The Washington Post trying to sink Bob McDonell and give Deeds the election

[SkinsHokieFan]

I had enough of an issue with the WaPo's coverage of the non issue of Bob's thesis. Now look.

If you look at the front page of the Washington Post.com, and look in the opinions area you see the following text


Macaca Moment
Hockstader: A candidate in the Virginia governor's race is mocked for his halting speech.

So the thought is, hmm one of the candidates is mocking the other candidates speech

You then click the link

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2009/10/sheila_johnsons_macaca_moment.html?hpid=opinionsbo x1

And get this headline


Sheila Johnson's Macaca Moment

Johnson of course being one of the founders of BET and a big supporter of Bob McDonell (gee, a black woman supporting the alleged working woman hater, but I digress)

Anyways, the article imbeds a video of Sheila Johnson making fun of Creigh Deeds

The text as follows


Sheila Johnson's Macaca Moment
By Lee Hockstader

If life is like high school, now we know who Sheila Johnson is: she’s one of the nasty girls who delight in mocking those she deems uncool.

In a campaign appearance on behalf of Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor in Virginia, Johnson, the zillionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television, explained that she’d endorsed him because -- well, because he doesn’t stutter.

In a macaca moment now going viral on YouTube, Johnson mocked McDonnell’s opponent, state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), by imitating and wildly exaggerating the very slight stammer that characterizes his speech.

In fact, Deeds speaks like most of us -- he starts and restarts sentences, correcting and modifying and adjusting as he goes. But in Johnson’s book, that’s apparently just not cool. Deeds, she said -- when she was finished ridiculing him -- wouldn’t be able to make Virginia’s case to the wider world. McDonnell -- crisp, canned and camera-ready -- is more to her liking.

When rich entertainment TV moguls are mocking decent, self-effacing candidates for public office such as Deeds, you know we've reached some sort of new bottom in the slime wars.

Naturally, Johnson apologized -- not because she cares a whit for Deeds, or Virginia or stutterers, or the other people she offended, but to try to patch her own tarnished reputation. Just like in high school, that’s how the nasty kids roll.

Of course this has very little to do with Bob McDonell at all. It has even less to do with Bob McDonell then President Obama's "clinging to guns" speech had to do with the President.

Yet somehow the Post manages to a) make this some sort of issue linking the gubernatorial candidate to it, and b) by its misleading headline on the Washingtonpost.com page makes you actually think it was MCDONELL himself who made the comment, with his "maccaca moment"

What liberal media? :whoknows:

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

It's funny because the liberal blogosphere has been freaking out the last couple months about how the Post has gone all conservative.


BTW, just got your email SHF. Thanks a ton for your help. I really appreciate it.

[SkinsHokieFan]

It's funny because the liberal blogosphere has been freaking out the last couple months about how the Post has gone all conservative.


BTW, just got your email SHF. Thanks a ton for your help. I really appreciate it.

Terrific. My fault for totally lettig it slip all day

And for the most part, I do think the Washington Post has gone to the right on national issues.

State and local though, this paper is still quite liberal. They have been carrying the water for Deeds since May. Much better then he could have ever hoped for

[skinfan13]

The Post is biased, what else is new? :whoknows:

[SkinsHokieFan]

The Post is biased, what else is new? :whoknows:

I think this is the first time I have seen the Post so blatantly trying to influence the results of an election.

There has always been bias, and in recent years its actually shifted more to the right with the editorial board, but in this race the Post has not even pretended to be objective

[skinfan13]

I think this is the first time I have seen the Post so blatantly trying to influence the results of an election.

There has always been bias, and in recent years its actually shifted more to the right with the editorial board, but in this race the Post has not even pretended to be objective I've never believed that objectivity has been a mission of the Post. quite the opposite, the language is highly suggestive in their articles and they are organized in a way that you have to read the whole article and not just the front page to get an unbiased story. their first page material is very suggestive, to me at least.

It's not like the Moony rag is much better.

thats why I get my news from multiple sources online, it's just easier. I use the post for the editorials and the funnies.

