Open thread: Virginia; Update: McDonnell wins
posted at 7:42 pm on November 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
A weird situation: It’s the biggest bellwether of the night given that it was the crown jewel in The One’s swing-state sweep last year, and yet … the result’s been a foregone conclusion for weeks. The only question is how big of a blowout it’ll be. Double digits seems assured, but dare we hope for 15 points, say?
You can follow the results here. With 12 percent of the votes in, McDonnell leads by 27; we should get a call before 8 p.m. ET, I’d think. One interesting footnote to this race in case you haven’t followed it is that Deeds did his level best to paint the Republican as a hard-right culture warrior while McDonnell, wisely, ran on jobs. Just one more bit of evidence that fiscal conservatism, not social conservatism, is the GOP’s path going forward.
Update: Three minutes before 8 p.m. and the AP says lights out. Now we wait for the final margin.
Blowback
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Thank you, Old Dominion.
Terrie on November 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Drudge Headline:
Uh O
hahahahaah
trubble on November 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM
“Tastes great” is ahead of “less filling” 60/40.
Chuck Schick on November 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM
http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Election_Information/Election_Results/2009/November_General_Election.html
County breakdown. Updated every minute.
VA beach has not reported anything yet, which is very much a red area.
stackedeck on November 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I hear the revolution has begun in SW Virginia. They’re rounding up the remaining Democrats and stringing them up….both of them!
Kasper Hauser on November 3, 2009 at 7:46 PM
No, Mr. President, just no.
thebrokenrattle on November 3, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Drudge has a great pix of Obama and under it; it says “Uh O”. Too freaking funny.
Just for fun, I mentioned this on the other thread. Try not to feed the trolls and watch them fight for attention. Just one night, do not give in to the stupid comments.
milwife88 on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
McDonnell Wins! Probably by 20
orfannkyl on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
The first part of the humpbot trifecta will soon be in place…
BadgerHawk on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I agree that the big tent is actually just a sharp focus on the fiscal issues.
If you start discussing junk outside of that, then it brings up dispute.
AnninCA on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Blowout? Now that’s an understatement.
iceman1960 on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
McDonell could win by 25 plus
ousoonerfan15 on November 3, 2009 at 7:47 PM
This is a long-time coming for Va Repubs. The Warner-Kaine-Webb-Va Senate-Obama string must have been painful for ya’ll.
Robert_Paulson on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Great link. Thanks.
BadgerHawk on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Love the pic Drudge posted of Dumb0.
OmahaConservative on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Pwecious….
that’s a face only a pookie could love.
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
29% now and it doesn’t get much better for the donks down ticket.
Yup. How ’bout that?
Pablo on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
LOL
lanesmerge on November 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Wrong as usual, Allah. Deeds lost because he was a complete boob as a gubernatorial candidate. His country boy mannerisms might play well in hometown Bath County but they didn’t play in the more urban areas of the Commonwealth. All McDonnell had to do was keep on message and keep his foot out of his mouth and he had the election in the bag.
Percy_Peabody on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
I want a commitment from Allahpundit that if McDonnell wins by more than 25 points, we get the humpbot.
flipflop on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
The republicans are ahead in all the races in VA. They have 3 going on.
Brat4life on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
[trubble on November 3, 2009 at 7:45 PM]
Just saw that myself. I laughed and laughed.
Dusty on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Fiscal conservatism is the path forward. I hope all GOP/conservative politicians study McDonnell\’s playbook, because he spent an enormous amount of time with voters of all races and creeds EXPLAINING what conservatism is and how it impacts people\’s ability to become entrepreneurs AND live the American dream. This message apparently resonated with legal immigrants in VA.
piglet on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
I think the expectations get baked into the cake for the news cycles, but if you take the long view this race is very telling. Yes Deeds wasn’t a very good candidate and he ran a poor campaign. Still, Obama carried this state one year ago. If he gets blown out of the water, as I expect it’s a little more than Deeds shortcomings in play here.
It matters. I am sure the left has successfully downplayed expectations for this one, but it matters.
stldave on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Wrong. Have you checked the results for Arlington County?
flipflop on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
flipflop on November 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
WTF is a humpbot you guys keep on about?
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Just over 21% of precincts reporting, but no votes counted yet in Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax counties, the counties that determine the state.
