National Democrats Step Up for Deeds; GOPAC Aids McDonnell

Democratic Party

National Efforts to Help Deeds Are Stepped Up

National Democrats stepped up efforts Wednesday to demonstrate that they remain fully supportive of gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds. A new e-mail went out from President Obama's Organizing for America to 500,000 Virginia voters urging them to help the Bath County state senator and check out Republican opponent Robert F. McDonnell's 1989 graduate school thesis. The e-mail opens: "As President Obama said, Creigh Deeds' pragmatic and bipartisan approach to politics 'has an ability to bring people together, build consensus and deliver results.' "

New ads also went up on Facebook urging voters to look into the thesis.

The activity came the same day the Wall Street Journal cited a source who said the White House is backing off support for Deeds. And Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, was quoted over the weekend suggesting that the party's chances in the New Jersey race are stronger than in Virginia.

Deeds officials continue to say that they hope Obama will campaign again for Deeds and that they are working closely with the White House.

The campaign also insists that all is well with the Democratic National Committee and the DGA, as the three groups hold daily conference calls and coordinate closely. The DGA pumped $250,000 into the campaign last week, and Deeds senior adviser Mo Elleithee said a $1 million contribution from the DNC announced Monday was not a pledge. It was a check, wired directly into the Deeds account.

-- Rosalind S. Helderman

Campaign Fundraising

GOPAC and Boehner Assist McDonnell

GOPAC, a national organization dedicated to electing Republicans to state and local office, is donating $100,000 to gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell and Virginia's House of Delegates hopefuls. More is expected to come.

The group is assisting several GOP House candidates in Northern Virginia, including Del. David B. Albo (42nd District), Jay McConville (44th), Barbara Comstock (34th), Rich Anderson (51st) and Jim LeMunyon (67th).