White House distancing itself from Deeds

posted at 10:12 am on October 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Two weeks out from Virginia’s election, the prospects for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds look so bad that the White House has bugged out early from Deeds’ side.  The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration has become worried about how a Republican will make them look, and have begun leaking criticisms of the campaign.  The leaks intend to pre-empt any analysis that uses Virginia as a measure of how Barack Obama’s power and popularity have weakened since his inauguration:

Sensing that victory in the race for Virginia governor is slipping away, Democrats at the national level are laying the groundwork to blame a loss in a key swing state on a weak candidate who ran a poor campaign that failed to fully embrace President Obama until days before the election.

Senior administration officials have expressed frustration with how Democrat R. Creigh Deeds has handled his campaign for governor, refusing early offers of strategic advice and failing to reach out to several key constituencies that helped Obama win Virginia in 2008, they say.

Democratic strategists said that over the summer, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) offered Deeds advice on winning a statewide election. Among other things, Kaine, who is also chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told Deeds that he should lay out more of his own vision and stop attacking Republican Robert F. McDonnell so ferociously. But Deeds did not embrace the advice, according to a national Democratic strategist.

A senior administration official said Deeds badly erred on several fronts, including not doing a better job of coordinating with the White House. “I understood in the beginning why there was some reluctance to run all around the state with Barack Obama,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly about the race. “You don’t do that in Virginia. But when you consider the African American turnout that they need, and then when you consider as well they’ve got a huge problem with surge voters, younger voters, we were just a natural for them.”

A second administration official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Obama, Kaine and others had drawn a road map to victory in Virginia. Deeds chose another path.”

Not only have they not waited until the body was cold, the White House couldn’t wait until the corpse actually died to start burying Deeds in criticism.  As for not embracing Obama enough, that will come as some surprise to Deeds.  He has embraced higher taxes, which the Post used for its endorsement, remained open to the public option for health care reform, and embraced Obama on stage.

Everyone understands what was at stake for the Obama administration.  Even if Deeds ran a campaign that was as arms-length as the White House claims, they would have trumpeted a win in Virginia as an endorsement of their agenda.  They want the press to either make the same claim in a defeat — that Deeds ran against the Obama agenda and lost because of it — or that it has nothing to do with the White House at all.

That’s simply hogwash.  Virginia has been a blue state for the last two cycles, at least on a national level.  Obama won the state by 230,000 votes in 2008, about seven points, and Virginia has two Democrats in the Senate.  If Deeds loses Virginia in a landslide, where many Beltway insiders live, that says quite a bit about the prospects of Barack Obama around the rest of the country.

Update: I meant to say, “If Deeds loses Virginia in a landslide,” but having it as Obama losing it is almost equally applicable.  I edited the passage to bring  it to my original intent, but there’s little doubt that a Republican landslide in VA means Obama lost the state.

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The wheels on the bus go round and round…

marklmail on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration has become worried about how a Republican will make them look, and have begun leaking criticisms of the campaign.

That Team Obama, they’re good people. Stick with you through thick and thin.

BadgerHawk on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Regardless, the WH should not be engaging in this type of talk.

They are quickly becoming the administration of pettiness.

AnninCA on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Adults

In

Charge

Now

Del Dolemonte on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Can we repost the video of Obama doing the Deeds rally a month or so ago? Yes we can, yes we can, fired up, ready to go?

LibTired on October 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Given our SuperFreakazoid-Nixonian White House, they don’t like to be linked to failure.

J_Crater on October 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

I wonder how they are distance themselves from 2010.

d1carter on October 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Love that pic, “I’m dominant!”…”No, I’m dominant!”

NickelAndDime on October 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Back meet stab.

the_nile on October 23, 2009 at 10:16 AM

They are quickly becoming the administration of pettiness.

AnninCA on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

I think they’re already there.

BadgerHawk on October 23, 2009 at 10:16 AM

Obama is such a man of character… but don’t choose to be next to him in a foxhole.