WolkingsWorld.com on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Jay Cost’s article on NY race is good, as usual.
AnninCA on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
I still don’t think so, AP. I don’t think those terms are going to mean anything substantial in 2010. They’ve been beaten to death. So many “republicans” ran as fiscal conservatives only to justify every new entitlement Bush wanted. The fiscal conservative claim is going to have to be backed up with something deeper, more philosophical, to demonstrate that the pol isn’t just saying key words that are simply the result of focus grouping.
Weight of Glory on November 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Sweeeeeeet!!!
JimK on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
DUDE! Fairfax is reporting and McDonnell is LEADING. IN FAIRFAX.
fiatboomer on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
The fiscal conservative thing has been a winning platform for a long time. The social conservative issues are best left to the candidates state.
True_King on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
McDonnel HUGE early lead in FAIRFAX COUNTY? oh, my. Deeds up big in Arlington. Western and central VA breaking big for McDonnell, but small poplulations there.
SouthernGent on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Yes, yes, yes! Socons may be part of our party, but Bush’s big government conservatism just plain turned off a lot of people. Family values is not enough to win except for socially conservative districts.
BryanS on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
CNN – “Election? What election?”
Seven Percent Solution on November 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
humpbot trifecta. McDonnell, Christie and Hoffman all have to win to bring it out.
It only comes out on the absolute best of days. The last time, if I recall, was when amnesty went down in flames. It’s analogous to Ace’s flaming skull, but much rarer.
BadgerHawk on November 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
GTFOH! R U SERIOUS?! The site is bogged down, i’m tryin’ to refresh.
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I think any lifer politician may have trouble if they supported a lot of the Bush policies. People seem to be in the mood to vote the rascals out.
AnninCA on November 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
course that is two precincts
fiatboomer on November 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I think McDonnell is from Fairfax county, if true, he should win that one.
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
McDonnell leading in Prince Willie Co. now.
fiatboomer on November 3, 2009 at 7:53 PM
McDonnell leading in HAMPTON? WTH?
SouthernGent on November 3, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Take back our Country, one election at a time.
The elected conservative revolution has begun.
tatersalad on November 3, 2009 at 7:53 PM
It’s classic AP, and it’s exactly what it sounds like.
Weight of Glory on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell 285,574 62.86% Precincts Reporting:
659 of 2,516 (26.19%)
Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell 285,574 62.86%
R. Creigh Deeds 168,231 37.03%
Joe Caps on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Virginia
State Motto – “Sic Semper Tyrannis”
Make it so, Old Dominion.
Terry_Dyne on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
I’m afraid next time the Dims will pull a Webb and recruit some military vet who used to be Republican.
Speedwagon82 on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
wow. Manassas is going for McDonnell. That’s weird, but good.
stackedeck on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
MCDONNELL IS LEADING… IN *NEWPORT NEWS*
hasta la vista, deeds
fiatboomer on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Click the individual counties…the results are posting there faster.
Lynchburg +10 for McDonnell…not liking that number. I wanted 25…haha
SouthernGent on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
My guess is that Pookie stayed on the couch in VA.
farright on November 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
From CNN
William Amos on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Oh crap. McDonnell and Deeds are really close (within 3 points) in …
Radford City
less than 1000 votes cast….gotcha!
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 PM
OT, but Campaign Spot is reporting that CNN’s exit polling indicates that Christie is taking the independent vote by an almost 2:1 margin. That is huge.
piglet on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Bad news for Jersey, Intrade had Corzine futures going up in price by the minute.
Sounds like someone knows something.
JohnGalt23 on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 PM
He’d probably just get all wee wee’d up.
trubble on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 PM
I can only imagine.
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:56 PM
HA! Cause Michelle smashed the TV!
JellyToast on November 3, 2009 at 7:57 PM
That might be due to exit poll results – read that they are are almost all democrats that they interviewed – not true of actual vote
gophergirl on November 3, 2009 at 7:57 PM
If that isn’t proof that this man is a child in big boy’s clothing, I don’t know what is.
sherry on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
One third of the vote is in and its a 25 point blowout in VA.
barry’s lips are turning purple again.
Geochelone on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Is this what a Humpbot looks like?
