McDonnell Ahead In Virginia Governor's Race

A new Washington Post-ABC News Poll shows Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell still leading in the race for governor of Virginia. As I have opined before, the biggest problem for the state wide Democrat slate is the lack of enthusiasm among Virginia Democrats. While I will vote for Deeds simply because he is not Bob McDonnell, neither he nor the national Democrats have done anything to make me feel the least bit excited. For gays, the Obama and the Congressional Democrats have delivered ZERO so far and it increasingly looks like the Democrats will roll over on serious health care reform due to the delusional desire for a "bipartisan" approach. Other than in someones dreams, the GOP is not going to do a single thing to work on a bipartisan basis - why Obama and company haven't figured this out is more than a bit unsettling.

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As for Deeds, I have still not seen any out reach whatsoever to blacks, LGBT Virginians or the growing Hispanic population. It's almost as if the man is trying to lose the election from my vantage point. Yes, things could still change, but for that to happen Deeds needs to get off his folksy country routine and get to work. If McDonnell is elected, Virginia will be dragged backwards a decade or two or more in terms of progressive thinking. Here are some highlights from the Washington Post:

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Republican Robert F. McDonnell has claimed a clear early lead over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds in the race for Virginia governor, according to a new Washington Post poll. Widespread criticism of the direction of a state run for the past eight years by Democrats and an increasingly GOP-friendly electorate have propelled McDonnell, who runs competitively even in the Democratic strongholds of Northern Virginia.
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Less than three months before Election Day, the poll shows that relatively few Virginia voters are following the race closely, signaling that it could fluctuate considerably between now and November. Even fewer claim deep knowledge of McDonnell, the former attorney general, or Deeds, a state senator, who are vying to succeed Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). Most voters have not formed an opinion or say they are apt to change their minds.

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McDonnell's advantage in a race being watched nationally as an early electoral test for Obama serves as a warning sign for Democrats, who are eager to hold on to the governor's mansion in what has become a crucial swing state. Obama, who recently visited McLean to campaign with Deeds, won the state last year by seven points, becoming the first Democrat to carry Virginia since 1964. But while 75 percent of Virginia voters who backed Obama said they would vote for Deeds, 13 percent said they would vote for McDonnell.

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The economy is issue No. 1 in the campaign, with voters about evenly split between Deeds and McDonnell on dealing with it. Health care, which has dominated national politics for the past month, is the second most-frequently mentioned issue in the governor's race, followed by education, transportation and taxes.

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The poll shows that Virginians are split on which candidate would best handle the economy and other top issues, with large numbers undecided on who has the edge in dealing with transportation and abortion. McDonnell has an advantage on taxes and guns.

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Deeds needs to give voters a reason to vote for him and to date he just has not done that. If activistslike myself are feeling apathetic about his campaign - in large part because of the failure of Democrats at the national level and in the White House - just imagine what rank and file voters are feeling.