I have been following the campaign for Governor in the Old Dominion.  I am struck by the course the campaign has taken.

This is noted in todays edition of Real Clear Politics.

After the thesis came to light in late August, the race tightened. But for Deeds’ Democratic campaign consultants—drawn to culture-war controversy as though it were catnip, laced with meth, coated in cocaine—the temptation to overreach was just too much. Realizing the thesis alone was not enough to turn the race, the Deeds campaign asserted it was the “blueprint” for McDonnell’s whole legislative career. Commercials asserted that McDonnell opposed contraception for married couples and insurance coverage for mammograms—charges entirely without merit. Whatever his social views, McDonnell was a pragmatic legislator and attorney general, not an ideological rabble-rouser.

A backlash is building. At a Sept. 17 forum of Northern Virginia business leaders, Deeds’ repeated mentions of the McDonnell thesis were eventually met, according to one reporter, with audible “groans from some in the crowd.“ Virginia newspapers are in broad revolt against Deeds’ tactics, employing descriptions such as “flatly dishonest,“ “below-the-belt and beyond-the-pale” and “disingenuous and deceitful.“ Some editorialists have taken to calling the Democratic candidate “Dirty Deeds”—the kind of schoolyard nickname we hated as a child precisely because it stuck. One poll—which showed the race nearly even in mid-September—showed Deeds trailing by nine points two weeks later. (A Washington Post poll published Thursday also showed McDonnell nine points ahead.)

What lesson can Democrats draw? Clearly, Deeds misjudged the political environment. In a recent poll, the number of Virginians who cited the McDonnell thesis as their most important issue was less than 1 percent. McDonnell talks about jobs and transportation. Deeds talks about McDonnell’s social views. No Virginia Democrat would have picked such a strategy before the campaign began.

But maybe the lesson is even more disturbing for Democrats. In Virginia, neither Obama’s charm nor culture-war attacks seem to be working. Maybe, because of “what’s going on in Washington,“ nothing will work.

http://www1.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/10/11/neither_obama_nor_the_culture_war_98643.html

In an envirnoment where the media is so strongly biased in favor of the radical leftist policies of this administration, a candidate has to stray pretty far from the mainstream to get them to abandon one of their own.

Virginia can not vote for a radical such as Deeds.. Virginians work hard for their money & beliefs, and will not vote against their own interests.

Deeds is hardly a radical.  McDonnell is hardly a saint and definitely not the salvation for this state.  Thanks to Patrick J Buchanun for the culture war cry.  Great way to continue to divide this country—-divide and conquer as the saying goes.

To look at the bigger picture-Republicans were in control for how many years nationally-look how great things have turned out! 
Will you be as great a watch dog on the Republican breed as you are at attacking Democrats?

From the Washington Post and Factcheck…
“The earlier Post commentary did say that McDonnell’s transportation plan “deserves credit for the extent and specificity of its proposals,“ but it also criticized many of those very details. For instance, the paper wrote that “[McDonnell] acknowledges that current funding sources are inadequate and proposes some new ones,“ but said, “nfortunately, the new revenue he identifies is one-time-only, many years distant or paltry. And he does not explain how, in the absence of credible, reliable new funding, he would wring out more cash for roads without harming other crucial state functions and services.“ The Post said McDonnell’s plan to sell state liquor stores to help fund highway and railway projects, which he highlights in the ad, was “a fine idea in principle, and one that might produce a one-time windfall of $500 million for roads, but it would also deprive the state of millions of dollars in annual income for substance abuse clinics and other programs.“ The Post, in fact, accused McDonnell of not being forthright with viewers:

Always Learning - 11 October 2009 09:46 PM

Deeds is hardly a radical.  McDonnell is hardly a saint and definitely not the salvation for this state.  Thanks to Patrick J Buchanun for the culture war cry.  Great way to continue to divide this country—-divide and conquer as the saying goes.

To look at the bigger picture-Republicans were in control for how many years nationally-look how great things have turned out! 
Will you be as great a watch dog on the Republican breed as you are at attacking Democrats?

From the Washington Post and Factcheck…
“The earlier Post commentary did say that McDonnell’s transportation plan “deserves credit for the extent and specificity of its proposals,“ but it also criticized many of those very details. For instance, the paper wrote that “[McDonnell] acknowledges that current funding sources are inadequate and proposes some new ones,“ but said, “nfortunately, the new revenue he identifies is one-time-only, many years distant or paltry. And he does not explain how, in the absence of credible, reliable new funding, he would wring out more cash for roads without harming other crucial state functions and services.“ The Post said McDonnell’s plan to sell state liquor stores to help fund highway and railway projects, which he highlights in the ad, was “a fine idea in principle, and one that might produce a one-time windfall of $500 million for roads, but it would also deprive the state of millions of dollars in annual income for substance abuse clinics and other programs.“ The Post, in fact, accused McDonnell of not being forthright with viewers:

Washington Post editorial, July 29: If Mr. McDonnell wants to shortchange education, public safety and health to pay for roads, let him say so clearly and honestly.

