A new poll shows Republican Bob McDonnell continues to have a strong lead over Democrat Creigh Deeds but also indicates that a large bloc of undecided voters, including many women, blacks and Democrats, have yet to make up their minds as the Nov. 3 election draws near.
McDonnell, a former attorney general, was ahead by a double-digit margin of 45 percent to Deeds' 31 percent. However, one in five - 22 percent - say they're undecided.
The statewide survey, conducted by the Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, also found that McDonnell's 1989 graduate school thesis, which criticized working mothers and homosexuals, did not affect most people's view of him.
In the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general, almost half of those contacted said last week that they weren't sure who they will support in the two races.
Incumbent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, was favored by just over 29 percent of those polled, compared with the 25 percent who wanted Democratic challenger Judy Wagner. About 45 percent were undecided.
Meanwhile, Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican candidate for attorney general, was supported by almost 31 percent of likely voters and Steven Shannon, the Democratic candidate by 26 percent. Almost 43 percent remained undecided.
The survey, which involved telephone interviews with 506 likely voters on Oct. 8-13, has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.
A recent Washington Post poll of those two races found the Republicans led their Democratic rivals, 49 to 40 percent.
Quentin Kidd, the center's director, said that in the CNU poll, pollsters deliberately did not push those who were undecided to make a choice but sought, instead, to understand who they were.
The pool of likely but uncommitted voters includes a significant number of Democrats and independents, while Republicans were more solidly backing McDonnell, Kidd said.
"Deeds is behind because he hasn't sold himself to his own party and he hasn't sold himself to independents." Kidd said.
The same is true for likely voters who identified themselves as women or African American. Among both groups, roughly one of every four voters surveyed said they aren't sure which candidate they'll support.
The survey also indicates that McDonnell is doing well in Northern Virginia, an area that in recent elections has voted for Democrats in statewide contests. He and Deeds appear to be close in the region, with about one in five voters still undecided.
By comparison, McDonnell appears to be well ahead of Deeds in Hampton Roads.
News accounts about McDonnell's graduate school thesis sparked a major effort by Deeds' campaign to paint the Republican as anti-women. McDonnell's 93-page thesis promoted a conservative social agenda and suggested that women who work outside the home are harmful to society.
McDonnell has pointed out that he supported his adult daughters' careers and has disavowed some parts of the paper.
About 18 percent of those polled said they were less likely to vote for McDonnell because of the thesis. But two-thirds said the document didn't change their views at all.
"The thesis hasn't had the impact that the Deeds campaign thought it would have," Kidd said. "They thought there was going to be this really pronounced shift."
At this point in the campaign season, Kidd said, it does not seem likely that more undecided independents are going to be swayed to support Deeds because of the thesis.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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Like Yogi Berra said..
"It aint over till its over" I think there are going to be some really shocked people on Nov. 3 because of these polls. I see too many people not admitting who they are really voting for because its not the cool kid as they say. But behind that curtain I think folks are going to vote with consideration and I believe we will see another upset by Deeds.
But if he does lose, as a result of voter apathy, the nation lived and suffered under Bush and progressed on to Obama, the Commonwealth will live and suffer under McDonnell and then progress on to another candidate with hopefully more to offer than oppresive religious views and voodoo Bush like economics. Looking forward to see how it all plays out. Can't wait to vote. Democracy is a wonderful thing. If only we could get our elected officials to represent us the voters over corporate and lobbyist interests.
Response to CS
Redistribution of Wealth is more than a moral issue but a legal issue. For most of this Countries History, Goverment Polices (Free trade rules, Capitalistic system) have established rules that allowed some people to prosper while the same rules worked against others. The only way to correct these past inequalties is to use legal rules to change course. If your making enough money for a high dollar house (250k or higher) and can afford Flat screen TV's, then you be taxed so that others can enjoy equal benefits. That could be 60% or more depending on your income. The military did lose the war and I have nothing against the military but I believe they should have to pay for their own Health Coverage like anyone else.
Is this guy for real?
Is this guy for real?
Fair?
"then you be taxed so that others can enjoy equal benefits. That could be 60% or more depending on your income"
-------------------------------------------
One of my best friends grew up in Alabama in a very poor, but happy family. She put her way through College working 2 jobs. She raised 3 kids!
She opened a small company, which later grew to 400 employees.
She is now in her 70's and retired.
So, let me get this straight? She should pay 60% of what she earns so that "others" can have a Flat screen TV?
She donates thousands to charities (of her choice!)
Wow what a hero
Was she a plantation owner? Those people provide her with their labor which created her wealth, shouldn't she be a little grateful to THEM????
Fishead is playing with ya
All his posts are intended to be both bombastic and faux on-the-up-and-up.... from an "obama-backing crazy idea" guy. Sad that people find this stuff plausible. Tis comparable to a situation where a loyal Bushie would post that Shrub was the bestest president of forevah! You would/should think that that person was insane too.
unbelievable
First off, your fantasies about redistribution of wealth.... I don't even know where to begin. If you're talking about slavery, you have a point to a degree, but affirmative action programs have afforded the aggrieved parties ample opportunity to better themselves. If they have not taken advantage of them, that's not my problem.
Second, you seem to have a beef with free trade and capitalism, despite the fact that both have raised the living standards the world over. Are they entirely fair? No. But they're still better than any other system. Unless you see China, N. Korea, Cuba or the former (for a reason) Soviet Union as Utopian.
