In today's Washington Post, Tim Craig writes about Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds at the Democratic National Convention in Denver:
Del. Brian J. Moran (Alexandria) and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath): Both announced Democratic candidates for governor in 2009, Moran and Deeds employed different strategies in Denver to try to jump-start their campaigns.Moran was a constant presence at Virginia Democratic events and spent considerable time hanging around the delegation's hotel to schmooze. Moran also hosted a reception one night for the delegates, where he picked up the tab for their drinks.
Deeds was more reclusive. He spent much of his time meeting with individual delegates, national donors and labor leaders, according to Peter Jackson, his spokesman.
The benefits of Deeds's strategy won't be known until the next round of campaign finance reports. But Moran might have had the more effective strategy to round up votes for next year's election.
I contacted both the Deeds and Moran campaigns for their reactions to this characterization, and their responses are on the "flip."
Moran campaign:
Our first focus in Denver was the 2008 campaign and that's why Delegate Moran thought it was so important to be at INVESCO field to celebrate Senator Obama's nomination along with thousands of Democrats from across the nation who are committed to changing the direction of our nation.-+ We spent our time in Denver with members of the Virginia delegation who are the backbone of our party, spread the message that Virginia is in play in 2008 across a series of national media outlets, and participated in national events to further introduce Delegate Moran to national Democratic leaders. For example, Delegate Moran went to all three of the Democratic Governors Association events with sitting Governors from across the nation.
-+ As a leader of the House Democratic Caucus for both terms of Governor Warner and Governor Kaine, Delegate Moran also went to support their presentations including Governor Warner's keynote and Governor Kaine's address at INVESCO.
-+ We were pleased with our strategic decisions of how to spend our time but were most pleased with the results of the convention that, Delegate Moran feels, united the party and clearly made the case for change.
-+ You can see photo's from Delegate Moran's time in Denver at http://www.tinyurl.com/denver2008
Deeds campaign:
* Sen. Deeds isn't up for election this year and didn't want anyone to suggest that he was trying to steal the spotlight at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
* Sen. Deeds spent 2 days and 3 nights at the convention, getting as much done as possible. It was a very productive use of his time, and he is very pleased with the results.
* Sen. Deeds simply chose a different strategy for the convention that Del. Moran; "well see who chose the right strategy."