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.

Tim Kaine

Kaine: Deeds Was 'Nervous' About Virginia Electorate, Shouldn't Have Distanced Himself From Obama

Eric Kleefeld | November 17, 2009, 4:03PM

DNC Chair Tim Kaine and unsuccessful VA-GOV candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

DNC chairman Tim Kaine, the outgoing Governor of Virginia, told the Washington Post that Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds made some key mistakes in his landslide defeat to Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell -- mainly failing to tie himself to President Obama and thus mobilize Democrats:

"After the [June] primary was done, his advisers basically said, distance yourself from the president. We think we have our base locked down, we've got to win independents. And we're going to win by being negative about McDonnell," Kaine said. "That was the basic strategy they pursued, despite some significant urging to the contrary."

...

Kaine said the key to victory for Democrats in a highly competitive Virginia is recognizing that party members need not be "apologetic" about their affiliation to find success. He noted that about 200,000 more people voted in the Democratic primary for president on a frigid February day in 2008 than cast ballots for Deeds this year, and said McDonnell successfully spooked Deeds by suggesting that Virginians had grown anxious about the Democratic agenda.

"I think the issue of being nervous about the Virginia electorate was overdone and I think Creigh did exactly what the McDonnell campaign hoped he would do, which was distance himself from the president and national issues," Kaine said.

2010 elections

DGA Hunkers Down For '10 Battle As Leaders Warn Democrats To Keep Races Local

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 6:18PM

Democratic candidates for governor in 2010 need to avoided being baited by Republicans on national issues such as health care or climate change, Democratic officials said today in the wake of two big losses in New Jersey and Virginia.

Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, told reporters the 37 races they have on the map next year will be tough. He advised that candidates talk about jobs, the party's ability to govern and local issues.

"Republicans are going to try to use federal issues to box in Democrats and we can't fall for that," he said. "We need to demonstrate our capacity to govern and our capacity to get results."

Daschle said candidates "cannot fall for the trap" of federal issues, saying that if GOP rivals are pushing on health care or climate change they probably don't know about state issues.

TPMDC asked Daschle about candidates getting pushed on health care, especially whether they would "opt-out" of the public option in its current form. It's an issue that hurt Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia as liberals felt like he was moving too far to the right by saying he would likely opt-out.

Read more »

2009 elections

Obama Has Made The Calls

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 1:49PM

New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), President Barack Obama, Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs tells TPMDC that President Obama has phoned the winners from last night's competitive East Coast races.

Gibbs said Obama has called Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA), Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Rep.-elect Bill Owens (D-NY).

Obama also phoned New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, an independent who won reelection, and he left a message for Rep.-elect John Garamendi (D-CA).

As we reported earlier, Obama phoned the losing candidates last night.

The Washington Post has some more detail on the McDonnell call.

Ben Nelson

Nelson, Landrieu Say Election Results Do Not Diminish Their Health Care Goals

Brian Beutler | November 4, 2009, 1:44PM

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)

Today is a day for thumbsucking. After Republicans won gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and Democrats picked up two House seats, everyone in Washington is spinning away, hoping to change the conventional wisdom, and, perhaps politics on Capitol Hill. But will it work? Today, two of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate said yesterday's election results won't have any effect on their votes on health care.

"There are no lessons in there for me, other than a lesson that I already had and that is we need to be very cautious and careful on spending," said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) . "[W]e need to redirect a lot of our attention right back to the basic economy and trying to figure out ways to help with the economic woes that we have, and that may mean that we have to readjust some of the other priorities around here."

So this doesn't have an effect on the limits you'd like to impose on reform, I asked.

"No," he said.

Read more »

2009 elections

Obama Called Losers Last Night, Will Call Winners Today

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 10:38AM

New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), President Barack Obama, Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R)

President Obama has not yet called Republican governors-elect Chris Christie in New Jersey or Bob McDonnell in Virginia.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his gaggle today that Obama did not watch the returns last night, a trend which is not unusual since he didn't watch returns for his own races as they came in.

"He wanted them to enjoy their night with their families and supporters," Gibbs said.

Gibbs said he sent Obama some email updates throughout the night and spoke with him on the phone. (As for what the races mean, all politics is local, Gibbs said this morning.)

The president was "disappointed" that his "friend" Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) was defeated, Gibbs said.

The president did talk to Corzine and state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) last night.

Gibbs said Obama will call the victors today.

McDonnell is holding a press conference this afternoon.

2009 elections

Gibbs: Dem Losses In VA And NJ 'Didn't Involve The President'

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 10:28AM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his morning gaggle that Republican wins last night "demonstrate that voters" are working through "local issues that didn't involve the president."

Read more »

2009 elections

Red Tide: After Losses In Virginia and New Jersey What Will Obama Say?

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 11:49PM

VA-GOV candidate Bob McDonnell and NJ-GOV candidate Chris Christie

President Obama will wake up Wednesday morning on the one-year anniversary of his historic election with two fewer Democratic governors he can call allies.

In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie unseated Gov. Jon Corzine (D). Virginia Republicans swept the statewide races and picked up seats in the state house as Republican former attorney general Bob McDonnell walloped state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) by more than 15 points.

Here's what we know:

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Michael Steele

Steele To Meet The Press Tomorrow

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 10:52PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

After hopping a plane to New Jersey earlier this evening as returns began to show a victory for Republican governor-elect Chris Christie, RNC chair Michael Steele will head back to the airport to fly back to to D.C. and gloat to the press about his party's dual wins in both New Jersey and Virginia.

