Truth Tracker: Deeds sharpens attacks, McDonnell goes mainstream

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: August 27, 2009

We haven’t even entered the fall campaign cycle and already both campaigns are on the airwaves.

The Deeds campaign first, with a more general ad which seeks to link Deeds with Virginia’s most popular politician: Sen. Mark Warner.

Creigh Deeds says we need to keep Virginia moving forward with the pro business economic policies Mark Warner put in place and not go backwards by embracing the failed economic policies of George W. Bush. Well, I’m not going to stand by and let anyone take us back.”

There’s nothing much to truth track here, but not how the tone sharpens in his latest radio ad.

FEMALE VO: “George Bush - what a disaster for our economy.”

MALE VO: “What I can’t figure is why this Bob McDonnell wants to do it JUST LIKE Bush!”

FEMALE VO: “Bob McDonnell … running for Governor?”

MALE VO: “Yep - said the Bush economy was “a REVIVAL.“”

FEMALE VO: “I call it a failure - why let Bob McDonnell take us back to economic policies that hurt families like mine?”

MALE VO: “That’s why I’m voting for Creigh Deeds.”

FEMALE VO: “That underdog guy?”

MALE VO: “Mmm-hmm … the state senator who partnered with Mark Warner to reform our budget and protect our schools.”

As with the first ad, Deeds wants to tie himself as closely as possible to Warner, hoping the senator’s popularity will rub off on him.

As for McDonnell calling Bush’s economy a “revival,” during a July debate the Republican did refer to the economy between 2003 and 2006 as a “revival.” He noted former President Bush’s strategy of cutting taxes to spur economic growth. Many of those tax cuts were embraced by Republicans and Democrats alike and many Republican claim the cuts helped bring us out of the 2002 recession.

For his part, McDonnell is up with a new ad highlighting his energy plans.

In the ad, McDonnell says, “I will lead a bi-partisan effort to make Virginia the Energy Capital of the East Coast. New green job zones to help innovators create renewable energy.” He goes on to say. “I will be a jobs Governor, bringing new energy resources and jobs to Virginians.”

This ad includes just the highlights of his energy proposals, but the plan may not be the point. Instead, the ad touches on an issue very important to voters and shows McDonnell very much in the mainstream.

http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/truth_tracker_deeds_sharpens_attacks_mcdonnell_goes_mainstream/44468/