Virginia Governor Race: Democrats Falling
President Obama is scheduled to appear at a rally for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds this Tuesday. Will it provide a boost, or the last gasp of a dying campaign?
Things aren't looking good for Deeds right now. Last Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton appeared at a rally just outside Washington. But the big news of the day was a Survey USA poll, putting Deeds 19 points behind Republican opponent Bob McDonnell.
Deeds didn't help matters at a debate later in the day, offering an answer on public option that had some supporters deciding to opt out of helping him.
The knives are being drawn before ballots are cast. Friday's Washington Post offered a White House view — if Deeds loses, it's not our fault. Which didn't go over well with a well-known Virginia political consultant.
Essays are being prepared about what went wrong with the Deeds campaign. Staffers are washing their hands of the effort.
The year began with high Democratic hopes. Obama won the state's electoral votes - the first Democratic win since LBJ in 1964 - and governor Tim Kaine enjoyed thinking that "Ol' Virginny is dead." With two Democratic senators and two straight wins by Democrats in governor's races, it appeared Virgina would continue going from red to blue.
But only two polls right after the June primary had Deeds leading McDonnell. McDonnell's lead jumped to 14 points in early August, and briefly closed to two in a Rasmussen Reports poll in mid-September.
McDonnell has been gradually expanding the lead, and leaving Democrats looking for answers.
(photo graphic courtesy of Augustafreepress.com)
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