Virginia’s gubernatorial race turns desperate
At one point in time, it seemed like every Democrat politician with a Southern bent was pro-life. Of course, Teddy Kennedy, Al Gore and Jesse Jackson at some point were also opposed to abortion, proving that political expediency on the issue is a national phenomenon. These days, though, it’s more difficult to come across politicians above Virginia (err, well, Northern Virginia at least…) who willingly take on this label early on in their careers. But below Northern Virginia, or as some call “real Virginia,” political expediency still dictates that politicians seem favorable toward the pro-life position at various points in their careers. For the latest representation, look no further than Bath County state senator and Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia, Creigh Deeds.
This past week, Deeds was busy scurrying across the state highlighting his “southerness” with the “Deeds Country” RV tour of Southside and Southwest Virginia. A Southern affiliation is all well and good, and the Democratic primary earlier this year proved that Northern Virginians have selective regard for rednecks, but the laid back shtick only goes so far. Deeds is a walking example of how rural cred does not necessarily translate into support for a less-intrusive state, or consistency on the abortion issue for that matter. Previous manifestations of Creigh Deeds, like the one who ran for Virginia Attorney General in 2005, acknowledged a more conservative angle on social issues, such as opposition to partial birth abortion.
But primaries change things, and so do crappy poll numbers.
This morning, Deeds held a rally with the NARAL types, a “Women Choose Deeds” event in Annandale, Virginia. The would-be governor hopes that locking arms with the sisters will provide a needed boost to his campaign. Deeds, naturally, announced the formation of a women’s coalition in an effort to keep the state from “return[ing] to the bad old days.” More interesting are Deeds’ remarks on his opponent’s pro-life position. In a Washington Post article Sunday, this strategy of attack on GOP-nominee Bob McDonnell was revealed.
Of course, two weeks ago at the Virginia Bar Association debate between the two candidates, Deeds said that he didn’t care too much about social issues in the campaign.
Predictably, the McDonnell campaign has characterized the new line of attack as desperate. In an e-mail blast, campaign chairman Ed Gillespie fired back saying, “It’s clear that he’d rather debate anything but the issues that are on the top of most Virginia voters’ minds right now.” Left-leaning bloggers in the state have given the new Deeds’ salvo a hearty approval.
Virginia certainly has greater importance this year in media coverage with Barack Obama campaigning for Deeds last Thursday night. The outcome of elections here is touted as a referendum on the president’s performance, but with Virginia it’s also a judgment on whether the state is truly turning “blue” for good.
So it will be interesting to see what comes from Deeds’ decision to cozy up to the base this far into the game. For some political observers, this campaign tactic is sooo 2005.
But if Deeds wants to pick this fight, McDonnell should consider taking it head on. Tim Kaine himself claims the pro-life position and McDonnell could link Deeds’ new line of attack as an attack on the sitting Democratic governor. Regardless of how McDonnell decides to respond, Deeds does smell of desperation, and after today’s NARAL rally, he smells even worse.
User Comments
Marilyn Monroe
August, 2009
http://www.deedsisforabortion.com