[SkinsHokieFan]

And, despite the efforts of the Post, it looks like Deeds is going to lose badly in a month

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/08/AR2009100802738.html


McDonnell Widens Lead Over Deeds
Poll Finds Voters Are Looking at Stands On Issues, Tone of Ads in Governor's Race
By Rosalind S. Helderman and Jon Cohen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 9, 2009

Republican Robert F. McDonnell has taken a commanding lead over R. Creigh Deeds in the race for governor of Virginia as momentum the Democrat had built with an attack on his opponent's conservative social views has dissipated, according to a new Washington Post poll.

McDonnell leads 53 to 44 percent among likely voters, expanding on the four-point lead he held in mid-September. Deeds's advantage with female voters has all but disappeared, and McDonnell has grown his already wide margin among independents. Deeds, a state senator from western Virginia, is widely seen by voters as running a negative campaign, a finding that might indicate that his aggressive efforts to exploit McDonnell's 20-year-old graduate thesis are turning voters away.

Much of the movement since last month has come in Northern Virginia, where Deeds's 17-point lead has been whittled significantly, even in the area's left-leaning inner suburbs.

The poll indicates that the GOP is well-positioned to emphatically end a recent Democratic winning streak, with Republicans Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli each holding identical 49 to 40 percent leads over Democrats Jody Wagner and Steve Shannon for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

The survey reflects the trend of the campaign over recent weeks. After being on the defensive since his thesis was published in late August, McDonnell has been able to retake momentum by focusing on issues, such as the economy and transportation, and articulating his vision to voters. McDonnell has been aided by airing twice as many campaign ads in Northern Virginia.

By double-digit margins, voters say that he would better handle virtually every major issue facing Virginians, including transportation, taxes, education, the state budget and the economy. Only on issues of special concern to women does Deeds hold a tepid 47 to 41 point advantage.

Also in recent weeks, Deeds has struggled in several appearances in Northern Virginia, including a debate last month in Fairfax County that he followed by bungling questions from reporters about whether he supports a tax increase. That lengthy scene has been turned into a campaign commercial by Republicans and is airing across the state.

To clarify, he penned an opinion piece for The Washington Post, in which he said he was willing to raise taxes to pay for transportation improvements. It was a rare and risky position for a Virginia candidate, and one that puts him out of step with voters, a majority of whom said they oppose paying more in taxes for roads and transit.

Deeds has also failed to consolidate support from fellow Democrats: He did not win the endorsement of former governor L. Douglas Wilder, President Obama has not committed to campaigning for him in the final weeks of the race and prominent party members have been openly criticizing the focus and tone of his campaign.

There is now a widespread perception that Deeds's campaign has taken on a decidedly negative tone -- 56 percent of voters say he has been running a negative campaign. Six of 10 voters say McDonnell's effort has been mainly positive. A new ad released by Deeds's campaign Thursday begins with an assault on McDonnell's transportation plan before turning to Deeds's vision.

"With Deeds, I don't feel like I know much about him," said Irene Murphy, 28, of Springfield, a poll respondent who said she voted for Obama last year and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in 2005 but is leaning toward McDonnell this year. "I don't feel like he's run a campaign that gives me a good idea of where he stands on certain issues. I feel like he's been so focused on making McDonnell look bad that he's made himself look bad."

Click link for rest

[Barney B]

And, despite the efforts of the Post, it looks like Deeds is going to lose badly in a month


Which would be absolutely fine.

Virginians have some history of punishing candidates who run negative campaigns, and it's hard to remember when any candidate has gone so relentlessly negative as Deeds. If you've been waiting for him to tell us any part of what he stands for, and instead keep hearing about how McDonnell makes Stalin look like Ghandi, you won't be surprised when Virginia regects yet another mudslinging candidate.

[skinfan13]

Which would be absolutely fine.

Virginians have some history of punishing candidates who run negative campaigns, and it's hard to remember when any candidate has gone so relentlessly negative as Deeds. If you've been waiting for him to tell us any part of what he stands for, and instead keep hearing about how McDonnell makes Stalin look like Ghandi, you won't be surprised when Virginia regects yet another mudslinging candidate. I couldn't agree more. Deeds has every reason to win this election: Democrats have historically and emphatically owned Virginia. Virginia just voted Democratic in the last presidential election for the first time in practically forever, indicating a rather huge shift or a very large number of voters discontented with the GOP on the national and state level.

this election was his to loose. I stated at the beginning of this race that I was very happy with the candidates chosen and the discourse of the debate. I had made up my mind that I could vote for either guy and would do so based on issues. Well, I also heavily dislike mudslinging campaigns of this sort, plus Deeds has not really put forth any sort of agenda for our commonwealth. I decided who I would vote for about a few weeks ago and I stand by the decision. I would be upset if Deeds won; not because he is a Virginia Democrat, but because he clearly doesn't look like he is ready to lead or set policy goals. While I think that raising taxes in order to pay for transportation is actually a good policy position, I just can't reconcile that with the entire picture that is Creigh Deeds...