We suspect the McDonnell campaign was wearing its selective-vision goggles when it cut this ad. “

He has his moments of playing with the truth also.

Transportation infrastructure alone has increased at an immense pace and is the life-blood of the growth of business within a state—Deeds has at least been honest with the citizens of the Commonwealth about the cost of this—-McDonnel’s answer is to rob the General (Emergency) Fund for tranportation.-2012—How much are you willing to bet (5,10,15%) this will work??

Maybe the women-folk should stay home bare-foot and pregnant and waiting on their men-folk hand and foot (As McDonnel Suggested) and we wouldn’t need all these Transportation Costs.

Are you really naive enough to believe state construction could continue and McDonnell will not raise taxes?  Read my lips—-

BarefootFreddie - 12 October 2009 01:44 AM

Transportation infrastructure alone has increased at an immense pace and is the life-blood of the growth of business within a state—Deeds has at least been honest with the citizens of the Commonwealth about the cost of this—-McDonnel’s answer is to rob the General (Emergency) Fund for tranportation.-2012—How much are you willing to bet (5,10,15%) this will work??

Maybe the women-folk should stay home bare-foot and pregnant and waiting on their men-folk hand and foot (As McDonnel Suggested) and we wouldn’t need all these Transportation Costs.

Are you really naive enough to believe state construction could continue and McDonnell will not raise taxes?  Read my lips—-

People’s views on issues change over time.  I expect that is the case of McDonnel.  I mean we saw Obama’s views change throughout the last campaign,

Accepting campaign spending limits, and then changing is mind.

Saying he was for a single payer health care reform, and then changing to a public “option”.

As for Deeds,  he will tax & spend just like they are in DC.  Always the same agenda with the Dems, just a different candidate.

Virginia can’t afford to have more money taken from their paycheck.

That might explain why your boy is down 9 points in the polls.  Virginians want to keep their hard earned money for them and their families, and not turn it over for pie-in-the-sky fantasy.

2012 says “People’s views on issues change over time.  I expect that is the case of McDonnel.“
But with very little research on his part he would have found that McDonald has pushed the items
from thesis at every opportunity over the past ten years.  The only item he has not pushed is
women working, he still believes in UNEQUAL pay but is now ok with them working.

fromtheslide - 12 October 2009 09:48 AM

2012 says “People’s views on issues change over time.  I expect that is the case of McDonnel.“
But with very little research on his part he would have found that McDonald has pushed the items
from thesis at every opportunity over the past ten years.  The only item he has not pushed is
women working, he still believes in UNEQUAL pay but is now ok with them working.

That is interesting.  Are there any links you can provide so we can all learn?  Or is this merely your contention?

Most people are rejecting the irresponsible spending coming from the left.

I smart person like yourself is aware the Lilly Ledbetter law is in effect regarding pay discrepencies, and is designed to aleviate the differences.

From what I have read in the awful liberal media, it seems the two have voted very similar over the years.  Deeds is a conservative Democrat.  If he is a radical, then his Republican counter part is also.  He lost NRA support after coming out in support of closing the gun show loophole-sin of all sins.  When arguing politics one must always as an alleged conservative use this phrase-tax and spend.  It’s part of the national Republican creed. Of course, we all know that those same conservatives in office have been known to raise taxes themselves. 

If you do a fact check you find that the Washington Post didn’t write a glowing editorial about McDonnell as he implied in his ads.  In fact, he was criticized quite a bit.  Bob McDonnell has a plan that has been criticized by The Washington Post as relying on “wildly optimistic assumptions, brazen exaggerations, gauzy projections and far-off scenarios.”  McDonnell’s package consists of a mix of proposals: some of them don’t comply with federal law, some of which are politically impossible, and some of which are attached to revenue estimates that can only be described as being “invented or, worse, an intentional distortion.”  Insert-liberal media comments here.

As for taxes, no one ever wants to pay taxes yet we want better schools, better roads, better bridges, better better better.  We always want something but we never want to pay for it. 

2012, will you be voting in Virginia or are you simply here to stir in the pot?  Your beginning post here makes you sound like an outsider or maybe a Washington Insider looking in at our pretty state.  You’re posts are a good rabble rouser for the far right.

Well if 2012 is a resident of Virginia he certainly contributes little and in fact detracts from this beautiful state.

He’s buried in a heap of whining prattling accusations caring little for the state but a fixation with his party affliction (yes that’s correct). 

