[Corin Stormhands]

There were definitely some trolls posting back then who claimed to be Republicans but signed up on FR to claim the Republican was a RINO and the RAT candidate was "more conservative", and I expect the RATs to pull the same stunt this time around to try and sway conservative-leaning voters.

Yep, I fought them in 2001, 2005 and 2006 with Webb.

but it wouldn't kill them to nominate a politician with more experience holding a different office

In all honesty, we don't have anyone in that category unless you pull a Congressman.

McDonnell is a strong candidate. Stronger than either Earley or Kilgore. And I'm a HUGH Jerry Kilgore fan, in spite of his loss.

[BillyBoy]

I agree McDonnell is a good candidate and in a stronger position than either 2001 and 2005, the problem is that Deeds is also a strong candidate. In their last face off, they were separated by a mere 323 votes, out of over 1.9 million cast. I expect a similar nail-biter this time around.

I know you really dislike us "out-of-staters" weighing-in on Virginia campaigns, but I trust the judgment of freepers who warned Webb and Kaine would be formidable opponents than the "native Virginians" who blew off the race until the final weeks and said the Dem candidate "didn't have a prayer"

I think McConnell can pull off a win here, if he's firing on all thrusters from the start of the campaign. We can't afford any more campaigns where the GOP waits around to the final weeks to go after the RAT candidate.

[steve-b]

McDonnell’s main problem is that he is easily portrayed as a sock puppet for the Pat Robertson types.