[TheLongshot]

I get a bit annoyed at the national media hyping this up to be some referendum on national politics. Deeds is likely to lose because he's run a poor campaign where he hasn't been able to express what he's actually for. I don't think that's anything to judge national politics on.

I do worry about how McDonnell is going to pay for his transportation plan. There is a lot of fear it will come at the cost of the education budget. McDonnell's record there isn't exactly strong.

[aREDSKIN]

I think this is the first time I have seen the Post so blatantly trying to influence the results of an election.

There has always been bias, and in recent years its actually shifted more to the right with the editorial board, but in this race the Post has not even pretended to be objective


Well, at ONLY 27 you haven't had the longevity to experience the Post's MO. They've been doing this for as long as I can remember. Typical MO for the majority of leftist partisan media types.

[Thiebear]

I remember voting for Potts because of such negative adds by the Republican.

It has turned the other way.

[JMS]

I think this is the first time I have seen the Post so blatantly trying to influence the results of an election.

You haven't followed many elections then. I remember back in the 80's when Ross Perote was running for President. Post ran a front page negative article about him in every addition for months.


The post like all newspapers great and small endorse candidates. Nothing new here. Post might be hitting McDonell a little harder than they've hit other republicans in the goobernatorial races lately because McDonell is up a little and looks like he could pull it off. My fellow Virginians have likely forgotten the disasterous GOP governors of George Allen, and Gilmore who just about bankrupted the state.

[JMS]

Well, at ONLY 27 you haven't had the longevity to experience the Post's MO. They've been doing this for as long as I can remember.

Every newspaper endorses a candidate. I agree with you that the Post always does this kind of thing, only typically in Virginia it doesn't matter cause the majority of the state doesn't read the Paper..

Virginia remains a southern conservative state, but they've been flirting with conservative democrates for about a decade since the GOP let the state down. The problem is the Democrats think that means the State is turning to the left, and I don't think it is. I think Virginia's heart is still conservative, they just don't consider the whackadoodle GOP candidates reflections of their conservative ideals...

In this election, the dems are trying to say McDonel is another whackadoodle because he voted to.. ( cut's school budgets, radical anti abortion policies, offensive to women and minority rights ) while the GOP is trying to define Deeds as a left wing big government liberal. Both are offensive to the Virginia electorate. The question is which party has the most credibility and which charges have the most teeth.

[SkinsHokieFan]

As an outsider, who has only seen the ads. I do not know if I have ever seen a campaign based on less than Creigh Deeds. It's not a 50% "I am not a bad as the other guy" campaign, it's a 100% " I am not as bad as the other guy" campaign. Does anyone know what the guy actually stands for?

On a personal level, I actually like Creigh Deeds quite a bit. He spoke to our "city" when I was at Boys State in 1999.

Real nice guy, forthcoming, took the time to answer all the dumbass questions of rising high school seniors. He left a very good impression of me that day

10 years later, I have no clue a) what happened to that guy and b) what on earth kind of campaign he is trying to run

As was previously posted, in gubernatorial elections that I have memories of in Virginia, the "attacking" candidate has always lost, while the candidate who articulates and presents a clear vision for Virginia has always won.

This goes back to George Allen for me

[JMS]

As was previously posted, in gubernatorial elections that I have memories of in Virginia, the "attacking" candidate has always lost, while the candidate who articulates and presents a clear vision for Virginia has always won.

This goes back to George Allen for me


I don't think that's accurate at all. I think the candiate who is behind in the polls (Republican or Democrat) always is the candidate who attacks the hardests. That's why Deeds is on the offensive, cause he's behind.

I also don't think it's true that the candidate who goes on the offensive always looses. Both parties wouldn't do it, if it wasn't effective.

