP swept the 1994 elections and ended decades of Democratic control in the Congress. He lands in Virginia just days before McDonnell is expected to end nearly a decade of Democratic control of the governor's mansion.

Barbour currently leads the Republican Governors Association, the group that will welcome McDonnell as it's brightest new star if current polls prove to be true on Election Day.

Health Care

Governors (And Candidates) Span Spectrum On Public Option Opt-Out

Christina Bellantoni | October 28, 2009, 6:38PM

President Obama addresses National Governors Association

It's been two days since Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced a health care bill with a public option that will allow states to opt-out.

As TPMDC wrote earlier, we still don't know the mechanism for how the states would get out (or in, if that were to happen) of the public option, but we took stock of some of the candidates for governor in Tuesday's races.

Our question: Would your state opt out of a public option?

The basic tally:

In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine (D) would not. Challenger Chris Christie (R) would.

In Virginia, Bob McDonnell (R) would opt out and Creigh Deeds (D) is leaning toward opting out.

Read more »

VA-GOV

New VA-GOV Ad: McDonnell Talks About 'Hope'

Christina Bellantoni | October 28, 2009, 5:23PM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

With just a few days left in the Virginia governor's race, the candidates are making their closing arguments.

TPMDC just posted the new ad from Creigh Deeds (D), who portrays himself as substantive and also is looking for a boost from Obama voters.

Bob McDonnell (R) may be thinking about Obama too, since his new ad is all about "hope."

"Our family shares the concerns and hopes for the future that you do," he says. Watch after the jump.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Campaign: We'll Win By Turning Out Obama Voters

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 5:00PM

VA-Gov. candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

On a conference call with reporters this afternoon, the Deeds campaign explained how they plan to beat the expectations and win the Virginia gubernatorial race.

"The name of the game is getting out the vote. And people say, 'how do you expect to win at this point?" said campaign adviser Mo Elleithee. "And the answer is simple. If we can get out a significant number of people who voted for Barack Obama and Mark Warner in 2008, then we are very much in this game, and that is to be our main objective this week."

The campaign is especially targeting what it calls "Obama-surge voters," the new voters or infrequent voters who came out to polls to help Barack Obama win the state in 2008, as the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since 1964. Polling has consistently shown that Republican voters are more motivated than Democrats in this race, with polls often showing that the likely-voter pools this time around actually voted for McCain last year.

The campaign plans to get to about 175,000 doors across the state between now and election day, with a target of 200,000 doors on the big day itself, plus there will be over 700,000 GOTV calls. The question is, will it be enough to prove all the current polls wrong?

VA-GOV

With Days To Go, Big Money Still A Factor

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 26, 2009, 6:46PM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

In recent days Democrat Creigh Deeds has seen polls tilt heavily in favor of Bob McDonnell, his Republican opponent in the Virgina governor's race. But according to fundraising reports out today, his donors haven't abandoned him even as the chances of a win appear to have become more and more remote.

In the first three weeks of October, Deed raised $3.1 million according to a release from the campaign this afternoon. The campaign has slightly less than $1 million on hand to pay for GOTV and last-ditch advertising in the final eight days of the race.

The numbers put Deeds in range of McDonnell on funding, but the Republican still dominates him in both poll numbers and fundraising. McDonnell raised $4 million in the first 21 days of October, according to the campaign, and enters the final sprint to finish line with $1.8 million on hand, just about double what Deeds has in his warchest.

VA-GOV

McDonnell Takes Big Lead In Final Washington Post Poll

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 26, 2009, 6:34PM

VA gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell

GOP nominee Bob McDonnell has taken his biggest lead in the Washington Post's poll of the Virginia gubernatorial race eight days before voters go to the polls.

McDonnell's lead over Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds is now 55-44, according to the Post. The last Post poll showed McDonnell winning 53-44.

VA-GOV

McDonnell Turns To Romney To Counter Obama Visit

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 26, 2009, 9:02AM

Fmr. Gov. Mitt Romney, Va-Gov candidate Bob McDonnell

Creigh Deeds (D) may have President Obama by his side this week (well, kind of), but Bob McDonnell (R) has a big name of his own coming to Virginia in the final days of the gubernatorial contest. Mitt Romney is heading to the state for a day of joint appearances with McDonnell on on Wednesday, the day after Obama stops over in the state for a single appearance with Deeds.

Romney will stump for McDonnell in Virginia Beach, Richmond and Roanoke, meeting the press at each stop. The tour continues the list of GOP heavy hitters who have campaigned for McDonnell in Virginia so far this year, including John McCain, Tim Pawlenty and Mike Huckabee.