I’m a long time Republican and I resent the implication that we are unable on our own to decide which candidate we would like to see on the ballot.  Those dear old leaders of the GOP feel we must rely on them to choose our candidate and WOW what a choice we have….McConnell.  McConnell of the “women don’t belong in the workplace”, “sex should be illegal unless between husband and wife”.....pontificate ...pontificate…preach…blah..blah..blah.

I also resent 2012’s assumption that he knows what he’s talking about as well.

Handing out blame because of the <D> attachment to one’s name is childish, shortsighted and very telling in regards to his mental balance or unbalanced in his case.

I truly believe the man would rather see our country and state go down in flames than to roll up his sleeves and support America and Virginia.

Based on his silly posts I would give only this advice which he should heed….

2012 pull up your Big Boy Pampers and join the real world.

2012—Do you feel these folks are also hiding behind this forum? You are quick to mention ‘links’ but the only ‘links’ you provide are those which you are provided by your right-wing owners who use you as a low-wage shill—-Your ‘links’ simply uphold half-truths and predetermined ideas you have been programmed to believe—No ideas of your own—I too would like to know if you are registered to vote here in Virginia and in Local elections?? Just giving us the locality of yor registration near or around Southwest VA would help us to understand and validate your interest in this local forum—I’ll show you mine, if you’ll show me yours!

Thanks, forum friends, for finally calling out this phoney TROLL.

AMEN to that one Barefoot Freedie.  But in a way I would rather hope he’s just the standard nickle a post troll my party seems to favor to get out their message.

Nice attempt Freddie at feigning to sound the alarm.

Pattern on the left has always been, if you can’t argue in facts, attack the person who dares to dissent from your program.

We saw it last year during the campaign.  The guy who came to be known as ‘Joe the plumber’ was dragged across the coals, beecause he dared point out Obama’s plan to “redistribute” the wealth.

Only the folks attacking him did not attempt it in such an sophmoric manner.

Go ahead and atteack me all you want. 

The transparency of your attacks and avoidance of the issues are very telling.

You are reaffirming my contention that you can not stand on the merits of your position.

If you had the faith of your convictions, you could defend them and not resort to childish name calling.

There is a reason that McDonnel is ahead by 9% with only 3 weeks to go.

He is the better candidate, and you are right, folks do not want to give up more of their hard earned money to fund the type of programs being forced on us from the Democrats.

2012—You were asked about your voter registration—-Are you going to give a straight answer or are you going to continue your cute little Troll dance around the question?? How about giving the folks on this forum a straight answer and earn that 5 cents your Right-Wing Wacko owners are paying you??

I might also take you more seriously if you would have the Self-Respect to remove the picture that was doctored, proven so, and provided to you by your handlers who feed you your ideas—People such as Joe the Plumber would have had no problem if he had not been proven a Paid-For LIAR—

Like I have stated before, you guys throw around wild accusations without anything to back up your argument except childish insults.

You make outlandish comments and do not even try to provide anything to backup what you say.

I provide links to back up what I say, and you call them reading assignments.  I call them proof.

The BBC is hardly a conservatives paradise, nor the other links I provided.  I like to read opposing views.

You should try something other than the HuffPo, WashPo, Salon, etc.  There is a real world out there and you should take part.

On the other hand you say things like “People such as Joe the Plumber would have had no problem if he had not been proven a Paid-For LIAR—“

Really?

Can you provide a link as proof?  No.

You say I am paid.  I wish I were that lucky, but no one has to pay me to care enough about my country to speak out.

Do you have anything to back up your claims?  Anything?

As for my party affiliation and registration.

What party I belong to or my place of residence is none of your business.

I could be your neighbor or I could live in London or Tokyo or Tazwell.  None of your business and it is irrelevant to my positions.

I wouldn’t begin to tell people from NJ who they should vote for in their Governor’s race so my feeling is someone outside Virginia really should not be expecting us to simply accept whatever they say as to our elections.  Nation is a different matter but locally-it’s a different matter.  As to your residence, I don’t care where in particular you live. I simply asked if you would be voting here.  You don’t need to give a street address. 

Also, I pointed out that the Washington Post clearly showed the many flaws in McDonnell’s plan and gave credit to Deeds for having courage.

2012—Since you can’t spell Tazewell I think we can rule out Southwest VA—No valid plumbers license alone makes Joe the Plumber a liar—Wanting to buy the Bosses’ business, but cannot pay his own taxes reienforces his lying—As always, link, link, link—Do you feel the people of this area are incapable to do our own research using unbiased sources? I did not ask your party afilliation, only why so much -interest in VA elections and local forums?

London or Tokyo? Yet you care enough to care about ‘My Country” to speak out?  Make up your mind—

And maybe ‘my neighbor’?—My neighbors are honest, moral people who actually Love this state and country—And are not fanatical fear-mongers—All of which rule YOU out—

The picture you post of Obama in itself proves total disrespect for the Office of The President Of This Great Country—-You may not agree with his policies but the office itself should command more respect—-