Repeater
Regular Member
imported post
From the WaPo:
How a Democrat Loses in Virginia
Former Democratic Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder’s resounding non-endorsement of Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate this year, is an important moment in an important campaign.
...
But Deeds has been unable to follow this script. His rural, gun-culture roots reinforce minority skepticism -- or at least cool minority enthusiasm. Wilder, in his statement, specifically criticized Deeds’s opposition to gun control.
At the same time, Deeds has been lured -- by desperation and McDonnell’s grad school thesis -- to the hard left on social issues. This may shore up support among some Democrats. But it is not the way Warner or Kaine won their elections.
McDonnell, in contrast, is the suburban candidate in the race, with roots in Fairfax County and Virginia Beach. He was the last Republican to run statewide in Virginia and win the “Suburban Six” -- Henrico, Chesterfield, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Prince William and Loudoun Counties. On issues such as education and transportation, McDonnell has been far more active, creative and specific than his opponent. McDonnell is closer in political style to Warner and Kaine than Deeds is.
If you turned off the sound in the current race for Virginia governor and merely looked at the style, approach and background of the candidates, the results are surprising. The candidate who is suburban, policy oriented and moderate in tone is…a Republican. The candidate who is rural, angry and ideologically inflamed is…a Democrat. This was enough to make Wilder think twice. It is likely to make many Virginians think twice.
From the WaPo:
How a Democrat Loses in Virginia
Former Democratic Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder’s resounding non-endorsement of Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate this year, is an important moment in an important campaign.
...
But Deeds has been unable to follow this script. His rural, gun-culture roots reinforce minority skepticism -- or at least cool minority enthusiasm. Wilder, in his statement, specifically criticized Deeds’s opposition to gun control.
At the same time, Deeds has been lured -- by desperation and McDonnell’s grad school thesis -- to the hard left on social issues. This may shore up support among some Democrats. But it is not the way Warner or Kaine won their elections.
McDonnell, in contrast, is the suburban candidate in the race, with roots in Fairfax County and Virginia Beach. He was the last Republican to run statewide in Virginia and win the “Suburban Six” -- Henrico, Chesterfield, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Prince William and Loudoun Counties. On issues such as education and transportation, McDonnell has been far more active, creative and specific than his opponent. McDonnell is closer in political style to Warner and Kaine than Deeds is.
If you turned off the sound in the current race for Virginia governor and merely looked at the style, approach and background of the candidates, the results are surprising. The candidate who is suburban, policy oriented and moderate in tone is…a Republican. The candidate who is rural, angry and ideologically inflamed is…a Democrat. This was enough to make Wilder think twice. It is likely to make many Virginians think twice.