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
I want to see Bath County’s numbers. That’s Deeds’ home county. Will they “Gore” him like TN in 2000?
fiatboomer on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Sigh. The trifecta may have just been too much to hope for.
If NJ re-elects Corzine they’ll replace Pennsylvania and Minnesota (Murtha and Franken) as the dumbest voters in the country.
BadgerHawk on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Looking good. Dare I say, I’m hopeful?
Diane on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
MB4 on November 3, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Which won’t work in the future when Democrats run pretending to be fiscally conservative, as the two previous Democratic governors of Virginia did. Republicans need to run as BOTH fiscally conservative and socially conservative. Conservative Catholics in Northern Virginia were motivated to vote because of social issues as well as economic ones, and a pro-choice RINO won’t turn out the vote.
Gabe on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
For once in my life, I’m proud to be a Virginian.
stackedeck on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Drudge calls VA for McDonnell.
Wethal on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Called for McDonnell by Fox.
Brat4life on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Fox calls it for McDonnel.
AnninCA on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Drudge is calling it.
telemwill on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Shep just projected VA went red tonight.
OmahaConservative on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Fox calls it for McDonnell.
Knucklehead on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Fox and Shep just called VA for Bob McDonnell
BOOM!
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Drudge calls VA – one down two to go!!!!
gophergirl on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
NBC just called VA for McDonnell.
portlandon on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Congratulations Virginia! You should all be proud.
sherry on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
ABC: ’09 Exit Polls: Vast Economic Discontent Spells Trouble for Dems in 2010
faraway on November 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Fox calls it for McDonnel … he’s got like over 60% of the vote there – blowout.
HondaV65 on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Here’s my strategy; I call it the “big boat.”
1. Everyone who wants to grab an oar, and row, is welcome.
2. We are rowing toward:
A. Fiscal discipline
B. Strong, freedom-centric defense policies.(Your friends should know you have their back: your enemies should fear you.)
C. Energy independence
When we get where we’re going, then we’ll solve the social issues, amongst ourselves, as the party in power.
massrighty on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
If you can’t wait, get a sneak peak here.
BadgerHawk on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
clap, clap, clap
faraway on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
1 DOWN, 2 TO GO.
Come on Christie, Come on Doug!
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Dan Rather Still waiting for Ohio to call it for Bush in ’04
portlandon on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
S U P E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
When you write the same thing over and over and over, it becomes pretty obvious that you’re just trying to convince yourself of something. Perhaps if you could demonstrate how social liberals won big tonight …
Hmm?
Ronnie on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
… where they would elect an inflatable doll if it ran as a Democrat. The entire County Board of Supervisors (executive branch in counties of Virginia) is Democrats. They only have one opening at a time, so naturally the rich liberals (whose own maids can barely afford to buy a house here) all vote that way. The local GOP didn’t even bother to run anyone this year. I was tempted to vote for the Green Party candidate, then I said what the hell and voted for myself as a write-in.
They could do worse.
manwithblackhat on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Congratulations to the Virginians on HA.
ICBM on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
William Amos on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Awesome!!!!!
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
good job bob
ousoonerfan15 on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
There’s a large bit of that. But I’d be willing to give some guys another shot, if they came out and clearly defined where they erred and why. I know the distinction AP is trying to make between the fiscal and the social but I don’t think that’s going to work. Those terms don’t mean anything by themselves anymore. For eight years I haven’t heard a single republican in leadership make the strong moral case for tax cuts, for example. So what we have are republicans working with certain templates without being able to explain and defend why those templates were adopted in the first place. In other words I haven’t heard a republican in leadership really define what a conservative is. And if that is not taking place, then how on earth are they going to divide that definition between “social” and “fiscal”?
Weight of Glory on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Fox news just called it for McDonnell
dogsoldier on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Dan Rather Still waiting for Ohio to call it for Bush in ‘04
portlandon on November 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
portlandon: No Sh*t!!hehe:)
canopfor on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Now on too… NJ and NT-23.
upinak on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
According to Jim Geraghty:
Terrie on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
way to go Bob. I helped work the phones for him last week–and don’t call me Pookie!
ted c on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Deeds won his home county of Bath 63.5% to 36.5%. May be the only county he takes.
WolkingsWorld.com on November 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Oops!
Barry
Ain’t
Much
Assistance
Jim Treacher on November 3, 2009 at 8:02 PM
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