Over the past few days, Creigh Deeds has racked up several important newspaper endorsements. These include the Washington Post, the Daily Press, and just today, the Roanoke Times. Here are excerpts from the three endorsements. First, the DailyPress:
McDonnell, however, failed an important test in 2004, and he failed it when he knew better. Between 2001 and 2002, McDonnell co-chaired a legislative tax reform commission and acquired all the information necessary to reach the correct conclusion on Virginia's fiscal situation. McDonnell knew Virginia faced not a spending problem but a revenue problem, that between the schools and the cops, the nursing homes, the colleges and the massive car tax cut, the numbers did not fit together and that further funding cuts could not resolve the dilemma.[...]
Advocacy without resources is meaningless, and that's where Deeds has his Republican opponent dead to rights when he says that McDonnell effectively opposed "the tools to fight terror and gang violence" and "new communications equipment for police."
That's because money matters. The people who protect Virginia's streets must be sufficiently supported with state tax dollars, and that was only one of many priorities at stake in 2004 with the budget deal McDonnell wouldn't support.
McDonnell as fiscally irresponsible, shortchanging Virginia's top priorities like law enforcement, education and health care.
Next, the Washington Post:
Mr. McDonnell is an able, articulate legislator, but we worry he would bring a dogmatically conservative social agenda to the job. He has been among the General Assembly's staunchest opponents of abortion rights and a supporter of state intervention in end-of-life decisions, as in the Terri Schiavo case.Mr. Deeds, a rural lawmaker, is no liberal; he won the National Rifle Association's endorsement. We think he would be the more pragmatic choice, and a better attorney general.
"Taliban Bob" as a radical, right-wing extremist on social issues. Creigh Deeds as a moderate, pragmatic choice for Attorney General.
Finally, the Roanoke Times:
The two men differ little in matters of public safety, but they part company on the state's responsibility to provide sufficient human and financial resources. In their respective roles as legislators, only Deeds stepped up to cast a crucial vote to raise taxes despite the political passions it aroused.[...]
Deeds, however, seems to grasp better the role of providing opinions for the General Assembly and the offices of government to prevent costly and lengthy legal entanglements.
Another key advantage for Deeds: his roots in Western Virginia, a region that has found its progressive political voice diminished in recent years, as Jerry Kilgore proved during his disappointing tenure as attorney general.
Having an attorney general who not only understands the critical needs before the state but also embodies the values and interests of this region makes his candidacy all the more appealing.
McDonnell as less inclined than Deeds to make hard choices. Deeds as someone who truly understands rural, western Virginia.
Anyway, there you have three strong endorsements for Creigh Deeds, a perfect candidate for Virginia - moderate, effective, pragmatic, courageous. On a personal note, I can also add that the couple of times I've had the chance to talk with Creigh, I have found him to be an engaged, engaging, intelligent, interested, interesting, funny, down-to-earth, downright likeable guy!
Given all that, I'm not exaggerating when I say that if every voter in Virginia met Creigh Deeds, they would vote for him in a heartbeat. Seriously, how anyone could not like Creigh Deeds and want him as our next Attorney General is completely beyond me. So, on November 8th, make sure you pull the lever (or touch the screen, or punch the card...) for Creigh Deeds. You will NOT be sorry you did; I guarantee it!!!