New Deeds ad targets McDonnell thesis

Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009 1:01 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Ads, 2009

From NBC's Mark Murray, Bobby Cervantes, and Ali Weinberg
As Virginia's gubernatorial contest has tightened, according to a new Washington Post poll, the Deeds campaign (D) -- for the first time -- is airing a new TV ad explicitly targeting Bob McDonnell's (R) controversial graduate thesis. It's one of three new advertisements the campaign is running in markets across the state, including pivotal Northern Virginia.

"Virginians are asking lots of questions about Bob McDonnell's thesis," a narrator says in the ad. "How old was he when he wrote it? McDonnell was 34, married." It also refers to the school where McDonnell wrote the thesis, what is now known as Regent University, as "Pat Robertson's law school."

The ad continues, "And what did the thesis say about women? A lot ... abortion should be outlawed and birth control should be restricted -- even for married adults."

Another Deeds TV ad focuses more on his record (on abortion and birth control), with women speaking to the camera. One asks, "Why did you vote that way?"

In a conference call with reporters, Deeds senior adviser Mo Elleithee noted that more than half of Virginia voters -- 54% -- have heard little or nothing about McDonnell's thesis. "I think that puts us in a very strong position," he said. "There's still a lot of education to do. Among those who are educated on the issue, there's significant movement."

Elleithee added, “More and more people are finding Bob McDonnell too conservative,” and that McDonnell has “done everything in his power to hide… his conservative agenda. His efforts to appear moderate are falling flat.”

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Comments

Good that Deeds is hitting Woman Hater McDonnell on that despciable graduate thesis. The women of Virginia should get alrmed and ready to vote for Deeds to make sure they do not lose their rights.

"I have waited long enough. Is there any moderation on this board?
For months, Eric/MSIerra, (who I think ae the same person), have been using anti-gay slurs on this board. No one calls them out.
Normally, I contain myself to the right-wing bozos who use ethnic slurs. I had hoped that someone, anyone on the left would have spoken out.
They haven't, so I will. It is disgraceful, disgusting, and intolerable.
And the moderators should have stopped it."

no joe, no bo, nj

Hey no joe, no bo, no job - As always you make false wild accusations and back it up with no proof. MSierra, SF and I have never used anti-gay slurs, if so where's your proof? We support gays, unlike you and your evangelical christian lunatic fringe cronies. Plus you're wrong that MSierra and I are the same person, just more whining false accusations.

As to moderation there is moderation as not all of my comments get posted. I have yet to see you attack anyone on the right about their racial or anti-gay insults.

Beware what you ask for about moderation, many of your hateful lying insulting comments wouldn't get posted here if there were. Not to mention most of your hate spewing righty pals wouldn't get theirs posted here either if there were moderation.

You people started this flame war and now you have to reap your just reward because you people forgot what FDR said after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The fine crew here at First Read do a great job moderating comments and posting comments from both sides.

If you don't like what I have to say you should just ignore my comments, it's what I do to the majority of yours.

In First Read We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:09 PM)

Virginia is a swing state and this will be a close election. Part of the political game is exploiting your opponent's weaknesses...as long as you stay fact based.

President Obama's popularity numbers have dropped some in VA, but they are above 50%. We are light years away until the next election. To draw any conclusions from poll numbers at this early date is...silly. Too many things can happen between now and then.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:13 PM)

So how is this suppose to hurt McDonnell when the dems are pointing out he is right on these issue's?

proud republican (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:13 PM)

I have something to ask. How can anyone be against EVERYONE in this country from having a big screen tv? Are we so apathetic that we do not care about others? Are we so stupid to see that the television companies are ripping us off? The Republicans
DO NOT care if we have big screen tvs. They had six years to give them to us and did nothing. We are the ONLY country in the Industrialized world that allows BIg Business to make money on people's big screen tvs. The Republicans also are against the government dropping the travel agencies for caribbean vacations and just letting the government cut them out as middle men because they overcharge the vacationers on the vacations that the government already subsidizes. You idiots that think the government is taking over everything, I'd like YOU to give up what the government is subsidizing for you, i.e. in-ground pools, BMWs, TruGreen ChemLawn, shag carpeting, diamond rings, etc. Either you are so dumb that you do not realize this or you are just against everything President Obama does. I think it is both. Why don't you go and live in a third world country thst does nothing for its citizens and make it on you own? All of you are disgraceful and are a big part of why this country is falling by the wayside. Shame on you! YOU are not patriots.

