… no one, really.
I traveled to Richmond last night to watch the only televised debate between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell. I was in the studio, which prohibited me from blogging or tweeting but gave me a glimpse of the candidates that the camera is incapable of capturing.
The two men sat side by side, facing moderator Judy Woodruff, of PBS. The contrast between them was noticeable from the moment they entered the studio. Deeds, who came in first, walked down the aisle, shaking hands and greeting people along the way. McDonnell strode in purposefully, eyes straight ahead, and took the stage, greeting only the moderator and his opponent.
Their entries set the tone for the remainder of the night. Deeds, while getting in a dig or two at McDonnell, spoke in his earnest manner, not always smoothly but with passion. McDonnell was very precise, working the word “taxes” into nearly every response. In between answering questions, he sat stonefaced, much like he appears in the picture above, not showing any emotion. Only when the camera was trained on him did he warm up.
For those who follow the campaigns closely, there was no new information last night. Others have deemed the exchange between the two men civil; I’d go a step further and say it was boring. The candidates played it safe for the statewide audience. Each man got the opportunity to expand on key points of their platform. For McDonnell it was transportation, and occasionally, jobs. For Deeds, it was transportation and education. There were no game changing moments.
I had intended to follow up after the debate with a couple of people I talked to before it began who are not political junkies. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to do so.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I agree with your assessment. Not much meat on that bone last night. Even if you had blogged or tweated, I doubt it would have been worth your time.
I suppose that is what we are looking at for the next 3 weeks. I am sure McDonnell will not be inclined to make any changes at this point.
Deeds may make some play, but I don’t know what he could do at this point to shift the voters his way.
What was your take on the questions? It seemed to me every one of them favored Deeds.
Was that your impression as well?
Sorry – been under.
No I don’t think the questions favored Deeds. I felt they were fair – no gotcha stuff.
I watched the debate on tv and felt that McDonnell came across as a possible android. I particularly watched his expressions when Deeds took his little “digs”. He tried not to react, but there were slight “plastic” expressions. I felt that McDonnell thinks that the word “taxes” has a special connotation, because he’d always pause a second after saying it… Deeds did get a little folksy, but appeared more convincing and down to earth, and came across as being more trustworthy. McDonnell must have washed his tongue before the show, as not a four letter word slipped out… Yea, boring was a good description. Same-o! Same-0!, but a little more civil because they were sitting so close together.
BS
I am sure he practiced that. Media coaches make sure the other side does not get something they will use in a commercial.
If Bob had any type of reaction, it would be all over the news. At this point, they are in the end game mode. Just running out the clock. Don’t fumble.
Did you see the Pelosi eye roll with Harry Reid?
McDonnell IS trying to run out the clock with the lead. Deeds needs to do something to move people his way.
He might try the “normal guy, versus slick politician’ ploy. He does have that working in his favor.
A simple commercial like the very effective “went to college with $20 in my pocket” ad from the primary, might help.
When I said running out the clock, I was talking about the debate, not the campaign. Appearing at a debate sponsored by liberals with questions by liberals and “outside” questions from LCV people, the fix was in. The left leaning questions were not balanced with anything from the right.
At this point, all that could be said has, or should have, already been said. You and many others are looking for a message from Deeds with 20 days to go that will make his campaign relevant.
He has already taken his fork in the road, and he decided to attack McDonnell as his platform. And the ads continue non stop.
There is simply not enough time to start over. It is all down to the get out the vote effort.
Republicans have a leg up on that. 8 years out of the Governor’s office has motivated Republicans and makes our effort easier.
Deeds’ lack of a real message and going on the attack is a result of the Joe Abbey influence. Joe’s past success comes as a result of running his candidate against Bush. He tried that and it didn’t work. So he settled in on running against a thesis 20 years old.
Unfortunately, times have changed. Bush is not president and the current occupant of the White House has some high negatives.
And here is the really bad news for the Democrats. The Health Care issue that has so motivated Seniors and conservatives alike is about to be thrown back on center stage. The liberal proponents know that the vote must come before the Va and NJ elections, because it is looking like the Democrats will lose both Va and NJ (A poll today has Rep Christie up by 4 in NJ, so it is close). And I don’t think any Democrats seriously believe that taking the Va. House is in the cards. Most are hoping to not drop too many seats.
If the Democrats lose big in these states, it will be noticed in DC. More Democrats will defect from the Health Care bill, particularly the government takeover portions.
So, an interesting position for Obama and Pelosi. Vote now and likely damage Democrats in NJ and VA, or hold off and vote after the elections and take a chance Democrats will win in Va and NJ.
We already know their decision.
Oh, and I am sure next week we will see more “Deeds raising Taxes” commercials than you can shake a stick at. Deeds will hit back as well.