Unfortunately he has our fighting men in Afghanistan.

singlemalt_18 on October 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Can’t distance yourself from that photo with Deeds.

In public, Ogabe will claim a GOP victory is great for America and the people have spoken and blah blah blah.

In private, the Virginia Slims butts will be filling Ogabe’s personal ashtray to overflowing.

Bishop on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Meantime, the Deeds campaign is using ads with Obama in them—and just Obama—to try to get people to vote for him.

I watched the debate last week. I was struck by Deeds’ dishonesty.

The Democrats have continued to push me to vote Republican in most elections. Actually, I think my last Democratic vote was for Al Gore in 2000.

Meryl Yourish on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

One wonders how Obama will handle defeat in 2010 and 2012.

Doughboy on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

If Obama loses Virginia in a landslide

You mean Deeds, right?

jwolf on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

This was the easy layup for the Republican’s. Threatening to cut defense is always going to lose you Virginia.
The true test is can they power by the Democrat Center, Corzine, in NJ and get the slam dunk?
I say Yep.

Rocks on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Terry McAuliffe must be so, so upset about all of this.

YYZ on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Can we repost the video of Obama doing the Deeds rally a month or so ago? Yes we can, yes we can, fired up, ready to go?

LibTired on October 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM

I would be quick about that before it is magically scrubbed from the internet forever like it never happened. After all if Obama denies it, it most not have happened.

sammypants on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Adults

In

Charge

Now

Del Dolemonte on October 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM

We the People in charge now.

publiuspen on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

That’s simply hogwash.

Would it be too much to ask to find another word to use… grumble grumble sniffle sniffle… :(

Hog Wild on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Obama losing a Democrat governorship bid in Virginia! Unthinkable /sarc.

Please post the video of Obama at the Deeds rally. Deeds: scapegoat. Obama: real loser.

DrStock on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

A senior administration official said Deeds badly erred on several fronts, including not doing a better job of coordinating with the White House. “I understood in the beginning why there was some reluctance to run all around the state with Barack Obama,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly about the race. “You don’t do that in Virginia. But when you consider the African American turnout that they need, and then when you consider as well they’ve got a huge problem with surge voters, younger voters, we were just a natural for them.”

Who is that bastard? Virginia elected a black governor ten years ago! Who is the bastard that wants to put this on race?

Chris_Balsz on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Barry is such a delicate flower.

Track-A-'Crat on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Must be comforting to have the Obozo political apparatus at your back.

With knives.

Cicero43 on October 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Can I just say that Virginia is not a real state, and I would hope the rest of the states don’t follow their lead.

Doughboy on October 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Obama’s gonna be in a fetal position sucking his thumb in 2011.

marklmail on October 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM

told Deeds that he should lay out more of his own vision and stop attacking Republican Robert F. McDonnell so ferociously

If that is the winning strategy why is Harry Reid promising to go ugly and vaporize his opponent?

Obama lies, his campaign lies, his advisers lie, everything Obama does is a lie.

Skandia Recluse on October 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Deeds was always a long shot. The fact that Christie in NJ isn’t running away with it yet is disturbing. Although I’ll savor the recriminations if he pulls it out.
It’d help if more people talked about how Corzine’s buddies all keep winding up in jail on corruption charges.

Iblis on October 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Maybe Langley is doing a little covert operation as push back.

fourdeucer on October 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Per Barry, when the going gets tough:
1. It’s Fox News’ fault.
2. It’s George Bush’s fault.
3. It’s Dick Cheney’s fault.
4. It’s the Insurance Vulture’s fault.
5. It’s the Vampire Surgeon’s fault.
6. It’s a white cop’s fault.
7. Etc.

Winners solve problems.
Losers point fingers.

Patrick S on October 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

If Obama loses Virginia in a landslide
You mean Deeds, right?

jwolf on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

No, I bet Ed means Obama. This election is his baby. From my view, its a referendum on Obama. So is NJ’s Corzine bid. Let’s see how that one goes. Obama’s been campaigning high profile in these races.