Cheryl Allison Campbell (Louisville, KY) (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:16 PM)

MK,MO (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:21 PM)

Laura, Burke VA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:25 PM)

So how is this suppose to hurt McDonnell when the dems are pointing out he is right on these issue's?
proud republican (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:13 PM)

----------------------------------------

...and here I thought that Republicans didn't want politicians getting between patients and doctors.

I guess that's unless it comes to birth control and abortion...then a politican must get between the patient and doctor, right, Republicans?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:27 PM)

Patrick, KY (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:30 PM)

"Virginians are asking lots of questions about Bob McDonnell's thesis"

Actually, no, Virginians have grown weary of Deeds constantly bringing this up and are wondering if he has anything else to say other than 'look what my opponent wrote 20 years ago.' Last week at the debate in Fairfax there was an audible groan from the crowd when Deeds brought it up repeatedly. Time to come up with a reason to vote for you, Deeds, not a reason to vote against your opponent.

Laura, Burke VA

If the "thesis" is all Deeds has going for his campaign, then he really has nothing at all. It's time for a change in Virginia, a real change. Governor McDonnell will be a welcome change.

Sue, Virginia Beach VA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:35 PM)

If the democrats make the mistake of passing healthcare reform without a strond public option how do you think the polls are going to look? Forcing American citizens into insurance slavery and increasing insurance costs on the working class who's wages contnue going backwards wouldn't look good on any polititians resume, hear me Congressmen.
MK,MO

Watching the liberals still talk about the public option is like watching the Detroit Lion fans watch their team be down by 38 late in the 4th quarter and still they are shouting "We're still in this!". No. No you're not. It's over.

Barry Sanders, MI (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:43 PM)

Patrick ~

Since when was prostitution a strictly "liberal" institution (David Vitters, just to name one)? When was homosexuality strictly a "liberal" way of life (Log Cabin Republicans, remember)? Since when was racism and slavery a strictly "liberal" construct (Ku Klux Klan)? And do you naively suppose that no woman impregnated by a conservative has ever had an abortion when the pregnancy proved inconvenient? Puhleeze.

In short, Patrick, I'll be happy to put my own godless liberal morals and credentials up against yours any six days of the week (I rest on Saturdays -- shopping day, you know?). From all that I can see, it's the religious zealots who spew the most intolerance and hatred and who are hellbent on breaking this country in two if the rest of us don't bow to you as overlords. What do you suppose Jesus would say about THAT, Patrick?

I think you've been reading far too many "Left Behind" novels. You're actually starting to believe that stuff. In some ways, I hope for the "Rapture" so that it takes the ignorant, hypocritical, hyper-religious Bible-thumpers away and leaves the rest of us in peace. The planet would probably be better off.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:50 PM)

Deeds would be grasping at straws because in the end he will be defeated for being closely associated with Obama failed policies.

VA Voters (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 1:55 PM)

Does the other guy have any ads? Would you like to post a couple of his?

Bing Censored? (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 2:05 PM)

I'm so happy the press can dig up dirt to help out my Democrats. I love they found McDonnell's thesis. I love they won a court order to open up Ryan's custody hearings in the 2004 US IL Senate Race to help Barack win.

I really like that my Hero Keith Olbermann is trying to dig up dirt on Glenn Beck. He's a true journalist.

In Deeds We Trust!
In McDonnell We Bust!

Sorenson, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 2:20 PM)

Proud R, you're absolutely correct - McDonnell has something no liberal will ever have - morals - he understands things that no liberal will ever comprehend - God's still here and still in charge, and may He have mercy on the pro-homosexual, pro-abortion, freedom hating liberals, when He has finally had enough and makes Himself known. I fear the future of this nation with godless liberals at the helm for another three years - I know God's patience seems infinate, but I don't think He's going to allow the false messiah in DC to empower Iran and Russia, turn his back on Israel, continue to allow groups that support prostitution and slavery to flourish. The officials of this nation have become so corrupt and sinful, I really do fear God is going to break this nation into pieces - perhaps He already is and Obama is the means in which to do so - he has divided us on race, political beliefs, moral beliefs, religious beliefs, monetary and tax beliefs, and on and on. Our founding fathers were absolutely correct too - United We Stand - Divided We Fall - and we've never been more divided than right now. Brace for impact! - Patrick KY
=========================================
Good Lord Patrick...He's not your God simply because you called 'shotgun' first...and nor do I believe the Lord would give inside information to someone in KY who thinks he has the has the Divine ability to determine someone's faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Save your morals and that of McDonnells...Man thinks he has a lot of things, and yes you are correct, the Lord will indeed let many of them know that to Him, those things mean nothing.

Allen - Omaha, NE (Sent Monday, September 21, 2009 2:25 PM)

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