VA-GOV

Steele, Webb Fan Out Across VA Today

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 23, 2009, 8:52AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)

As the clock runs down on the Virginia gubernatorial contest, the cavalcade of stars is in full swing. Today, RNC chair Michael Steele and Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) will both appear in the state to stump for their party's nominee.

Webb will make a stop in Northern Virginia for Creigh Deeds this afternoon. A high turnout in the vote rich, Democratic-leaning region is vitally important for Deeds if he hopes to pull off what polls show would be an upset win over Republican Bob McDonnell.

At the same time, Steele will be kicking of a two stop tour through Virginia's southern coastal region. Steele will stump for McDonnell in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

Read more »

VA-GOV

VAins 'Not Excited' By Public Option, McDonnell Says

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 22, 2009, 6:13PM

Va-Gov Candidate Bob McDonnell

Bob McDonnell weighed in on a health care public option in an interview on Fox this afternoon. The issue, front and center in the national debate, made its way into the Virginia gubernatorial contest this week after Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds said he'd consider opting Virginia out of a public plan if a federal health care bill allows it.

In an appearance on Fox News this afternoon, McDonnell suggested he'd do the same thing. "Turning over the best doctors, the best hospitals, the best pharmaceutical research and development system to the federal government for a co-op or a public option is [an idea] I don't hear Virginians very excited about," he said.

Read more »

VA-GOV

RGA Targets Deeds Over Public Option In New Ads

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 22, 2009, 12:20PM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

Saw this coming -- the RGA has turned yet another Creigh Deeds awkward moment from a post-debate gaggle into yet another negative TV ad slamming the Democratic nominee in the Virginia gubernatorial contest.

Last month, Deeds stumbled over reporters' questions about taxes immediately following widely reported debate in Fairfax County, the heart of the D.C. suburbs. The RGA turned the moment into at least three ads, hammering Deeds for what the party said was his attempt to "have it both ways" on raising taxes.

After a televised debate Monday night, the RGA says in it's new ad, Deeds stepped in it again over his support (or lack thereof) for a public option in the health care reform debate.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Down To The Wire In Virginia - All Hands On Deck To Get-Out-The-Vote

Christina Bellantoni | October 22, 2009, 11:03AM

President Barack Obama, Va-Gov Candidate Creigh Deeds, Va-Gov Candidate Bob McDonnell, DNC Chair Tim Kaine

Democrats already have their talking points ready for what's seeming more likely - that they will lose the governor's mansion in Virginia.

Activists on the ground and Democratic officials and campaign operatives from across the state are telling TPMDC they are losing hope in the final two weeks of the race between former attorney general Bob McDonnell (R) and state senator Creigh Deeds (D).

It's the most expensive race the Democratic Governors Association has ever run, spokeswoman Emily DeRose tells TPMDC. The DGA put in $3 million toward the Common Sense Virginia group before the primary to run against McDonnell, and then gave $1 million directly to Deeds. The DNC has pledged $6 million in total.

Here's what we know - Deeds is in serious trouble. He's bleeding support from Democrats who are worried about a lackluster campaign and think a McDonnell win seems inevitable.

But - there's a glimmer of hope in President Obama, who continues to attract massive crowds at political events, and would really like to pull out a victory in the state that put him over the top last fall.

The polls showing Deeds behind are capturing the preference of likely voters, which in most cases are identified by having voted several times. If Obama can help Deeds bring out core groups of his '08 winning coalition - young people and new black voters - it could make the difference.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Poll: Dems Planning To Stay Home Nov. 3

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 21, 2009, 11:18AM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

The Democratic base is planning on staying away from the polls Nov. 3, less than a year after they braved long lines to cast ballots for President Obama. That's according to a new poll from Public Policy Polling (D) out today.

From the PPP release:

The voters planning to turn out this fall supported John McCain by six points, a clear indication that many Democratic voters are just planning to stay at home.

Bob McDonnell (R) continues to lead the race against Creigh Deeds, 52-40, "up from 48-43 three weeks ago."

Read more »

VA-GOV

WaTimes: 'Only in a fairy-tale VA are voters more worried about condoms than about years of failed Dem leadership'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 21, 2009, 10:56AM

VA-Gov. candidate Robert McDonnell (R)

Last week, Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds was touting the endorsement of his gubernatorial bid from a D.C. news outlet. This morning it was Republican nominee Bob McDonnell's turn. McDonnell earned the glowing praise of the Washington Times, which said McDonnell was "leading with ideas."

