VA GOV: For Deeds, It's All About Bush

(**Updated 8/27 with McDonnell response).

State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) released his second TV ad of the general election season today -- and like his first, it's all about George W. Bush. As the camp heats up, Deeds has increasingly tried to pair ex-AG Bob McDonnell (R) with the ex-pres on TV and radio. VA Dems are betting that Bush will motivate their base and independents to turn out for Deeds the way they did for Pres. Obama when he became the first nat'l Dem to win the state in a generation last Nov.

But Obama's not the Dem the Deeds camp wants on VAins minds in the voting booth this year. Like Deeds last ad, this one doesn't mention the current pres -- or VA's current Dem Gov., Tim Kaine -- instead casting ex-Gov./Sen. Mark Warner as the successful Dem example Deeds will follow.

Update: Shortly after the new Deeds ad was announced McDonnell spokesperson Tucker Martin responded to the Bush messaging.

"[Deeds is] right on one thing: Virginians are worried about the policies promoted by occupants of Washington D.C. They are worried about massive debt, cap and trade, card check, and nationalized healthcare, all policies Creigh supports," he said. "Desperate and down in the polls, Creigh Deeds is misrepresenting Bob's remarks to take attention away from his own anti-jobs record, and the anti-jobs policies he champions for his national party."

Check out new Deeds ad ad below. As with all of the TV ads on both sides in the VA GOV race so far, the new spot is running statewide except the DC suburbs.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)