McDonnell up by 17 points for VA governor

SurveyUSA, in a poll conducted Oct. 27, has McDonnell ahead by 58 percent to 41 percent. Public Policy Polling, in a survey conducted Oct .23-26, puts (Bob) McDonnell ahead 55 percent to 40 percent with 5 percent undecided.

The polls follow on the heels of a Washington Post survey conducted Oct. 22-25 that had McDonnell in front by 55 percent to 44 percent.

SurveyUSA said McDonnell gets a big boost from independents, who are backing him by 60 percent to 38 percent. McDonnell also has a commanding lead in Northern Virginia, where Democrats had been making gains and is a part of the state on which (Creigh) Deeds had been counting. PPP has McDonnell's margin among independents at 59 percent to 34 percent.

PPP says Deeds is suffering from the growing perception that he has lost the race, with the number of Democrats likely to vote falling from 37 percent a month ago to 31 percent. Also, Deeds' support among fellow Democrats is 84 percent, compared to the 94 percent backing McDonnell enjoys from Republicans.

BET cofounder raises money for GOP gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, mocks Dem opponent

"The billionaire co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television mocked Democrat Creigh Deeds' occasional stuttering at a fundraiser she held for Deeds' Republican opponent in the governor's race, Bob McDonnell.

In a YouTube video, Sheila Johnson says Virginia needs a governor "who can really communicate, and Bob McDonnell can communicate."

Then she tells a small crowd of wealthy donors, "The other people I talk to, especially his op-op-op-o-opponent, di-di-did this all through my interview with him."

After muted laughter among the guests, she adds, "He could not articulate what needed to be done."

Jared Leopold, Creigh Deeds' press secretary, said a YouTube video depicting BET co-founder Sheila Johnson criticizing the candidate on his communication skills was a 'divisive personal attack.'"

"This is a cheap shot and a new low for this race," Leopold told FOX 5 in a statement. "Virginians deserve better than personal attacks like this.

Obama's coattails may hang Creigh Deeds

"Not so long ago, Democrats were thrilled by the long length of Barack Obama's coattails. Creigh Deeds would be a lot more thrilled today if he could just step off.

Mr. Deeds is the Democratic state senator running for governor of Virginia, and while he's at it, running away from his commander in chief. It ought to worry Democrats that their top recruit for the year already views their Washington agenda as a liability. It ought to worry Mr. Deeds that there seems no escape.

The Virginian's problem is that he's a little too important to party leaders. The Obama White House isn't half as worried about what Virginia means for next year's elections as it is what Virginia means for this year's health fight. A wipeout in the Old Dominion could send Blue Dogs scampering for cover. If health care isn't done by Nov. 3, it may not get done. Mr. Obama needs Mr. Deeds to win."