Steele will host a 10 a.m. press conference at RNC headquarters in Washington, where he'll talk about tonight's victories (and maybe a defeat, too -- as of this post, the Democratic nominee is still leading in NY-23). The victory lap comes less than a year after Steele began his turbulent tenure as the head of the Republican party, and it's fair to say it will be the first objectively great day for Republicans since President Obama's victory last November. Expect to see a lot of smiles from a lot of tired Republican operatives who won't be getting much sleep tonight.

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.

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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

Jim Webb Congratulates McDonnell, Appeals For Bipartisanship

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 9:31PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

Republicans control the all of Virginia's statewide state government posts now, but Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) appealed to them tonight to let the party they just decimated continue to have a voice in Richmond.

From Webb's statement on the races in Virginia tonight:

"I am very familiar with long and divisive campaigns. I am confident that, with the close of campaign season tonight, we can put partisanship aside and work collectively to further the best interests of Virginia and our people."

Read more »

VA-GOV

DGA To Deeds: You Can't Beat Fate

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 9:19PM

VA-Gov. candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

The Democratic Governors Association just offered its condolences to Creigh Deeds, who just went down in a landslide to Republican Bob McDonnell in Virgina. The DGA suggested that Deeds' defeat wasn't a failure for Democrats, but was instead the GOP just doing "what every opposition party has done for the past 36 years" -- win VA-Gov.

From DGA executive director Nathan Daschle's statement tonight:

"With the worst recession since the Great Depression and history favoring the other side, we knew this race would be difficult. Sen. Deeds ran a strong campaign, despite all the headwinds he faced. Sen. Deeds is a bipartisan leader whose work has helped countless Virginians get a better education and created economic opportunity in every corner of the state. Unfortunately, he couldn't overcome the major obstacles to victory."

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 »

2008 campaign

Rubbing It In? OFA's Obama Feed Tweets About Election '08

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:44PM

President Barack Obama

As Virginia Democrats brace for a potential sweeping loss to Republicans tonight, Organizing for America chooses to reminisce.

The Barack Obama Twitter feed posted for its more than 2.5 million subscribers at 7:06 p.m.:

"Tomorrow will mark a year since our historic victory. Do you have a favorite 2008 Election Day memory? Share your stories via #Nov4"

Tonight the "By the People" documentary about the 2008 campaign is debuting on HBO, so Democrats who don't want to hear bad news can just change the channel and relive the good 'ol days.

As we reported yesterday, OFA is organizing campaign reunions.

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

Pre-Spin Battle: Dems Say Tonight Not Obama Referendum But Were Happy To Blast Bush

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 6:22PM

The White House for more than a week has been saying today's elections don't reflect on the 2010 landscape for the Democratic party or President Obama.

That's been echoed by Democrats across the spectrum today as the party braces for a probable loss in Virginia, a possible loss in the 23rd Congressional district in New York and a toss-up in New Jersey.

"I don't think looking at the two gubernatorial races, you can draw with any great insight what's going to happen a year from now any more than if Jake's team wins tomorrow night I can tell who's going to win next year's World Series," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today.

"We don't look at either of these gubernatorial races or the congressional race as something that portends a lot for our legislative efforts going forward or political prospects in 2010," he added.

"In 2001, President Bush lost Virginia and New Jersey. I don't believe that it impacted his legislative initiatives going forward," Gibbs said.

But TPM intern superstar Darius Tahir went searching, and found plenty of examples of Democrats saying Bush was doomed.

Read more »

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 »

NY-23

Democrats Delight: Say Moderates Pushed From GOP

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 2:37PM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

There's no doubt that even though they are facing the possibility of triple losses tomorrow, Democrats have found a talking point they are comfortable with.

On the Sunday shows yesterday and in conversations with reporters today, Democrats from the White House press secretary to the national campaign committees say moderates clearly aren't welcome in the Republican Party.

They found this message in the election in New York's 23rd Congressional district, where conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman is surging.

There have been few Republicans to say this publicly, so the Democrats are saying it for them. All day long Democratic operatives have emailed TPMDC links to news stories suggesting the GOP is in "chaos" or the party is in "turmoil."

President Obama's White House has done a nice job of picking off the social moderates, elevating Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be ambassador to China and Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) to be Secretary of the Army. (That's why the NY-23 seat is vacant.)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs jumped on the bandwagon this afternoon, saying the Hoffman surge in New York is "fascinating."

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.

VA-GOV

White House Taking 'Long View' And Not Worried About Tuesday's Elections

Christina Bellantoni | October 30, 2009, 2:07PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Whatever happens Tuesday in New Jersey and Virginia, that doesn't necessarily reflect on President Obama, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today.

Gibbs reminded reporters that Democrats won in both states in 2001 when Republican President George W. Bush had just taken office. At that time, Bush was at the height of popularity following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But on Nov. 6, 2001 Democrat Mark Warner (now a U.S. senator) was elected in Virginia and Democrat Jim McGreevey won in New Jersey.

"I don't think anybody thought President Bush was significantly hampered by that ... Whatever the results are I don't think they portend a lot in dealing with the future," Gibbs said during the briefing.

"We continue to take the long view on what's going on in Washington and in the country," Gibbs said.

"We'll have time to dissect" the results after Tuesday, he said.

TPMDC hears that Obama is planning to be out of town on Wednesday at an event in the middle of the country.

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.

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