Another interesting day, with great phone calls. It is amazing how many folks are still undecided. Today, Moran had about half as many voters as Deeds and a third of the voters as compared to McAuliffe. One in three voters who responded was still undecided and they were very willing to discuss issues and what each candidate brought to the table.
My conclusion is that the race is still hot, between two and three pronged. The Moran camp is sending out very positive messages, just as Deeds campaign is. The McAuliffe campaign is staying focused on reaching voters and most importantly the undecided voters who are now willing to listen and make up their minds. Now that the election is just a day away, the undecided voters are willing to listen, and they are sure they are going to vote come Tuesday.
Some are SO tired of the calls that they are turned off the election and said they will not be voting. Others said that they were Republicans and so did not vote in the Primary, much as they wanted to be sure they had a good candidate competing in November. They do not appear to be voting only along on party lines, they appear open to McAuliffe ideas and priorities.
The most impressive development in Northern Virginia is the hundreds of yard signs Deeds has on many major roads. McAuliffe has plenty of signs too, at different heights and in different sizes. Visibility is strong for both these candidates. Moran appears to have abandoned the yard signs war. Deeds is leaning very heavily on the Washington Post endorsement, one would think the Washington Post is the most powerful voice influencing Virginia voters!
Deeds is on TV Commercials - again leaning heavily on the Washington Post endorsement. He has nothing to say, just uses the endorsement and shows interest in education, pro-choice, jobs....does not talk of guns :)
Tuesday will be one long, interesting day. Virginia voters will have their opportunity to decide who shall be the Democratic nominee.
I believe the best qualified candidate is Terry McAuliffe and he will make a difference in Virginia's fortunes. His priorities are clear -
JOBS, JOBS and more JOBS
Pre-K and elementary education initiatives
Affordable Healthcare
Affordable University Education
High Speed Rail to reduce congestion and save the environment
The ability to beat Bob McDonnell is important, but more important is the ability to be a successful Governor after the elections in November. McAuliffe is definitely the candidate of choice on this criteria.
I am voting for McAuliffe, I hope you are too!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009:
Set out bright and early this morning at 4:30 AM to place signs at four polling locations in my area and everything was so peaceful. It was amazing that there was not one single Deeds sign at any of these locations, or the streets leading to them. At three locations, there were a couple of Moran signs. The one location without a Moran sign had a home across from the school, which had a Deeds sign :) When I completed placing all signs by 5:40, I met a long time volunteer from Fairfax Democrats at one precinct setting her table to assist voters who might face challenges. We chatted some and I left to return home and see how the day turns out.
This has been a great experience and many lessons learned. I believe McAuliffe will make a great Governor of Virginia. Just need to be sure that another hundred and fifty thousand people believe this too :) There are more than 200,000 supporters for McAuliffe, they all just need to come out and vote. I believe they will and so McAuliffe should obtain at least 150,000 votes today. Let us pray that becomes reality.
Four Hours into the Polls, at 10:00 AM my polling location had almost reached 100 voters.... in the past, in bitter cold, we have done about 600 for a local election, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. The rain has taken its toll, and hopefully many will return later in the day. Perhaps many have done absentee ballots, since this is summer and many travel. We will know this evening. My prediction is 300,000 votes, let us see what we end up with :)