[SkinsHokieFan]

I don't think that's accurate at all. I think the candiate who is behind in the polls (Republican or Democrat) always is the candidate who attacks the hardests. That's why Deeds is on the offensive, cause he's behind.

I also don't think it's true that the candidate who goes on the offensive always looses. Both parties wouldn't do it, if it wasn't effective.

Well if we look back since George Allen, its always been clear who has the ideas and who is "attacking"

Kaine had the "ideas" Kilgore was simply attacking

Warner had the "ideas" Earley simply had no campaign at all and in the end was really stretching while attacking

Gilmore presented ideas, Beyer spent 4 months attacking them

George Allen presented ideas while Mary Sue Terry was simply an attack dog

Now granted the winning side also did attack, but they didn't make that the entire focus of their campaign. Each of the winning candidates since 1993 presented an agenda and vision for Virginia that was very clear and they were able to sell the state on.

The losing candidate never had any of it and by the end was attacking whatever little thing they could

[corsair_joe]

I'm not a VA resident so I have no dog in this fight. I also consider myself fairly liberal but I'd have to vote for McDonnell if it were up to me, all Deeds has done is attack, he's failed at presenting any ideas or taking positions on issues.

[Elessar78]

I think the bias is greatly overstated and people see what they want to see. I look to the Post to read insightful, high-level, professional journalism and that's what I get. Just be glad you get the Post daily. I'm stuck with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette... talk about an amateur outfit. I read that paper and I think the people in this town are dim.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Bumpin for the afternoon crowd

[Midnight Judges]

I couldn't agree more. Deeds has every reason to win this election: Democrats have historically and emphatically owned Virginia. Virginia just voted Democratic in the last presidential election for the first time in practically forever, indicating a rather huge shift or a very large number of voters discontented with the GOP on the national and state level.

this election was his to loose. I stated at the beginning of this race that I was very happy with the candidates chosen and the discourse of the debate. I had made up my mind that I could vote for either guy and would do so based on issues. Well, I also heavily dislike mudslinging campaigns of this sort, plus Deeds has not really put forth any sort of agenda for our commonwealth. I decided who I would vote for about a few weeks ago and I stand by the decision. I would be upset if Deeds won; not because he is a Virginia Democrat, but because he clearly doesn't look like he is ready to lead or set policy goals. While I think that raising taxes in order to pay for transportation is actually a good policy position, I just can't reconcile that with the entire picture that is Creigh Deeds...

I mostly disagree.

1) the Post's discovery of McDonnel's incredibly chauvenistic thesis is a revelation. The guy is a complete nutjob and at 34 or whatever he was at the time, it's kind of hard to imagine these were just immature academic exercises (that he made by choice).

2) this election was never Deeds's to lose. Virginia never votes for a Governor of the same party of the President. This trend holds true for decades. We are inherently rebelious.

Also, Democrats have won two Governor's races, increased representation in the house, taken over the state senate, and won the last two senate races. This is not a solid blue state. It's purple at best. Democrats are not going to sweep every election. Virginians are simply ready for a Republican at this point.

3) Despite being a total nutjob to the core, McDonnel has done a great job of surpressing his inner bigot, and he's actually a pretty good candidate and debater. Deeds, by contrast, seems like a genuinely nice guy, but he is not polished, has not run a good campaign, and has poor debate skills.

I agree with you on the tax thing though. McDonnell has basically pledged to do nothing about transportation because nothing will get done without increased revenues. Roads cost money. If we want them we're going to have to pay for them. It's that simple. Deeds should be commended for his honesty there. Unfortunatey, I think the masses either don't care, or have once again fallen for the nonsense that a guy can spend more and simultaneously tax less.

[Midnight Judges]

Which would be absolutely fine.

Virginians have some history of punishing candidates who run negative campaigns, and it's hard to remember when any candidate has gone so relentlessly negative as Deeds. If you've been waiting for him to tell us any part of what he stands for, and instead keep hearing about how McDonnell makes Stalin look like Ghandi, you won't be surprised when Virginia regects yet another mudslinging candidate.

I agree. Mudslinging never plays well here in the commonwealth.

Of course, this could also be one of those chicken and the egg arguments. Perhaps candidates go negative because they are losing.