DrStock on October 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

In private, the Virginia Slims butts will be filling Ogabe’s personal ashtray to overflowing.

Bishop on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Looks like he picked the wrong month to stop sniffing glue.

WashJeff on October 23, 2009 at 10:25 AM

Fired up ready to go! By go he means really go. Now how about Jersey and the former head of Goldman?

koolbrease on October 23, 2009 at 10:25 AM

Democrats at the national level are laying the groundwork to blame a loss in a key swing state on a weak candidate who ran a poor campaign that failed to fully embrace President Obama until days before the election

this is a flat out lie. VP Biden was supposed to be at a campaign thing for Deeds at the University of Virginia ~2 weeks ago and did a sudden cancel on the event. The White House was distancing itself from Deeds >1wk ago–OR–it was just trying to keep ol’ Sheriff Joe from putting his foot in his mouth on this race.

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 10:26 AM

Blowback to the War on Fox News.

Hey Hey, Ho Ho, The War on Fox News Has Got to Go!

JammieWearingFool on October 23, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Is the NJ race too close to throw Corzine under 0bama’s bus also?

Rebar on October 23, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Good article, but in VA the candidate that wins the governor’s race comes from the party that didn’t win the presidency the year before. At least for the past 32 years.

Presidential election winners vs. VA gubernatorial election winners:

Carter (D) 76, Dalton (R) 77
Reagan (R) 80, Robb (D) 81
Reagan (R) 84, Baliles (D) 85
Bush (R) 88, Wilder (D) 89
Clinton (D) 92, Allen (R) 93
Clinton (D) 96, Gillmore(R) 97
Bush (R) 00, Warner (D) 01
Bush (R) 04, Kaine (D) 05
Obama (D) 08, ?????

pt on October 23, 2009 at 10:29 AM

The true test is can they power by the Democrat Center, Corzine, in NJ and get the slam dunk?
I say Yep.

Rocks on October 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Latest polls have Christie/Corzine in a statistical dead heat. Obama was here on Wednesday to give Corzine a boost at a rally in FDU. The Indie candidate, Daggett, is gaining support. Corzine is gonna ramp up spending the last week of the campaign with the kitchen-sink strategy, what he’s great at. Personally, I’m not at all pleased by the campaign Christie’s been running. Very dissappointed, actually.

RepubChica on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Thump…thump…thump…

Christian Conservative on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Don’t be complacent conservative Virginians.

Get to the polls! Don’t take this for granted.

BuckeyeSam on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Politics is a dirty game played by people that value themselves over all others and change the rules whenever they want. Thus, I don’t rule out election theft in Virginia and New Jersey.

SeniorD on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

September 24, 2009

The Vice President is headed to Charlottesville.

The Newsplex has learned that Joe Biden will be visiting the University of Virgina on October 8th. He’ll be appearing with Creigh Deeds, the Democrat running for Governor.

Biden and Deeds will meet with students, and as a part of the visit, Biden is expected to headline a $1,000 per plate fundraiser.

http://www.newsplex.com/news/headlines/61192887.html

Biden canceled from this event that was supposed to be 2 weeks ago.

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

“I understood in the beginning why there was some reluctance to run all around the state with Barack Obama,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly about the race. “You don’t do that in Virginia.

Right. Deeds just couldn’t risk being seen with a black president in the state that voted for a black president last fall, and put the nation’s first elected black governor in office back in the early 1980′s. Because Virginia is so darned raaaaacist, it’s just electoral poison for a gubernatorial candidate to be seen cavorting around with a black guy, right Mr. Anonymous official?

These people are pathetic.

AZCoyote on October 23, 2009 at 10:32 AM

If Obama would put just 1/250th the effort in getting democrats and himself reelected toward the Afghanistan war it would be a huge change.

