By Rosalind S. Helderman
WASHINGTON When they last ran against each other four years ago Democrat R.
Creigh Deeds and Republican Robert F. McDonnell were little-known local politicians who battled to within 323 votes of each other out of 2 million cast in a race for attorney general.
This time the two men with deep roots in the state will not only battle for Virginias highest office but will do so in an election that is expected to draw intense national attention and be viewed as a bellwether for a president and his party.
McDonnell will campaign with a parade of Republican presidential hopefuls. Deeds will have new allies at his side as well: two popular Democratic senators a well-liked Democratic governor who also can bring to bear the resources of the Democratic National Committee and a figure Democrats hope will deliver Deeds to the governors mansion: President Obama.
Although there also is a competitive governors race in New Jersey strategists in both parties see Virginias as the contest more likely to shape perceptions heading into the midterm election year of 2010.
The stakes truly couldnt be higher said Phil Musser former executive director of the
Republican Governors Association. It has all the elements to make the case for the legitimization of the Obama governing philosophy and strategy or the beginning of a GOP comeback. As such this will take on a much larger life of its own.
The Virginia battle also should quiet pundits who thought the commonwealth was turning into a deep blue Democratic state. Both men have conservative credentials Deeds has in the past been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and both will have to work to build connections to Northern Virginia home to most of the states voters.
Experts believe each candidate will insist that his opponent is no longer the man he faced just four years ago. Deeds will accuse McDonnell of shying from a conservative record as a former protege of religious conservative icon Pat Robertson. He will attempt to convince voters that McDonnell is a symbol for a Republican Party that has lost touch with a growing electorate of social moderates.
To read the rest of this story click Here.
WASHINGTON When they last ran against each other four years ago Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Robert F. McDonnell were little-known local politicians who battled to within 323 votes of each other out of 2 million cast in a race for attorney general.
This time the two men with deep roots in the state will not only battle for Virginias highest office but will do so in an election that is expected to draw intense national attention and be viewed as a bellwether for a president and his party.
McDonnell will campaign with a parade of Republican presidential hopefuls. Deeds will have new allies at his side as well: two popular Democratic senators a well-liked Democratic governor who also can bring to bear the resources of the Democratic National Committee and a figure Democrats hope will deliver Deeds to the governors mansion: President Obama.
Although there also is a competitive governors race in New Jersey strategists in both parties see Virginias as the contest more likely to shape perceptions heading into the midterm election year of 2010.
The stakes truly couldnt be higher said Phil Musser former executive director of the Republican Governors Association. It has all the elements to make the case for the legitimization of the Obama governing philosophy and strategy or the beginning of a GOP comeback. As such this will take on a much larger life of its own.
The Virginia battle also should quiet pundits who thought the commonwealth was turning into a deep blue Democratic state. Both men have conservative credentials Deeds has in the past been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and both will have to work to build connections to Northern Virginia home to most of the states voters.
Experts believe each candidate will insist that his opponent is no longer the man he faced just four years ago. Deeds will accuse McDonnell of shying from a conservative record as a former protege of religious conservative icon Pat Robertson. He will attempt to convince voters that McDonnell is a symbol for a Republican Party that has lost touch with a growing electorate of social moderates.
To read the rest of this story click Here.