It's like when football pundits say crap like "Every time the Redskins run the ball more than 30 times, they win." Uh no. They ran the ball 30 times because they were already winning dumbass! :D

[Arsenic]

I'm tired of The Washington Post telling me what I should think. Personal agendas are impossible to get rid of.

To quote the late, great Mitch Hedberg: "I'm against Picketing... but I don't know how to show it."

[SkinsHokieFan]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/09/AR2009100903736.html?hpid=topnews


GOP Fervor for McDonnell Mounts as Election Nears
By Sandhya Somashekhar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 9, 2009 6:19 PM

Virginia Republicans are heading into the home stretch of campaign season with a level of enthusiasm unparalleled in recent years, as gubernatorial hopeful Robert F. McDonnell surges ahead in the polls and gives hope to a party that has experienced a series of demoralizing defeats over the past decade.

McDonnell led his Democratic opponent, R. Creigh Deeds, by a significant margin in a Washington Post poll conducted this week. But his supporters are also expressing a high level of excitement, a factor that could be key in motivating voters on Election Day.

In the poll, 41 percent of Republican McDonnell backers said they were very enthusiastic about his candidacy, compared with 21 percent of Democratic Deeds supporters and his candidacy.

Democrats have struggled this year to recapture a measure of the excitement that was pervasive last fall, when flocks of supporters helped Barack Obama become the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Virginia in 44 years.

Only half of the poll respondents who backed Obama a year ago said they are certain to vote next month, compared with the two-thirds of voters who backed Republican John McCain.

The enthusiasm gap has been evident at county fairs, back-to-school nights and other spots in Northern Virginia that typically overflow with campaign volunteers. McDonnell backers were quicker to blanket highway median strips with signs. In Fairfax County, a community that has solidly backed Democratic candidates in recent years, more than 300 activists attended a recent GOP breakfast pep rally -- triple the number at a similar event last year, and so many that the pancakes ran out.

"I think it would be fair to say that the Republicans are feeling the urgency of the campaign far more than Democrats have been," said C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "But I think as the election approaches, more and more Democrats are engaging and focusing on the race. I think between now and Election Day, the enthusiasm gap will close."

GOP leaders say the energy in their ranks stems in part from a hunger to reverse the trend that has favored Democratic candidates and sent the state and the country down what they see as the wrong path. Once a solidly Republican state, Virginia has two Democratic U.S. senators, a Democratic state Senate and a Democratic governor.

GOP leaders also credit McDonnell, whose pragmatic focus has made inroads among moderates and independents. Brian W. Schoeneman, 32, who attended the GOP breakfast rally, said he has gravitated toward the former state attorney general because he had moved away from the extreme conservative views outlined in a widely publicized 1989 graduate school thesis.

"I think our candidates are waking up and realize that's not what's going to win elections," Schoeneman said. McDonnell, he said, "had that background, but in this campaign, he's talking about policies. He's talking about transportation. He's talking about education. He's talking about the things that matter to me as a moderate."

Click link for rest

[SkinsHokieFan]

This must have been very paiinful for the NY Times to write

In particular the line that I am going to bold and highlight down below

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/us/politics/14nagourney.html?_r=1&ref=politics


ON POLITICS
Second Thoughts in Battle for Virginia

By ADAM NAGOURNEY
WASHINGTON — When State Senator R. Creigh Deeds defeated Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic Party chairman and confidante of Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton, to be the Democratic nominee for governor of Virginia, the argument among many Democrats was that Mr. Deeds — an easy-going, moderate Democrat from rural Virginia — would be the stronger candidate in a general election.

But with this closely-watched election less than a month away, and Mr. Deeds struggling against Robert McDonnell, the Republican former attorney general, it is hard not to forgive some Virginia Democrats for thinking that they might have been better off with Mr. McAuliffe at the top of the ticket. This is no small thing since a defeat for Democrats in Virginia would be a decided setback for this White House, particularly after President Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state last year since 1964. Democrats have held the Virginia governor’s seat for eight years.

The most recent Washington Post poll showed Mr. McDonnell leading Mr. Deeds by a 53 percent to 44 percent margin; while there is certainly time for Mr. Deeds to turn things around, his prospects right now appear weak, reflected by the fact that he can not even get Mr. Obama to agree to come campaign for him in the state.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that in terms of campaign skills and ability to go toe-to-toe — both with McDonnell and national Republicans who have spent considerable resources on this race — McAuliffe has more experience and more skills,” said Robert D. Holsworth, a Virginia political analyst. “McAuliffe always had the big advantages and big liabilities. But those advantages would have been considerable in the race that this turned out to be.”