At least the man has HIS priorities.

jukin on October 23, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Senior administration officials have expressed frustration with how Democrat R. Creigh Deeds has handled his campaign for governor, refusing early offers of strategic advice and failing to reach out to several key constituencies that helped Obama win Virginia in 2008, they say.

Somehow they managed to miss the point where the filthy lying coward himself attempted to get Douglas Wilder to endorse Deeds but even a call from the Ditherer-in-Chief failed to secure that endorsement.

I’m sorry but a state that Obama won last year, has the DNC chair as Governor, and two Democrat Senators should be an easy win for the party. This is a loss no matter how it is spun by the administration.

For the record, it was a Deeds event early on where the filthy lying coward said that dissenters needed to shut up and get out of the way.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 10:37 AM

I don’t see why the Oba-Mao doesn’t just simply swing down there and do their ping-pong teleprompter seance. It’s a gift you know.

tarpon on October 23, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I don’t see why the Oba-Mao doesn’t just simply swing down there and do their ping-pong teleprompter seance. It’s a gift you know.

tarpon on October 23, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I think that Mr. Obama is going to do a campaign event for Deeds in Norfolk. I heard it was two days before the election. Could be wrong and this may have changed…?

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM

The leaks intend to pre-empt any analysis that uses Virginia as a measure of how Barack Obama’s power and popularity have weakened since his inauguration

So the WH wants to pretend that Dem candidate’s loss wouldn’t be a reflection on them but somehow if Hoffman loses his Congressional run it will be considered a reflection on private citizen Palin’s endorsement?

katiejane on October 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM

no good deed(s) gets elected to Senate.

hawkman on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Not only is the VA Governor going to be a republican, but there are very strong candidates who are likely to win the LTGOV and AG positions as well. (Bolling and Cuccinelli).

Cuccinelli has indicated that he is going to take the fed to court over issues regarding the sovereignty of the commonwealth and federal intrusion issues.

game time

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM

A second administration official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Obama, Kaine and others had drawn a road map to victory in Virginia. Deeds chose another path.”

This story was written by Crystal Claire Waters and Paige Turner

Rovin on October 23, 2009 at 10:45 AM

I can’t see that Deeds is doing that much different than Pinnochio did. He attacks everyone he disagrees with including using personal attacks,

Does he Lie his ass off by telling the folks what they want to hear not what he actually believes and will do?

The only thing I can see that he has done wrong and could still pull this out for him is if he pulls out:

THE RACE CARD

dhunter on October 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM

The Democrats have continued to push me to vote Republican in most elections. Actually, I think my last Democratic vote was for Al Gore in 2000.

Meryl Yourish on October 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Eeessh. I’m in Tennessee, and even I didn’t vote for Gore.

ladyingray on October 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM

Deeds was always a long shot. The fact that Christie in NJ isn’t running away with it yet is disturbing. Iblis on October 23, 2009 at 10:24 AM

It’s insane. Corzine’s raised taxes across the board, halted homestead rebates, and more, yet Blue NJ is still ready to reward Corzine.

NickelAndDime on October 23, 2009 at 10:47 AM

“Obama, Kaine and others had drawn a road map to victory in Virginia. Deeds chose another path.”

This other path will likely be the same one followed in 2010
with the American public holding the democrats accountable for their broken promises and failed policies.

Baxter Greene on October 23, 2009 at 10:48 AM

The White House wouldn’t be caught dead within a mile of a deed.

unclesmrgol on October 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM

AZ Coyote: My sentiments exactly. Virginians (I’m from Richmond) are just too raaaaccciiissstt for words. And, like Meryl, I haven’t voted for a Democrat since 2000.

And the way these fools are acting, it’ll be a snowball’s chance in he$@ I’ll ever vote for a Democrat again.

Sarah2053 on October 23, 2009 at 10:51 AM

The reason McDonnell is winning is because he is talking about actual issues instead of relying on divisive social issues that The Daily Show and MSM can tear apart. Deeds was desperately trying to make him do a “macaca”.

Speedwagon82 on October 23, 2009 at 10:52 AM

It wouldn’t have anything to do with McDonnell’s 19 pt lead now would it?

