FIRST THOUGHTS: WHITE HOUSE VS. DEEDS

MSNBC ^ | October 23, 2009 | Mark Murray

[La Lydia]

In an interview earlier this month, Creigh Deeds (D) blamed, in part, the Democrats’ national agenda as he trails Bob McDonnell (R) in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. “Frankly, a lot of what’s going on in Washington has made it very tough,” he said. But now the White House is blaming Deeds. A senior administration official tells the Washington Post that Deeds made several mistakes in his campaign. "I understood in the beginning why there was some reluctance to run all around the state with Barack Obama," the official said. "You don't do that in Virginia.

But when you consider the African American turnout that they need, and then when you consider as well they've got a huge problem with surge voters, younger voters, we were just a natural for them." Said another official: “Obama, Kaine and others had drawn a road map to victory in Virginia. Deeds chose another path." Ouch.

Why pile on Deeds -- now? But why are some folks at the White House trying to throw Deeds under the bus -- at least right now? For one thing, Obama is campaigning for Deeds on Tuesday (this reminds us of that New York Times story about the White House pressuring David Paterson to get out of his race right before Obama was set to make a stop in New York). Also, Obama is now appearing in a TV ad for Deeds. Finally, the C.W. was already beginning to settle -- without the White House’s help! -- that Deeds has no one to blame but himself for his campaign struggles. While McDonnell has effectively used national issues like the health-care debate, cap-and-trade, and even card check against Deeds...

[La Lydia]

Campaigning for and dissing Deeds at the same time. Ah, the disciplined, professionals in the White House.

[La Lydia]

Ping

[DarthVader]

The ObamaKaine path is now overgrown with thorns & thickets and festooned with potholes.

[kempster]

Sounds to me they are preparing for a major loss.

[originalbuckeye]

Throwing Deeds under the bus so as not to suffer when he’s defeated. Wow. This Admin is about as mature as the playground bullies they used to be. You know the type.

[Paladin2]

“surge voters” ???????????

[La Lydia]

The article goes on to say, "Why couldn’t folks at the White House have waited until after Nov. 3 to throw Deeds under the bus? Today’s Washington Post story, plus the earlier New York Times one on Paterson, doesn’t look at all like the highly disciplined and discreet Team Obama we saw during the presidential campaign. Bottom line: There's no good for the White House to pile on Deeds; it seems like an unnecessary headache at this point."

Heh heh. Even MSNBC notices. They have gotten so good at throwing people under the bus that they are starting to throw them prematurely.

[iceskater]

Surge voters??? How about some surge troops in Afghanistan? Sheesh. This administration is beyond words.

[Callahan]

So the WH is pointing to Coruptzine in Jersey running tight as an example of Obama’s expandable aura. Keep in mind that race has an Independent pulling 17% largely from Christie.

[La Lydia]

Pretty much. It is so bad that the Washington Post has stopped hammering Deeds’ Republican opponent and is now working over the GOP attorney general nominee, but to very little effect, it seems to me.

[tgusa]

Deeds’ fate was sealed when Doug Wilder declined to endorse him - kiss of death for a Dem here in VA.

[Senator_Blutarski]

This sends a clear message to the DNC: You can't count on Obama to watch your back. It is all about Obama.

DNC party unity has been eroding under Obama. This is the reason why it is becoming "every Democrat for himself" on healthcare.

[brownsfan]

“This Admin is about as mature as the playground bullies they used to be. You know the type.”

No, these guys were never bullies, never that strong. These were the little bed wetters who cowered in the corner and vowed one day to get even.

Now they are “getting even”.

[Recon Dad]

Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

[Huskrrrr]

The buck stops......with Bush.

[TNCMAXQ]

If Corzine manages to steal a victory it almost surely will be with well under 50% of the vote. McDonell is poised to win in VA by a sizable margin. Shall we take bets on how the media will spin this the next morning? Especially if Owens wins the NY House special election. I can hear it already. “Dems win 2 of 3 off year elections; major boost for BHO.”

[La Lydia]

Yep. Obama might be campaigning for you, but at the same time, his White House minions are sticking the knife in your gizzard and hailing the bus.

[iceskater]

Throwing Deeds under the bus pingage.

[originalbuckeye]

Obama has been passed along in life with no accomplishments, no effort, protected by the bullies on the playground. You're right, Zero and Rahm, the ballerina, do fit the type you describe. The Bullies are the czars who have all the power and no accountability.

[thethirddegree]

I suspect that the Independents will flow to Christie in the voting booth if history is any judge.