Without question, Mr. McAuliffe would have had his problems in a general election, in the view of both his supporters and detractors. He always had to battle the perception that he was an interloper, a wealthy former New Yorker whose constituency always seemed more national than Virginia. His tendency to be the showman — prone to the occasional exaggeration — could get him into trouble, and created what appeared to be something of a cultural disconnect between Mr. McAuliffe and the Virginians whose votes he wanted.

And no doubt, Mr. McDonnell would have been aggressive in raising questions about Mr. McAuliffe’s long history of business dealings and connections. The arrest over the summer of Hassan Nemazee, a close McAuliffe ally and fundraiser, on fraud charges would not have been a happy moment in a McAuliffe campaign.

But based at least on his own performance as a candidate in the three-way Virginia Democratic primary — not to mention his years as a television and campaign surrogate for the Clintons — Mr. McAuliffe might well have had a decided advantage over Mr. Deeds in money and campaign skills, a view expressed by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Consider this: Perhaps the single most politically devastating moment for Mr. Deeds was when he gave a halting and fumbling answer, in a cluster of reporters and television cameras, about whether he would raise taxes to pay for repairing the state’s transportation system. Republicans have used clips from it to produce two of the most devastating advertisements of the campaign, raising questions at once about his views on taxes and his basic candor.

Click link for rest

[Old Bay]

3) Despite being a total nutjob to the core, McDonnel has done a great job of surpressing his inner bigot, and he's actually a pretty good candidate and debater. Deeds, by contrast, seems like a genuinely nice guy, but he is not polished, has not run a good campaign, and has poor debate skills.


This is kind of where I'm at right now in terms of thought to this race.

[The Evil Genius]

SHF - is McDonell's campaign still making fun of Deeds stuttering problem? Or was that just their hitman that did that?

[SkinsHokieFan]

SHF - is McDonell's campaign still making fun of Deeds stuttering problem? Or was that just their hitman that did that?

I dunno- after 8 years of the left making fun of Bush's speaking (and seeing that Deeds has no medically diagnosed stuttering problem) I am not sure if its much of an issue :whoknows:

Of course, it looks like the Washington Post was making fun of the way Deeds speaks also

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/03/AR2009100303042.html


Creigh Deeds was stammering, as is often his way when trying to explain a change in one of his political positions. He indicated that he felt conflicted over a stance, not the first time during his campaign for Virginia governor. "I'm not certain I would do that again," he said.

[Popeman38]

As an outsider, who has only seen the ads. I do not know if I have ever seen a campaign based on less than Creigh Deeds. It's not a 50% "I am not a bad as the other guy" campaign, it's a 100% " I am not as bad as the other guy" campaign. Does anyone know what the guy actually stands for?I think he has made himself clear, young man!

I laugh every time I see that add. You are on tape contradicting yourself in the same sentence, and then you claim you were clear. I think Deeds lost this election the day he launched his candidacy with no concise outline of his political path.

[The Evil Genius]

Has anyone bothered to google Deeds platform? It only takes 60 seconds to find exactly what he believes in.

The "does anyone know what he believes in" smear is hilarious. At first I thought it was just someone who wasn't bothering to look. Of course, now, I know its a tactic that has probably won the election. That, and making light of a non-medical (according to SHF) stuttering problem.

Makes it easier to live of Cali-for-knee-ya these days...

[Prosperity]

political campaigns are so similar in their tactics that if you've seen one you've seen them all, this particular tactic is just one tried and true method used by sophists for generations

[SkinsHokieFan]

Has anyone bothered to google Deeds platform? It only takes 60 seconds to find exactly what he believes in.

The "does anyone know what he believes in" smear is hilarious. At first I thought it was just someone who wasn't bothering to look. Of course, now, I know its a tactic that has probably won the election. That, and making light of a non-medical (according to SHF) stuttering problem.

Makes it easier to live of Cali-for-knee-ya these days...

The point is, Deeds himself has not articulated what HE stands for.

You can ask pretty much anyone in VA, his whole campaign has been based on Bob's thesis from 1989.