Wave goodbye to the red states you stole last year and in 2006 Democrats. We’ve woken up.

uknowmorethanme on October 23, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Just look at these headlines and tell me if you want to have this inept democratic leadership campaigning with you anywhere but Berkeley:

“Free press 1
White House 0

White House loses bid to manipulate other news networks into isolating and excluding Fox News from interview with ‘pay czar’ Kenneth Feinberg, as GOP steps up criticism of administration’s hardball tactics.

Iran Fails to Accept U.N. Deal

URGENT: Iran reportedly wants to buy nuke fuel for reactor rather than accept U.N. plan to ship uranium to Russia

Pelosi ‘Public Option’ Lacks Votes

House Speaker reportedly lacks support to pass ‘robust public option,’ the most far-reaching that Dems are mulling


U.S. Tries to Sell Afghan War to Allies

Gates presses NATO in hopes of getting troop commitment, but some are waiting for Obama strategy

This is nothing but a sign of ignorance,ineptness,and arrogance.

Epic Fail.

Baxter Greene on October 23, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Here in NOVA Deeds campaign signs outnumber McDonnell signs about 10-1 yet McDonnell has a firm 10 point lead in the state polls! Let’s hope that holds… Deeds has run a bad campaign; several press meeting videos have caught him waffling on taxes and other campaign issues; so much so that nobody knows what Deeds campaign stands for! McDonnell, however, has been clear, firm, consistent, and concise; exactly the type of candidate the GOP needs in 2012! No surprise that Obama doesn’t want to get mixed up in Deeds campaign… they sense the result…

IntheNet on October 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Let’s see….

NY-23
NJ – Governor race
VA – Governor race

This could get interesting…

PatriotRider on October 23, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Another problem of Deeds is that he was not the candidate of the Virginia Democratic Machine. The ole boys in the Machine wanted Terry McAuliffe and have always been lukewarm about going to town for Mr. Deeds. Throw in the fact that Deeds has campaigned like a deer in the headlights and you’ve gotten a full blown mess for the Democraps in my home state.

Percy_Peabody on October 23, 2009 at 10:59 AM

and so, it begins…….

elderberry on October 23, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Being a resident of VA, I take great pleasure in being able to cast the first votes in the wave that ousts liberals in 2010.

BobMbx on October 23, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Jeez, what’s their excuse going to be in New Jersey? Jon Corzine didn’t embrace Obama enough???

Face it, outside of the Beltway Virginia is experiencing a severe recession, just as New Jersey and the rest of the country are. Voters know that (a) this Administration isn’t doing a damn thing to help create jobs, and (b) raising taxes will kill more jobs.

Virginia has for decades been considered one of the top 5 states for fiscal management. There are several reasons for that, most of which have been under assault by the last two Democratic governors and will get worse of Deeds is elected. One of them is the state’s low taxes that encourage businesses and people to locate there. Another is the lack of collective bargaining for state employees, which has prevented the Treasury-raiding that we see continuing in New Jersey and other states like California by greedy public-employee unions. Creigh Deeds has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from unions like AFSCME and SEIU and promised to deliver state employee unionization. Virginians know what that will mean.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Being a resident of VA, I take great pleasure in being able to cast the first votes in the wave that ousts liberals in 2010.

BobMbx on October 23, 2009 at 11:03 AM

And we thank you.

publiuspen on October 23, 2009 at 11:07 AM

but there’s little doubt that a Republican landslide in VA means Obama lost the state.

That is absolutely nuts.Deeds only won the Democratic primary because WaPo endorsed him. Deeds has run an atrocious campaign. I don’t know how things work in Minnesota, but in Virginia the candidates usually vote based on the candidate they like and not the party. Warner won in 2001 even though Virginia went to Bush and had two Republican senators and had gone ‘red’ in the past two election cycles.

Guess what? Bush still won in 2004!

