Research 2000 for Daily Kos (6/15-17, likely voters, 6/1-3 in parens):
Creigh Deeds (D): 44 (34)
Bob McDonnell (R): 45 (46)
Undecided: 11 (20)
(MoE: ±4%)
This is the second poll we’ve seen of the race since the Democratic primary concluded, and it’s more good news for Deeds (Rasmussen had Deeds up by 47-41 the day after the primary). While McDonnell will be a pretty tough candidate to beat, it’s worth repeating that, four years ago, Tim Kaine didn’t start off his race in nearly as good a position. Kaine lagged behind Republican Jerry Kilgore by mid-single digits in almost every poll prior to October before posting a beautiful finish. McDonnell will be a less embarrassing candidate strictly in terms of messaging and presentation for the GOP than Kilgore was in 2005, but the state has also become more Democratic since then. This will be a fun race to watch.
RaceTracker: VA-Gov
where Democrats have been able to win close statewide races. that’s good news indeed for Deeds.
then I was about Kaine-Kilgore. If I had to guess, a 5-7 point win sounds likely. Possibly 10 points if things really go in our favor.
I realize we stand little chance of beating Lt Gov Bill “Gutter” Bolling, but how do we stand in the AG race and the House of Delegates?
Ken Cucchinelli is a terrible candidate for the GOP…he’s already got some bad YouTube moments (including one where he tells an audience he won’t give his son a Social Security number because that’s how the “government tracks you”) and has also gone on record saying he’d oppose upholding federal and state constitutional statutes simply because he opposes them. My only concern is that if the Governor’s race takes up all the airtime voters won’t notice how nutty he is. But if he keeps this pace up, he’ll lose pretty badly.
Jody Wagner has a great resume and her Hampton Roads base makes her an intriguing candidate, but I don’t know if Bill Bolling has done enough to piss of voters to go against him. I sure hope we get him; we need established statewide Dems for future gubernatorial bids (damn VA’s one-term limit!)