Both the candidates for governor in Virginia have had some big name endorsements and some heavy hitters hit the campaign trail on their behalf.
For Democrat Creigh Deeds it has been Gov. Tim Kaine and Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb (to a lesser extent). Deeds also got a big time visit from President Barack Obama; although, that may have hurt as much as it helped.
Republican Bob McDonnell has seen the likes of almost every former presidential candidate from Huckabee to Romney to McCain to Guiliani. But two prominent national politicians have been prominently absent: George W. Bush and Sarah Palin.
It’s obvious why McDonnell wouldn’t want Bush around. But, Palin is a powerful force among the grassroots of the Republican Party. So, why have we not seen her? The answer is simple: she definitely does more damage than good. If this was a close race, McDonnell very well might have used the former Alaska governor to rile up the base and get out the vote. But with polls showing McDonnell anywhere from 14 to 18 points ahead in the race, he doesn’t need that assist.
Further, McDonnell has worked very hard to portray himself in the mold of George Allen’s politics: a common sense, get the job done Republican. He has tried to avoid wedge issues in his effort to appeal to Virginia’s growing independent voting block. Palin very well could have driven those moderate-minded independents away.
Posted by Jay Warren at 10:36 PM. Filed under: main •
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