Third, plenty of people in public (i.e. free) housing have flat screen TVs and cable television. Why is it my responsibility to subsidize that?
Fourth, the war in AF is not over or lost. They said the same thing about Iraq, but when given the tools the military turned it around. Fifth, I do pay for my health care in the form of lower wages. It's part of my compensation package. If you think it's so great, feel free to enlist.
Government employee
I and others are being forced to pay your health care benefits (as well as your dependents if you have any). Not fair for others have to pay yours while they do without. Tell me how much income tax and personal property tax DO YOU PAY? Military is great if you can't make it in the private sector and you want a guaranteed paycheck, benefits, pension, commissary, housing discounts, bonuses, perks etc etc etc paid for by the taxpayer. Nice that instead of appreciating the benefits you have you feel entitled to them while denying others the same... You are pretty happy with your government benefits I take it? Too bad everyone is only about themselves. Please I'd rather be killed quickly by terrorists than slowly by cancer that may not only kill me but strip me of all I own in medical bills...
thanks for your support
I assure you I appreciate that the taxpayers provide my pay and benefits. You are quite wrong, however, when you suggest I would deny the same to others. In fact, I encourage you to enlist so that you might have exactly what I do. Where you go wrong in your analysis is when you compare my health care to universal gov't-provided health care. I receive mine as part of the total compensation package from my employer in return for doing my job, much like most in this country. Those in favor of gov't health care believe every citizen should receive free care whether he works for it or not. As for not making it in the private sector, I made it there fine prior to my enlistment and have been offered very lucrative employment since. It would appear that I am "only about [myself]" since I turned them down and reenlisted, spending an awful lot of time away from my family while overseas. I am not bragging, not looking for a pat on the back, and I am grateful for what enumeration I receive. But please don't call me selfish for being an NCO in the Army.
Every senior citizen
Who not only don't work but are way beyond their rroductive years get "universal" government healthcare as do the poor and government employees (military included). The only ones that don't are the middle class who can't afford it because their taxes are taken to pay for everyone else's. If you are going to defend my "rights" and life, as so many in the military claim then defend my right to affordable healthcare. BTW I can't enlist due to medical problems and age. Again you got yours to hell with everyone else. Of course you re-enlisted job security and a bonus make it attractive.
"cs"
cs
You rock!
thanks
For the kind words.
Cs so productive
Posting 20 or so comments a day we are really getting our money's worth lol. Busy job huh?
home with the flu
But thanks for assuming.
By military...
I hope you mean brass and the politicians who sit behind their desks and play soldier because U.S servicemen have been and always will be an under appreciated group of men and women who have always answered when called and performed with honor and integrity in service to this nation.
They are underpaid, overworked, and have more than earned the right to health care from a nation that is asking so much of them through these two misguided wars.
Nevertheless, this is a thread about the Governors election. McDonnell is not a positive progressive choice for Virginia. He is cut from the cloth as the corporate controlled politicians in Washington D.C which led the nation into financial disarray and two misguided unnecessary wars. North Korea already has nuclear weapons and Iran is developing, yet we are in Irag fighting insurgents that we created and in Afghanistan fighting thugs with rags around their heads who flew planes into buildings. A master lock on the cabin door and we wouldn't even be having this discussion.
Go Bob Go!!!! Hey
Go Bob Go!!!! Hey democrats...can you say landslide.
Socialist is no longer a bad word
Scare tactics such as Obama is a Marxist and we have become a Socialist or Communist Country is ineffective and people are ok with it. People see what Democracy got us--an unjust war in Afganistan and collapse of our economy. On 9/11, our buildings we damaged and the GOP's first response was revenge and attack Afganistan even though the people didnt support going to war. And once again, Our Military failed as they did in Vietnam. Obama has the right plan by removing wealth from people and spreading that money down to less fortunate. This new direction is overwhelmingly supported by almost everyone in the Country. Greed has destroyed this Country and Obama has the Courage and Vision to finally fix it.
Exactly!
"On 9/11, our buildings we damaged and the GOP's first response was revenge and attack Afganistan"
---------------------------------
And PLEASE tell us how many New attacks have occured on American soil since that terrible day?
We gained RESPECT by fighting back!
If your neighbor blew up your house.....I guess you would give them a hug & a kiss?
Hmmmmmm.....don't know if I would want to kiss a fishead? lol
people are o.k. with it
I don't think so. The majority of people are just too busy working and taking care of their families to pay attention to what politicians are doing. It is a bad choice not to pay attention but history has been kind enough to not be so absurd as it is now. The lion is waking up though. I just hope they make it before it is too late.
I give a vote of confidence to McDonnell since I can't vote for him on the ballot.
questions / comments
You don't seem to like democracy because of the war and our current economic woes. What would you like to see instead?
The people were actually overwhelmingly in favor of invading Afghanistan. According to a Gallop/CNN/USA Today poll conducted from October 11 - 14 2001, 89% favored "the United States taking direct military action in Afghanistan."
Explain to me how the US military has failed you in Afghanistan? I admit that as a veteran of that war my opinion on this matter is skewed. I'd like to know how we failed you. If your points are valid, I apologize to you in advance.
As one of the 53% of Americans who will pay income tax next year, I'm curious how you justify taking my money, earned as an enlisted person in the military, a job available to most, to give to those "less fortunate." How do you define less fortunate?
I'll give you credit at least for being up front in your vision of wealth redistribution, flawed though I believe it to be.