The Washington Post has endorsed Creigh Deeds for governor!
I’m stunned and very impressed: The Washington Post has endorsed Creigh Deeds for governor. In a long, detailed editorial running in tomorrow’s issue, they spell out why “Mr. Deeds may not be the obvious choice in the June 9 primary, but he’s the right one.” He’s “politically astute,” “in a unique position to persuade rural legislators,” “has a solid record of promoting green jobs, land conservation and alternative energy research,” and “understands Northern Virginia.” The editorial board repeatedly points out that he has a record of doing the things that Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe promise to do, which there’s a lot to be said for, concluding that “he has the character, experience and savvy to be a successful leader of the entire commonwealth.” They appear to share my distaste for McAuliffe, and likewise share my belief that Moran isn’t a bad guy, but he’s no Creigh Deeds.
These are a few of my favorite bits:
Some progressive voters may look past Mr. Deeds, assuming he’s too far to the right on social issues. They should look again.
Democratic voters may wonder: How can Mr. Deeds beat presumptive Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell, who beat Mr. Deeds in the attorney general’s race four years ago? The answer: Mr. Deeds lost by a scant 323 votes out of roughly 2 million cast despite being outspent 2 to 1.
In 18 years in the General Assembly, Mr. Deeds has time and again supported measures that might be unpopular with his rural constituency but that are the right thing to do, for Northern Virginia and the state as a whole. He has demonstrated an understanding of the problems that matter most, the commitment to solve them and the capacity to get things done.
As the two DC-area candidates, this is a huge blow to McAuliffe and Moran. Honestly, it never crossed my mind that the Post would be able to look past upstate to endorse anybody other than these Beltway candidates. More than anything else, I think this speaks to Sen. Deeds’ strong qualifications for the nomination and for the job of governor. I’m just so glad that the Post sees him the same way.
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