Is the Virginia governor’s race over?

The answer is obviously no. Remember we still have three weeks before election day and a lot can happen in that amount of time.

However, you’d never know if you looked at the events of this week.

First we had the Democratic candidate himself critiquing the problems with this election cycle during an interview that was broadcast to most portions of the commonwealth. Sen. Creigh Deeds told the interviewer that it’s been hard to fight the current political environment that does not favor Democrats.

During the interview, he complained that his opponent had an easier time this year because he didn’t have to fight through a tough primary. “I came out of the primary, and a lot of people didn’t expect me to win,” Deeds said during the exchange on WJLA-TV. “I had to spend a couple of months hunkering down, raising money. Bob could build up his fundraising advantage to run soft and fuzzy ads and build up a lead over me.”

And, he went on say his “legislative speak” didn’t help him communicate his proposals. And, he even described what he needed to do to fix his struggling campaign. It almost sounded like a post-election analysis from the candidate, full of excuses for why he didn’t win.

Then, we heard state Democratic leaders jump on the bandwagon. They have been openly offering suggestions to Deeds on how to close out the campaign. One of those leaders is the current governor and chair of the Democratic National Committee.

The Richmond Times Dispatch reported that Governor Tim Kaine said, “Getting it over the goal line is more about—OK, we have some concerns about Bob—now it is up to Creigh in the late innings to make the simple sell for himself. And that’s what will take this race to a winning race.”

Congressman Jim Moran (D-Alexandria) has echoed similar comments. It should be noted that Deeds defeated Moran’s brother, former Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria), in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

And, finally, we have a Washington Post poll out Thursday night that shows McDonnell ahead by nine points. That number puts McDonnell’s lead over 50% and outside the margin of error. The results come at a horrible time for Deeds. He needed a poll to show the race tightening in order to keep worried Democratic leaders in line, keep the money (both national, big donations and small donations) flowing, and keep undecided voters from jumping to the McDonnell campaign, figuring the race is already over.

Let’s be clear, I’m not declaring the race decided. Let’s let the voters make that determination on November 3rd. But, perhaps that message needs to be relayed to the candidate and some of his top supporters.