On second thought, President Obama, please don't waste time campaigning for VA Gov cand. Deeds

[rvablue]

At the final debate of race last night, Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Creigh Deeds said he "shared the broad goals" of health care reform, but would "certainly consider opting out" of a public option "if that were available to Virginia."

"I'm not afraid of going against my fellow Democrats when they're wrong," Deeds said. "A public option isn't required in my view."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/deeds-i-would-consider-opting-out-of-a-public-option.php?ref=fpb


((THERE'S A VIDEO AT THE LINK))


What a moron. The guy deserves to lose at this point.

edit to add:

At the traditional post-debate press gaggle last night Deeds was peppered with questions about the public option, which he said he would "consider opting out of" if such an option was available to states in a final health care reform bill. Asked by a reporter if he was opposed to the public option, Deeds exclaimed, "No! I never said that!"

This guy needs a lesson in Election Politics 101. I'd opt out! No, I wouldn't. Geesh!

[Mass]

1. Not from VA, but this guy seems very inarticulate. There was another press gaggle

where he got entangled in an answer on whether he was supporting increasing taxes or not.

[rvablue]

2. No, he's not. Definitely not ready for prime time. n/t

[FSogol]

4. Press gaggle? That was a distorted RW attack ad. n/t

[Mass]

5. I hope he wins, but clearly, he is far behind at this point, and this against a very conservative

Republican.

My source for this was not a GOP ad, it was the gaggle itself, as posted on TPM, which is far from being a RW website.

And, according to the polls, the main reason he is behind is not even because the GOP guy is popular, but because the Democrats are sitting this election off.

[FSogol]

7. He was behind in the primary, but caught up at the last minute.

If Democrats can turn out the votes, we can win this election. McDonnell is planning on gutting the public school and the GOP AG candidate plans on promoting a far RW religious theocracy. The Democrats need a big win here.

[fedupinBushcountry]

20. So are you not

going to vote for him? I am, he is not what I expect as a Democrat but neither was Warner or Kaine. I know the media hypes up Virginia as being blue, but it has a red lining to it. I live in Pat Robertson's neighborhood and Virginia Beach didn't go for Obama. So, Deeds is trying to play to the middle, nothing new as far as Virginia Dems go.

[rvablue]

10. Exactly! McDonnell is most defintely NOT popular.....

This should've been a win for the Democrats. And the candidate going out and stating at his last debate that he might opt out of the public option sure ain't going to rally the Democratic base to the polls on Election Day. What a doofus.

[rvablue]

6. Oh fuck off.

It's his own words.

The guy doesn't seem to know his head from his ass.


Yeah, way to go, Deeds! Fire up the base by saying that you'd consider opting out of a public option.

Sorry, it's not a RW attack ad....I got it off of Talking Points Memo.

[FSogol]

9. Terry McAuliffe is that you? n/t

[rvablue]

12. No, it's not. But since you bring up his name, he'd probably be kicking McDonnell's

ass right now instead of adopting his policy positions days before the election.

Deeds is all over the place.....certainly not inspirational to the folks of Virginia who voted for change in November...including a public option in health care reform, which Obama campaigned on, that Deeds would now deny the people of VA.

[FSogol]

14. Don't worry, I saw your avatar and know what this is about. n/t

[rvablue]

16. Take my avatar and shove it!

I've been in this silly avatar smearfest before.

Thought about changing it long ago as I'm bored with it.

But I keep it due to bullies like you! Not going to cower.

And I challenge you to do an archive search on me and then come back and have the guts to continue with your baseless smears.

I made a fair OP about a really, really stupid move.

Some of us out here are SOL without a public option. Put that in your holier-than-thou pipe and smoke it!

[FSogol]

21. Bully? I don't like RW attack ads. You are still promoting McAullife at a time when

the party needs to pull behind Deeds.

You are the one getting hysterical. First you told me to Fuck off and now you continue to insult. Grow up.

[rvablue]

24. Grow up says the one

who judges other's motive by tiny jpeg attached to their posts.

[FSogol]

26. Honestly. Do you think it was fine to say F' you because I disagreed with you?

[FSogol]

3. You sound just like the republican attack ads against Deeds.

And if you think electing American Taliban member Bob McDonnell is going to get you closer to a public option, then there are really some screws loose somewhere.

[rvablue]

8. That's not what I said...

if your numbers don't look good and you're worried that the Democratic base isn't going to get out and vote, it's not wise to announce in your last debate that you'd be willing to opt out of a public option.

President Obama shouldn't be wasting his time trying to elect someone that is going to undermine his policy agenday, 'kay. We have enough lame ass Dems in the Senate already trying to do that.