That and Bob's campaign has hit Deeds VERY hard on a convulated, confusing answer to a few questions that Deeds had after the 09/17 debate. The man looked confused, contradicted himself and just came off as not knowing what he was talking about.

The "attack" ad is simply Deeds trying to answer a few questions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6d36a2gso)

Which is a shame for Deeds because he is a good guy. But thats politics isn't it?

[The Evil Genius]

Oh so you do know what Deeds stands for then? Because you claimed you didn't a few weeks ago.

;)

[Popeman38]

Has anyone bothered to google Deeds platform? It only takes 60 seconds to find exactly what he believes in.

The "does anyone know what he believes in" smear is hilarious. At first I thought it was just someone who wasn't bothering to look. Of course, now, I know its a tactic that has probably won the election. That, and making light of a non-medical (according to SHF) stuttering problem.

Makes it easier to live of Cali-for-knee-ya these days...Please. We all know he has an agenda. The problem is he has not made his agenda known to the public. Dems can take issue with McDonell's platform without visiting his website. Because he has made it public in campaigning. Deeds has not. All his political spots have been negative against McDonell. The Dems have been negative and harping on a thesis for the majority of the campaign. If you saw the political ads on a nightly basis, you would understand.

To win an election, you have to crossover to the other parties base and pull some votes. McDonell has been focusing on this the entire election. Deeds has been banking on the Obama effect and negative public opinion of Reps to win this election. The non-prty affiliated voters take notice of these things. These things will bite Deeds in the ass.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Oh so you do know what Deeds stands for then? Because you claimed you didn't a few weeks ago.

;)

At this point, not really.

Again, its a shame he has run such a piss poor campaign. He's a pretty swell guy from when I met him 10 years ago.

[The Evil Genius]

I suspect you are correct Popeman. Too bad - because if McDonell's thesis is a true representative of who he is (which is debateable) - then a large part of Virginia is screwed.

[The Evil Genius]

At this point, not really.

Again, its a shame he has run such a piss poor campaign. He's a pretty swell guy from when I met him 10 years ago.

Too bad for Deeds then. Although, I suspect a lot of elections are won (California recall in 2003 would be a big one if I recall correctly) without the winner ever stating his platform and winning based on how bad the other guy is (we can call it the lesser of two evils campaign strategy).

[SkinsHokieFan]

And I have to add, there is one thing McDonell has "promised" which really is a dealmaker for me.

He has spoken of "fast tracking" Class C business licences in VA, so that you can get one within 48 hours.

Class C is the most basic business licences you can get (contractors can do work up to $7500 per job) and it used to be VERY easy to get, until 2006

In 2006, along with the 250 dollar fee you have to pay, you also were now required, for a CLASS C to take an 8 hour class, which also costs 250 dollars.

I was thinking about reneweing it this year, just to get it over with, but since I got my Class C originally before 2006, I was being forced into taking the stupid class.

Now I'll just wait until Bob gets into office and avoid having to take the class at all

[The Evil Genius]

And I have to add, there is one thing McDonell has "promised" which really is a dealmaker for me.

He has spoken of "fast tracking" Class C business licences in VA, so that you can get one within 48 hours.

Class C is the most basic business licences you can get (contractors can do work up to $7500 per job) and it used to be VERY easy to get, until 2006

In 2006, along with the 250 dollar fee you have to pay, you also were now required, for a CLASS C to take an 8 hour class, which also costs 250 dollars.

I was thinking about reneweing it this year, just to get it over with, but since I got my Class C originally before 2006, I was being forced into taking the stupid class.

Now I'll just wait until Bob gets into office and avoid having to take the class at all

Out of curiosity, do you think the extra $250 and 8 hours of class dissuaded bad contractors (or others) from getting the license at all? Or was this purely a money grab by the state?

[SkinsHokieFan]

Out of curiosity, do you think the extra $250 and 8 hours of class dissuaded bad contractors (or others) from getting the license at all? Or was this purely a money grab by the state?

For class C, I doubt it had any big impact.

The max value is $7,500 on these jobs, and are really for start up contractors.

I have no problem with the class/extra fees and regulations for Class B and Class A as those are much bigger jobs.

But for 7,500 or less, meh.

[SkinsHokieFan]

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