Deeds ran a bad, disorganized campaign, and McDonnell ran a good, organized campaign. I don’t know the fundraising totals but judging by the advertising, McDonnell’s got a lot more money.

Additionally, Democrats have had the last two governor elections. There haven’t been three of one party elected in a row in Virginia since 1990.

In addition, because it’s an off-cycle election (in VA, the governor’s election always is), you’re going to have lower but more motivated turn-out, which obviously (well, not to you, apparently) benefits the opposition party – in this case, the Republicans.

That was true in 2005. And 2001. And 1997. And 1993. And 1989. And 1985. And 1977.

Pinning Deeds’ lousy campaign on Obama is just nonsensical.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I’m actually impressed at the Obama administration’s ability to turn ANY act — even not voting for a particular white candidate — into something racist.

BTW – does anyone know how many race cards come in a deck? The Obama administration must be getting close to the end…

LASue on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Being a resident of VA, I take great pleasure in being able to cast the first votes in the wave that ousts liberals in 2010.

BobMbx on October 23, 2009 at 11:03 AM

That’s how I feel. I can’t wait to cast my vote for McDonnell in two weeks.

CookeyD on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

BuckeyeSam on October 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I can’t wait to vote for McDonnell! To me, it’s my way of telling Obama to go to you-know-where.

I live in the suburbs of Richmond and saw equal amounts of McCain and Obama yard signs last year in the area. I only see McDonnell signs this year and some in yards that had Obama signs last year. The only place I have seen many Deeds signs are in downtown neighborhoods that are predominantly black (how racist of me!).

behiker on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Throw in the fact that Deeds has campaigned like a deer in the headlights and you’ve gotten a full blown mess for the Democraps in my home state.

Percy_Peabody on October 23, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Is that what you call what he was doing? Deeds has essentially done nothing but throw around accusations about that 20-year old thesis. He was hoping to “macaca” McDonnell but it didn’t work. I can’t recall a single Deeds ad that says what he stands for.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Deeds has run a bad campaign; several press meeting videos have caught him waffling on taxes and other campaign issues; so much so that nobody knows what Deeds campaign stands for! McDonnell, however, has been clear, firm, consistent, and concise; exactly the type of candidate the GOP needs in 2012!

IntheNet on October 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM

And that’s why Ed thinks it’s Obama’s fault that Deeds will lose!

Wait, what?

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Not only is the VA Governor going to be a republican, but there are very strong candidates who are likely to win the LTGOV and AG positions as well. (Bolling and Cuccinelli).

Cuccinelli has indicated that he is going to take the fed to court over issues regarding the sovereignty of the commonwealth and federal intrusion issues.

game time

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM

There’s a lot of talk within the Obama organization that in the last two weeks they will abandon the Gov/Lt. Gov races and throw everything into the AG race. VA Democrats are really screwed if they can’t win at least one of these statewide races, as they have no bench and nobody in line to run a credible race for Governor in 2013. And Cuccinelli does appear to be the most “right-wing” of the three GOP candidates and the most vulnerable to the sort of social-issue campaign the Dems like to run. I think the McDonnell victory is going to be huge though, and his coattails will be enough to elect Bolling and Cuccinelli.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Eeessh. I’m in Tennessee, and even I didn’t vote for Gore.

ladyingray on October 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM

Your not the only one. Gore didn’t even carry Tennessee in 2000, his home state!

Phil-351 on October 23, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Hey, Hey , Ho, Ho, BHO has got to go…..

t on October 23, 2009 at 11:11 AM

So we’ve now seen two articles penned by the youthful (yet equally “mature” in thought as today) Barry, and both of them confirm that he is a super-duper communist of the first order.

Strange, that.

Track-A-'Crat on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Obama the day after the election:

“Let me be clear, this loss was due to the previous administration, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. I think that the Chamber of Commerce may have assited as well.”

