VA GOV: Deeds launches Fall camp, TV ad blitz
(**Updated 8/24** See Deeds' entire GMU speech after the jump.)
State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) attempted to re-energize his flagging VA GOV camp and kicked off the homestretch toward Election Day today with what staff called a "major policy speech" and the launch of a new batch of TV ads.
Deeds has been falling behind ex-AG Bob McDonnell (R) in recent polls and has been tweaking his camp in the past several weeks. Last weeks, Deeds has "beefed up" his staff, adding VA political veteran Mo Elleithee to head up message along with several other new staffers.
The new staff played a large role in crafting today's speech, according to Deeds mgr Joe Abbey. The address, which Deeds delivered to a small crowd in a basement auditorium at George Mason University in the NoVA town of Fairfax, focused on casting McDonnell as a return to George W. Bush-style economics, which Deeds said were "the failed policies of the past."
In keeping with another recent change to his camp message, Deeds also attempted to paint McDonnell as an ideologue on social issues, calling McDonnell's record as a legislator a "single-minded crusade" to restrict abortion rights, restrict access to birth control and further a belief "that government should interfere in a family's most personal decisions like those of Terry Schiavo and Hugh Finn."
The new television ad leaves that message out, focusing instead on the Bush comparison. That might be because of its intended target -- the ad will run in every VA market except NoVA -- places where the population is often more socially conservative than their fellow VAians in the DC suburbs.
Here's the ad:
For its part, the McDonnell camp called Deeds new focus on Bush and a pre-Gov. Mark Warner (D) anything but the bold "reframing" Deeds camp said it was. McDonnell spokesperson Tucker Martin, in a statement: "That was the most backwards looking speech ever given by a Virginia gubernatorial nominee. If Creigh Deeds thinks blowing the dust off an old political playbook amounts to a major new announcement, he doesn't get what the voters of Virginia are looking for in their next governor."
Elleithee disagrees. In a conf call with reporters after the speech, he said most VAins are "just starting to tune in" to the GOV race and are eager to understand the contrasts between the two candidates. "We never set out to announce new policy on this speech," he said. The goal was "to reach two groups: Independents and the Democratic base."
"Independents," he continued, "do not understand how extreme Bob McDonnell has been. All they know about him is his repackaging as a moderate."
As for Dems, which polls show are sorely lacking in excitement over Deeds, "they got to hear a speech about why this race is so important," Elleithee said.
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
After the jump, Deeds camp video of the GMU speech.
A Democrat comparing his opponent to Bush. Wow Creigh Deeds , that's really original.
Let's face it, party loyalty has never been a big part of Virginians' identities. So people will make up their mind on which of the two is more forward looking. So far, for those of use who have met Bob McDonnell as he travels the state, he is really genuine and working hard to earn our trust. He's got my vote.