Posted on 10/22/2009 2:14:51 PM PDT by freespirited
Former Virginia Sen. Brandon Bell endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor Wednesday after spending most of the summer and fall in support of Democrat Creigh Deeds.
Bell, a Republican, served two separate terms in the Senate but was defeated twice, first by Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, in a general election and later by Sen. Ralph Smith, R-Botetourt County, in a 2007 primary.
Bell was among seven Republicans who endorsed Deeds in July. Bell said at the time that he had worked with both men but that Deeds "simply will make better decisions on key issues facing the commonwealth."
In a news release Wednesday, Bell said that he had shifted stances based on the strength of McDonnell's campaign and "his determined focus on rolling out specific policy proposals for Virginia's future."
Bell said in an interview Wednesday that he initially endorsed Deeds because of his approach to state government. He said he still likes Deeds and his decision to switch "wasn't personal."
Over recent weeks, though, Bell said he had become alarmed at the direction of federal government, particularly on health care and cap-and-trade energy legislation.
"I don't feel like Creigh would stand up and say, 'That's not where Virginia should be,' " Bell said. "I feel like Bob would be better at standing for limited government, particularly at the federal level. ... That was primarily the driver."
Endorsement ping.
This could be a double digit blowout, meaning Gov, Lt Gov, and AG races swept by Republicans, and perhaps more importantly, strong gains down ballot in the general assembly, which will be crucial for 2010 redistricting.
Anyone know anything about the projections for the down-ballot races??
looks like this politician stuck his finger up in the wind, and felt a strong gust in McDonnell’s direction.
That is exactly what happened.
From your keyboard to.................
Polls and press notwithstanding, complacency is NOT our friend.
Is the RGA running a lot of ads in Virginia?
We're getting a ton of mail from them, and nothing from Deeds. Last race, the RATS inundated us with their tripe.
As for TV, we see a lot more McDonnell ads, but I think most are sponsored by his campaign or the Chamber of Commerce.
Per Bob Dylan, “it doesn’t take a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing”, at least in Virginia.
“Toast”?
You’re racist.
I guess that means they’re saving resources for here in Jersey, which is good.
LOL, I guess he must have read the latest poll.
“Bell endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor Wednesday after spending most of the summer and fall in support of Democrat Creigh Deeds.”
My take is that Bell would still be with Deeds if the polling was reversed. Opportunist looking for a little sugar in a McDonnell administration?
Since the last election we moved within Fairfax County from what had been a fairly Republican precinct to one that might be considered (IS) strongly Dem. We changed registration at least four-five months ago, long enough to be on the rolls and, one would think, mailing lists.
At the old location we were continuously inundated with mail and calls from ALL candidates and their support organizations. Now I get mail virtually every day from the Republican candidate for the House of Delegates, but not a thing, not a single thing, from anyone else in either party.
http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/ for Governor
http://www.billbolling.com/ for Lieutenant Governor
http://www.cuccinelli.com/ for Attorney General
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.
Brandon Bell was one of the Senate sellouts to the Mark Warner tax increase. He was challenged by a conservative and lost in the primary. McDonnell declined to endorse either candidate in the primary.
His endorsement of Deeds was a personal vendetta. Plain and simple.
And now, he sees the handwriting on the wall and knows that his only hope to pick up a cushy gubmint job is to back McDonnell.
I haven’t gotten anything in the mail from any candidate this year, not the statewide or local at all, from either party.
Since we moved here 6 years ago my husband and I have always laughed about the political mailings. All the R stuff was always addressed to me, and all the D stuff addressed to him. What makes it so funny is that he is even more to the right in terms of being a conservative than I am :)
The stars are aligning and Deeds is going down!
That’s a complicated Bumper Sticker.
“Deeds Republicans for McDonnell”
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