KG in Sask on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

I only see McDonnell signs this year and some in yards that had Obama signs last year. The only place I have seen many Deeds signs are in downtown neighborhoods that are predominantly black (how racist of me!).

behiker on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I live in Jim Moran’s District so you’d think that there would be Deeds signs all over the place but the reality is that I see more McDonnell signs. But to all you Virginia voters, I’d suggest that voting for the McDonnell isn’t enough. Send a real message to the filthy lying coward in the White House and defeat every Democrat on the ticket including the Delegates’ races. Everyday Virginians must be appalled by the out-of-control spending and this is one way to make it clear that enough is enough.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

There’s a lot of talk within the Obama organization that in the last two weeks they will abandon the Gov/Lt. Gov races and throw everything into the AG race. VA Democrats are really screwed if they can’t win at least one of these statewide races, as they have no bench and nobody in line to run a credible race for Governor in 2013. And Cuccinelli does appear to be the most “right-wing” of the three GOP candidates and the most vulnerable to the sort of social-issue campaign the Dems like to run. I think the McDonnell victory is going to be huge though, and his coattails will be enough to elect Bolling and Cuccinelli.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM

How nervous will the White House be when they have a staunch trifecta of McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli parked right down the road from them in Richmond?

Footsteps.

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Barack Milhouse Obama.

Enemies list.- Check.
Paranoia.- Check.
Attack the messengers.- Check.
No political coat-tails.- Check.
Energy Crisis.- Check.
Middle East turmoil.- Check.
Russia flexing its influence muscles.- Check.

Plus a nutty sprinkling of Jimmy Carter on top.

All Rahm and Axelrod need now is lowslung plumber’s pants.

profitsbeard on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Pinning Deeds’ lousy campaign on Obama is just nonsensical.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

LOL. Democrats wasted no time pinning Mark Earley’s loss to Mark Warner on President Bush, nor before that did they waste any time pinning Chuck Robb’s victory in 1981 on President Reagan.

Virginia does have a weird history of electing governors of the opposite party from the President. But the Obama campaign people bragged like hell last year that they were going to change all that in 2009 with their fabulous organization and piles of money. If they are such geniuses, why weren’t they able to get Deeds to run a better campaign? Or better yet, why weren’t they able to organize well enough to get Brian Moran to win the primary in the first place?

Time for Democrats to face reality – Barack Obama’s election was a one-off, “F.U. George Bush” election.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:15 AM

How about a local example? Our own Houston Chronicle is endorsing a candidate for city controller that has a $120,000 income tax lein. And he admits its a valid lein and has been known since July. If it’s good enough for the treasury czar and the chairman of ways and means to be tax cheats, by dang its good enough for the guy holding the purse of the fourth largest city in the US.

DanMan on October 23, 2009 at 11:16 AM

LOL. Democrats wasted no time pinning Mark Earley’s loss to Mark Warner on President Bush, nor before that did they waste any time pinning Chuck Robb’s victory in 1981 on President Reagan.

Yes, and remember how wrong that was? Remember when I pointed that out in my earlier comment?

Virginia does have a weird history of electing governors of the opposite party from the President.

Obviously, this is Obama’s fault or something. Whatever.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Virginia does have a weird history of electing governors of the opposite party from the President.

“balance of power” is something that we are in need of.

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

If they are such geniuses, why weren’t they able to get Deeds to run a better campaign? Or better yet, why weren’t they able to organize well enough to get Brian Moran to win the primary in the first place?

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:15 AM

Deeds surprise win in the primaries should have been a wake-up call for Kaine and his party. Moran or McAuliff would certainly have been more closely aligned with the radical left as well as the Administration. I honestly think that the filthy lying coward in the White House would have only expanded McDonnell’s lead had he campaigned more aggressively within Virginia.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

How nervous will the White House be when they have a staunch trifecta of McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli parked right down the road from them in Richmond?

