Public Policy Polling released its latest poll yesterday (pdf). The results show the Republican candidates leading in all three top ticket races:
- Governor – Bob McDonnell 49%, Creigh Deeds 43%, undecided 8%
- Lieutenant Governor – Bill Bolling 46%, Jody Wagner 40%, undecided 13%
- Attorney General – Ken Cuccinelli 45%, Steve Shannon 38%, undecided 18%
It looks like the battle may very well be here in Hampton Roads. Here in the 757, McDonnell has a 51%-33% advantage over Deeds, while Bolling leads Wagner 43%-41% and Cuccinelli leads Shannon 39%-35%. With an overall margin of error of +/-4%, the LG and AG races are virtual ties. The gubernatorial race most likely reflects McDonnell’s higher name ID in the region at this point.
While the poll results are not what we would have liked them to be, the pollsters note that this is about the same place Tim Kaine was in 2005 against Jerry Kilgore. We know how the top of the ticket worked out – but Democrats lost the other two races.
I doubt anyone expected this election to be an easy one. This poll, though, should serve as a wakeup call. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
It is not surprising when the Dems don’t even bother to show up at Hampton Roads events and several are very weak candidates. People are going to have to hold their noses and campaign for these candidates if they stand any chance at winning. Which may not be the best thing…all things considered. This is no republican resurgence rather a failure of rhe Democratic Party to compete.
Its early July for God’s sake. Take a chill pill! No sense running around screaming that the “sky is falling” when it isn’t. Most people don’t focus on this stuff until late September, early October. There isn’t a lack of support for Democrats, and this is just one poll. Haven’t we learned our lessons about how unreliable polls are? Remember just a few weeks ago, a poll had Deeds at only 32%! Relax, voters aren’t going to send Bob(don’t know diddly about the Constitution) McDonnell to the Governor’s mansion. Lots of time to fret, but now isn’t the time!