From the editorial:

"[T]he only choice for governor of Virginia is Robert F. McDonnell. Dealing with Virginia's recession requires a leader who is willing to take responsibility, not hide behind the soft and fuzzy rhetoric of bipartisanship and commissions."

Read more »

VA-GOV

Latest Poll: McDonnell 59, Deeds 40

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 20, 2009, 6:42PM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

A new SurveyUSA poll posted tonight shows the Virginia governor race has broken wide open as the days tick down to the Nov. 3 election. Republican nominee Bob McDonnell now leads Democrat Creigh Deeds by 19 points, 59-40. A similar SurveyUSA poll last week showed the race at 54-43 in favor of McDonnell.

According to the release, "McDonnell leads among both men and women, young and old, rich and poor, educated and less-educated, and in all regions of the state."

VA-GOV

Wilder: If McDonnell Wins, 'Virginia Won't Sink Into The Seas'

Christina Bellantoni | October 20, 2009, 12:30PM

Former VA Gov. Douglas Wilder

Former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder (D) says he trusts voters to make the right choice in two weeks, and would be just fine with Bob McDonnell (R) leading Virginia.

"The world won't come to an end, Virginia won't sink into the seas," Wilder told TPMDC in an interview.

Wilder, the Democrat who won't endorse the Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds, referenced the recent polls.

"I seem to be in pretty good company with the majority of voters of Virginia," Wilder said, and wouldn't tell me who he'll be voting for Nov. 3.

Read more »

VA-GOV

McDonnell's Lead Grows To Eight Points, 49-41

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 20, 2009, 8:52AM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

A new poll out this morning shows Bob McDonnell extending his lead in the Virginia gubernatorial race two weeks before Election Day. McDonnell now leads his Democratic opponent, Creigh Deeds 49-41. Ten percent of voters remain undecided in the contest.

The poll of 605 registered voters was conducted by Clarus research over the weekend. In Clarus' last poll, taken in Sept., McDonnell led by 5 points with 20% undecided.

Internals from the poll show McDonnell gaining among women, independents and voters outside the populous D.C. suburbs. Despite weeks of Democratic attacks over his 1989 master's thesis -- attacks which focused on his negative views of women in the workplace at the time -- McDonnell now leads among women by one point.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Newspaper Endorsements Take Center Stage, Again

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 19, 2009, 12:43PM

VA-Gov. Candidates Bob McDonnell (R) and Creigh Deeds (D)

It was a deja vu weekend in the Virginia governor race. Newspaper endorsements, seen as a key factor in the Democratic primary in June, returned to the spotlight after the Washington Post doubled down on its strong endorsement of Creigh Deeds from the summer.

Deeds, down in the polls just like he was before the primary, is hoping that the Post endorsement will again lead to the late surge that his camp has said was key to its landslide primary victory. But his opponent, Bob McDonnell (R), has a string of endorsements of his own, including one from a major state paper that endorsed Gov. Tim Kaine (D) four years ago.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Webb, Slammed Over His Past Writings In '06, Says McDonnell Thesis Fair Game

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 19, 2009, 11:07AM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Sen. Jim Webb (D) knows better than most that what you put on paper can come back to haunt you in Virginia politics. But three years after his past writings were used against him (he says unfairly) in his Senate race, Webb backed the attacks on GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell's 1989 master's thesis.

From Webb's interview with The Hill over the weekend:

"They were taking small excerpts from novels and attempting to use them to characterize me," he said of [GOP Sen. George] Allen's campaign, contrasting it with what [Creigh] Deeds has done. "And I think that was totally distinct from what we're talking about with respect to this situation."

Read more »

VA-GOV

President Obama Will Rally With Deeds One Week Before Election

Christina Bellantoni | October 16, 2009, 7:02PM

Va-Gov Candidate Creigh Deeds (D), President Barack Obama

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds (D) just announced President Obama will campaign with him.

It's no surprise Obama would cross the Potomac for Deeds on the eve of such a critical election. The rally will be Tuesday, Oct. 27, one week before the election.

The White House has said Obama strongly supports Deeds and will do all he can to help him defeat Republican candidate Bob McDonnell. Obama activated his grassroots supporters from his Organizing for America campaign list earlier this week, asking them to volunteer this weekend.

Obama was last in Virginia for Deeds Aug. 7.

Deeds is behind in the polls and some Democrats are worried.