Footsteps.

ted c on October 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM

I don’t know that they will be that nervous. But perhaps they should be. I personally think Bob McDonnell will vault into the Presidential picture in 2012. He is exactly the kind of can-do guy who can unite moderate Republicans and conservatives and appeal to independents and moderate Democrats. I think the White House is licking its chops over a potential Sarah Palin vs. Mitt Romney brawl, but McDonnell could get both of them out of the race.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

After 2 terms with a Democrat as governor, the only ones that could have lost the governor’s seat for the Republicans were the Republicans. Kind of the same thing for the Democrats in the 2008 Presidential election.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

I don’t know that they will be that nervous. But perhaps they should be. I personally think Bob McDonnell will vault into the Presidential picture in 2012.

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

If by vaulting you mean that he will be active in the process, I think you are right but he’ll only be halfway through his term as Governor in 2012. Personally, I’d like to see him take on creepy Jim Webb for the Senate seat in 2014.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Pinning Deeds’ lousy campaign on Obama is just nonsensical.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

When the campaign was getting under way, Obama came to a fundraiser for Deeds and told anyone who disagrees with Obama to get out of the way.

We aren’t getting out of the way. Obama himself called conservatives to action. Obama campaigned harder for McDonnell in just that one stupid comment than McDonnell has for himself the entire race.

Obama’s sheer disdain for more or less half of the American population is just retarded, and it will cost his party bigtime.

uknowmorethanme on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town under the bus.

Emperor Norton on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Obviously, this is Obama’s fault or something. Whatever.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Come on, my point was that the Obama people were openly bragging earlier this year that they were going to break the mold and build a permanent Democratic majority in Virginia. It’s a big reason why they installed Tim Kaine as DNC Chairman. They built up the expectations; previous White Houses haven’t. And they couldn’t even get their preferred candidate to win the primary! How is that NOT an epic FAIL?

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Besides, there isn’t a very strong ACORN presence in VA, so they are screwed.

uknowmorethanme on October 23, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Obviously, this is Obama’s fault or something. Whatever.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM

I’m gonna say it again because you will ignore it:

When the campaign was getting under way, Obama came to a fundraiser for Deeds and told anyone who disagrees with Obama to get out of the way.

We aren’t getting out of the way. Obama himself called conservatives to action. Obama campaigned harder for McDonnell in just that one stupid comment than McDonnell has for himself the entire race.

Obama’s sheer disdain for more or less half of the American population is just retarded, and it will cost his party bigtime.

uknowmorethanme on October 23, 2009 at 11:24 AM

Of all the administrations that have had the reigns of power of the Presidency, this one has got to be the most cowardice ever. If we can extend it as executive power of the history of the planet, it would rank right up there with the likes of Caesar Nero.

larvcom on October 23, 2009 at 11:25 AM

After 2 terms with a Democrat as governor, the only ones that could have lost the governor’s seat for the Republicans were the Republicans. Kind of the same thing for the Democrats in the 2008 Presidential election.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Obama won Virginia by over 200,000 votes. Deeds may lose by more than that. You really think that is just an ordinary reverse-the-party result? Can I have some of what you are smoking?

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM

After 2 terms with a Democrat as governor, the only ones that could have lost the governor’s seat for the Republicans were the Republicans.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Virginians tend to like to share the wealth among parties but I disagree that this was the Republicans’ race to lose. I think the real problem for Deeds was, in fact, the Obama administration. Had the filthy lying coward in the White House been more impressive during his first year in office, the race at this point would be much closer than the polling suggests it is.

highhopes on October 23, 2009 at 11:27 AM

rockmom on October 23, 2009 at 11:23 AM

They gave Kaine the DNC because it gives a young, promising Dem a good job to put on his resume once he’s out of the governor’s office in 2009. I mean, what’s he gonna do? Go work at Hunton & Williams? Become a lobbyist? Presumably the guy has his eyes on the White House as well, and even though he has no chance in Hell, this is a good placeholder job for him, since who else is on the Democratic bench at this point for 2016?

Ed’s point was that Deeds’ loss was due to a failure of Obama. To put it as nicely as I can, that argument strains credulity.

Proud Rino on October 23, 2009 at 11:30 AM

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