Moran gives up his seat; the fight for upstate money is on.

I’ve been chewing over Del. Brian Moran’s resignation of his seat today, wondering a) why, b) why now, and c) what effect that it will have on the race. I think the simplest explanation is probably the right one. The “why now” is at the center of it, I think. In a statement, Moran told …

Lloyd: Should Spruill be paid extra to do his job?

Lloyd Snook is also concerned about Democrats paying Del. Lionell Spruill, though for some different (and most strongly-worded) reasons than I: I also noticed something else as I was poking around today — Spruill is listed as Vice Chair of the Minority Caucus for Outreach. Of course, Brian Moran is the Chair of the Minority …

Democrats’ curious payments to Lionell Spruill.

I don’t know what the deal is with both Jon Bowerbank and Del. Brian Moran hiring Del. Lionell Spruill to “get out of the vote,” but it sure seems iffy. It might be street money, it might be a straight-up quid pro quo, or it might be that Del. Spruill is such a brilliant networker …

Deeds watches the McAuliffe-Moran battle begin.

Tim Craig writes that the Moran and McAuliffe camps are already at each other’s throats, with my punchy friend Jesse Ferguson firing the opening salvo by releasing a collection of some of the most negative reactions to McAuliffe’s candidacy from the media. Craig reports that Creigh Deeds “took a softer approach, welcoming McAuliffe into the …

Fundraising numbers.

The latest fundraising reports are in for state and federal campaigns. (State campaigns file with the State Board of Elections, federal campaigns file with the Federal Election Commission. The two types of campaigns are held to entirely different laws, file different forms, and generally bear little resemblance to each other. TMYK ★.) Tim Craig runs …

The first 2009 governor’s race poll.

Public Policy Polling (whoever they are) conducted a poll of Virginia voters about the presidential race this past weekend, and also asked respondents about next year’s governor’s race. The results put Bob McDonnell up 5-6% above either Sen. Creigh Deeds or Del. Brian Moran, which is within the 3.3% margin of error. Honestly, I’m awfully …