Yeah, McDonnell would be an epic disaster. Trying to insinuate anything else from this point is utter BS.

[atreides1]

15. If McDonnell wins

We all pay for it, including the children of Virginia. I'd rather deal with Deeds willingness to opt out of the public option, as governor then have to spend the next 6 years battling McDonnell as he tries to send Virginia back to the 18th Century.

At least there's a better chance of changing Deeds's mind then there is in getting McDonnell to stop his raping of school and health care funding.

[FSogol]

17. +1. Agreed. I also think that Deeds will win. I think women in around the state

will not vote for McDonnell.


The Democrats need to GOTV, not quibble over Deed's statements or spread RW attack ads.

[Mike Daniels]

28. McDonnell already leads with women by a few points

Given Deeds' reliance on McDonnell's thesis over the past 3 to 4 weeks if McDonnell is leading with women by so much as 1 point on Election Day you can pretty much call this contest over.

[rvablue]

18. This post wasn't about me wanting anything else but a Deeds win

I want Deeds to win.

The comment above was about exasperation with certain Democrats, who for whatever reasons, continue to undermine this opportunity for REAL reform that many, including Rep. Weiner on Rachel last night, say will not come around for another 15-20 years if we don't get it done now.

A gubernatorial candidate in a hotly contested race poo-pooing the idea of a public option doesn't help and isn't going to rally a lethargic base to get to the polls.

[FSogol]

25. What does the Gov have to do with the US Senate? Webb and Warner will vote for the public opinion.

Why should Deeds have to fall in line with national ideas that may not play in the backwaters areas of the State? We should be helping him win, not quibbling.

[Cha]

11. Don't tell me..

Mcauliff would have been better? Whoa.

I don't even know why someone like Deeds wouldn't want to tell Virginians that the PO would be an excellent addition to the HCR?

[rvablue]

13. Either do I...

maybe a panic move as he sees his chances aren't that bright right now.

But it's certainly not a great tactic being that the Democratic base has been VERY lethargic about this election.

President Obama is scheduled to go to Norfolk with him on Tuesday. It would have been a great opportunity (with tons of accompanying media exposure) to come out strongly for this and let the people of VA know if they want a public option, there only way to go is Deeds.

Dumbfounded. I'm just dumbfounded!

[abluelady]

22. Unfortunately, We Had Two Liberal Dems

running in the primary who split the vote. I don't believe Deeds would have won if it had been a two-man primary. Unfortunately, we're stuck with him. McDonnell would be very bad for our State. If my getting a phone call every day from someone supporting the Deeds campaign is any indication of their working hard, we might get out the vote.

[countingbluecars]

19. If Obama can help motivate Democrats

to get out and vote, Deeds has a shot at winning.

[rvablue]

23. Of course he does.

Is having Deeds in better than McDonnell? There isn't a doubt in my mind. Of course it is.

I just don't understand why a Dem. candidate faced with a lethargic and uninspired base is coming out against the PO just days before the election. Then when called on it, he says, "Oh no, no, no"

It was just a boneheaded move. Dumb.

[countingbluecars]

27. That's not what your original post implies. n/t

[rvablue]

29. Yes it is. n/t

[AspenRose]

30. Now that's a conservadem statement if I ever heard one.

[Engineer4Obama]

31. Why Deeds has been running AWAY from the president that won his state is beyond me

Seems really really dumb.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

32. I emailed my displeasure to the Deeds campaign today

and I urge all other Virginian Democrats to do the same thing. I'll let you know if I get an answer.

[AspenRose]

36. You should see the comments he's getting on his Facebook page.

Lots of frustrated Dems.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

41. I feel about Terry MacAuliffe the same way I feel about Ralph Nadar

His vanity run cost us a good candidate with Moran.

[budkin]

33. VA has had two great governors in a row... guess they're due for a shitbag

[Engineer4Obama]

34. Stupid VA rules preventing consecutive terms

I guess Kaine could always come back in four years?

[Thrill]

35. Why should the Progressives in Northern VA be excited to go vote for this guy?

.

[uponit7771]

37. Right, demographics in VA alone say run TOWARDS the progressive position. I'd rather vote for a ,,,

...smart reThug than a stupid dem.

[LatteLibertine]

38. I don't care for Deeds or his position on the Public Option

either, and the alternative is McDonnell. A Republican educated at Regent University.(Founded by Pat Robertson) I plan on holding my nose and supporting Deeds. At least with him there is an outside chance we can get him to do what's right.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

39. Please let Deeds know how upset you are about his stand on the Public option.

He needs to hear from as many of us as possible.

[WI_DEM]

40. Deeds is a loser, Obama should concentrate on NY congressional race and NJ governor race.