[steve-b]

I am surprised that Deeds has a lead to start with

That's not surprising. Deeds is one of the "Blue Dog" conservative Democrats who polls well downstate, while still managing to hold the Democratic voters in NoVA and Richmond.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Deeds is not a “Blue Dog” conservative Democrat.

He polls well downstate because he is from downstate.

Any democrat will hold democratic voters these days, they have great brand loyalty.

However, I think polling overstates that brand loyalty given the last few months of Obama.