Editorial Board Endorses Deeds in Primary

In a crowded three-way race for Virginia’s Democratic nomination for governor, we support state Sen. Creigh Deeds.

This newspaper’s editorial board has met with the three candidates who are vying for the Democratic nomination on June 9 – Deeds, former state Sen. Brian Moran and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

Each of the candidates is qualified for the job, but we believe Deeds is best suited, with his 18 years of experience building relationships across Virginia and a deep understanding of rural challenges. Deeds, 51, is from Bath County, where he served as commonwealth’s attorney before being elected to the state Senate.

He puts transportation improvements high on his agenda – an obvious need across Virginia, a state that once led the nation for its quality system. Booming growth has clogged both commerce and commuters. Deeds says if elected governor he will focus on transportation improvements, including rail initiatives, early in his term while momentum is high.

We also like his commitment to making higher education more accessible and affordable for more families and his plans to invest in job-training programs that focus on technology. Both are dire needs in our region, where students need additional training and education but where funds for college and training programs often come up short.

When Deeds talks about consensus and working with other regions of the state, he does it with years of practice and the clear understanding that it involves
compromise. Building consensus is the only way to real progress, he told the editorial board. “If you never build consensus, you never move forward.”

Rural legislators need the support and clout of those in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, he stressed. We believe Deeds is the Democratic candidate with the most relationships built across the state.

Moran is a talented candidate with substantial experience as a prosecutor in Alexandria and as a legislator representing Northern Virginia. We believe he possesses a sharp legal mind, a strong commitment to public safety and the environment, and the requisite job qualifications.

But Moran, with a stronger urban base, has not developed the same network across Virginia as Deeds, who already has run for statewide office before, narrowly losing the attorney general’s race four years ago to Bob McDonnell, who officially became the GOP candidate for governor on Saturday. And while Moran supports increasing “green jobs” and such renewable energy as wind power, it is unclear how Moran would address immediate and growing energy needs since he opposes a coal plant in Surry County and offshore oil drilling. Moran has strengths as a prosecutor and public safety advocate, but we believe Deeds is the stronger overall choice.

McAuliffe, the former DNC chairman, has brought rock star enthusiasm into the primary race.

No one can deny McAuliffe’s enthusiasm and drive – he is running as if he already were governor, complete with a staff of more than 100 people and multiple daily updates on his appointments and availability.

We don’t support the criticism that McAuliffe, who has lived in McLean for about 17 years, is a carpetbagger. Residents of Southwest Virginia – too often forgotten by the wealthier, more populous regions – should look inward before dismissing residents from other parts of the state. For all of us, our hometown is an accident of birth.

McAuliffe has generated excitement and attention and raised millions of dollars in this race. And it’s clearly fun to be around him: He’s got the energy of a caffeinated toddler, a huge staff and big ideas for transportation, education and business growth. He campaigns with former President Bill Clinton and celebrities like will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. No doubt he can bring supporters, and their checkbooks, to a party.

But it is not clear if he could implement his plans in a state where he has no voting record and has never traded horses with legislators in the General Assembly. And he’s not delivered a clear plan to pay for all his aims.

We like the fire McAuliffe has lit in the Democratic Party, but believe Deeds is better suited to be its candidate for governor.

Some Democrats think Deeds can’t tackle the Republican nominee McDonnell, who beat him in the attorney general’s race in 2005. Remember that Deeds, outspent 2-1, lost that race by 323 votes out of about 2 million cast. Deeds is a strong candidate to face McDonnell and the only candidate seeking the Democratic nomination who previously has run for statewide office.

Deeds acknowledged that McAuliffe has garnered a lot of attention and that Deeds is much less flashy. Still, Deeds believes many primary voters will turn to him. “Everyone wants to go out with the new guy in town, but you marry the guy from next door,” he said.

Deeds chuckled over having once been told that his worst trait is being too self-effacing and earnest. “Being nice is not a negative and I can be tough when I need to. Over many years, I have proven I can get things done,” he told our editorial board, which consists of Publisher Carl Esposito, Opinion Page Editor Suzanne Tate and Managing Editor J. Todd Foster. “I’ve always been underestimated, but precisely who I am is why I am best suited to be the next governor.”

He sold us.